Author: perseveranceonamission

Last week, I got to share a little over a week with family, friends, and loved ones in Dallas. I got to camp out in the back yard, meet a new four-legged sister of mine, explore the city of Fort Wort, go to my first NBA game, purchase a bunch of donations to bring back to the kids, bake almost everyday, and most memorable of all, participate in a 5k run and/or walk.

This was not like any other 5k, as it is known as “the happiest 5k on the planet!” The color run. About every km completed, volunteers would shoot you with colored dust. It kinda felt like a mix of baby powder, baking soda, and powdered sugar/flour. But, it didn’t taste so great!

A few friends and I piled into Dallas’ public transportation train, since we knew it would be easier than trying to park there, fighting with traffic, and covering the inside of our car with colorful powder after the run was over. We weren’t the only ones.

The first runners started at 8. The train we were on arrived at the station at 7:53. It was full of fellow participants. Men and women wearing their 5k shirts, kids with bandanas, peel and stick tattoos covering their arms and legs, and so many more with 4 digit race numbers pinned to their shirt. It was clear to see who was going to the 5k. We all followed the crowd and made it to the starting line.

After a lot of running, some walking, and experiencing several color clouds, we finished in 46(ish) minutes (according to my watch I wasn’t paying too close attention to!) Let’s just say, I couldn’t have made it over the finish line in that time without friends pushing me, encouraging me, and sticking with me. Booths were set up beyond the finish to grab water, protein snacks, a medal for each runner, a baggie of colored powder (to again cover ourselves with color), and a few volunteers with leaf blowers on the way out to help with the cleaning.

Slowly but surely, we hit the booths we wanted to visit, rehydrated, took too many selfies, and headed out to catch the train back home. Some volunteers and fellow “athletes” also joined us on this train. Seats were colored, sneaker tracks filled the aisle floor, and we were all worn out, hot, sore, and tired from the previous two hours.

As we got closer to our final stop, more and more people got off the train. Soon we were the only participants on, needing to go to almost the end of the track to get home. The fellow train riders noticed the colorful, tired, worn out state we were in and asked us where we came from, why are we in our current condition. They could see something different about us and were curious to know.

I entered the house, with my colorful socks and shoes left outside on the doorstep. As much fun as it was to cover myself in powder, a refreshing shower was calling my name. The dirt may be gone but the memories, laughter, and soreness sticks with me 5 days later. I am different because of that morning.

I got to thinking. As it was easy to see who was participating in the race, is it easy to see who is part of the church? Do they stick together, stand out in a crowd, and follow one another’s lead? When people see me who aren’t involved with the run (faith), will they notice something is different about me? My character? Actions? Words? Will they be curious to ask me where I’ve been? Will things be different because of my presence, whether it be some extra color on the train or an answered prayer? Will I be willing to assist another when they start doubting themselves and their abilities? Will I stop and grab the cup of water (living water) halfway through the run knowing that it will strengthen me for the second half? Will I be willing to fight through the hardships, the pain, the struggles, the lack of confidence in myself to reach the joy to come when I cross the finish line?

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7

Living with almost 90 kids, birthdays are a big deal. Some have it memorized when their birthday is, others come to the office to specifically ask us when their birthday is, and often times, kids will come in having no birth certificates or any idea when their birthday is. We can only guess based on physical traits, sizes, and learning abilities.

This week, I was blessed to be able to celebrate my birthday with a bunch of hugs, giggles, and excitement. One of the house mothers’ birthdays was also this week, the Monday, two days prior to mine. The kids are usually celebrated somehow on their birthday, that the house parents often get missed or celebrated a little less. I did devotions with her boys Tuesday evening, and decided to bring a bundt cake sliced into 14 pieces for us all to celebrate her.  We all sung Happy birthday. Some were singing to me, others were singing to the house mom, that when it came time to sing “Happy birthday to <insert name>” it didn’t sound like we knew what we were doing. But at the end of it, they all counted up to 24 to celebrate my 24th year of life (only after they asked me midway through how old I was turning).

Wednesday morning, I walked down to the office, with most everyone occupied inside their house. I was about 50 feet from the boys house, when I heard a bunch of feet coming in my direction. I turn around to see about 7 of them running full speed, shouting “Feliz Cumpleaños” with their arms open wide. I was almost knocked down to the floor with the amount of love I received. They noticed that I had my ukulele in hand (for worship therapy) and each took turns strumming the strings and singing me their own version of “Happy birthday”.

From there, I got to help with therapy. Plan B. We worshipped with hand motions with pre-recorded music (since the singer lost her voice and couldn’t participate this morning), learned about Daniel in the Lions’ Den, and had some free time to visit whichever station(s) they wanted to take part in today. I was in charge of leading horse therapy, where I was able to teach two boys how to comb, brush, feed, and make friends with the horse.

Lunchtime came around, and it was the first time I got to see some of the girls that day. One had her arms open wide walking slowly towards me, using her best voice to sing me “Happy birthday” (in English). She arrived at the orphanage a little over a month ago, and was excited to celebrate me today. Others surrounded me with hugs and wishing me a happy birthday.

I got some work done in the afternoon, and got the word that worship night was cancelled for tonight (scheduled every other Wednesday). I was kinda disappointed, knowing I had a cake and two pans of bars ready in my fridge to share at the potluck. But, that doesn’t mean I can’t celebrate my birthday tonight, right?! Plan C.

Three of the American volunteers went to grab pizzas and told me not to make any dinner plans before they left. My spirits were lifted knowing that they still want to do something for me, even though plans changed for the evening. They left about 5:45, and I got a chance to make my birthday phone calls and respond to messages I’ve received throughout the day.

They got back around 6:30, and all met up inside the neighbor’s house to set things up, while I was busy getting things done in the room. I headed over at 7, and they had balloons, a “happy birthday” banner up, and dinner all ready. Plan D. Pizza changed to a local chicken restaurant after traffic was heavy due to road construction. But, they remembered that every time I go to that restaurant, I always get the burrito. So I got my favorite burrito.

While we were finishing eating, we heard the school bus get back with most of the kids (the next town over) around 7:45, after it left at 4:45 to pick them up (it usually leaves at 5:15 and arrives back at 6:30 for dinner). Poor kids! About 10 minutes later, I got a message from the house mother (whose birthday was Monday) that I left something in their house yesterday evening from devotions. So I left my party for what I think will be just a minute or two, and head down to grab whatever it was I left behind.

I knock on the door and hear lots of little voices excited for a knock. A few peeked out the window, then turned around to say to the others, “HARPER’S HERE!” That’s when I knew something was up! Plan E. I stood outside the door for about 6 minutes while I heard phrases such as “HIDE”, “SET OUT THE FOOD” and “SHHHHH” between the sound of a dozen pairs of feet running around the house. Lights were being turned off and on inside and outside the house and I could hear a bunch of excited laughter. I didn’t care about the waiting, knowing all the emotions hiding behind the door.

The house mom lets me into the dark house and tells me I forgot something as I am tackled by 11 kids. They had the rugs all laid out, the house was clean, “Happy birthday Harper” was stuck on the wall, and there was a wide variety of chips (Nachos with salsa/cheese, both puffy and thin cheetos, and cheese rings) for us to snack on, along with a 3 liter Coke. I was so full from my burrito, that I gave about half of my chips to the boys sitting nearest to me (felt bad declining food they brought just for me!) Half of them came up to me, put their arm around me and wished me a happy birthday, along with “God bless you”, “We love you”, “take care”, and a bunch of other sweet phrases. I was almost in tears!

I ran back up to the house, so the girls didn’t have to wait much longer for me to cut into the cake. By the time my piece of cake was eaten, I was full. Full of food, and full of love from those near and far, adults and kids, Guatemalans and Americans, staff and co-volunteers, friends and family. Thank you to all who helped me celebrate this week or wished me a happy birthday. It’s been a great celebration!

This Saturday, I was going to spend the night at one of the volunteers houses so they could take me to the airport Sunday morning. Plan F. They are throwing a birthday party for one of their friends on Saturday afternoon and asked me to tag along, so I could also be celebrated! So, I will be spending tonight (Friday night) and Saturday night at their house before my flight out Sunday. My birthday is already over, but the celebration hasn’t stopped!

One of the greatest parts of living at an orphanage filled with about 90 kids is that there is always something to be doing, kids to play with, friends to make, relationships to be built, stories to listen to, and loved ones to care for. I’m slowly learning that if I am unable to offer anything of material or wisdom, I can at least provide them with my presence.

Often times, as I am walking to grab a chair with my plate in my hand, I have several girls shouting my name, pointing to the empty 5 inches beside them allowing me to sit alongside them for a 15 minute meal. I’ll enter the cafeteria to hear a boy say, “Sit with me today,” as he knows many others also seek my company with their rice and beans. But that does come with its downsides. I’ll have the girls disappointed that I promised the boys at lunch that I’d join them for dinner, or being sad that I have to share my presence with a different group of girls today.

Sometimes, that presence could even be a listening ear to another volunteer, a staff member, a short term missionary, or an intern who wants to share their thoughts and experiences throughout their activity in the orphanage. I had a long chat with a house mother a few weeks back. She was sharing with me much of her experience over the several years she’s been working here, giving me advice as to the best techniques to sharing love with the kids, and also providing inside information as to how the kids think, act, and respond to our actions and words. It was not only helpful for me to get an insider’s scoop of the personalities in the house a bit better, but it also helped me with my Spanish vocabulary, picking up new words and translating them to the American missionaries who were conversing with us.

Presence also includes noticing the little moments I can make a difference and choosing to do so. For instance, I was walking down to head into the office at the start of a work day. As I was about halfway there, I was filled with joy when I saw one of the younger boys skip his way over to hang his wet towel in the sun. He jumped over the start of the cobblestone road, missed the landing, and ended up crying on the ground with two skinned knees. I sped walked 50 feet down the hill to meet him there. In his tears, he lifted up the legs of his pants to show me a spot of blood. I put my arm around his back and suggested that we’d walk back to his house together. But, he was on a mission. He stepped up onto the brick wall, almost 2 feet high, to throw his towel over the railing. I stood by his side to help lift him up and help him back down. I walked him back to his house with my arm around his back, talking to him and wiping his tears to help him calm down a bit and take a deep breath. He entered his house and got cared for by his house parents without saying a word to me or recognizing my presence while I was with him for the last couple of minutes. Although it wasn’t acknowledged, I still felt like I made the right choice showing up a few minutes after the work day began.

A few hours later, I went to grab my lunch from the dining hall. I was facing the kitchen counter when I felt a tight squeeze around my thighs and heard a single word: Gracias. I immediately knew who it was, even before I looked back to see the wide smile gazing back up at me. I asked if he was ok, if he was taken care of, and if he felt better after his fall earlier today. The single smile, the pair of dimples, and the nodding of the head truly made me notice the difference of being present in a moment of need. This is why I do what I do and why I love doing it.

To quote one of the Guatemalan house parents, “It’s not about the workers. It’s about the kids. It’s not being focused on all the love and care that you can give to them, it’s about the love and care they give to us.” Loving and caring for them is the easy part. It’s when they are able to show that love and care for you, despite their past experiences, that makes all the difference. It is a true blessing to see and be a part in trust being rebuilt, whether its with me, a house parent, a friend, a horse five times their size, or themselves.

In my 10 months here, I’ve noticed a pattern. The new thing drawing the attention of a majority of the kids changes in a wave. For instance, when I arrived, the attention grabber was a trompo, a top. Kids would wind thin ropes around their top, throwing them at the ground getting them to spin real fast before beginning to lift them into their hand or walking it like a dog. New tricks were being learned everyday, the older teaching the younger. And, some of them were still getting the hang of flicking their wrists in the correct direction upon the initial throw. Lots of skill levels with even more tops surrounded the court, sidewalk, and any empty flat area that could be found.

As we shifted more into the summer season, the temperature rose quick and the rain drops fell even quicker. Whenever the sun came out, any free afternoon turned into a water fight. Buckets filled with rain water were dumped over heads. Hoses sucked up every last drop of water saved in the showers. The pilas (sinks for washing clothes) were left bone dry while every inch of clothing worn was dripping wet.

Towards the end of summer and the last couple of days of the rainy season, most of the houses, kids and caretakers, were planting something. The areas with dirt were filled with flowers, greenery, and a variety of plants. The kids were focusing on being responsible for their house’s plants and keeping an eye on the growth. Then, began another season, the season of barriletes.

Kite season! Small, lightweight sticks were assembled together with a thin piece of thread. They were decorated with tissue paper and a long tail, and soon flew through the air. Different techniques were used in both assembly and flight. Kites of all sizes filled the sky. By the time December came, so did a time of another activity. Cuetes… Fireworks!

I couldn’t walk anywhere without hearing some type of pop or crackle from some type of firework. With Christmas and the New Year approaching, everyone was spending their free time outside participating in setting off the fireworks or at least watching/listening. Day and night, the sight and sound of fire was entertaining for girls and boys, young and old.

Now that January has come and gone, the new attention grabber is la cuerda. Jump rope! Again, lots of techniques, lots of skill levels, but the same activity. Some of the older boys are whipping the rope overhead as fast as they can, getting maybe an inch off the ground, from years of practice. Others line up in groups to see who can last the longest. And then their are those younger ones who are on the sidelines of a soccer game trying to master getting two jumps in without needing to take a break in between. Some do it for exercise, others do it for competition, and others for just pure fun and joy.

I’ve also noticed patterns over my past ten months here. While I do have a job to fulfill as a sponsorship assistant and as the “news reporter” of Casa Shalom, I find my attention being grabbed in new roles to fill in the kids’ lives. I have skills in some areas, while others I am still picking up along the way. I arrived at the orphanage last April, and in May, I was asked to fill in as a horse therapist. That included dedicating time to learning how to care for the horse as well as working with the child(ren) to make the most of their time with the horse. May, June, and July were filled with weekly appointments with the horse, with kids and also with the fellow instructors.

August and September came, and I picked up a new role. I became the piano teacher for two of our teens, and myself as well. I was doing lessons with them once a week teaching chords and scales, while also helping them practice using the side of the table or the countertop as a piano. I would open up my room to them and allow them to practice on an actual keyboard for a few minutes at a time whenever they wanted to.

October, November, and December were busy months of the year, with kids all out of school and events being scheduled almost every week, from graduation parties, to outings, holiday preparation, and the occasional shopping trips. I was helping as an assistant, a decorator, a safety monitor, a babysitter, a supporter, an event coordinator, and everything in between.

A new year means new responsibilities. New ways to help the children, staff members, and American volunteers/interns/short term missionaries. Over the past week or two, I’ve been working alongside the new intern coordinator. I’ve been her translator to the house parents, I’ve supplied her with materials making it a little bit easier for coordination between the intern and the house parents. I’ve helped her make a schedule, and assisted in being eyes and ears when she is off campus. I’ve been providing my own feedback on my time as an intern, and have given her new ideas to bring to the internship program, as she sees fit. January brought two new interns, and I will be helping them (intern, intern coordinator, & house parents) get adjusted to one another and provide areas that need improvement or further translation.

I have also noticed a role that I could fill, one that would benefit the kids if someone were there to fill it. Pastor. No, I’m not filling the role of a full time campus pastor, leading services weekly for all of the kids and being the backbone for spiritual growth. That position is still open and needed. I will be spending about a half hour with a house in the evenings, one night with the younger girls and another night with the younger boys. I will be providing them a video, an activity to go along with the video, and a memory verse for the week to remind them of the Bible lesson for the week. This doesn’t only add an hour of work to my week (half hour with each house), but involves watching the video at least once beforehand, writing notes of questions and conversation with the kids, making up an activity, and finding time to grab the supplies from the store, knowing that I am dependent on others for transportation. Plus, everything takes almost twice as long, now that I am having to create conversation and activities in a second language.

That role is a lot to fill, but one that I know is needed. I am nowhere near fit to fill the role of a pastor in 24 young kids, but I can make a spark of difference in these two dozen lives. I am provided with a fun video program (that is in both Spanish and English), I have some extra time that I could be filling for the benefit of the kids, and I’ve taken the time to really plan things out, create exciting activities, and have grown spiritually while doing so. February starts the first of the weekly Bible lessons, and I’m looking forward to seeing where this role will take not only me, but also the 24 kids and 4 house parents (and the intern). I can’t wait to see what the next season’s “attention grabber” will be. What role or activity has grabbed your attention in this season?

Sometime last week, I was asked by a 9 year old, “Where do you live?” Seems like a straightforward question with an answer I wouldn’t have to think about before answering. But I had to stop and  really question myself… My community, friends, and family are based in the US, but I’m spending most of the year in Guatemala with all of the kids. When I am in Guatemala, home is the US. And when I’m in the US? Guatemala. I responded “I live here and in the US. Both of them.”

Home. Throughout the years, the definition of that word has changed based on my location or stage of life (grade school, college, and “adult life”).

Home, to me, doesn’t just signify the building or room in which I live, but the community I am a part of. Friends I have. People I can pour into and that can pour into me. A relationship based community, with sharing, encouraging, and togetherness.

If I were to be asked what the most difficult part is of living with 91 kids, it would definitely be the lack of community in my life. I am constantly surrounded by kids asking questions, seeking guidance, and recovering emotionally from what their past held. I rarely have a person or a group of people pouring into me and I in them equally. No one to drag to a movie, no one to share dinner with, no one to simply enjoy being in each others’ presence with, while we are journaling or reading together. I am often the one pouring from my cup, participating in activities and conversations the kids want to share together. I guess that’s what I signed up for, right?!

I’m trying to view my community differently. We do not currently have a campus pastor, and I’ve been praying on how I can assist in this gap. In the next few weeks, I will be sharing devotions with the younger boys and girls house once a week after they finish school and dinner for the day. This will include a short video, followed by questions and a memory verse. I will take the time to notice needs and fill them, if and/or when I can. I will be getting more involved with worship. Through our weekly therapy groups, we do praise and worship before getting involved in our activities. This praise and worship may be accompanied with hand motions, dances, twirling scarves, and a guitar. I’m often standing alongside the kids leading and participating in the motions, but I want to start bringing my ukulele along to pour into the kids more, and hopefully getting worship involved not only in therapy group but also into the houses (maybe with my devotionals, if the kids are up for it?!).

I guess in a way, I am surrounded by the best community. I’m surrounded by company at every meal I eat. I am often annoyed (playfully) while at work, because a few of them are curios to learn about whatever is currently on my computer screen. I get a chance to follow up with them after school everyday to see how their day went and what they learned. I get to take part in rolling cars down the hill, passing soccer balls, jumping rope, and flicking marbles into a triangle (still not completely sure of their rules!). I can sit down with a child and write out the words they say to me, to later copy my letters in their own writing to send to their sponsors, assisting in developing skills of learning how to write and match letters with their sounds. But, I do need to make more notice of what the kids are in a way teaching me, not in conversation but through example. Kindness, giving, selflessness, caring for one another, including others, imagination, looking to the positive, joy, unconditional love, and much, much more.

It’s almost like I am a small part of two environments or communities, without actually being fully in one. I almost feel slightly uncomfortable in both, feeling as if I am missing out on one if I am in the other. When I am in Guatemala, I love video chatting with friends and family back home. But when I’m in the States, all I can think about are my kids back home. I guess we weren’t created to be comfortable in our earthly home, but to set our focus on our eternal home, where everyone we love and care for will be reunited together in one community.

“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

(In the photo with the horse, the back of my shirt says “The thing I love most about my home is who I share it with.” Pretty much sums it up!)

More and more recently, I’ve been giving thanks for everything to come at me, good and bad. Showing praise and gratefulness for the moments that come into my life and also the lessons brought by the obstacles.

First, Thanks be to God. Thankful for His all. Thankful for His grace, love, and forgiveness even when I feel least deserving of any of them. Thankful for His providing and provision even when I had my own doubts. Thankful that He opened the doors in allowing me to fulfill His calling in my life. Thankful to all He has graciously given despite my lack of thanks.

I give thank for the almost 90 kids I get to share a home with. Thankful for those who have left the Casa Shalom neighborhood in the past couple of months, and also for those that will join the family in the next few weeks, months, or years.

I can’t forget about the moments I share with each of the kids. Giving thanks for a little boy wanting to show me how he can ride down the ramp while seated on the skateboard.  Thanks to the small hand that slowly works its way into mine while walking to our next destination. Thanks to the young girl wanting to carry my bag for me, and frowning when I wanted to take it into the house. Thanks to the pre-teens that fight over who I should eat my next meal with. Thanks to the young men and women who often times get on my nerves, but also accept me with arms open wide.

Thanks for the staff members of Casa Shalom. Thanks for the maintenance men who got up on my roof to stop a leak. Thanks to the cooks for working early in the morning until late at night providing 3 hot filling meals for the day (although I’m often too lazy to get the first one!) Thanks to the office workers for coordinating events, visitors, and other essential information that I am often times unaware of nor give notice to. Thanks to the psychologists who assist in the healing and processing of each child at the orphanage. Thanks to those volunteering, whether intern, full time, or short term missionary, for finding needs and fulfilling them to their greatest potential.

Thanks to the therapy group I get to be a part of. Thankful for the healing brought by our furry four-legged friends, cat, dog, bunny, or horse. Thankful for the creativity that can be shown with a few dried out markers and scratch paper. Thankful for a sand box filled with another world. Thankful for construction of racetracks and train tracks. Thankful for the laughter shared while hitting a puck on the air hockey table. Thankful for lifting up one voice together in praise and worship as well as a bible story.

Thankful for the sponsorship program. Thankful to have so many sponsors pouring into each of the kids. Thankful for the donations that are given for birthday gifts, good grades, and general needs. Thankful for the contact shared between kids and sponsors exchanging letters and photos. Thankful that I get to be a small part in that translation.

Thank you to my friends, family, church, and sponsors for encouraging me, supporting me, checking up on me, and continuing to pray for me and the ministry of Casa Shalom. Thanks for your confidence in me and keeping my head up at times it may begin to fall. Thanks for still allowing me to be a part of your community, while I am still searching for  my footing here in Guatemala. Thanks for staying up-to-date with everything that is happening in and around Casa Shalom. And thanks for taking the time to read this blog! If I might’ve forgotten anything, which I know I have, I’m thankful for that too! What are you thankful for today?!

 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34

With a new year upon us, it now begins a season of change. Lose weight, break bad habits, spend less money, cut out junk food, clean the house, finish that project, the list goes on. But how long do we actually end up keeping those new years resolutions? Isn’t a new years resolution just for new years day?

I’ve gone another way. Instead of being focused on adding or removing something into my daily routine, I’ve set this year on a word (or a few words). This word is not one that is just a few letters long that I can look up in the dictionary. It is a word I want to think upon daily and use within my life when I see it can be used. I was debating between two, but they both fulfill a similar meaning.

Light.

Example.

New years night, we lit all kinds of fireworks, sparklers, and firecrackers from about midnight until 1 am. Those fireworks that would be illegal in the United States. For sure! But we all had fun, and no one ended up going to the hospital, which was the main concern while the three volunteers were in charge of passing them out and setting them off.

The whole night, I was attracted to the light. The sparklers to my side, the multiple firework shows going on in the city below, the rockets shooting up above my head, the bonfire (when the mountain wind picked up), or the little flashlight on my phone guiding my way down the rocky road when everything was over.

So were all the kids. They were running around everywhere finding the nearest source of fire for themselves. Whoever had a sparkler in hand, they were surrounded with kids. The more that came to the source of the fire, the larger it got, the more noticeable it got. When the sparkler ran out, they had to run and find a flame elsewhere, from a lighter, a friend’s sparkler, or the bonfire. From a small sparkler shot a large rocket. Although the flame may seem small, it could grow so large as more start to notice it.

I want to be the light (an example). I want to notice the light (examples) around me and allow it to spark a flame of my own. I want others to see my light and be able to pick up a spark from me. I want to be aware of how I spend my time, so that my flame is continually keeping strong. I want my light to be contagious. How do you want to use the 365 days this year has given you?

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