Month: December 2017

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
Casa Shalom sent to me:

12 children chasing
11 kids coloring
10 soccer players
9 troubling teens
8 smiling siblings
7 kid filled houses
6 tiring toddlers
5 souls made new
4 card players
3 kite flyers
2 arms open
and a big happy family!!!

When I think upon the story of Christmas, I think of Casa Shalom. Mary and Joseph were sent out of their town to give birth to the Savior, in saving his life from Herod, even though it would’ve been easier for them to stay in Nazareth. All that was available was a stable. They didn’t plan on welcoming Jesus into the world surrounded by oxen and horses. But God did. No, it didn’t provide everything that a hostel, an inn, or a guest room would’ve given them, but it was just right. He was given cloths, a trough to rest his head, and gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. God chose to welcome His Son into the world in Bethlehem, providing the manager as a birthing place alongside wise men, shepherds, his earthly parents, and a few animals. God was with them through their time in Nazareth, on the journey to Bethlehem, and through  and after the birth of Emmanuel. It was all part of His plan.

When children come into the world, some are sent to live a portion of their young lives in an orphanage, saving them from abuse, starvation, poverty, and sometimes death, even though they may have a father and/or mother back at “home.” All thats available is an orphanage. The kids don’t plan on living inside the walls of a children’s home. But God did. No, we at Casa Shalom can’t give the kids everything a home environment could’ve given them, but it is just right. They are given new clothes, a bed to rest their head, and gifts of food, education, the gospel, and psychological care. God chose each one of these kids to have their lives impacted by those at Casa Shalom, providing a place to call home, alongside psychologists, short term missionaries, volunteers, house parents, and a few animals. God is with them while they were living with relatives, on their journey through their retrieval and court date, and through and after their time at Casa Shalom. It is all part of His plan.

Hoping and praying everyone has a Merry Christmas with their friends and family!
Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo!
(Merry Christmas and Happy New Year)

The first night back into Guatemala, I had a slumber party at the house of a couple volunteering with the orphanage. We went shopping, had a few fun meals together, and got to visit church Sunday morning before getting back into life at Casa Shalom.

When I got back, I felt drained, low on energy, and had 3 suitcases to unload and unpack. That afternoon/evening, I saw one girl who caught my arrival, who happened to leave the orphanage 4 days later. I didn’t go down to dinner, I just wanted a calm, peaceful night to enjoy myself and reorganize new additions to my wardrobe (and pantry) I brought back with me.

Monday morning, I woke up full of joy, wanting to give hugs to each and every kid. Yet, when I walked down to work, all were inside their houses. Aside from a few 10-year-old boys who watched me take every step down the hill. They screamed my name and I knew I was home. I went to lunch with excitement, only coming to see that the cafeteria was empty, with all the kids eating in their houses.

Later that evening, I got notified that the big gas station of Guatemala was giving tamales to each of the homes around Guatemala as a Christmas gifts. I quickly ran down the hill and saw the cafeteria packed with kids. My heart jumped for joy.

I walked passed the windows and got big smiles and waves from the older girls. I was met at the door with open arms from the pre-teens boys. The teen boys gave me a few waves and handshakes, as most aren’t as affectionate. I hid behind the cafeteria column to surprise the littlest boys with big hugs and a few silly faces thrown in. The little girls surrounded me with hugs on their way out. Although I was too late to receive any food, the love and joy shared that night was more filling than any tamale will ever be.

I got all ready for bed and headed down to throw my laundry in from my visit to the states. My hair was wet from my shower and I was dressed in my jammies, thinking everyone else would already be in their houses for the night. On the way, in the middle of the sidewalk, the little boys had set up a bonfire on a piece of sheet metal. I threw in my laundry as quick as I could to join them in the heat by the fire.

That evening was indescribable. We were all kept warm in the 50 degree windy weather by the heat, not only from the fire but each other. It was full of marshmallows and hot cocoa, smiles and laughter, dancing and joking, young boys and teenagers, kids and house parents, teaching and learning, love and friendships. A perfect evening to get readjusted to life with 100 kids.

The following day, Tuesday, was the start of our visiting Christmas team. They raised the money to purchase gifts for not only the kids of Casa Shalom, but also a local village (of almost 400 kids) where we minister to. School supplies were also given as gifts to the village. The kids were more excited for the opportunity to attend school the upcoming year than they were for their new toys. Although I didn’t get to participate in the gift giving there, I assisted in wrapping the 400 gifts, as well as those for Casa Shalom. Two evenings were devoted to gift wrapping, Tuesday for the village and Friday for the orphanage.

The Christmas party Saturday evening was one to remember. We celebrated Christmas early with pizza, a reading of the Christmas story and a bunch of gifts. The Grinch, Santa Clause, and many smiles and laughter made an appearance that evening. Everything from perfume and lotion, to baby dolls, kitchen sets, race cars, sugary snacks, clothing, stuffed animals, backpacks, and sports equipment surrounded the tree. It was a joy to see the cafeteria filled with kids ages 2 to 17 all so excited to enjoy the party.

But my favorite part was the following day. The preteen boys were dressed in their new soccer jerseys, gloves, and cleats, the little boys were racing their new cars down the hill, others were shooting their empty soda bottles with their new nerf guns, so many soccer balls were being inflated, and the girls were too busy trying on their new clothes and playing with their new barbie dolls to leave the house. Thanks to the Mill Church for providing funds to provide multiple gifts to each of the 84 boys and girls, as well as house parents, maintenance workers, cooks and staff members who call Casa Shalom home.

More photos here

I was in the US from November 29- December 9. I thought it was the perfect time to go: get a quick break in right after sponsor week before the Christmas season begins at the orphanage. I’d get my fill of Thanksgiving and Christmas without being there for either. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoon was planned to visit with family and friends in Florida, where Friday night to the following Saturday was packed with activity in Dallas.

Most of the time, I adjust fairly well from Guatemala to America and back again. This time, culture shock hit me hard. Most of my time in the states, it took me a few seconds to realize I could answer question and start conversation in English. I got in Wednesday night, enjoyed a few of my favorite meals from my hometown, got in an appointment, shopping trip, guest speaking in an elementary classroom, and a few visits before what was going to be another busy day Friday morning before my evening flight. But, my plans suddenly changed.

Thursday night after I got ready for bed, the stomach bug hit. I’ll spare you most of the details, but both ends were hit nonstop from 10:30 that night until about 11 the next morning. My mom and I tried to fit in a visit to the local urgent care so my 3.5 hour flight wouldn’t be so miserable. We arrived at noon, and I got my blood pressure taken two hours after arriving. So much to say that we left the office before being seen by a doctor, giving me about 15 minutes to pack my luggage before we headed to the airport.

I was tired, weak, and didn’t want to do a thing, yet I managed to make it through the airport and the flight without any major problems. Thankfully, I had an aisle seat, and the middle seat was empty! (On the flight back to Guatemala, I got an entire row to myself for volunteering to sit in the exit row!) I got to close my eyes for a few minutes on the drive from the airport to gain the energy I needed to walk to the Christmas party at the nearby park. We got to see the giant tree decorated, took the dog on a walk, and got our photo with Santa!

The week was meant as a time of rest and relaxation, yet sharing the bed with an 11 month old puppy does not allow for much sleep. The overgrown claws walking around the wooden floor for about a half hour isn’t too easy to fall asleep to. When he does decide to come to bed, he stretches out and takes up the center foot of the queen sized bed. And, on the best day, he let me sleep till 6:30 until I took him outside or someone else took care of that for me. The lack of sleep didn’t even matter when it came to having a puppy wanting to curl up and cuddle in bed with me.

Saturday morning, I headed out to the Dallas Farmer’s Market for the first time. I had to do everything in me to fight that feeling of not wanting to make eye contact with any sellers nor their products (habit built from walking around MANY Guatemalan markets). Being sick the previous day, I hadn’t gotten any food in me the past 24 hours and been doing my best to stay hydrated with Gatorade and water. Yet, I felt my energy quickly decline walking in crowds under the Dallas sun. We stopped at a local drug store and grabbed a pack of Gatorade before heading to the bookstore.

One of my church friends and I were searching for a book to read and study together, so we call up the pastor for suggestions. We inform him that I will be at church the following day (since my last visit in March), and he asks me to speak to the church. Less than 24 hours from service time. No time to prepare, put a slideshow together, nor memorize a well written speech. I’ve got to admit, for anyone who doesn’t know me, I’m not the greatest public speaker. My stomach might get sick just from standing on the stage, not to mention my sickness these past few days. Yet, I said yes.

The next morning came, and I was ready. I hadn’t prepared anything, yet I was filled with excitement to share with my supporters, prayer warriors, and church family what God has been doing though me and the ministry of Casa Shalom the past couple of months. My nerves and shaking legs might’ve said otherwise, but I was happy to take the mic and share with some familiar faces and a few new ones a slice of the past 8 months in Guatemala. I might’ve been a part of the church for 4 months, but I am so glad to be accepted into the family. Thanks LOFT!

The following evening I got invited to go to a worship night. I was all excited and ready to go ever since I heard about it the previous week in Guatemala, yet I was cautious to say yes to going, knowing it was an unfamiliar environment with unfamiliar people, I’m guessing with a lot of standing and singing (both those things come at a worship night, right?!) I was feeling so-so, brought my Gatorade, and made sure to sit on an aisle in case the stomach felt ill again. For the two hours we were singing and praying, standing up and sitting down, turning to face our neighbors, those two hours were the best I’ve felt since I left Guatemala Wednesday, six days earlier.

I’ve noticed that I get more out of my worship singing in Spanish, rather than English. Whereas English words seem to come out naturally, I am just repeating a chorus I’ve memorized from the radio. In Spanish, I’m still learning the language, and I’m more focused on the meaning behind and uses of the words. English comes out on its own without me giving thought to the empty words. Spanish, the words are filled with a definition and meaning. Most people would consider it an English worship night, but I made it a bilingual night, at least for those songs I was able to sing in Spanish!

Movie time! Planning my trip, I wanted to see 2 movies in theaters: Wonder and Coco. Timings worked out so that both movies lined up right in time to see them on the same night. Again, I wasn’t too sure if I could be in the movie theatre for 4.5 hours without having some type of stomach discomfort. No problems at all.

Wonder is fabulous. It points out a lot of the struggles I’ve faced in my own life. A boy with a facial deformity shares about the thoughts that go through his head when meeting new people, making new friends, and his struggle with bullying. A lot of his thoughts line up with mine, and one of the names he was called in the movie I have also received a few times. Not to spoil it too much, but he receives an award at the end for sharing his heart with people, and I had a flashback to accepting my award for servants heart back at my high school graduation. An emotional movie, as I watched a bit of my life depicted on a movie screen. Coco was a great, happy pick-me-up after an emotional movie. Celebrating the day of the dead, I was reliving walking through the cemetery this past October finding one of Shalom’s baby’s gravestone on the day of the dead. Another fun-filled movie from Disney I’d watch again and again!

The rest of the week was filled with friends visits, Christmas tree decorating, gift wrapping, (pumpkin) baking, crafting, game playing, puppy cuddles, staying warm by the fireplace, and the lightest Dallas snow flurry (that made me super excited to at least get to see the tiniest bit of snow).

As bad as my stomach pain felt for the week and a half I was eating bread, yogurt, and bananas in the states, I ate burger king, little Caesars pizza, brownie sundaes, donuts, and fried chicken all within my first 24 hours of being in Guatemala, and I feel awesome!

If my focus is on the pain in my stomach from sickness, the canceled plans because of it, sleepless nights, and the activity I missed out on Guatemala while I was vacationing, vacation stunk! If it’s on all of the people I got to see, things I got to experience, baked goods I made, and pain in my stomach due to laughing so hard, vacation was great. And I say, vacation was great!

Although I got word of a dozen kids and 2 volunteers leaving the Casa Shalom family in the week and a half I was out solely through email and social media, my focus is on the 10 year old boys peeking around the corner filled with excitement to see me coming down the hill, others running full speed shouting “HARPER!”, almost getting knocked down several times from great big bear hugs, and some smiling ear to ear to see me, with their arms open wide. Home sweet home.