Guatemala in February 2012

Friday, February 3

We spent all of Thursday just getting here, so today we went to the orphanage for the first time. it was so good to see the kids! at first we just reacquainted ourselves,and then we brought out the books...children's books that we could read to them. Actually, John mostly showed kids videos and pictures from our trip last August, while Merrie Beth read in Spanish. Many of the children asked if they could take a book, and they sat on the ground reading. we also had a yearbook of our 2009 trip, and everyone truly enjoyed looking at the pictures.

In the afternoon the boys played soccer. Merrie Beth pulled up a chair to watch, when John said she should play, too. Now, she knows virtually nothing about playing, and John put her in as goalie. thus began her brief and "illustrious" career in futbol. The fun began in beautiful sunshine. Then our goalie blocked a vicious shot...with her face! yes, her hands were up, but somehow the pelota (ball)made its way directly between her eyes and into her nose, knocking off her sunglasses! Needless to say, she retired to the sidelines, surrounded by concerned players and the kicker of that blocked goal saying, in English, "I am so sorry!". She assured them that she was OK, but that headache was a good one!

After dinner we met with Antonio to discuss the needs of the orphanage. This was a good and productive time, as we can see that now many people and groups can come together to move the orphanage forward.

Also, in the afternoon, Cesar, Sandra's husband, stopped by and made a point of talking with us. This was difficult, as we expressed our condolences and he had tears in his eyes. He is still recovering from his injuries, broken ribs, broken sternum, and a gash across his forehead.

It felt really good to go to bed, and we awoke refreshed on Saturday morning.


Saturday, February 4, 2012

After breakfast we drove to Fundacion Salvacion, and while the first request was for the pelota, the kids were also super interested in the books. The reading soon began in earnest, with the kids very forgiving of Merrie Beth's mediocre Spanish. Lots of hugs and lap sitting. Yesterday afternoon all of the older kids, the leaders, left for an overnight trip to a water park, so today the staff appreciated our being there to help with the younger ones. A beautiful sunny day made activities really enjoyable.

As part of our activities, we held a mini-VBS. Antonio divided up the kids into groups, and Merrie Beth read the Bible story, Jonah and the Big Fish, in Spanish, while John and Antonio gathered the kids for the craft. Each child received a colored boat cut from cardstock and stickers to place on it. We also handed out little packets of candy fish. With three of us to do this, we kept it simple, but everyone enjoyed the story and the craft.

Then it was back to books and playing on the playground. Ah, of course, the camera kept busy as John "shot" quite a few of the boys and girls. We actually left a bit early today, because a church group came with activities, adults and kids from Huehue. Tonight John printed pictures which we will give out tomorrow.

Probably the one thing that just "sticks out" about being here is the love the kids show. As Merrie Beth read today, little Israel sat on her lap and fell asleep. Others then came with books in hand and asked her to read. Even John got into the reading act today. Everywhere groups of children reading and looking at books dotted the landscape. No one minds that we cannot speak Spanish. Just a word or a phrase suffices to communicate, and Claudia, book in hand, took Merrie Beth's hand and led her to a place to read. Later she patted a spot on the bench for Merrie Beth to sit and didn't like it when Merrie Beth left because the church group began its presentation.

So tomorrow John, Antonio, and Merrie Beth will have their own worship, with activities at the orphanage to follow. We appreciate your prayers.