Month: April 2017

Since Guatemala is mostly Catholic, this week all the kids were out of school for Holy Week. It was another busy week full of activity, outings, and new experiences.

Monday, we all went to a pool together. Everyone from the babies to the oldest teens went with. I expected to go to a regular swimming pool. We went to more than just a pool. There were small carnival rides, a basketball court, walking trails, a lake where you could rent a paddle boat, and little stands set off to the side for shopping and/or eating. We only got to go in the pool, as each different activity had to be paid for separately. It was a blast for all the kids that got to come!

On Tuesday, a few of the houses went outside of the orphanage. I stayed back with the girls houses and took photos, as they constructed and participated in their own obstacle course. They had an eating challenge, a slip n’ slide, a fashion show, bowling, water balloons, and a mud pit. By the end of the afternoon, all spectators were soaked from head to toe!

Wednesday, most of the houses got to participate in an afternoon of activities outside of the orphanage. The kids were split into groups of 10 and each took their turn at each section. Sections included a water game, dodgeball, cornhole, water balloon toss, and basketball. That afternoon wore all of the kids (and voluneets) out!

We took two buses there, one filled with boys, and another filled with girls. I got to ride with the girls’ houses. On the way back to the orphanage, the girls were still full of energy. They were taking turns singing and dancing. So was I! It was kinda fun and exciting to hear a bus full of girls chanting my name wanting me to get up and dance. It was a great way to see each of their personalities come to life.

Thursday wasn’t like the rest of the days. It was… an adventure. I knew there were only outings scheduled for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, so I wasn’t sure what was going to happen on Thursday. One of the boys asked me if I was going to the river with the girls. That sounded like fun, and I replied with a quick “Yes”, not really knowing who was going or where the “river” was.

I grab my camera, changed my clothes, and headed to the girls house. There, they asked me if I was going with them to the store down the street. I told them I’d come along, still unsure of what exactly was happening or if there was a river and/or store.

We head out of the orphanage’s front gates and walk all the way down the street, about a half mile, to the shop on the corner. The girls bought 2 or 3 large bottles of soda for their houses, I think they were 3 liter bottles. They just purchased heavy soda bottles, surely they are headed back to the orphanage now, right?

No. We walk a little further and head down an unmarked trail. This trail was dusty, slippery, less than a foot wide, and was downhill most of the way. We walked through trees and shrubs, and managed to make it down to the river. This river wasn’t what I’d picture a river to look like. This was a muddy stream of water, about 2 inches deep at its deepest point and stretched at most 2 feet wide, weaving underneath the trees. Although this river wasn’t worth the cuts and bruises it took to get down there, the adventure and fun with the kids was!

I was fighting to get down and up those hills on the “trail”. At times, I found myself on my knees pulling myself up the wall, using tree roots as handles to get up. The kids were helping me too, as they were carrying their 3 liter bottles of soda through the forest.

Friday and Saturday, we had a group here, just for the afternoons. They repainted the court and planned activities for the kids. Facepainting, coloring pages, crafts, hacky sack, and drama skits for Easter were a few of the things the team provided. Saturday was Easter around Casa Shalom, so the team filled 400 eggs with candy and coins, and spread them all across the property for the kids to collect. I’m sure the hunt was over in about 30 seconds, as all the kids raced across campus as fast as they could.

This upcoming week shouldn’t be as chaotic, as sponsor week is over and the kids are back to a normal school week schedule. I say “shouldn’t” because I never know what to expect around here!

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Life has begun here at Casa Shalom in Guatemala. I’ve already witnessed events and experiences that I have never before on my previous trips. It’s been a lot, but I am right at home.

Since Guatemala is mostly Catholic, Holy Week (Semana Santa), the week before Easter, is a BIG deal in Antigua. Churches dress in purple or white robes and walk the city streets in a procession, carrying a statue of Christ with a cross, on the cross, or another representation of Easter that has been made specifically for each church. I can now say that I have taken part in a Holy Week Processional.

Not on purpose, a few of us wanted to go into Antigua to explore and have dinner Sunday night. Our restaurant happened to be on the street with 100s of people walking down, and even more watching from the sidelines. It was almost like a Disney parade. Instead of costumes, there were robes, and similarly, people carrying balloons, toys, mist fans, sunglasses, snacks, and anything else you can imagine down the street with them to sell to the onlookers. We took part in the processional and walked with them until we made it to our restaurant, Fridas, a Mexican restaurant named after an artist.

After dinner, we went to walk Antigua a bit and explore the market, one I’ve never gotten to see. It was filled with Guatemalan apparel, strange artwork, and a weird statue that people would give offerings to in hopes of good luck/prosperity. It almost looked like a movie set, going from the bright market, to the dark, candlelit statue’s corner dressed with leaves and rags.

Next we took a walk through the main park square in Antigua. On the way, we got to see artwork being made in the center of the street. Pine needles were arranged to cover a large rectangle. Stencils were used to create borders and patterns to the “pine needle canvas” out of saw dust, flowers, leaves, and whatever they could find. Near the middle, a cross, crown of thorns, or other Easter representation was made in honor of Holy Week.

The city was packed with people at 9:00 Sunday night. About 30 food stands were present (there are usually 10 or so). Pizza, fried food, carnival food, tacos, bbq (where the full pig was in sight at the stand), and many more. All were crowded with people in line, eating on the sides, or just hanging out. It was a night, but I am glad I’ve gotten that experience. I can now say that I will not be stepping anywhere near Antigua next week during Holy Week.

It is surreal to be able to call this place home, being surrounded by 100+ kids who know my name the minute I moved in. I was greeted with a bunch of hugs, smiles and waves from so many that I have been missing. Training starts this morning, and the team of child sponsors comes tomorrow. I know it’ll be a busy week ahead full of activities!

**By this weekend, I should have access to Facebook 24/7. That would be the best way to keep in touch with me. Or downloading the app “What’s App” to your phone. it is a free texting app that doesn’t cost anything internationally and I will also have access to that 24/7, using my same phone number. I will get a new Guatemalan phone number, just to communicate with staff while at Casa Shalom. My email also works, harperseverance@gmail.com, although I can only read those when I am on wifi.  Let’s keep in touch!

Photos and videos will be posted daily on my Facebook and Instagram pages, @PerseveranceOnAMission**

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In the picture below, my room is the door to the far right. There is a bedroom the next door to the left, a kitchen to the left of that, and the bathroom is the far left (half yellow/red wall).