Month: May 2017

15 Baptisms

by perseveranceonamission

Yes, 15 kids did get baptized this past week at Casa Shalom! 15 young lives got up on stage and one by one were dunked in freezing water held in a bright red inflatable kiddie pool confessing in front of many that they are following Christ with their lives. Such a sight to see!

The night before, I had asked how many kids were getting baptized. 9. The morning of, before everything started, 12 were now being baptized. During the service, the pastor asked aloud if anyone else wanted to, 3 more arose from the chairs. 15 lives have been made new!

But it wasn’t like most baptism services, as the pastor announces everything through a microphone during the process. This was one on one, pastor kneeling with the child in the pool, speaking to them personally knowing that the child was fully informed of the symbol of baptism and that they knew the difference they were making in their lives, not just going on stage for all the attention/paparazzi. I couldn’t be prouder of these kids! They continue to inspire me!

Summer teams are beginning to come to the orphanage. One was here last week for the baptism and to paint a house, work on the chicken coops, and treat the lice that has been causing problems in the younger girls’ house. All of the girls look so cute with their new short haircuts… even though some were against the short hair!

I am in the office at 9, while the group is working on their projects for the day. I leave the office at 5 to then assist with dinner and the night activities the team have scheduled. With meals and activities running long, I am usually up and running from 6:30 to about 9:30 everyday. It does wear me out at the end of the night, but am I loving it. Now that the upcoming team isn’t scheduled until next Thursday, I am going to enjoy my early nights before our weekly summer teams begin.

One morning, I woke up with a terrible headache, feeling dizzy and unable to walk straight (probably due to a lack of sleep). I stayed hydrated and got to nap for the morning until I joined the kids for lunch. At lunch, one of the American volunteers asked me if I was joining them for the afternoon at the farm. Oh shoot! I forgot that was today!!! As I bad as I wanted to say no and go back to bed, I thought an afternoon out might be good for me. I quickly ran up to my room, threw on my knee brace, grabbed my wallet, and headed out the front gate.

Eight of us fit into a five passenger car, with two in the front seat,  five in the back, and the driver, who was only going into Antigua to drop us off to wait for the bus on her way home. I probably shouldn’t admit this, but my head was against the dashboard hitting the front windshield as we drove over bumpy, curvy roads. Glad I decided to wear my knee brace! We were all afraid of going over a speed bump, hearing the bottom of the car hit the ground. When in Guatemala, travel like the Guatemalans! At least we were in a car and not piled onto one motorcycle, like I’ve seen done before!

We got off to the side of the road and waited for the bus, the chicken bus, as they are commonly known. A ride cost 4 quetzales, about 50 cents. Brightly painted school buses packed with tons of people, such like chickens would be in a chicken coop, are the main vehicles of public transportation. There weren’t many buses running that day, like there normally are. Our best guess is that the drivers were on strike that day, or have been for several days, meaning that the buses were as full as they could be. Three people to a seat, with about 5 inches for people to walk sideways down the aisle to get in and out. (If you have an issue with personal space or claustrophobia, I suggest not to ride one!) Glad I wore my knee brace!

As seven of us were trying to get onto an already tightly packed bus, I was the last of the group to get on. I was standing on the second step, with the door wide open a foot behind me, as we were winding our way through the tight streets of Antigua. I had one elbow tightly around the nearest railing and kept my purse in sight and close to me with the other arm. When in Guatemala, travel like the Guatemalans!

5 Americans and one of the Guatemalan psychologists get off of a chicken bus at a macadamia nut farm, while the other psychologist stayed on the bus headed home. We walked around to see lots of macadamia nut trees and saw the ground scattered with those that had fallen off. We continued on and sat at a table for lunch. I know most of us ate with the kids about an hour and a half ago, but who wouldn’t want to eat here?! I was looking for a good lunch meal, but when I saw their macadamia nut pancakes were famous, I had to indulge! 3 pancakes drizzled with white chocolate macadamia cream and topped with chopped macadamia nuts… they were delicious!

We got a short tour around, getting to see how they produce and use the nuts, looking at and getting to try some of the machines that are used there, and also getting some samples (a nut, chocolate, hand oil, and lotion). The tour also included going to see the bathroom. We’ve been told it is one of the most photographed restrooms… and I can see why! We ended our tour like most tours: in the gift shop. But that wasn’t it. We were given the opportunity to have a 3 minute facial or massage (that also included samples) for a small tip to the masseuse. Yes, I treated myself to my first ever facial in what looked like a Guatemalan jungle. I wonder where my second facial will take me?!

It was a refreshing, exciting, much needed afternoon out with the ladies! We headed back on the chicken bus and got off in front of one of the schools. We waited with the house mothers, as the kids were getting out shortly. Another tight van ride full of kids, Americans, and Guatemalan staff members, and we arrived back at the orphanage. Glad I wore my knee brace!

It should be a slower, easier week this week, with no team or big events scheduled for now. We’ll see how that plan carries out!

 

Where is my focus?

by perseveranceonamission

I have learned a few things since being here. I thought that I was coming to be a teacher to the kids and set an example for them, but they have for me in greater ways than I can express through a blog post.

The day I moved in, I thought it was kinda odd not to see a reflection of myself above the mirror. A month and a half later, my bathroom is still mirror-less…aside from the 2 inch pocket mirror I’ve used about 5 times since being in Guatemala. As weird as it may be, I enjoy going into the morning not being focused on my outer appearance. Most of you who know me know that I have struggled all my life with the appearance of my skin condition. It is a part of me that I love but strangers can’t seem to understand. I have been ridiculed many times before (see video here). Most recently, I found myself in tears alone in the middle of the airport (about a month before moving to Guatemala) based on the reaction from an airport employee. I was a big mess of tears while waiting for the flight, dried up the tears and threw on a smile while getting on the plane, and was thankful for my window seat to hide my tear-filled eyes. All because of a reaction from a stranger.

Having no mirror takes my focus off of my freckles, the way my hair is parted, or how big the bags are underneath my eyes- the parts of my appearance I cannot change no matter how much I may want to. Each and every morning (or anytime I go to the bathroom) I am reminded that today I am not living to meet the expectations of the world through my physical appearance, but to be more focused on the appearance of my life and the lives of those around me. I begin to notice the cause and effect of my actions and how I can improve myself.

Without a mirror, I can get all ready for the day in 20 minutes. I am not spending much time focusing on strengthening the image above the sink. My time is shifted to strengthening the relationships with the kids and my actions/words towards them.

Without seeing myself in the mirror, I have begun to identify myself as a person, as a  human being, rather than a skin condition. I do not see myself different from the children in any way. They continue to love me and appreciate me, no matter how many freckles I have. I know now that I have to see myself that way as well.

This past year living in Dallas, I think I’ve earned the middle name “baker”. Every week, there was some type of cookie, cheesecake, scone, brownie, or something sweet in the kitchen. Since being in Guatemala, I have not baked once. In my tiny kitchen, I have a fridge and a sink. I do miss baking. A lot. And I have also had cravings of fresh baked goods.
Again, my time isn’t spent in the kitchen filling myself with sweets. My time is spent building relationships. I feel healthier now, because I am taking the time to invest in relationships, and I have cut out a good amount of sweets. As much as I miss the art of baking, I know I can fill my time with things far greater than a peanut butter cookie.

Before I left for Guatemala, I wanted to grab a new pair of converse sneakers. I’ve had these since middle school, the fabric is wearing off inside, and there are small pea-sized holes on each side, where my toes bend when I walk. But I never got to it, and the holes are slowly growing. I look down at my shoes, then look over to the boy sitting next to me. He also has holes in his converses, but closer to the size of a quarter (maybe larger). He quickly ran out on the court and started playing soccer as if he was wearing a brand new pair of cleats.

Why am I so worried about my pea sized holes in my shoes? My focus shouldn’t be in my worn down soles, but in the condition of the souls of the kids and me both! I shouldn’t be worried about the shoes I am walking in, but where I am headed on my spiritual walk, and what example I am setting to the souls that surround me. The holes in my sneakers mean nothing to me, if I switch my focus to the holes I can repair in my faith.

The girls have asked me a few times to watch a movie. I bring my movies and laptop to their house, they pick one (or more) to watch that day, and we all end up squished on one couch watching a movie in spanish.

I don’t care that I can’t fully understand what’s happening in the movie. I care about the 5 girls seated on the 3 seater couch with me. I feel like I am part of the family and one of them. I enjoy the elbow resting on my shoulder and the hand holding my fingers (although it may be uncomfortable at times). I am not focused on the activity I am doing with the girls, but on soaking on every moment I get to share with them.

It’s been a month and a half, and I have yet to get a Guatemalan phone number. I have been in areas where I could have gotten one, yet I am not worried about it. My focus during the day isn’t toward seeing the most recent status on Facebook or my whatsapp text. I am not consistently looking at a screen, like I often found myself doing back in the US. I am forcing myself to be removed from social media/constant communication (aside from when I’m on WiFi) to be more aware of the things around me. Although I have given myself some time to communicate with friends and family over wifi, my eyes aren’t constantly on my phone, like they used to be (Apologies if it sometimes takes me a few hours to reply to you!)

One of my motto I’ve come to inherit is “hurry up and wait!” I feel that if I don’t arrive 5 minutes early, I’m late. I am a speedwalker- not by choice, but by habit. It doesn’t matter if I am headed home or to a scheduled event, I am consistently trying to get there ASAP.
Walking to/from events with the kids is different. They don’t have the “hurry up and wait” mindset. So when they walk, I am forcing myself to slow down and walk with them. To take my time. To notice the mountains and volcanoes around me. To make small talk with those walking past.

My focus is not on my destination, but the paths I cross on my journey there.

Mixed Emotions

by perseveranceonamission

The title sums up a week, or even a day, working in an orphanage. Being surrounded by lovable kids, but also getting an in-depth look at their background and the things they’ve faced in the past is difficult at times.

On the brighter side, I celebrated my first Cinco de Mayo in a Spanish speaking country by attending my first quinceañera and 18th birthday party.  Like a sweet 16, women celebrate their “big” birthday when they are 15 (quinceañera) and men celebrate theirs when they turn 18. It was more of a ceremony than a party.

All the kids and visitors were dressed up nicely filling the chapel. Balloons hung from the ceiling, and the house moms took the time to make  Cinderella, Prince Charming, and castle cardboard cut-outs to decorate the stage. The 15-year-old got up on stage and exchanged her flats for heels and got to put on her nice jewelry too (earrings, bracelet, necklace) as a sign of maturity. The 18-year-old also got on stage to receive a new watch.

Dinner was at 9:30 with most of the children in the cafeteria. Earlier that afternoon, I saw a few of the older boys climbing one of the tall pine trees just outside the cafeteria and breaking off branches. For the party, the floor was covered in pine needles from the front to the back, and around every table. White table cloths were set out with vases of gel beads holding a single blue sunflower. A few of the older gentlemen served us all dinner, and it was soon followed by finely decorated cakes. The princess of the night got the opportunity to dance with her brother with all eyes on them. It was a beautiful night shared by all who could attend.

The following day, I got to go with two of the orphanage’s volunteers to visit the home of a family that recently left Casa Shalom. I don’t know how much I am allowed to publicly address about the few hours we were there, but again, it was an afternoon of mixed emotions for everything we saw, heard, and experienced.

Later that evening, I went to attend youth group with the older kids. Spiritual warfare was the topic of the night, as James 1 was mentioned “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” Worship music filled the room, as we were left to ourselves to pray, journal, and think. 

As I was getting my second cup of coffee, one of the youth kids came up to me, saying assistance was needed in one of the houses. I made my way up the house to see two of the younger girls cleaning the house quietly. Next, I was told that one of them is going to spend the night and the following night with me, to separate the four girls that were causing problems in their house.

I almost felt like I was babysitting for the weekend, but also felt like I was abusing her in some way, making her clean my house, wash my dishes, and help with food preparation. Although, I was told to work her for the 36 hours I was with her (Saturday night-Monday morning), all she talked about when she got back with her friends was sleeping in a huge (twin) bed and taking a hot (burning) shower. I’m not sure if she saw this weekend as a reward or a punishment.

To start this week off, I saw a brother and a sister that I’ve come close to seated and waiting in the office before they were off to the court to determine if they were staying at the orphanage or headed back to their family. I held one of them for a minute or two in my arms telling them repeatedly that I love them, not knowing if this will be the last time I’ll get to see either of them again.

The one thing that gave me peace in my quiet rush of emotions was the verse for the day sent to my email earlier that morning, from Romans 15:13 reading “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” I was reminded of the hope and faith in Him, as I watched the older sibling read a chapter of Proverbs to the younger, trusting God will place the two siblings in the correct hands. Knowing that they took space in their small backpack to bring a Bible was an encouragement and an inspiration to me.

The morning seemed to stretch on longer and longer. I just wanted it to be over, like ripping off a bandaid. Around noon, the social worker that took them entered the office calling one of their names. They’ve returned! She explained what happened at the audience (court session). Their mother was in attendance. They said “Hi” to one another, but she stated that she didn’t want them. As ecstatic as I am to have both of them come back, I’m still trying to understand how she couldn’t want to love and care for two of the sweetest, easiest, most lovable kids in the orphanage (that she also gave birth to). Hey, I guess her loss is our gain!

It’s been a full, busy week, like usual! I am really looking forward to having my church (who has been helping me with fundraising/donations) Living Oaks Church here next month. If you want to send any cards, care packages, donations, or gifts of love, make sure they arrive to the church BEFORE the end of May, so the team has enough time to pack everything!

Harper Severance, C/O Living Oaks Church, 14156 64th Dr N, PBG, FL 33418

Donate Here!

One month…

by perseveranceonamission

I’ve been here a month, although it has felt like only a few days. I still have to remind myself everyday that this is real life. I have moved to Guatemala to live with a bunch of kids, some of who call me amiga, gringa, and various Spanish pronunciations of my name.

I really feel that I am in cloud 9- figuratively and literally. Last night just before the rainfall, I was watching the boys play soccer with the team that arrived earlier that day. I could barely see 10 feet in front of me, as everything was consumed in the mountain clouds. I attempted to take a picture of it, but my phone didn’t do justice for what was felt and seen (pictured above).

I have posted on the orphanages social media pages, have translated Sponsor letters in both Spanish and English, and I have successfully flipped my first 5 gallon bottle on top of the water fountain. I’m kinda proud of myself for that one, and excited to do it again in a few days! Is that weird?

Since I’ve been here, there have been 3 teams, a dental clinic has opened on site, I have been in training to work with the therapy pony (maybe helping with therapy, or just caring for the pony), and have taken the kids with birthdays in April out for lunch to celebrate. That is just a few of the many responsibilities I will have on my plate (outside of normal office work) as I get more involved with the work Casa Shalom is doing in the lives of these kids.

I never know what to expect during the next 24 hours. Everyday is a new day with a new set of challenges, experiences, and opportunities that I am unable to plan in advance for. Its kinda exciting not know what’s to come and always leaves me looking forward to what tomorrow brings.

Today, the kids are off of school to celebrate Labor Day, tomorrow I am sending out a newsletter to announce the fundraiser Soap for Hope, and Friday, I will be attending my first Quinceañera /18th birthday party, which will be a formal event held on campus (and I think we’ll be eating one of orphanage’s pigs to celebrate)! One busy week after another!