The team got up bright and early, and it was pouring down with rain! There was thunder and lightning through the night and it was rather flooded over the city streets and roads. We all crumpled into Mat's car and drove to Tek Ura.
The artwork around the room was all made by members of the community! How wonderful and uplifting to see these pieces of art, all handmade and beautifully put together.
We all sat down and had a cuppa before getting hands-on in the stay and play session. The group had a pretty good turnout of 5 mums and little ones. Maxine and Mick held the smallest member of the group named Sergio (who was exceptionally smiley!)
After some play on the floor, we all sat at the table, the kids coloured and the adults cut things out to help make this! (The wonderful Meggie put it all together)
After this we are some lunch and then the real fun began. We had a games session with the over 50s group! Nick played Chess 4 times (and lost 3, drew one!) The game 'Sorry' was Mick and Max's choice while Sue and Becky joined in at 'Dominoes'.
Mat took us all to "The Bridge" which is just yards away from Tek Ura, and discussed some history (such as the river destroying homes and causing quite a bit of destruction in the past).
It can get up to half of the wall which at present was much lower. During this time, I watched a man use his bare hands to unclog the drains which had been clogged by the leaves falling in the autumnal weather. An elderly man was using his walking stick to poke at them to show where was clogged the most. In this river (which was pure brown) we watched a lot of floating plastic bottles, plastic bags etc which Mat said was all water from the mountains. There were also tents and small homes next to the river on one side.
The sun had come out by this point, and we were taken back near the apartment to shop for some dinner.
For today, we had a snippet of insight into what goes on at Tek Ura and the people that come in its doors. We are definitely eager to learn more as the week goes on. We are back at Tek Ura Wednesday and Thursday to do some community walks and physio clinics, as well as a parent session.
Tomorrow, we go to GDQ to see what's going on there!
However, Suzanne is unfortunately feeling very under the weather. We don't want to be a burden to her at this moment in time and we would like to just ask for prayer for her health. She has been so welcoming and seeing her poorly is not good! As well as prayer for Suzanne, could we also ask for prayers just for us to keep up with lots of energy and that for God to be with us wherever we go this week.
As always, thank you for the continued support, it's a great blessing to have so many people thinking and praying for us all out here. God is so good, and we are eager to feel his presence and bless us with his grace and wisdom this week!
God bless,
W.A.I.T