Month: June 2018

Most of you have probably heard through news, word of mouth, social media updates, others’ blog entries, or read personal stories, so I am a little late to be sharing this news for the first time. Volcán Fuego (“Fire Volcano”) had an explosion almost 2 weeks ago, Sunday, June 3rd. I was in Antigua at the time with a few girls volunteering at a hospital for malnourished babies. We heard it raining with a big thundercloud overhead, and walked out to the car, surprising ourselves that we weren’t wet. It wasn’t rain. It was volcanic ash and a smoke cloud, at 1 in the afternoon.

We made our way out of Antigua and stopped for a few minutes in the next town over to grab lunch to-go before heading back to the orphanage. Men were outside using brooms, sweeping up piles of black dust only to watch it cover the ground again. Gas stations were packed with at least 3 cars behind each fuel pump waiting for their turn to spray down their dirty windows. Parking lots and stores were crowded, with everyone in emergency mode, grabbing everything they may need, like most people know of as hurricane/tornado/snow storm preparation, depending on the location. Two pizzas that should’ve taken 3 minutes to order and pick up took us about 20 minutes, with everyone else trying to get lunch while they could!

The orphanage sits 16 miles away from the volcano, so all of the cars, roofs, and grounds were covered in black dust. Schools were canceled for the next 3 days. Kids stayed inside their houses as much as possible not to breathe all the bad smoke and ashes into their lungs. Some of us were more thankful that they didn’t have school than others. I got to assist in worship and art therapy for a few of the afternoons, as well as participate in dances and skits for our chapel service that Wednesday morning.

I took the role of a mother with a sick baby. I was down on my knees crying, as the baby doll coughed in my arms. Jesus, another missionary, grabbed a few kids (12) from the crowd to help be His disciples. They walked through the chapel helping those in need, like a dying old man, a widowed mother, or a sick baby. I think this was the perfect week for this type of message, knowing that at least 100 died, many more are still missing, 1000+ lost most of their (already limited) belongings, and 1000s of farm acres destroyed (that several thousand families rely on for food and/or employment) due to the volcano explosion.

May 31, I flew back into Guatemala from visiting in Florida for two weeks. As I was waiting for my ride to pick me up, I notice two girls, about the ages of 7 and 10. They were 40 feet to my right looking down into a fly-covered trashcan. I’ve never seen so much excitement in ones eyes when finding a crushed soda can, reaching all the way to the bottom to pick it up. Maybe they earned a few coins for recycling. Or they are going to make something with it to sell to an American looking for a last minute souvenir. That’s what they have to do to survive. It tore my heart, and still picturing it, I don’t want to think about where those girls and many more like them might be now post-explosion.

While the rain helps wash away most of the volcanic ash from the grounds, it also clogs the drains and makes those who really need assistance even that much more unreachable, creating rough rivers and streams in the roads. It’s amazing to see and hear of the work that is being done by Guatemalans for Guatemalans. I am proud to be a part of this nation and get to witness so many people coming together for one cause.

We didn’t face near as many consequences of the volcano explosion. No rocks coming down on us, lack of clean air to breath, or the shelter overhead being taken over in ashes. All we had to struggle with was a few days of wearing masks over our mouths anytime we decided to leave the building. The kids, staff, and volunteers are all safe at Casa Shalom. But they’re not too sure about their family and friends who were closer to the volcano. We give thanks to the many sponsors, friends, family members, and caretakers for sending us message after message through email, social media, text, and call checking in to see that we are all safe and ok.

We are continuing to keep all of those in prayer for those who are still struggling after the volcano, for those who still have family missing, those who have lost loved ones due to the smoke/ash or the after effects, and those who are making their way into those dangerous environments risking their lives to save others. From the disaster that was the Volcán Fuego, we don’t forget to acknowledge the fuego(fire) in our hearts to gather as a team and see the good that God brought from this situation. Community. Togetherness. Preparation for the future. Lives made new. The realization that there are so many in Guatemala, the US, and around the world that are praying for the best for Guatemala and it’s people. Thank you to each of you who have shown your support in this explosion. We appreciate each and every one who have prayed for us and enabled us to financially help those who need it most. He is with us through each and every storm (or volcano) that comes our way!

Each and every day, no matter what stage of life we are in, we all are growing. Maybe in size. Health. Muscle. Knowledge. Spirituality. Personally. Maturity. Relationally. None of these areas, or any growing, can come without faith. Faith that the long hours at the gym will build strength and take off pounds. Faith that the all-nighters over an open text book will get you closer to that dream job. Faith that the medicine or treatment will do what it says it will. Faith that the other person in the relationship, be it a family member, friend, or co-worker, also wants to deepen their relationship with you. Faith that the more you spend in prayer, in scripture, in giving of yourself, the bigger your heart will be for the church and the people it hopes to reach.

Last year, we received a baby, only 2 days old, who was abandoned at birth. This past week, he got to celebrate his first birthday. He’s quickly growing in size and ability, and even quicker growing in faith with the friendships in his house, but also in the faith of his caretakers, that they will provide the love, care and attention he needs to thrive and grow into the man God created him to be.

This afternoon, while walking down the hill, I saw one of the newer boys calling me over for something he wanted me to see. I look to the roof of the house in my right, and hear “He’s alive” before noticing the bird sitting up there with a towel and a piece of paper. The bird looked in pretty rough shape, maybe with a broken leg and/or wing, could barely keep his eyes open, but seemed content in the care of the boys, not making a peep nor fighting back. I got the full story from them excited to share it with me. They rescued that bird after he fell out of the tree, placed him on the roof in safety, and told me that his mom and dad will come back to get him. If that’s not faith, I don’t know what is!

While I was away for the past two weeks, carpentry classes were started up for the teen boys and girls. They are hoping to install skills into these teenagers as they will outgrow the orphanage in two, three, four years, or maybe even this year. As soon as I got back I heard testimony after testimony of the skills being taught and how the teens, once afraid and ashamed of being incapable, creating new wood works of their own and excitedly asking when the next class will be. Faith in their abilities, the materials provided and the instructions followed has led to leaps and bounds of growth within their young lives and perspectives of themselves.

One of the boys had a rash that covered various places across his body. He’s done blood tests, has been faithful to put on lotion, stayed out of the sun, has done a strict food diet, and probably a few other things I’m not aware of to try to get a handle on the outbreaks. Doctors weren’t sure if it was an allergy to the sun, a skin disease, a food allergy, or something else. His cheeks were bright pink and were almost scabbed over when I left for the states mid May. I saw him today, and it looked like he was brand new. Smooth skin, no itching, and he was as happy as could be! Through prayer, hard work, close attention and faith, he has grown into a picture of success.

When I arrived back I noticed recycled bottles hanging from the bars on the windows with a piece of ribbon. I could tell from far away they were filled with something. Dirt. And up from the dirt was a hint of green. The kids are learning with hard work, growth will happen. They have faith that if they provide the seed with enough water, sunlight, and soil, something great will grow. Here’s to continuing to grow, only with faith in ourselves, the results, and the journey there!