A Week in the Life

Well...I can't say this week has been too exciting, but here it goes.

On Tuesday after we finished the blog we went and sorted and handed out clothes at el Hogar. There were 25 new boys that were taken off the streets and brought to the home because they had been used by their parents for money, so we went to give them underwear and everything because they didn't have anything but the clothes on their backs. It was a very chaotic hand out, and sad to see that they had been so hurt. Tuesday night we came back to the Residence and had a Bible study thing at their house. There were about 35 people there. Of course we couldn't understand much, and both of us were still shocked and mourning the loss of our uncle. But then the first verse they looked at was 1 Thesselonians 5:16, which simply says "Be joyful always". Definitely not what either of us wanted to read, but it was convicting. After the Bible study we had a girls' night here, because all of the boys were gone with dad doing a visit to a nearby village. It was refreshing and relaxing: exactly what we needed.

Wednesday was equally uneventful. We woke up thinking that we would be teaching English, but it turns out all of the kids had exams. So we spent the morning doing what we do best: sleeping. That afternoon we sat down with Josias and Pastor German while they were working out the scheduling for when the group gets here. Vicky was there the whole time, and she gave me the job of translating recipes. If you've never tried to translate a recipe to a different language, it's hard. It took about 25 minutes of me saying I have no idea how to translate cups and teaspoons into pounds and ounces for them to tell me they had American measuring cups! Definitely a relief, but still finding all of the names for the ingredients and everything took a while. Luckily Adrienne and big brother Pablo were here to help read me the English ingredients and make sure I wrote flour instead of spiders. After a while we went back to Josias' house and picked up Candy to go shopping for refreshments for the kids. We ended up going to the biggest market in the city. There were a ton of venders and the streets were crowded with people. It was an experience to remember. After shopping we were dropped back off at the Residence and hung out here for the night.

Thursday was one of the best days so far. It started off with us going to Candy and Josias' house in the morning and helping Candy prepare the snacks for the kids. We weren't really sure how to do anything she told us, so peeling coconuts and a million peaches turned into an all morning activity. Adrienne learned the proper way to use a knife, and now is able to peel peaches like a pro. I tried... but I'm just not made out to be a peach peeler. We also made coconut ice cream. It's been cool to see how they make things here instead of going out to the store and buying it. Candy just put the coconut into a blender-type thing, added a ton of milk and sugar, and more sugar, and PRESTO! Ice cream. After being frozen of course. We worked at peeling while Candy prepared lunch, which she promised we were going to love. She packed it all up in tupperware and waited for Josias to get home. We thought that she just packed it for us to go to el Hogar, but little did we know they had a plan for us. I think they could tell on Tuesday and Wednesday that we were in pretty bad shape after the news about Uncle Shorty, and they wanted us to have a fun day. We all got in the van and drove for a while to a little village called Toto. Candy's mom lives there, so we went to her house, one of the biggest I've been in. We thought that it was apartments at first, but really it all belonged to them. While we were waiting for lunch to finish, we were able to explore the upstairs and roof from which the whole village can be seen clearly. Definitely a cool sight to see. Lunch consisted of a broccoli pasta cassorole thing, and it was absolutely delicious. Candy has proven herself to be a super good cook. After lunch Josias took us out to the little market where there's more touristy things to buy. It was a little surreal walking around this little Guatemalan village and seeing how the culture really is. We went back to the house after walking around and they handed us the computer. That's when we knew that this day was planned for us. So we showed them some pictures of our family and the wedding and everything, and it was time to head back. When we got back we had a church service that ended up just being a play of the book of Esther. It was a nice relaxing day, and great to know that they were really thinking of us and wanted us to have a fun time.

Friday was an adventure. We spent all day with the kids from el Hogar. In the morning we took the boys out to play soccer, and ended up just watching them play against a team from one of the schools here. They were really excited to play an actual game. It was cute and touching to see how Josias coached them and encouraged them and prayed with them even when they lost pretty badly. Unfortunately, we weren't able to see the whole game. They played with 11 kids on the field, and we brought 13 to the sports complex, so it was Adrienne and I's job to watch the 2 extra boys. It was fun for a while, and the boys were good, but then they got restless. There were holes in the fence that they could climb through, and once they got tired of us climbing through them is exactly what they did. One of the kids started by just taunting us on the other side of the fence, but then he climbed through the fence on that side and started running. Of course the other boy followed. Adrienne took off after them. After a minute or so I decided I should probably go too, so I started running in the general direction that they went. I saw them turn the corner, so I went off that way too, but then they were gone. I ran around the entrance area for a while, but I still couldn't find them. I was honestly terrified that they were out on the streets and Adrienne got kidnapped or something. But then I saw them through a locked fence on the track. Adrienne was literally dragging them down the track, one in each hand. I tried to call to her..but of course there's so many Guatemalan people with the name Adrienne...not. All the fences were locked to get to the track, but eventually I got her attention and was able to get down there right when one of the boys broke loose and took off running. I was luckily able to catch him, and we headed back to where the group was. Luckily my kid was more cooperative than Adrienne's, because she had to carry him. It was a nice start to the hectic day. We took the kids back to el Hogar, went back to Josias' for lunch, and were back on the road to el Hogar for the babies. They call them the babies, but really they're babies and toddlers. We took 9 of them, 2 for each of us and 1 for Josias and Candy's 6-year-old son, to the zoo and to a mall for them to play games. The zoo was crazy. Firstly, it's free, and anyone can just walk in. Secondly, they have some intense animals. Thirdly, the monkeys weren't caged. They just stood in their little area and for some reason stayed there. There was a moat-type thing around their area, which I guess keeps them there, but still. It was crazy to see. It started raining some so we hopped back into the van and headed to the mall. While we were walking in there was a lady that was staring at us dragging all these little kids, and I guess she felt bad for them because she gave Josias 100 Qs to buy them a snack. So after a long adventure to the bathroom, Josias and Candy left us with all the kids around a table to buy food. I'm stating right now that I will never have 9 kids. Way too nerveracking. Anyways, they ate and we headed over to the games, and they rode in this carousel helicopter thing. It was fun to see how happy they were just riding in this little game. After we were done there we headed back to el Hogar to drop them off, and then to Josias and Candy's for about 20 minutes until we went back to el Hogar for Friday night devotional. We played our guitars and sang with the kids, and by the time we were done we were all ready to rest. So we came back to the Residence, ate dinner, and finally went to bed.

Saturday. (I promise this won't be as long as Friday). We started off taking the boys, 19 of them, to the hot springs to swim. There is a song that Josias plays for the kids in the van about Jonah, and by the time we arrived to the hot springs we had heard it 4 times in a 30 minute ride. But we had already heard it enough on Friday to know the words and want to die every time we heard it. Josias said he'd burn us a CD of it. I think I'll burn it when I get home. But anyways, we arrived at the hot springs, and it was really cool to see. The pools were all steaming because they were so hot, and by the time we left the steam was so heavy you couldn't see but 20 feet in front of you. It also started raining, but the steam hid it. After swimming for a couple hours, we took the kids back to el Hogar and came back to the Residence. We showered and got all dry and warm and then just hung out here for the day/night.

Sunday was a busy day. We woke up and helped the girls and Vicky prepare lunch for the church. They made tortillas while Adrienne and I poured the drinks into little cups. We then ate breakfast (with cold milk...yes!) and headed upstairs where Vicky was going to get us into typical Guatemalan clothing. We ended up in bright pink and fushia. It was quite the ceremony just getting into the clothing, and to say the least it was hard to breathe. But I think they were really excited that we actually wore it, so that was good. During Sunday service Adrienne and I played and sang the hymn "As the Deer", and then Pastor and Sara joined us singing it in Spanish. I think the church was excited to see it, so it was fun. Then it was time for Sunday School with the kids. Adrienne went with Sara to help in the toddlers class, and I went with Candy to teach the big girls class. I'm just thankful that these girls had already heard me try and fail to teach them the story of Noah's Ark in Spanish, because I tried to teach them the story of the birth of Isaac, and I think the lesson altogether was about 3 minutes. It's definitely been challenging to try and give lessons to these kids. But we got through it, and got out about an hour and a half later when church ended. We then squeezed all the kids into the van so Josias could take them back to el Hogar. There were atleast 30 kids, girls and toddlers, plus Josias, Adrienne and I, Candy's mom, her little helper, and Josias' little boy in a 12 passenger van. I don't think I've ever been more squished in my life. But afterwards we headed back to the Residence for lunch and hung out for a little bit. Around 5 we went to play volleyball with the church. Sara made a bet with me that Adrienne and I would be some of the first ones picked for teams, and now I have to buy her something, so we'll see how that goes. But anyways, it was a lot of fun just playing. Adrienne and I were on the same team and were able to run a 1, which I think was really surprising to everyone. Definitely the best part of the night. When we finished we walked back to the Residence, and Adrienne and I thought that we would be cooking dinner, but it ended up already being made. So we ate and stayed around the living room for a while just talking and hanging out until bed.

Today has been pretty uneventful. Pastor German and Vicky are gone to Guatemala City for the day to buy groceries and things for when the group gets here, so we're here at the house with all the kids. We woke up and ate breakfast and then slept a little, read a little, and talked to people online some. Then it was time to make lunch. Since we didn't make dinner last night we had to make lunch today, but it was just hamburgers. Adrienne cut up all the fixings and made the french fries while I put together the patties and started to cook them. It turned out well, I think all the kids liked it, and we've just been hanging out since then. And writing this blog, which has turned out to be way longer than I thought..sorry about that.

The group from Sierra Grace gets here on Wednesday, and we're going to be leaving Xela for Zacapa. It's going to be a completely different place and a completely different dynamic. I don't know if it's better or worse, just a lot different. Our days will be scheduled and filled with things to do and people to see. I'm excited to see what happens in our last 2 weeks here in Guatemala. Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. They have definitely been felt, and God has been working here in us and through us. I'm not sure that we will have computer access for the rest of our time here, but I promise to tell you all about everything when we return to the states. Thank you all again, and we'll see you in a little over 2 weeks!

Here's Adrienne!

It's hard to believe that we have already been gone for two weeks. At the same time it feels like we have been here forever already. I have learned a whole lot and continue to be challenged with how I live my life. I have been humbled and touched by the work that we are doing here in Xela. I was nervous about being with the boys in the Government Home so much. I am not exactly sure what I was nervous about, but I was for some reason. I have been humbled by hearing stories about each one of these kids. There a couple of the boys that I really want to bring home with me, to have a family and a safe place where they have the opportunity to learn. There is one kid who is in the "baby/toddler" room because of his size. He tells me that he is 2 years-old. When you hear him talk and how able and willing he is to have a conversation, you can tell that he's not 2 years-old. Candy told Angela and I that he was 7 or 8 years old. He is no longer able to grow, and because of his size, he is placed in this toddler room, where he is not able to have any schooling. (I don't quite understand the schooling system that they have there at the Government home. All I know is that it isn't much to start out with). This past week there were 25 more boys taken off the street and brought to the government home. That was heart breaking. To go into this place, see these kids, and know that we couldn't really do much except be present. I have learned through the past year or so that presence is essential, and that presence means a ton. I'm sure it does to these kids as well, however, I have felt convicted. I can be present for 3 weeks here in Xela and then I leave. Then what happens? It's another person in their life, who has now left. This is not how I want my life to be. I want to be a witness to others, while being present and reliable as the years continue. It has been difficult for me to see these kids, get somewhat attached to a couple of them, and now have to leave. With that said, I am looking forward to what the future has in store for me. I am scared to death. I think that I have realized how scared I am about finishing school, having bills, and living in the real world. I have also realized though through this summer that I have been called to do some kind of Missionary work. To what capacity and when, I am not exactly sure, but I do believe that it is something that will happen in my life. I have just been thinking a whole lot. It is hard to put everything into words, especially since I am not the best at writing, but I am learning and growing. I am very thankful to have Angela here with me (and her skill of language, Spanish). It has been a great adventure so far. I don't think that I have laughed so hard so often ever to be honest. I love sitting around the table with 13 other people and laughing and having a good time for at least an hour every meal. Some of the best memories have come from that time together. It has been an adventure and I am looking forward to the next couple weeks as we are challenged and grow even more. God is faithful. The people that we have met here have been willing and able to share in their experiences as well, especially in this past week as Angela and I have both had emotional lows and emotional highs. It's been a good week. I look forward to the time ahead! Thank you all for your prayers!

If we don't get a chance to update this in the next few weeks, we will see you all back in the USA! Thank you so much for everything, this trip would not be possible without all your support!