Monday - The Real Work Begins

The City of Children Main Plaza

For those of you who've been to the City of Children before, you know that the weekend is just a slow build up to the week ahead, a warm up for the main act. We arrive and setup on Saturday, worship together on Sunday, enjoy the most anticipated meal of the week (no offense to the Kitchen Ladies and Randy) -- an authentic Ensenada mama-made meal, this year with hot handcrafted tamales, soft tortas, refried beans, salsa. And then, Monday morning comes and it's off to work.

For the next three days, we break up in teams. One crew delivering food, clothing and toys to people outside the City. Another crew building a house for a family in Maneadero, that God will transform into a home. A third crew delivering Christmas crafts, puppet shows and Bible-Camp-style activities. Yes, nothing says "God loves you" like a good game of Musical Chairs of Death. Our team will rotate on these crews, experiencing different situations, performing differing acts of service and seeing God's hand in a myriad of ways.

There's very little time for yourself here. But then, often the very best time for yourself is when you spend your time on others. It's a curious thing - being selfless is the best way to improve your self. And, perhaps, the best selfie is enjoying a picture of others enjoying what you're doing for them.

And so we begin. Transforming the City of Children into a Christmas Village, celebrating Christmas in July with hopes visions of sugar plums will dance in their heads as they await Santa's coming. All of it building to grand conclusion on Wednesday night and Thursday. 

Stay tuned. You never know what's going to happen. But you always know something will happen. Lord knows.

P.S. Our Festival of Sharing Hat winner on Monday was Maggie Pepper for a number of selfless acts, including out working everyone on the house crew. Thanks, Maggie, we're happy to have you on the team!