Day 4: Oh Happy Thursday

Alleluia! The playground has been completed, with the help of all. It was so special to see kids who have been faced with so much adversity come together and complete such a loaded task. From the little boys who worked through their lunch to the janitors who came out to clean the equipment, it was really a group effort. Even toddlers singing 'The Bucket Song' filled beach pails to spread the mulch around their new playground.

This Wednesday was the first day children had played on the playground for over three years, and their joy was uncontainable. Smiles abounded. Kids who were skeptical at the beginning of the week now run to greet us at our arrival. Even the mothers have noticed the positive change in their kids, praising our work as the work of angels.

Tomorrow marks the end of a rewarding, difficult, and sometimes dirty week at the shelter. We have learned about the struggles of those we came to help, along with the challenges of group work. We feel blessed to have been able to create happy memories for these kids. A grand Field Day has been planned for our last day to commemorate the playground, celebrating the joint effort between our mission group and the work of the children.

In a world there these kids have so little stability, we hope the playground will serve as a reminder to them of good times and of the community that cares about their longterm success.

Thank you all for your continued prayers this week, they were certainly felt and put to good use. God Bless, The St. Anne's Philadelphia Mission Team.