Hot Dogs and Rice Krispy Treats

Those who had visited CORFRA on Sunday had planned a hot dog cookout for Friday afternoon. As we were leaving our apartment for the meeting place, it began to rain. Despite the inclimate weather, we were greeted by children that were elated to see us. They showed us to the dining hall with the newly decorated Christmas tree.

Here are some of the children with Mark.

The cookout seemed risky with the continued showers; therefore, it was decided to cook the hotdogs inside. Here's Angie manning the grill.

Although Jeni had just arrived in Cuenca, she was quite willing to visit the children and jumped right to assist with making hotdogs.

The children ate as if they were famished. All the children ate multiple hotdogs.

Even the little ones ate hotdogs.

Here are Connnie and Jeni after the children have been served.

Angel.

The children, with Angie, Maria Mercedes, Henry, and Jim in the background.

Juan Fernando and Miguel posing for the camera.

Miguel, Juan Fernando, and Herlinda.

Jeni, Paul, Mick, and some of the children.

The hotdogs were a huge success. Additionally for dessert, Angie had made Rice Krispy treats. The sad part of the meal was that some of the children were saving hotdogs for later; they were hoarding food, indicating that they have truly experienced hunger.

While at CORFRA, we received some sad and disturbing news. David, who had been abandoned by his parents and had arrived at CORFRA last Thursday, had runaway. No one knew where he had gone other than he was probably searching for his parents. David is 11. We hope that he is safe.

The money collected at California Kitchen at Thanksgiving was almost enough for mattresses. The order was placed for 24 mattresses yesterday; they should be delivered by Friday.

Also yesterday, the Pombos and the Reeds met with Eduardo and Charo at 10 de Agosto market yesterday and purchased the makings for bread. There is a commercial oven; however, they had no flour, yeast, or lard. That has been remedied temporarily. The current goal is to keep the children fed. Some of the food needs are 70 pounds of rice and 84 liters of milk per week. Most of us have never truly been hungry, but by their actions, it is evident that these children know what hunger is.

Everything that has been done for the children has been greatly appreciated.

Until next time,

Mick and Kathy