Month: April 2018

Most have heard and know of the 5 love languages and usually put themselves in a category of one or two of the 5. Here they are written out with a short explanation and/or examples:

1. Words of affirmation: Receiving compliments or encouragement through what they are wearing, what they are doing, or their character
2. Quality Time: Giving/receiving the undivided attention of another for a period of time (going for a walk together, conversing over a meal, playing a board game, etc.)
3. Receiving Gifts: Receiving (or giving) material things, a physical item to show that they were thought of
4. Acts of Service: Actions done in a positive mindset in service to others (making the bed, doing a load of laundry, picking up a prescription, etc)
5. Physical Touch: Holding hands, back rubbing, head leaning on one another and hugging

I find myself a mix of physical touch and quality time. I love giving hugs, holding hands, while also spending quality time with those closest to me, whether it be conversing over breakfast or going on a drive together. Living with 80 kids, I can’t limit myself to these two forms of love.

Two weeks back, one of the girls was headed to her court date, and assured me that she was not returning to the orphanage, but was going with a family member. I was headed out that day with a group to the next town over, and she saw me ready with hands full to jump into the van and get kids organized. In the busyness, I stopped to give her a tight hug, that probably lasted 30 seconds or longer, as we weren’t sure we’d see each other again. On my way out, she told me to bring her back a small gift. I told her I will give it to her once she returns to the orphanage in the evening. While at one of the stores, I picked up a small bottle of those mini m&ms that they keep near the register. She knew that I thought of her when she was eating them that night. She felt loved by me when I brought her a 75 cent container of candies.

One of the younger boys asked me to spend time with his house and share a meal with them. I was up at the counter grabbing my food, set my plate on the edge of their table, and was ready to head to the back of the room to grab myself a chair. Before I knew it, another boy left his food and ran ahead of me so I didn’t have to carry the (almost weightless) chair back to the table. He showed me love through completing an act of service for me, while we all spent quality time together chatting and laughing through the meal.

Most Saturdays, the teenage girls go up to the neighbor’s house for cooking class. I’ve gotten the pleasure to join them a few Saturdays. But, I’m not in the kitchen cooking, I’m out with a few of the teenagers who would rather participate in horse therapy. We comb and brush the horse, walk her around with a rope, and give her the grass or water we have at arm’s reach. On one Saturday, there was only one girl that decided to join me. She was fairly new at the time, maybe at the orphanage a little over a month. After combing and brushing the horse, I tied a rope to her harness and handed the rope to the girl to walk the horse around. She did great. But best of all, almost the full 10 minutes she was walking around, she was opening up to me about her time in Shalom, her friendships, what she likes to do, and her previous experiences working alongside animals. Although I didn’t understand some of it because she was talking super fast, I was thankful for that bond we were able to build together in the time we got to share together. She feels loved by me and knows she can talk to me like a friend. I feel loved being one she could open up to and count on as a friend.

One boy, about 9 years old and very smart, wanted to put a puzzle together. It was one of those puzzles with 100 pieces that stretched 4 feet when laid out on the ground, with each piece as big as my hand. I saw him walking towards the puzzle and had complete confidence that he could do it on his own without a problem. But, he called me over to help him. I doubt he needed my help, but that he actually wanted to share time with me. We spent about 10 minutes sitting on the ground together, keeping an eye on what the other was working on, so we could help each other find the pieces we needed. With teamwork and quality time, the puzzle was a success.

One morning in play therapy with the younger girls (7-11 years old), the five girls and I gathered around the table together and sculpted with the variety of play dough colors set out for our use. All kinds of stencils were set out as well, some in the shape of dinosaurs, others like a house, flowers, vegetables and hearts. I did my best to change my location around the table, complementing each girl and what they were working on or what they’ve finished. One girl who I was sitting with was cutting out each vegetable. And she showed me each and every one, from the carrot and mushroom to the beans and potato. I showed her love by complementing each and every ball of clay she presented to me, even if I couldn’t tell what it was before she told me. She wanted to be encouraged and hear that she was doing a great job throughout.

A team that came from the US brought yarn to teach the kids how to make bracelets, necklaces, and headbands. One boy walked up to me with a piece of string and asked me to hold the end for him. I stood there for about 5 minutes holding the yarn, while he spent his time tying knot after knot, making a bracelet of his own design. Once he said it was done, he asked me to hold out my arm, as he tied it around my wrist. He wanted to show his love for me by making a gift, a handmade bracelet for me. I’ve worn it everyday since to remind me that he loves me, and when he sees it, he knows I love him.

On our way to play therapy one day, I was slightly nervous, because we received two sisters the previous week that were joining us for the first time that morning. I walk up to the house with one of the therapists to let the girls know that we are headed to therapy soon. The older of the two new girls yells “HARPER” when she opens the door and greets me with a big hug. Walking back down the sidewalk, I feel a hand sneak its way into my hand from behind…. Yep, you guessed it. The older sister again. She walked hand in hand with me for about a quarter mile uphill to the house next door. If our hands ever fell apart, she was quick to grab it again, or slide her arm under and over mine so our arms were linked together. She’s been here a week, and she’s already quick to show and receive love  with physical touch.

I could go on and on with stories like these over the past year of life with these kids. These are just a few that I’ve experienced in the past month. I am learning to take notice of the ways to love those around me, and what type of love is responded to with each child. I want them to know they are loved by me, instead of only me feeling love for them. I want to best meet their needs, whether it be something from their past that they are trying to recover from or learning how to express love themselves and show love in the way they feel most comfortable.

Enough- adj: adequate for the want or need; sufficient for the purpose or to satisfy desire

     It’s a difficult word to digest for most people. Is there enough money? Food in the fridge? Time to get things done? Gas in the car? Clothes in the closet? People to help with the tasks? Energy to keep going? Vacation hours to go on that trip? All of these things and more, amounts vary from person to person, home to home.

Sometimes I tend to struggle with the word “enough” in a different form. Am I doing enough with my time? Do I have enough tasks to make the most of my being? Am I enough to fill the role? Am I being enough of a leader to these kids? Am I making enough of a difference? Am I enough?

And yet, the kids around me have been told they’re not enough, due to their past experiences. Some have been living on the streets, provided maybe a tortilla a day to fill their stomachs, with their older siblings caring for them. Others were close to death at the hand of a parent or guardian. None of them were given the opportunities that most of us were given in our childhood. They’ve been told for majority of their life that they aren’t enough. But, in fact, they were created for a purpose. They are loved more than they can imagine by a God who created them in His image. They are worthy of shelter, love, care, education, medical/dental treatment, three meals a day, access to spiritual guidance, and so much more. They are enough.

^“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizenswith God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundationof the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy templein the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19-22

That’s one of the greatest lessons I’m trying to teach not only the kids, but to myself as well. Despite my flaws, my need for occasional rest, my ability to be only in one place at a time,my limited talents and use of the native language, and my skin condition and the bullying that has come and continues to come with it, I am more than enough. Despite the hardships they’ve gone through in the past, whether it be poverty, homelessness, sexual/physical abuse, death in the family, each kids that calls, has called, or will call Casa Shalom home is more than enough.

And to you, who are taking the time to read this, you are enough. You were created in the image of God to fulfill the role of spouse, sibling, friend, child, parent, co-worker, boss, teacher, role-model, and so many other roles. You are enough. There’s only so much that can be done with your God-given talents, abilities, and time, and that is enough. No need to strive until you can’t do much more. Take the time God has given you to not only fulfill those roles, but to relax, refresh, and remember that you are enough…. even on those days you may not feel like it. Christ thinks you’re to die for!

Almost everyone knows it’s April fools today, some are celebrating Easter, and only a few know it’s my one year anniversary. One year ago, I purchased a one way ticket with Guatemala City written on my boarding pass. One year since getting my passport stamped, making a storm through the nearest Walmart, and having to restart the old van about 6 times while sitting in traffic for 3+ hours (normally 40 minutes) making our way from the airport to my new home. One year of so many hello and goodbyes. One year full of new emotions I’ve never felt before. One year of loving on so many children, I’ve lost count. One year of saying “yes” to the calling God has placed on my heart.

Throughout these past 365 days, I’ve learned several things. I’ve list a few below. I’ve learned:

-how to fit 25+ in a 15 passenger van

-the skill of bartering at the local markets

-that a dishwasher is a person not a machine

-to be grateful for a hot shower

-how to climb a volcano

-more than I ever needed to know about how the meat on our plates is prepared

-what an earthquake feels like

-the beauty of a quinceañera party

-the true celebration of Holy Week

-many more spanish words than I ever learned in my 5+ years of taking spanish classes in school

-that most English speakers will ask if you can speak English after overhearing you speak to a chil or staff member in Spanish

-how good it feels to get into bed at 8:30 after a full days work with a bunch of kids (parents, I now know how you feel!)

-how to get the majority of my work done while the wifi is strong

-take advantage of the moments during the workday without an interruption

-of the emotions that come when watching a child get adopted

-the value of a video chat and visits back to the states

-how to make the most of a small carryon bag

-the strength of relationships shared between kids and fellow missionaries

-to value relationships while they’re present, because they may disappear without warning

-the amount God is willing to test and stretch you to further His work

-and a bunch more that I am still picking up along the way!

It’s still surreal that my first year of being a full time missionary is over. Like I’ve said, I’ve gotten to do so much in these past 365 days, but I know a lot is waiting for me in the years to come. I’m looking forward to the new opportunities, new children, and new adventures God has in store for me!

A few of us missionaries who live on site decided we’d stuff Easter eggs to celebrate Easter with the kids today. We found a suitcase and a black garbage bag full of leftover plastic Easter eggs. Great, we don’t have to purchase anymore. We all sat down and realized quickly that it was a lot harder to find a match fitting for each half of the egg. 15 eggs each stuffed for 75 kids. We were stuffing and snapping eggs together from about 7:30-12:15. A great way to start my first year anniversary!

Good Friday, we spent all day in Antigua watching processionals. Churches and a few schools would gather together to carry a large heavy wooden sculpture depicting an image of Jesus through his last days, whether carrying the cross, last supper, praying the evening before, or the like. Depending on the size of the sculpture, about 40 men and/or women would carry it for blocks down the streets of Antigua, usually with a marching band following behind, and two lines of people on either side to hold back the crowds watching. But, before marching, people would decorate the streets in colored sawdust, pine needles, fruits, flowers, branches, rice, and whatever else they could manage to find! They’d spend hours on one covering 5×20 feet of road, only to watch it be destroyed by those in the processionals. After the processional, trucks would come by to gather the dead plants, and they’d start again before the next processional started. It was incredible to see all that went into celebrating Holy Week. And, it’s just a glimpse of what Christ went through while wearing a crown of thorns.

Have a Happy Easter!