So, first stop was dropping Mr. Gothard off for his meeting with the Principle of Education. While we were waiting what could be done better with our time than to spend it belting out "Somos Libres, se amos..." aka the Peruvian national anthem. Once the meeting was over we piled into our van to take the long trek to the College of the President of Peru (pretty much the literal translation for what it said in Spanish) After we piled out of the bus we headed straight to a convocation that was to be lead by us! I wish I could describe for you the beauty that we were in. Basically it was set in a valleyish place...the mountains were shooting straight up in front of you. The air was hazy-I couldn't tell if it was the fog of the mountains or the pollution. I think I will choose to go with the fog. But picture bright and bold little houses open air buildings, courtyards connecting the buildings were even painted on the ground with a 'game'. But back to the convo....Mr. G told them the story of how he went from being a poor and terrible flunk student to being able to reach grades that had never even been in sight before. He pulled out an American $20 bill and told the eager faces that it would be the reward to whomever could tell him what is was that he did to make it happen. I was amazed and was only able to sit back in awe of the answers these kids were giving! [[Just a bit of background- this was a project that was put on by the President of Peru. Apparently the schools were doing so bad in this area that they were not even passing the required tests they had to do for the education people. So this school was born...only the BEST of the BEST go...you have to be the in the top 1-2 of your entire school before you are even an option to attend. Once you are choosen you are sent directily to the school per the government(the government pays for everything)]] Okay, so where were we? Ah, the answers....yes, they were not silly answers that kids would normally give. You knew by what they were saying that they were thinkers and were taught how to answer intellegently. we went on what seemed like only five min with them trying to crack this mystery......in reality it was much longer than that, it had to have been because Mr. G was running out of $1 bills fast. He took a break from the gussing game and introduced us all to the crowd. We sang "How Great Thou Art" in Spanish and English. I couldn't tear my eyes away from them as we were singing....their eyes were glued to us. They watched every move we made and noticed everytime we breathed in or out, their eyes never left us. It was as if they were drinking it all in and had been dying of thirst. Natalie and I shared testimonies to the group and then the guessing continued. After many more guesses it was finally decided that he was just going to taunt them a bit more but then finally tell them the answer. Want to know the answer? Well.......that will have to be for another time. Lunch time arrived quickly and we were sent off on a tour of the grounds and then to the cafeteria. We couldn't go an inch without being greeted with "Buenos tardes" or "Hola!" or a favorite " Como se llamas?!" So many wanted pictures and couldn't get enough of just being around the 'Americans'. The cafeteria was ahead of us and we entered to the best sounds your ears could ever hear-laughter, joy, excitement was like electricity in the air. Nothing could be contained. It was decided that each of us would sit at a table of the students to mingle and interact one on one with them. I wish you could have seen what I did. Every table with hungry eyes and ears just drenched in eager anticipation to see who would sit at their table. <> All of the sudden as we were sitting there the music blared out of the speakers and it began-the most amazing traditional dance that you have ever seen. Again, all eyes were on us to see if it recieved our approval. When we gave it with enthusiasm they were ecstatic! Our group got together and sang songs for them as they gathered around us. We were pressed on everyside as they just wanted to be near-they especially crowded around for picture time!!! It became the crazy love mess around us as it was announced we had to leave. Arms wrapped so tightly around you, faces touching yours, and broken english goodbyes. As we were trying to leave we passed out our business cards....holy cows........it was a mad rush to whoever had them. Cries rang out for them and desperate voices asking you to sign them and 'picture, picture please?!' We had to be ripped away from them seeing as we were already late for out next meeting.......(to be continued)

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