I have been here for over a month. In this time I have felt that I have built many relationships. Each week I make more and more plans to meet with more and more kids outside of day camp and tutoring, "just to hangout". This is very exciting because it gives me valuable time with the kids in a more individual atmosphere than day camp does. It also gives me a chance to get to know the kids i do not get to spend time with during day camp. The thing is, none of these shin-digs have gone down yet. Yesterday there was a Latino music presentation at the Robinson theater in the neighborhood (which is where our East End Fellowship is hosted every Sunday). A lot of the community came out and I was able to spend time with some of the kids from CHAT outside of the CHAT bubble. It was great getting up and dancing with the kids and just laughing a goofing off without having to think about, okay so after this i have to figure out a way to calm them down and have them sit and listen to a story, or make sure they can work together as a team as we try to write a song, like i usually have to do at day camp. Another part of the evening that i really enjoyed with the cross cultural experience the kids (and I) received in participating. The leaders were from different countries in South America and so they had to use a translator to get their message across. After wards I took some kids home and was asked if I would be willing to spend time with a couple girls another day. I said of course and was on my way. Today at tutoring we established that we would eat ice cream and heng out for 2 hours. Apparently by the end of today, as I heard through the grapevine of another intern... it has become a "Girls Only Sleepover Party" by invitation only. Haha, I will have to talk to these girls about it because that was not my initial plan. But it was sweet that they were really excited. While this relationship blossoms and grows there are still the rough patches. One of the kids had had some rough times in the beginning of camp with not wanting to participate in activities but was starting to show interest and even a hint of excitement and enthusiasm. However, after a great week two weeks ago he did not show up at all last week and has not shown up to anything this week. It is sad seeing such a great kid with so much potential drop off the map. Murray had told us that things like this happen, I was hoping it wouldn't happen to me because after half my summer I have grown quite attached to him. But with a little prayer, persistence and love there is always a chance that he may come back with full gusto ready for our next grand adventure! I just have to be ready to embrace him with open arms and act as if he never left, while still strengthening the other friendships.
