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Recently, I was talking with a fellow missionary who has worked at schools with students living with their families, as well as others inside orphanages. We got to discussing the differences of kids being in an orphanage versus being at home with family. 

The orphanage setting is just a temporary home until things change or the kid ages out. It is created as a safety space for those kids found abandoned, beaten, sexually assaulted, begging on the streets, or the lack of a guardian in a position that can supply for their child(ren). Most orphanages aren’t a mansion providing anything a child could want, but they provide all a child needs to survive: 3 meals a day, running water, a bed, a roof, education, the gospel, and many, many people, in Guatemala and the United States, who love them, care for them, and are praying for them. I would bet that a good amount of the kids we have under our care today wouldn’t be alive today had the courts not removed them from their homes, their families, the life they consider normal. 

Yet, most kids are living life daily wishing they could get back to the overdosed mother, the father who has them working the car wash for his next drink, or the home with an old plastic bag for a roof. It’s normal to them. It’s what and who they know of as familiar. They feel comforted and have grown accustomed to these things of life. Being at an orphanage, I’m not too sure they realize all that we offer to them or what we are saving them from. 

When kids open up to me about their mom, dad, aunt, sister, grandfather, or other family members, they glow. They talk of all the good times they shared together, letting me indirectly know they wish to be home. I see the joy they hold in their voices and the light in their eyes. Yet, I also see scars covering their arms and/or legs. I can picture them before they gained the 20 pounds upon their entrance into the orphanage. I can only imagine the stories I have yet to hear, the trauma they’re still working through, and their thoughts on being “trapped” away from family inside an orphanage. I’ve watched kids come into the home, leave after a year, and come back to us after a few months at home, and leave us again. It breaks my heart to watch them walk out that door a second time. 

Which child is better off, the one being abused behind closed doors, or the one depressed inside the orphanage walls, counting down the days until they can return to home? Is there something we as an orphanage team can do better to make this temporary orphanage home feel more like home? How do we reach the hearts of these kids to let them know they are now safe, they will be cared for, fed, housed, and loved in a way they’ve never experienced before? God wants each of His children in a home with a family. How can we fight to get them back to their desired home, fully knowing that they will be in good hands once they leave the orphanage walls?

Last weekend, I got to help build a house. With mostly Spanish instructions. While wearing a medical mask.

That’s a mouthful I’d never imagine myself saying! But by the grace of God, this family has a new place to call home.

Almost 2 weeks beforehand, I saw an ad for a house building outreach with a church I last attended in March 2020, before COVID began. Since then, my faithful Sunday seat mate moved home with Jesus, and I still couldn’t put together the energy or emotions to have her empty seat beside me every Sunday morning. 

Nevertheless, that outreach was still on my mind and heart. The outreach was set for Saturday. I registered Thursday afternoon, with my hands shaking, not really having any expectations for what I just signed myself up to do!

Friday night, we had a zoom call with all the volunteers that were able to. We spoke on details of the following day. Overall, there were 4 houses: 2 being painted and 2 being built by the team of about 60 of us. I felt a sense of relief! Me? No experience at all with a nail, hammer, saw, or really anything construction. At least I could be a helping hand in the painting, with many walls painted over my years of mission trips. 

The next morning, we all gathered at the church to load up the buses. We were told that we’d receive a list of which of the 4 teams we were a part of through a group message while on our drive there. I was dressed in my clothes ready to be covered in paint! Guess what group I was in? House building #2. Let the nervousness begin. 

This house was just a skeleton structure. It had a roof overhead and every other post on the walls, so we were in charge of nailing in the missing posts, putting the windows in place, assembling bed frames, and making sure the house was move-in ready. I tied my Home Depot canvas belt around my waist, filled it with nails, grabbed my hammer, and walked over to the wooden posts still needing to be put up, without an idea of what I was doing. Thankfully, I was with others who had participated in a house build before and I could learn from their tips, watch how they did things, and provide a helping hand after their instructions. The guys in our group were very patient with me in showing me how to hold the hammer, where to put the nail, and how to keep the board in its place. I even got a chance to help some of the girls who were struggling a bit and got to act as a translator for those who only spoke English!

The family was watching their house being built. We got the chance to play with the kids off to the side, and I even brought a couple packs of Starbursts to share with those kids, not only in the village we were in, but also those I passed on our walk back to the bus. Many times after I gave a kid a candy, they’d still keep eye contact with me as they walked home, only to open the door and bring their younger siblings my way.

After about 3 and a half hours, we were done! We got to get a few videos/photos with the family in front of their new house, just before handing them the keys. We were all screaming and shouting for them to open up the house while we were there. The father grabbed the keys and walked in first, with his family (6 others) walking quickly behind him. There, he broke down in tears, along with the rest of the family and everyone in viewing distance, knowing he now has a safe and secure place for their family to live. He has a home.

It was a 2 bedroom house with a small living room. The bedrooms were each roughly double the size of the closet I had most of my childhood (maybe 7×7). No electricity. No bathroom/running water inside the house. No stove, fridge, pantry, or sink. A house that I’m really not sure how a family of 7 could fit comfortably in. Yet they were full of thanks. Thankful for those sponsors who paid for the materials, thankful for the team who put the house together, and thankful to God for providing for his family.

What is it in your life you can give thanks for, that might be not up to your standards?
A busy job= employment and providing for yourself.
Lots of chores to do= a family to provide for.
Car troubles= having your own mode of transportation.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I am thankful that even though I had no experience at all before this day, I could still be used by this team, for this family, in the plans of God. I’m already looking forward to August’s Saturday outreach!

Over the past few months I’ve been organizing, rearranging, sorting, and cleaning out the bodega on campus. That’s the big closet where we hold all the extra clothing, shoes, blankets, linens, towels and extra needs that our 80 children may need at a moment’s notice. During the past several weeks, I’ve been going in a couple hours a day to sort through everything, and I don’t think I am halfway finished yet. It is definitely a few month’s worth of hard work, and it will be a continuous effort to keep it clean and organized. 

This role does not just include the upkeep of the room, but I also get the opportunity to talk with kids and houseparents on what they’re needing. Most of the time, I am able to quickly head to the closet and help direct them to what size/item they are looking for. Other days, I’ve simply had to tell them “Sorry, we don’t have that right now.”

I’ve gone to a nearby thrift store for many of these clothing items cheaper than buying in the states and paying for shipping or an extra suitcase. Thank you to my financial supporters who allow me to fill these needs as they arise!

Can I ask for your help in getting some extra supplies we are often lacking (and a few for my organization)? Shoes, bed sheets, belts, undershirts, and an assortment of other things, I could not provide to the kids coming to ask me for them. With no mission teams coming through the orphanage over the last year, we’ve also been short on items these groups usually leave with us. Down below is an Amazon list of items we are short on, that I could not pick up at the local thrift store. If purchased with this link, these items will be sent to a friend in the US and will be shipped here to the orphanage down in Guatemala. As you look through the list, keep in mind the high quantities you see aren’t needed right now, but just as a hope to keep us stocked up for future needs that arise with caring for 80+ kids. I will keep it updated, as I organize my way through everything and hear of the ongoing needs of the kids. Feel free to share this link with others who may have a desire to be involved in the work at Casa Shalom Orphanage!

If you’d like to financially help towards these supplies (whether it be my thrift store/Walmart runs, through Amazon, or helping cover shipping costs on the donations coming in), if you have any of these items (in like new condition) that you’d like to get rid of, or with any other questions, please let me know at harperseverance@gmail.com. Thank you for your help in loving, caring, and providing for these children! God bless. 

https://www.amazon.com/registries/custom/2W10N0QTWOPSU/guest-view

Not too long ago was one of the girls’ birthdays. While in the office the day after, I got to give her a note her sponsor had written for her birthday. The house mom with her had no idea when her birthday was, so I informed her it was the previous day. My quick thinking, I asked her if I could bring a snack to the house later that afternoon to sing for the birthday girl. I ate lunch as fast as I could to run to the grocery store, leaving me enough time to bake, cool, and frost the cupcakes before the set time. At 5:00, we all gathered on the field outside their house, sung happy birthday- in Spanish and English-, and enjoyed some fun-fetti cupcakes, topped with sprinkles. 1-7 year olds like as much color as possible, right?! I was watching the birthday girl as we sang and she looked a little sad. But, I did manage to get a few giggles from her while the rest of her housemates were playing and running around post-cupcakes. By the time we were ready to part for the day, I walked up to her to give her one last hug. The tears started rolling. I don’t know if she’s ever had a birthday treat made specifically for her nor heard her name sung in the Happy Birthday tune. I don’t know if she felt more loved and adored than she felt that afternoon. She didn’t know how to process the emotions of being accepted, cared for, cherished, worthy of celebrating. I didn’t get a hug from her, but she stood for a few minutes with me, while I was rubbing her back, wiping her tears, and telling her I love her.
I went back to my house and cried probably more than she did. I’ll probably never eat a fun-fetti cake mix without thinking of her. I feel honored each and everyday God allows me to show others that they are valuable.

***Sponsorship plug: Look into child sponsorship!!! Casa Shalom, another Central American orphanage, any missions organization/ministry you’re interested in. It’ll change you. And the child(ren). And me too.***

Guatemala has been in quarantine now for 160 days. Some weeks the restrictions are tight, while others, they let loose a little bit. For over a month, we could only be out on the road on even or odd dates, depending on the last digit of our car’s license plate. At the start, national curfew, the hours everyone is required to stay inside their property, were 4pm to 5am, and now sit at 9pm to 4am. Travel between departments (similar to counties in the US) wasn’t allowed for 2 or 3 months. Masks are required everywhere. We, me and the kids, aren’t required to wear the masks living in the orphanage full time, but the office workers, the psychologists, the house parents that are in and out of the orphanage daily (or for extended periods of time) are required to wear a mask and socially distance when they aren’t wearing a mask. The president comes on live every other Sunday to share with Guatemala the rules and regulations for the next two weeks. We are all on our phones, on the computer, or gathered around the television to see what changes await for the next 15 days.

I am praying you all are doing well, staying healthy, and are able to get out a bit more than previously this year. Thank you for continuing to keep me and the kids in your thoughts and prayers, and financially giving, allowing me to be a small part of the work God is doing in Casa Shalom and Guatemala. I wouldn’t be here without your consistent support, prayers, and encouragement.

Most of us right now are wishing things were normal. A lunch out at a local restaurant. An afternoon at the movie theaters. Meeting up with a friend. A weekend spent with the (grand)kids/parents. A morning/evening commute to the office, school, or place of work/study. Stores stocked with everything we need, without other consumers buying a month’s worth of supply. Leaving the house without wearing a medical mask or fear of getting sick for a few weeks.

It’s unlike anything we have ever lived before, and maybe something we’ll never live again.

In the US, lives continue moving forward with little troubled, compared to some. Husbands/wives/kids/families are home together. Work still gets done from home. Kids are going ahead with classes online. Families are getting that time together that they’ve been wishing for a while now. Time to enjoy watching a new tv show, working around the house, planting things in the garden, trying new art projects, redecorating, and the list goes on.

In Guatemala, things are a lot different. If you’re off your property anytime between 4:00 pm and 4:00 am, you’re thrown into jail or given a large fine. Masks are mandatory when you leave your home. Gyms, shops, restaurants, malls, movie theaters, pretty much everything is closed, aside from the essentials: pharmacies, grocery store, gas stations, banks, and some restaurants that offer drive-thru or takeout. Public transportation, retired US school buses, aren’t in use. Many Guatemalans are laid off of work, and are not able to make money today that they will use for food tomorrow. A law placed a few weeks back prohibits people going into other counties (“departments”), unless it’s for work. Unlike the US, most Guatemalan homes do not have a computer, so schools are not in session until the virus passes.

With the parents we have in the houses, usually there’s a group that works Monday morning-Saturday morning, and another group that takes the weekend shift. Majority of them rely on the public buses to come and go. This has us now personally dropping off the employees at their houses and picking up the ones to fill in, about every 2-3 weeks. I, along with the teenagers, teacher, and others who are on the orphanage property, assist in caring for the kids in a specific home, while the drop-off/pick-up is happening. It is a lot on them, the drivers, and the teenagers, but they are grateful to still have a job and provide for their families who aren’t so lucky.

I haven’t seen family, friends, nor a 24-hour period free of kids since Thanksgiving, and I’m not sure when that will happen again. Borders are closed anywhere around Guatemala. The airport is shut down, without any flights coming or going. Tourist destinations, that bring a lot of money to the country, are also closed to the public. Holy week full of visiting tourists isn’t a week that the Guatemalan economy can lose. But, we are all doing the best we can to stay positive, stay strong, and keep moving forward, unsure of what the next couple weeks (or months) may hold.

We are making the most of our little inflatable pools. There are soccer games played most afternoons. Houses are enjoying picnics and extra playtime outdoors. House parents are getting more involved in the kids’ education, each holding a class based on their skills, education, and interests, so that education can continue while schools are closed. We are hosting weekly devotionals in the chapel, where kids and house parents can get involved in scripture readings, prayer, drama skits, dances, or sharing the message. Even though we all are getting antsy to get back into the schedule of school, attend a local church, or even take a quick walk down to the corner shop at the end of the street, we are making the most of our time together and are deepening our friendships.

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendorwas dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:28-34

A lot has been happening in the last couple of months, that I haven’t had the time to sit down and write! Construction of a new cafeteria, lots of fun over independence day, the end of school/a bunch of outings, prepping for the Christmas celebrations, a trip to the states, and a few weddings too!

One, at the start of August, was in a Catholic church near central park, in a town maybe a 45 minute drive away. This was one of our orphanage staff member’s weddings, so a lot of familiar faces were around. It was more a traditional Guatemalan wedding. The bridesmaids wore their indigenous Mayan skirts and shirts, and the bride did too! She had a long white veil that was carried down the aisle by her bridesmaids. They had their ceremony seated at the front of the Catholic church. The service was maybe 30 minutes, and was finished by 10:30.

We all exit the church, hugging and giving our best wishes to the new couple, but the day has just begun!! The couple takes off walking down the middle of the street with their groomsmen leading the way, and the bridesmaid following close behind carrying the veil. The family members were walking to the sides with those giant baskets balancing on their heads full of wedding gifts!

Four blocks away, and we made it to the bride’s home for lunch. As they entered into her home, a piñata full of confetti broke over their heads, as fireworks were lit just 100 feet away. Homemade tortillas, pork, rice, veggies, and a coke to wash it all down! It was an afternoon to celebrate and to gather together in community and building relationships. We spent a good two hours there, before going on our next adventure.

Four more blocks, and cake was served at the groom’s house. It was kinda like celebrating her leaving her old house and moving into her new abode. Welcome banners were hung on the walls, along with a speech given by the groom’s family to welcome her into the home. We grabbed a bit of cake, which lasted more than another hour, and headed home for the night, even before the dancing and dinner was served. It was now 5:30 after a 10:00 wedding.

Instead of paying the ~$15 for an Uber like I did to get me to the church, I spent ~$1.50 to head back to the orphanage with one of the house parents that also attended. It was pouring rain, we were both in nice dresses and sandals, yet we hiked up about a quarter of a mile to the orphanage doors, making it back by 7:00.

The second, just last week, was in a town almost 2 hours away. I rode with a family, and we left at 12:20, to make it by 2, for a 3:30 wedding. This time, I was a bridesmaid, and was excited for what the afternoon would hold.

As we were making a right onto the main road outside of the orphanage, there was a line of cars. No moving at all. Pretty far back. With barely any space allowing us to get into that line. Over the course of waiting about an hour and a half, not even a mile from the starting point, we witnessed people getting out of their cars, walking, and catching the public bus into town. Others were doing a 7 point turn to head back down from where they started, making a u-turn to head back to the city. So did we.

What was going to be 1:45 in the car, turned into 1:30 parked in traffic, and 2:30 circling towards the city, making it back around to our original route. I knew we were going to be late. I wasn’t even sure we’d attend. My anxiety started growing. I spent all morning on trying to curl my hair with a straightener, I spent a little too much money on a bridesmaid dress and shoes, and felt that I let the bride down, not having her full team by her side on her big wedding day. Also, I was a bridesmaid that had zero practice or rehearsal, so I had NO CLUE what I was doings and I was kinda depending on the early arrival to figure out what I’d need to do. That’s Guatemala for ya!

Gladly, a 3:30 start time is just a suggestion in Guatemala. They waited for us to start the ceremony. I almost got a little teary-eyed and felt a big sense of relief, when the groom called us saying “Te esperamos!” (We’ll wait for you!) The parents of the family I rode with walked the groom down the aisle, and I got to walk down with one of the bride’s brothers. The bride wore a white dress, put together by herself and one of the house moms. (I also had my dress hemmed by that house mom!) It was a pretty short service with a short message, vows, placing of the rings, and the final kiss before walking back up the aisle.

The wedding was outside, and the reception dinner was inside, all in the same event venue. We took our pictures, had some coffee, and enjoyed the evening together. Chicken, homemade tortillas, rice, and veggies, along with my homemade bread, was served up fresh! The family served all the food and was continually running around, making sure we had enough coffee and tortillas. I was close enough to the bride, making sure they had all they needed for food and drink. The bride and groom had their first dance together, the bouquet was tossed, and all was done by 7:30. Most of us who attended were Americans in a small unfamiliar town, so we all headed out following one another. With a couple of u-turns and going the wrong way on a one-way, we finally made it home!

I think the most special part of the day overall were 4 of us praying over the bride in a tin shack about the size of an outhouse. It wasn’t much, the prayer was kinda rushed as we were all headed down the aisle soon, and we were all pretty tight in a not-so-fancy place, but it was the starting point for her new life as a wife.

Different families, different traditions, same country, culture, and love. It is an honor to share with these friends and get to watch these four friends grow together in their dating and now married lives!

Imagine if you were living in a small 1 bedroom apartment, one that fell just within your budget. Termites filled the walls. A/C (if there was one) either leaked or squeaked when used. Electricity flicked off and on, and the 80’s wallpaper only covered half the wall. A full bath about the size of a “normal” half and a kitchen that had a foot of countertop space, with worn down wooden cabinets and a dorm sized fridge. You’re taken from your apartment building without previous notice and driven to the nearby courthouse, without any idea why, leaving all of your (few) possessions at your previous home. At the court they tell you that you’re moving into a larger house with many roommates, like a sorority/fraternity home.

There’s more than one bathroom that are both double the size of your previous one, with a shower AND a bathtub. The kitchen is big enough so that three people can use it at once. The walls are freshly painted with easily accessible, functioning outlets. Although it is far greater than your previous living arrangements, you’re still out of your comfort zone. You’re put into a new position, against your will, and told to make do with what you’re given. Over a couple of weeks or months, you get more comfortable with your surroundings and realize the protection, care, and comforts of the new “sorority home” are far greater, healthier, safer, and will provide you with many more opportunities than that affordable apartment room. It is better, but for some it may never feel truly like home. That’s the feeling each of our kids have gone through (or are currently going through) since entering the gates of Casa Shalom.

Each of their previous home lives are different from the next, but they are their own normal for each of the kids. Some see it as normal to walk alone on the streets at midnight begging for their only meal for the day. Others think normal is to see mom and/or dad passed out in the next room due to drug/alcohol abuse. Normal, for some, is being taken advantage of by a guardian, whether it be working out in the field at 4 years old, beaten, abused in the bedroom, or to get a job to provide finances for the guardian’s habits. Others see it as normal, or even lucky, to get one meal a day, own a toothbrush, or a mattress (that may or may not be shared with 5+ other family members). It all feels normal. They don’t know any difference and have accepted the normal as what they are familiar with.

So when a government worker takes a child from their cardboard box or removes them from their mother’s tight grip, they are scared. Nervous. Shy. Emotional. Most of the time, they will come as a sibling group, but on occasion do they come alone. They sit all day in court, just wondering what is to come. They’re driven to our front gate, arriving usually between 6:30 and 9:00 pm, are given a hot meal while answering questions from our staff, are showered, and sent to their new home, filled with friends of their age/gender. There’s running water, electricity, a new toothbrush, dishes, a roof, a mattress, extra blankets/towels, and new clothes for them to claim as their own, but they are still in a new environment, now separated from their siblings. It’s uncomfortable. It’s not their normal.

They are now learning how to be a kid, how to gain weight lost from malnutrition, how to live in a house with their own bed, a solid roof, lights, and running water. They are to let go of the responsibility to care for their younger siblings, find money to put food on the table, or watch for danger outside their house. Most are learning to accept and respond to real love and care for the first time.

Although they are taken into a much safer, healthier, loving, caring environment, it’s not their norm. They’re not used to it and are slightly uncomfortable and feel out of place the first few weeks at their new home. They are learning the best they can to accept a new normal.

Our goal as a team of cooks, psychologists, volunteers, teachers, doctors, dentists, secretaries, maintenance workers, and house parents is to change their idea of normal. We take the time sit with them at lunch, play soccer, hot wheels, or barbies with them, talk with them, get to know them a little better, and prove to them that we are standing with them and for them in anything they do. It’s not just a temporary stay (ranging between a few days and 20+ years), it’s a new family member to take under our wings and guide them into their new view of normal.

We appreciate all the prayers. Pray for the team of Casa Shalom, that we can best share the love of Christ with them, in helping them feel comfortable under our care, and that we can help them recover from their previous idea of “normal”, whatever that may include. Pray for each child that enters into the gates. Pray they start to understand the joy of childhood, how to let go of things no longer under their responsibility, for growth despite their past home life, and that they would come to know how much we love and care for them during (and after) their time in Casa Shalom, may it be a week or 2 decades. Pray that we can show them a new normal and that they would be quick to take it as their own.

(Since the pictures are pretty hard to take in when the kids first come to Casa Shalom, enjoy these photos of our Independence day celebration last week!)