Huehue 2011 - Day 6

August 19, 2011

Well, today was a day to which we had not been looking forward. We have all made so many incredible friends at Fundacion Salvacion, and the thought of leaving the children brings much sadness to our hearts. However, we know that we serve a loving, powerful God, and that He will take care of our friends here in Huehue and give each of them what they stand in need of. He is the Almighty Provider, Comforter, and Prince of Peace; He lives, He reigns, and He will care for us, always.

The day began with all nine of us grouting, and finishing the tiling project. After a few hours of hard work, we were able to stand back and be proud of what we had accomplished and what we were able to give the orphanage. Throughout the morning we had many visitors who provided “oooh’s and ahhh’s” in excitement for the new space. It was very rewarding to complete this project for the children and staff.

In the afternoon we had our last day of VBS. Today we sang our songs while standing in a circle outside in the midst of a beautiful day. It was extremely fulfilling to look around the circle at each face we had come to love. It is incredible how attached we have become to these children, God’s beautiful children.

Each night throughout the week the team worked on designing Panda Mania shirts for the final craft for VBS. Several members of our team spent hours making cute pandas, writing fun “Panda Mania” sayings on the t-shirts, and just using the gifts of creativity that they’d been given to make awesome t-shirts for the children. The children had a great time picking out their shirts, and then using many colored Sharpie markers, they decorated them. They were super excited to have all of us sign our names on their new favorite tees! Our final snack was a good one: doughnuts! The children loved the doughnuts and many of them wore the chocolate frosting on their faces for quite awhile after. J

We were then treated to a program put on by those at the orphanage. It was a time of celebration of Guatemalan culture. The children danced and performed for us. Children of all ages participated in the entertainment and it was a beautiful display of their heritage. We also had time of thanks. The staff at the orphanage gave each of us a gift, and we did the same for them. It was such a nice way to wrap up a beautiful afternoon of giving thanks for all we have been given.

We prepared and served this evening’s dinner. We grilled over 190 hotdogs (all of which were individually wrapped and took many hands to unwrap) that evening for dinner, and enjoyed our final meal with our friends. While our dinner was wrapping up and ice-cream-pops were served, Manuel and Antonio began the fireworks display! It was quite exciting! Some of the younger children were not fans of the booms and loud crackling, so that gave us an excuse to hold them extra close and love them even more, especially knowing that this would be the final embraces of the trip.

The time came to say goodbye. For many of us, perhaps all of us, it was everything that we anticipated. It was very difficult to look into those eyes and say good bye. Many tears were shed. Many hugs were given. More tears were shed. It was very sobering to get into our van and leave for the final time, knowing that hearts were breaking, and that our time with these children had come to an end for this time.

I do not think any of our hearts will be the same ever again. I know mine will not. I know that Lane’s will not. I do not think anyone’s will. All we can do now is pray that we will one day be reunited, and that God will protect and provide for us all in the mean time. We know He will. We believe in that God, our God that is so loving and so giving. The Protector of the weak; He will provide.

Thank you for reading this entry. We covet your prayers, your thoughts, and your love as we look to safely reuniting with our families and loved one in Michigan. Until then, we bid you adios.

Lane and Anna