Update before the Update

I thought I'd give you a little peek into what is going on this week - the first week back into 'ministry' schedule after taking 6 weeks off over the past 2 months.

So this week Caleb and I have headed up to Casa Alba every day for some hours. I need to get back into the lives of these kids, regain my authority with them, establish my presence there on a more regular basis again. The kids are going through a really rough period right now, everything that they can do with their words and wills to disrespect authority, they are doing.
I don't think I've ever seen all of Casa Alba like this before, more times than not it's just 1 room that's pushing the lines of authority. As I've been up there this week I found out that the entire bottem floor (a huge playroom, an art room and a TV room) are being taken away from Casa Alba so that FCE's handicapped school can expand their program. It's a win-lose situation. I understand the need that the school literally has no room for the 2 new classes that they'll have this year. At the same time, that leaves Casa Alba with only 1 upstairs playroom.
A hard situation - what is the school supposed to do, what is Casa Alba supposed to do?
We actually rent the Casa Alba building from the Mayor and now he said that he wants to take back the bottem level - leaving Casa Alba and the School without any options.
Everyday it seems there is a new story going around and someone's opinion has changed. Not sure at this point (Friday Morning) what will be the final outcome. What I do know is that the program I do with the kids at Casa Alba meets in that downstairs area. I am not sure how we will manage to do the program if that downstairs area is taken away from Casa Alba, or if the school is given the space. Please pray for a good solution!

The program at Casa Alba will be expanded this year - as I'm planning to go 4X/week. I'm also going to be spending some of that time doing 1 on 1 time with Aranka, the child I spoke about in my last update. Yesterday I took her and Alex to the park and then brought them back to the apartment for snacks and play time. They both played really well with Caleb, and he was really good at sharing his toys!

If Caleb were to give you an update on himself he would say that this week he is really into:
1. Being sneaky and climbing into Mom's bed after he is put to bed in his own bed.
2. Raffi's "Bananaphone" song - he wants it played over and over and over again!

I'm cooking for the team tomorrow, going to test out a new lemon pie recipe that I have. I think also that it's time for some fried chicken - haven't made that in awhile!
Sunday, we'll head to church and then that evening Dani comes over for a week stay. Dani is the son of one of the missionaries here, and he and Caleb are like brothers. He'll be staying with us while his mom heads to Sweden for a week of rest! Not sure how much sleeping will actually get done with the 2 of them having sleep-over each night : )