SHOES!!!!

One day when we were out at a nearby orphanage, we noticed that many of the boys needed new shoes.  A few weeks ago, we got a container that had several large boxes of shoes, so we decided to take the boys out to get new shoes.  They were THRILLED!! 

This morning around (nothing is ever exact around here) 9:30, we arrived at the orphanage and we were immediately surrounded by boys eager to get their new shoes.  In no time at all, we had 14 boys, two volunteers, my mom and myself all settled into our 15 passenger van and we were on our way!  My dad, Sheryl (ORI co-worker) and my sisters had gone to the warehouse a little ahead of time to get the shoes laid out, hoping to make things a little easier!!

We got to the warehouse and got right to work.  Each adult took two kids to start with and tried to get them fitted with shoes.  Those that weren't being fitted were running around the warehouse, either playing soccer or just being boys!  We were very quickly able to get a new pair of shoes for all the boys at the orphanage, as well as at least two pair of socks for each boy! 

Fitting shoes

Roberto with his new shoes, he loves them!!!

The whole gang and their shoes!

While at the warehouse, we needed to use the forklift to help load someone up with their monthly food, so I hopped on and all of a sudden, I also had 6 boys on board with me!! We went VERY slow, but to those "helping" me drive and those riding, it was great fun!!

Yeah, he enjoyed it...

How many kids can you fit on a forklift?

 After we were done with all the shoes, we took all the boys to a local Pollo Campero to get ice cream cones.  The look on the cashier's face when I asked for 22 chocolate cones was pretty priceless, but they more than willingly obliged!!  I think that it is safe to say that all the boys (and helpers!) enjoyed their ice cream!!!

There's more than one way to eat an ice cream cone!!

Creative!

All the boys quickly polished off their ice cream and it was time to head back to the orphanage.  We dropped everyone off to a chorus of "gracias," smiles and hugs.  To see the smiles on these kids faces and receive their hugs is SO much fun; and it just makes me what to stay here in Guate longer!!!  =)