Saturday morning

Hello from Santiago. This blog bite is from Joni Krohn. Last night we expected big partying in the streets but it wasn't bad at all. We went to the drug treatment center and had trouble making our way there because everyone was in the streets, but after that it all calmed down. We heard Darin's testimony and it was very powerful. He shared his story of how he used to be a drug user and manufacturer, but now he's clean. There were about 35 guys at the center. It is a 4-year program and they came from all over -- from the States, from the Dutch Antilles, from Aruba -- all to get clean. It was good to give them hope and let them know that it can be done. He was very honest about how hard it would be, but also about how much better his life is now. There were some very young guys there and that was sad. We met up with the rest of the team at the ice cream place. Today's morning run/walk was very nice as it was Saturday, there was a lot fewer people in the park. We saw some of the sports ministry guys on the way back to the dorm. The basketball court had just gotten repaved and the little kids (9 and 10 year olds) were waiting to get in to play. Today we are going to do our drama and bible school crafts, and stop by the place where they worked last year. We hope to get back up on the roof of our building to see the final product before they lay the concrete. The weather has been good. Yesterday it rained a little bit but the rest of the time it has been nice. Erik and Kris practiced their parts in the play. I can't believe they are going to do it. Erik liked the hole. He was right at home with those kids, picking them up and putting them on this shoulders. He is interacting well with the locals trying to speak their language. I'm surprised by how much he seems to like it here. It's nice that there are other boys his age. Gotta go for now. Kris may write more when we get back. All our love to St. John and please continue to pray for Darin. Adios.