Today, there was a big Christmas party for the kids. We were up late last night stuffing Christmas stockings for the kids and their mothers. We celebrate the moms tomorrow; today was all about the kids. It had to be about one hundred kids there today. The party started at 10a.m. although, some kids were there by 8:30 a.m.and so filled with excitement.
This ministry is such a blessings to these kids, who literally have almost nothing. Every kid had some type of gift when they left: soccer balls for the boys and stuffed animals for the girls. They thoroughly enjoyed the arts and crafts and even got pumped up singing songs with the pastor.
Late this evening, we went back up into the mountains to take a doctor friend of Myra's to see a little girl who was badly burned when she was playing with some matches she found. We noticed the burns yesterday and went to the pharmacy to get some cream earlier today. Normally, I don't even walk in my neighborhood late at night. So, you can kind of figure how we felt walking through a mountain with one little flashlight to help little Lidia. We each whispered a prayer for protection and proceeded to walk up the hill to Lidia's house. We did go above and beyond, but sometimes it's about sacrificing our comforts to possibly save someone elses life. I would've loved to stay in the house and have a cup of tea before retiring for the evening, but it wasn't about me and there is no way I would've had any peace. It was about loving this little girl enough to see that she got medical attention before her situation got any worse. I'm convinced that you don't have to walk around sounding like a King James clone to show the love of God.
The Mission Team
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Day 2
We went up into the mountains yesterday to do house visits with Myra and the pastor. The only houses we stopped at were the ones that belonged to the program. Honestly, I didn't even need Myra to tell me which houses belonged to the program . I could tell by the look in people's eyes whether they were involved or not. The families that Mrya services had the look of hope in their eyes and joy and belief in their heart that God has not forgotten them. They welcomed us into their homes and were happy to update Myra with any concerns or needs.
A few of the families we visited had an ill family member. We made a circle around them and the pastor prayed for their healing and the well being of their families. Though we visited several houses; I can't seem to get Olga off of my mind. She was probably in her early to mid thirties with 7 kids. She had a 2 month old baby that looked much healthier than her other children. We took turns holding him and playing with him. When it was my turn to hold him, he sat quietly on my lap as I cuddled him, and the next thing we know he fell asleep peacefully in my arms and then started laughing in his sleep. Meanwhile, Olga was telling us that after she was released from the hospital, she came home to find that her husband was gone. Sadness filled her eyes a little, but vacated when she found out that theministry would help her with some of her basic needs. As we did with the other families we visited, we gathered around her in a circle and prayed for her and her family. Some of the children came to join in. I made a point to touch and hug and kiss every child even the grandchildren (yes, her teenage daughter has a child). All it takes is a touch to heal and to wipe away any trace of sadness.
We went all through the mountains up one side and down the other. For me, it was like a hiking trip with perks along the way. The perks of course were being able to touch the lives of others with love, a smile and a prayer. Seeing the living conditions of those families wasn't a new experience for me, but I'm always inspired by how much they trust God and have faith that their every need will be met and they don't complain about their circumstances. They simply keep pressing and praying knowing that God will answer.
A few of the families we visited had an ill family member. We made a circle around them and the pastor prayed for their healing and the well being of their families. Though we visited several houses; I can't seem to get Olga off of my mind. She was probably in her early to mid thirties with 7 kids. She had a 2 month old baby that looked much healthier than her other children. We took turns holding him and playing with him. When it was my turn to hold him, he sat quietly on my lap as I cuddled him, and the next thing we know he fell asleep peacefully in my arms and then started laughing in his sleep. Meanwhile, Olga was telling us that after she was released from the hospital, she came home to find that her husband was gone. Sadness filled her eyes a little, but vacated when she found out that the
We went all through the mountains up one side and down the other. For me, it was like a hiking trip with perks along the way. The perks of course were being able to touch the lives of others with love, a smile and a prayer. Seeing the living conditions of those families wasn't a new experience for me, but I'm always inspired by how much they trust God and have faith that their every need will be met and they don't complain about their circumstances. They simply keep pressing and praying knowing that God will answer.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Guatemala Mission - Day 1
Hi everyone, and thank you for following me on my 1st mission trip. My interest in this particular trip came about when I met Myra Smith about 6 years ago (give or take a few years). As I'm writing this, the biggest bug I've ever seen just walked across the floor of my hotel room. Sigh. Anyway, Myra came to visit our church (Healthy Choice Ministries) to talk about the mission she runs for women and children. I knew then that it was a trip I wanted to take to work at the mission, but I had no immediate plans to do so. Last year, when Myra came again to share about her mission, I knew that it wouldn't be too long before I would be working with her to serve at her mission.
I guess anyone who knows me knows how much I love children and that my gift is in the area of helps. So for me, this was a natural progression and just one of many mission trips I plan to take. A friend of mine mentioned recently that my life seemed like it was taking a turn in a different direction. For me it's not a turn, it's a continuation on a path that was already set, and everything I've experienced up to this point has prepared me for this moment. I can't help but wonder what's next. Whatever it is, I'm open.
As far as my travels today, my day started around 2 am when the Super Shuttle picked me up to take me to Dulles. I met up with Myra, Kelly, and Lisa (two ladies from a church in Virginia who were traveling back with Myra as well) at the airport. We arrived in Guatemala City at about 12:30pm (1:30 pm EST). The flight from Atlanta to Guatemala was roughly 3 hours; however, the ride from Guatemala City to Chiquimula felt even longer. We had a private bus drive us to the marketplace from the airport so that we could pick up some little gifts. Then we rode for what felt like hours (for some reason thetraffic was heavy) to Sarita's Restaurant e', a cute little place about half way to Chiquimula. The food there was delicious and worth the wait.
Once we arrived at Myra's house, we met her family who was anxiously awaiting her return. Her grandchildren were so excited to have her back home. The women gathered around the kitchen for coffee, cake and conversation while the kids played with new toys Lisa and Kelly brought with them.
As Myra got caught up on the goings on in her absence, we started to hear stories that sound very similar to the ones we heard back home. One of the stories was about two young girls who were being touched inappropriately by their father, and their mother is afraid to leave because she's not sure she can make it on her own. The conversation then changed quickly to solution mode as they discussed the new building project Kelly and Lisa's church is helping to support and how it can be used to house school aged girls in the aforementioned or similar situations. If the new building contained a few rooms or apartments, girls can continue to go to school or work and have a safe place to stay while they continue in the program.
Some of you asked before I left what my role would be here, and to be honest with you, at the moment I don't have all of the answers. The good thing is, I don't need to have all of the answers. Whatever skills I have that can be used to help theministry here will be used whether it's office work or spending time with the children who are served by the ministry ; any and every gift, talent and skill is needed.
On our agenda for this weekend is to have a Christmas party for the kids serviced by theministry and then a separate party on Sunday for the women. What I'm looking forward to the most will take place tomorrow. Tomorrow, we go up into the mountains to make home visits and pray with some single mothers and their children and other families. Myra will translate for me.
I hope you enjoyed reading my blog entry. Feel free to send me questions or comments. I need to go now and prepare for tomorrow, and I have a bug to catch before he gets in my luggage.
Buenas noches.
I guess anyone who knows me knows how much I love children and that my gift is in the area of helps. So for me, this was a natural progression and just one of many mission trips I plan to take. A friend of mine mentioned recently that my life seemed like it was taking a turn in a different direction. For me it's not a turn, it's a continuation on a path that was already set, and everything I've experienced up to this point has prepared me for this moment. I can't help but wonder what's next. Whatever it is, I'm open.
As far as my travels today, my day started around 2 am when the Super Shuttle picked me up to take me to Dulles. I met up with Myra, Kelly, and Lisa (two ladies from a church in Virginia who were traveling back with Myra as well) at the airport. We arrived in Guatemala City at about 12:30pm (1:30 pm EST). The flight from Atlanta to Guatemala was roughly 3 hours; however, the ride from Guatemala City to Chiquimula felt even longer. We had a private bus drive us to the marketplace from the airport so that we could pick up some little gifts. Then we rode for what felt like hours (for some reason the
Once we arrived at Myra's house, we met her family who was anxiously awaiting her return. Her grandchildren were so excited to have her back home. The women gathered around the kitchen for coffee, cake and conversation while the kids played with new toys Lisa and Kelly brought with them.
As Myra got caught up on the goings on in her absence, we started to hear stories that sound very similar to the ones we heard back home. One of the stories was about two young girls who were being touched inappropriately by their father, and their mother is afraid to leave because she's not sure she can make it on her own. The conversation then changed quickly to solution mode as they discussed the new building project Kelly and Lisa's church is helping to support and how it can be used to house school aged girls in the aforementioned or similar situations. If the new building contained a few rooms or apartments, girls can continue to go to school or work and have a safe place to stay while they continue in the program.
Some of you asked before I left what my role would be here, and to be honest with you, at the moment I don't have all of the answers. The good thing is, I don't need to have all of the answers. Whatever skills I have that can be used to help the
On our agenda for this weekend is to have a Christmas party for the kids serviced by the
I hope you enjoyed reading my blog entry. Feel free to send me questions or comments. I need to go now and prepare for tomorrow, and I have a bug to catch before he gets in my luggage.
Buenas noches.
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