Health Riot

Me, who avoids conflict at all costs, has caused a riot.  I never meant too, but it happened.  Thankfully no violence was involved.  Just a small protest.  What was it over you ask.  Health care lessons.  Yes, I caused a small group teenage boys to demand that they get at least 15 minutes of health lessons at the end of their Bible Study.  Oh, it was too funny when I heard that teenage boys were demanding to learn how to be clean!!

Here's how it all started.  On Thursdays I have to opportunity to travel to Las Casitas with a couple of other families for Thursday Church.  This small village doesn't have a pastor, so on Thursdays we all pile into the vehicle and travel 2 hours to Las Casitas.  Matthew holds a Bible study for the preteen and teenage boys before church.  Since the rest of us are there (we are like the circus that comes to town every Thursday) the other kids come early.  I asked if I could take that time and teach the kids about health, nutrition, clean water, etc.  The others were thrilled with the idea.  So, off I went.  

The first week was on handwashing.  You would not believe how black that water was after we all washed our hands singing "Cristo me Amo"!  The next couple weeks were on dental hygiene.  For dental hygiene we talked about what foods are good and bad to eat, how to take care of your teeth, and how to clean your teeth.  At the end of the lesson, everyone got their own toothbrush and toothpaste and mixture of backing soda and salt.  The next week after the young men found out they missed out on getting the goodies, they rioted.  Demanding they get a health lesson too.  I don't think it's so much as they want the lesson, but they want the goodies.  Little do they know, there will be no more goodies for a long time.  But, if they want health lessons, it will be health lessons they get! :) 

 Here the kiddos show what they received after learning about how to clean their teeth.

Carlos wants to make sure he has the directions clear and spends some very intent moments reading his tube of toothpaste.  

 Leonardy inspects his toothbrush.  He is one of the smartest kids in class.  He always pays attention, knows the answers and is a good role model for the younger kids. 

Hopefully, I will be better in the future and not cause any more riots.  But, if I do, hopefully it's more people demanding to know how to be healthier and how to take care of their bodies.  Because after all, our bodies are a temple of God and we are to take care of them in order to honor Him (which is what the kids are learning!)