Update on Our Kids at Hermano Pedro

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              Sam-Sam                                                 Estuardo
For those of you who have been reading either my or Dick’s blog, you will remember Samuel de Jesus.  Sam was one of the main reasons I returned to Guatemala, because he tugged at my heart strings with his untapped potential.  Before I moved down, Sam was moved to an institution in Guatemala City, and I have wanted to see him ever since.  A few months ago Estuardo, another “mobile” child with autism, was also moved to the same facility, and in July Dick, Laura and I went to visit them, accompanied by Heidi, one of the nurses from Hermano Pedro.  We found them healthy, happy, and with more freedom and stimulation that they had at Hermano Pedro.  While still an institution and far from perfect, we came back feeling that this had been a good move for both boys.
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Sonia recently had her 17th birthday which we celebrated with fried chicken at a party in the Bethel classroom.  Sonia continues to attend school at a “colegio” (private school) here in Antigua and is earning great grades.

IMG_1299Moises is also attending the colegio with Sonia.  Though not an avid student, he is making good progress.  His strong will is being put to good use in “forcing” himself to do his distasteful homework.  He’s been somewhat withdrawn lately, but recently has begun teasing me again when he sees me.
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Bayron continues to work with Nineth, the Bethel teacher, and his speech is greatly improving.  He tools around the orphanage in his power wheelchair and is a favorite of visitors at the orphanage.  He is anxiously awaiting the arrival of a laptop computer which has been donated to the classroom for his use. 

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Elmer is one of the kids in whom I have seen the most growth since I’ve been here.  While he will still sometimes go into a pout when he doesn’t get his own way, he seldom tantrums as he did in the past.  I am working with him and Nineth to help him get ready to start school.
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Jessica has adjusted well to living at Hermano Pedro, and loves attention and trips out to Camperos.  While we are still working on getting her to perform tasks when requested, she is making great progress.  Her living here continues to be a struggle for her mom, who visits her regularly.
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Leonel is becoming progressively weaker and more frail.  He is now refusing to eat and is being fed through an nasal-gastric tube.  His smiles come less frequently, and even his dad’s visit didn’t seem to cheer him up.  Please keep him in your prayers, as we fear he is losing any will to live.

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Alfonso seems to be adjusting to life at Hermano Pedro.  His aggressive acts have greatly diminished, and he no longer “clears the table” at Pollo Campero’s.  He’s actually become quite the gentleman when we take him out to eat.  He greets me each day with his version of “hey!” and two thumbs up—imitating his name-sake, Fonzi from Happy Days.

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Veronica is a sweet fourteen year old who is trying to figure out just what she wants in life.  She has been studying in the Bethel classroom, but is beginning to think she would rather stay in the ward and help fold laundry.  She is having a hard time envisioning more than an institutional future.  Please keep her in your prayers and she adjusts to being a teenager.
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These days Ervin is seldom called by his former nickname of “Monster.” He calls “Maaa” whenever he sees me walk into the ward.  While he can be quite a handful, requiring careful supervision, he has definitely captured my heart to the extent that the nurses call him my “hijo” (son).  After I had been away for a while, when I returned to Hermano Pedro he called me over, took my face in his hands, and planted a big, juicy kiss right smack dab on my mouth!
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Jose Antonio has returned to the Malnutrition Project at Hermano Pedro after only a few months at home.  He has some type of a digestive disorder which limits the foods he can eat, and his mother has had a difficult time caring for him.  While only weighing in at 14lbs, this soon-to-be five year old has more energy than the nurses know what to do with.  Seeing this tiny little guy walking around the unit and talking his head off is more than surprising.  While he’s pretty selective about his friends, he has begun to warm up to me—except of course when Dick, his favorite, is around.
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Jessica Vanessa continues to grow both in size and strength.  While a few months ago she was arching backwards so strongly she was hard to hold, she now is sitting up with limited support, and can “hang” over a tube while kneeling on her knees.  It is a treat whenever I work with her.
And I’ve saved the best news for last. . .
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Valentina, who six months ago was a three-week old in danger of starving to death because of her cleft lip and palate went home to her family this week.  She has received her first corrective surgery, and will need to grow a bit more before the roof of her mouth can be repaired.  She is well on her way to becoming “fat and sassy!”

Valentina Goes Home

Sunday, August 28, 2011
Dick writes:

It is not often that I repeat myself. It is not often that I . . . . . . At least not intentionally, but I posted the following just 6 months ago. Actually I am not repeating myself I am repeating what Pat wrote back then. Those of you who have good memories and want to skip over reading about the Godincidence that led into getting 3 week old Valentina into the Malnutrition ward of Hermano Pedro before she died can skip over the Blue  black writing and start reading the light black (or dark gray depending on your web browser or your eyes,) green to see how how things turned out.
Yours in Christ: Dick

(The following was originally posted on February 24, 2011)
Pat wrote

Up the drive came a lady carrying a small baby. She had heard Flori was visiting Marcos, and had come hoping she could help her get surgery for her 20 day old granddaughter who also had a cleft lip and palate. We talked a little bit, and while the baby seemed tiny, grandma said she thought Valentina was heavier than she was at birth. They knew she had to gain at least 10 lbs. before the doctors would consider the surgery, and were waiting for that. (Grandma is Valentina's primary care-taker, as Valentina's mother, has a severe seizure disorder and mental illness. Grandma said she is afraid to leave the baby with Mom for fear she'll kill her. Talk about a difficult situation. . .)

Then, Dick asked to hold her. The look on his face when he picked her up sent my heart into my stomach. He said, "I don't think she weighs 5 lbs." We gently began talking with grandma about the malnutrition project at Hermano Pedro, and she was interested immediately. We asked her if we could take a picture of Valentina without all the clothes she was bundled in, thinking she could come to the clinic the 22nd of February when others from her area would be coming to Antigua.

I think both Dick and I caught our breath as soon as Grandma removed Valentina's cap--somehow she hadn't looked quite as tiny wearing a hat, and we could see that her sparce hair had already lost color from malnutrition. As we removed her sleeves and pants, we could see that, despite the best efforts of Grandma and Dad, this little one had wrinkles betraying how much weight she had lost.

We began talking about the possibility of bringing her in to Antigua when we return next week to build Bayron's house. The more we talked the sicker each of us felt, fearing she didn't have a week to spare before getting help. And, she's healthy now. No fever or diarreah, so could be admitted immediately to malnutrition. In her weakened condition, we didn't think that would be the case in a few days.
We asked Flori if there was any way she could get them in sooner. . .we were committed to Walter already, and he had waited more than 6 months for this appointment. I think we both felt a little helpless. Flori reluctantly said she would be going to Antigua tomorrow, but they were leaving at 4 am and there was no way they could possibly pick up this family in such a remote place.

Immediately it was decided that, if they were willing, we would bring Grandma, Dad, and Valentina back with us to our hotel, which would be on Flori's way to Antigua tomorrow. Grandma agree instantly, and was off to call Dad and get ready to come with us.


So, tonight we had a lovely dinner in the hotel with Grandma, Dad, and this darling little girl. For as tiny as she is, she's so alert, and makes such great eye-contact that she's stolen both our hearts. I'm proud to say that Dick and I didn't fight over who would hold her more, but shared her attention pretty well. I got tears in my eyes watching my bachelor friend walk the floor with this crying baby, looking for all the world like he had done this his whole life. What a sweet moment.

I have to admit, I feel somewhat sad that I can't just drop everything and go with them to Antigua tomorrow. I'm learning more and more, though, that I don't have to do everything, only my part. And tonight our part is just to get them to where Flori can meet them tomorrow. I'm so honored to have Guatemalan friends and colleagues here who are competent to help their own people, they only need our support.


Was it a random thought that made me ask Dick to go to visit Marcos? I'm sure it was the Holy Spirit, and for once I heard His voice, even if somewhat reluctantly. Just like it wasn't a coincidence that today was the day we visited them, that Grandma just so happened to bring Valentina while we were there, that Flori just so happened to be going to Antigua tomorrow, or that our hotel was on their way. I sit and marvel at seeing the finger-prints of God all over these events, and am humbled to be a small part of this.

How many days can you say you got to trade an afternoon of leisure for being a small part in saving a life? Thank you, Jesus, for today, and be with them tomorrow as they travel.

Pat

Dick writes:

In the past few years we have brought several malnourished kids into Hermano Pedro not knowing for sure weather or not we were getting them there in time to save them. Some of them did not make it and it broke our harts. Others made it and it made all of our efforts well worth while. One thing we knew was there was no way that Valentina could last more than a week or 2 if she did not get some help, so we at least had to try. Valentina survived the night with us at the hotel and survived the ride with Flor to the hospital. However after she was admitted into the malnutrition ward of Hermano Pedro her condition did not seem to improve. She remained in isolation and for at least a month her weight stayed at 6 pounds. The doctors and nurses did their best and there were a lot of us praying for her but we all know that if she caught as much as a cold she would likely die. Pat and I vised her nearly every day but saw little change but as week as she was she still recognized us and let us know that she rather be held then lye in her crib. Then it happened slowly but surely Valentina gradually started to gain weight. A few weeks later she was released from Isolation and then put on the pounds even more rapidly.



A few weeks ago her mother and grandmother came to visit her and they could scarcely recognize her. Even though at one time mom had wanted her dead I could see that she really loved her daughter. Both mom and grandma were thrilled when they were told that Valentina had gained more than enough weight and was now strong enough for the surgery.
Last week Valentina had her Cleft Pallet surgery and all went well. She is now eating even more than ever and some of the nurses have affectionately nick named her "Gordo" (Fatty). The day before yesterday her family came and took her home.
Please pray for Valentina and her family. Her mom still has convulsions but seems mentally stable. Dad and grandma love her dearly so we pray that all goes well. One thing that I am certain of is that the same God that orchestrated us finding her, made it possible that she get into the malnutrition ward hospital in less that 24 hours and brought her from being a skin covered skeleton to a plump little girl in 6 months is capable of looking after her even though she is now a half day's drive from us.


Like Pat said, "Thank you, Jesus, for today, and be with them tomorrow."

Trip to Santa Rosa—August 22 & 23

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(Once again Dick says I agreed to do the journaling for our trip—how else do you respond to, “You’re going to write this one, aren’t you?”  However, he has graciously given me his pictures to use, which is why they are all in pretty frames!)

After a week of being sick a week of being sick, I decided it was time to get back into the swing of things.  So Monday morning Dick and I planned to go to Guatemala City to pick up my passport from Immigration.  It’s been there about 20 days to get approval for a 90 day extension on my visa.

When Dick arrived, he hesitantly asked what I thought about going on to Santa Rosa since if we went straight from the city it would cut about 2 hours off the trip we had talked about taking later in the week.  After a couple of minutes of thought, I agreed (two hours off the highway here in Guate is well worth packing quickly).

So, after a quick trip to my house for some clothes we were off to the City.  Our first stop was to buy dog food at WalMart—which I seem to be doing more and more often as Yogi and Booboo grow.  I also wanted to get some repairs done on my computer under the extended warrantee—but was told I had to call first for an appointment. 

Next we went to get Dick’s hearing aids adjusted, and were pleasantly surprised by the competency of the young woman who helped us.  (Dick is no longer saying he can hear better without them!)  Our next stop was to pick up Dick’s computer at the Mac repair place (it would be way too simple if we could both get our computers fixed in the same place). 

Finally we made it to Immigration, just in time for their lunch break.  After waiting more than an hour for the lady with the passports to return, I finally had permission to be in the country again.  Days like today kill any romantic ideas I still have about life as a missionary.  Most of it is plain old every day living stuff that can suck the life out of you if you let it!

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We were finally on our way to Santa Rosa, and arrived in Cuilapa in time for supper and some rest.  Running errands sure tires me out more than it used to!  When I unpacked I realized that I had packed everything I needed except blouses!  So, tonight I am sleeping in my pajama pants and the blouse I wore today.  Tomorrow I will be “styling” in my old t-shirt I brought with, planning to sleep in.  Any vestiges of vanity are being stripped away by life “on the road.” 

The night was made complete when, about 10 pm, we had a 4.4 “tremor” whose epicenter was only about 15 miles from our hotel.  I don’t think I’ll ever get used to feeling the earth move under me, especially when sitting in a hotel room which is literally built on the side of a mountain!  (I guess it’s better to up the mountain that at it’s base, though, in times like these!)

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Tuesday morning I placed a call to Anna, Bayron’s teacher, who we had come up to visit. (Bayron is a little boy who is deaf who is taught privately through sponsors with Bethel.)  She was just about in Cuilapa on her way to Barberena where she teaches.  Did we want to meet her at the park and go the rest of the way with her?  After managing to find the park (by ignoring the directions we were given at the hotel) we were soon on the way to the school where she teaches.

We arrived and were warmly welcomed into the building which serves as the school for roughly 800 children.  As Dick put it, we have surely acculturated when we think nothing of a school being housed in a building that would most likely be condemned anywhere in the US.  But the staff was warm and friendly, and the principal immediately gave permission for Anna to leave her class and accompany us to visit Bayron and his family. This flexibility was a difference from the States which did not fail to surprise me.

On the way, Anna told us that Bayron has been a bit of a pill—not wanting to work, and sometimes not being at his house when she comes to teach him.  We all decided it was good that we were coming to see him together.

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When we pulled into their yard we were immediately greeted by Edgar jumping up and down like a monkey.  This has become almost a tradition when were come here.  He did not have school today for some reason (here in Guatemala, we seldom know why, only that kids have a lot of unscheduled holidays).  We visited with Grandma, and with the help of Edgar, Grandma, teacher and our made up sign language, we made it clear to Bayron that he needed to buckle down and get to work. (It has more to say about Bayron’s raw intelligence than our skills at communicating that we were able to get this across.  How much he manages to understand without hearing or speaking continues to amaze me.)

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It was good to see this family enjoying the house which was built by a couple of guys from my home church and the Bethel folks.  There are probably about 8 adults and 5 children living in the new house and some old buildings adjacent.  It was also good to hear that Grandma likes using her new Onil stove because it doesn’t take as much wood.

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Bayron then showed us his work, and also demonstrated how he is learning to imitate sounds with the help of his excellent teacher.  After visiting with the family we soon needed to take Anna back to school.  We did promise to return later in the afternoon to take the kids out to eat—where else but Pollo Campero!

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Our next visit was to the family of Wilmer and Walter.  Wilmer is being tutored through a Bethel sponsor, and a few months ago we had taken Walter in to see the neurosurgeon in Guatemala City.  We wanted to check on how the were both doing.

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Arriving at their house, we were surprised to see that one of the buildings had been torn down.  We were even more surprised to discover that the family had moved. (Note to self:  check with Carlos at the Bethel office before setting off on these trips to see if anyone’s moved!)  After calling Wilmer’s mom, we were given directions to their new home in Anonillo—a place we had never heard of.  Not to worry, Mom said.  Her older son would meet us at the highway.

So we back-tracked to what we thought was the highway she was talking about.  After calling her we discovered that we had gone quite a way too far.  Only then did it occur to us (to Dick, really) that the young man who had waved to us as we were traveling down the dirt road to get to the blacktop was probably Wilmer’s brother!  I’m still learning Guatemala-speak.  Never in a million years would it have occurred to me to call a narrow dirt road a highway, but here in Guate it was (especially after we saw the roads that led off of it!)

We started back tracking again, this time through town, only to get stopped behind a van which was next to a car going the wrong direction down the two lane road.  Imagine our dismay when the van threw it in to reverse and back up full speed into the front of Dick’s new Land Cruiser!  I prepared myself for the worst as Dick jumped out of the truck to talk to the driver of the van.

Fortunately, the van driver admitted his mistake.  (Other Guatemalans might have thought we were at fault for not backing up when we saw his non-existent reverse lights!) As we were discussing the situation, up came Eric, a local man who owns a bicycle repair shop in town and had originally led Dick to Wilmer.  With his help we negotiated a fairly good repair price (for the driver at fault) and Dick left with a grand total of about 75 Q  (roughly $10) to repair the “cow catcher” on the front of the Land Cruiser.  Eric was also kind enough to accompany us to Wilmer’s and with his help managed to make the right turn up the mountain.  (Yep, it was right where we had passed the “friendly” young man who had been waving at us!)

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We traveled up a dirt road which became a trail which became two ruts, which ended rather abruptly.  As we were sitting there trying to decide what to do, a little girl came up to the truck and said, “Dick!”  It was Wilmer’s little sister.  She pointed a short way up the hill to where we saw Wilmer’s mom waiting for us holding Walter.  They had moved to this isolated area to be near her oldest daughter who was married with two children.  Wilmer’s dad was building a block house for them, which promised to be quite nice.  Now, however, they are living into a lean-to which is no more than some wooden walls covered by metal sheeting.  We were welcomed in immediately though, as Momma talked about her dreams for the new house.

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Wilmer was up the mountain at his sister’s house, and we hiked up to see him.  I have to admit it was a bit of a challenge as we seemed to go straight up, but I managed to make it without either falling or having a heart attack so it was all good.  Wilmer’s mom had found him a new teacher, and he was already receiving lessons in his new home.  We were also very pleased to see the water filter which we had left on our last visit in use.  Chalk up two great home visits and some good team work on the part of Bethel!

We returned to Bayron’s to take the five kids who live there to an early supper, only to be greeted by a number of other children who had come to “visit.” As hard as it was, we stuck to our original commitment and just headed off with Bayron, Edgar, Vanessa, Oliver, and Maria Jose. (Oliver is a little guy on crutches who runs faster than most able-bodied kids, and Vanessa and Maria Jose are his sisters.  Their mother, Bayron’s grandma’s sister-in-law, had died a few months ago, and Grandma is helping her brother raise his children now, as well as Bayron and Edgar).

Our time at Campero’s proved to be about the most entertaining meal I have eaten in Guatemala.  The kids drew and played tic-tac-toe while waiting for their food.  When the drinks came there was the mandatory straw shooting (begun by Dick, of course), and much teasing and joking.  It soon became apparent that the kids were entertaining not just us, but most of the restaurant.  It was fun to watch the servers laughing as the entered their orders in a near-by station.  Again, it amazed me how Bayron could communicate with us so well without speaking or hearing a word. 

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As we were eating our ice cream at the end of the meal, we were approached by a man who said he was a pastor.  He said something about making a donation, and I assumed he was asking us for a donation to his church.  I was astounded when he explained that no, he wanted to make a donation to us to help pay for the kids’ meals.  I was more surprised when he said he was not from this area, but lived in Guatemala City and had his church in Xenacoj, which is only a short way from Antigua.  This encouragement from a fellow Christ-follower was like a kiss from God to top off a rather remarkable day.

Two more teams

I don’t spend a lot of time with teams who come to Guatemala, as most focus on food distribution, house=building, etc.  I’m really trying to maintain my focus on working with kids with disabilities, so sometimes I do link up with groups doing wheelchair distributions, but I’m really trying to focus on Hermano Pedro more.

This past month, though, we have had two teams at Hermano Pedro who have not only worked to benefit the children, but have helped provide further training for me in better serving the kids.  Their presence has been a great shot in the arm for my enthusiasm and my hopefulness that things can and will change, however slowly.

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The first group was sponsored by Four Friends for a Difference.  These are four high school students who have made a commitment to provide 1000 hours of cumulative community service during their four years of high school, and are on a campaign to encourage other students to do the same.  I love their unique idea, and encourage you to visit their website to learn more about what they are doing. Two of these young women came down to Guatemala with Nancy who is a feed specialist who has been here a number of times.

Those of you who read my blog know the struggle I have with how the children at the orphanage are fed, especially with the size of the wholes in the nipples of the bottles which are used (way too large).  Nancy has been coming for years, slowly trying to impact this problem, and this year I was excited to meet up with her and take advantage of her expertise in feeding children with special needs.  I learned a lot from her while she was here, and she is making a training video for the staff (and hopefully volunteers) about the best practices to use with the children.  I hope to have a hand in training future volunteers in this important area of care for our children.

In addition to Nancy’s expertise in feeding, this group brought many supplies and materials to be used in sensory stimulation with the kids.  The orphanage has recently opened a sensory stimulation room, but only some of the kids are using it, and then only once a week at the most.  These materials will help volunteers provide sensory input on a regular basis, especially to the kids who are either deaf and/or blind.  A great contribution. . .

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The other group which had a direct impact on my ministry was a group of therapists from the University of Texas in El Paso.  In the past the University has sent down teams for Physical and Occupational Therapy students with their professors.  This year Connie, a professor in the area of Speech/Language came down with one of her students.  I was able to connect with her, and partner with her as she worked with those receiving instruction in the school program offered by Hermano Pedro.  This has been a great introduction into working with the teachers hired by the orphanage.  Claudia, one of the teachers, is especially interested in using Picture Communication with her students (most of them adults), and I hope to work with her in the future.

IMG_1527I also was able to take Connie and Dan (I think!) to visit New Life School in Santa Maria de Jesus.  There is a critical need for someone to work here in the area of communication, and though I have tried to get up there regularly, it seems it just hasn’t happened this year. 

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We are hoping that in the future maybe someone from their program will do a type of “internship” with the school.  We had a great visit with Judy Kerschner, the founder of the school, as well as the teachers and students.  I hope this will give Connie some thoughts on future ways of involvement here in Guatemala.

 

 

Thanks to both groups for not only serving our kids here, but also encouraging me and challenging me to see better ways I can minister to the kids we are working with.  I hope both your groups will come back and would love to serve with you again!

Trip to Tecpan, August 11, 2011

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We had been wanting to visit the families we know who live near Tecpan, and since both Dick and I felt like we needed a break we decided today would be the day.  Laura sure didn’t mind, either, getting to see a totally different part of Guatemala from where she had been.

Tecpan scenery

Though Tecpan is only about an hour and a half from Antigua, it is like walking into another world.  Most of the families here live in adobe houses, and the climate is rather cool.  The area we visited is nestled in a valley in the mountains, everything is green and lush and the ground extremely fertile.  Some of the best fruits and vegetables in Guatemala come from this area.  And just when you think this place cannot be more idyllic, in the late afternoon praise songs float across the valley from the local church.  It almost seems to be too good to be true!  Just the kind of place I might like to live when I retire. . .

But life is not easy for the families who live in this little community just outside the town.  Today we visited four young widows who are struggling just to keep food in the mouths of their children.  Even the families with daddies struggle to survive.  It is definitely one of the poorest communities we have visited.  Yet it is one of the most joyful.

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Our first stop today was at the home of Samuel.  Samuel is an 11 year old, who, up until about a year ago, was the sole support for his family of five.  He worked in the fields each day, earning about $10 a week.  Thanks to the generosity of his sponsors, he now attends school and is quite a good student.  This was the first time I met his mom, Maria, and grandma, who welcomed us into their home.  What a neat family.  Here we met a young man who seemed to take quite a shine to Laura, and even brought her a bag of strawberries to take home with her!  (Dick teased her that accepting strawberries from a young man in Guatemala holds the same significance as accepting a ring in the States.  Don’t tell her he’s fibbing!)

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We next stopped at Maria’s (it seems everyone in this community is named Maria!)  Only recently has her family begun receiving help from Bethel.  Again, she is a widow with young children who is struggling just to survive.

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Our next Maria was a neighbor of the first two Maria’s.  She too is a widow, but manages without assistance at this point.  Visiting her I was able to watch her daughter as she wove a huipil (Mayan blouse) on a backstrap loom.  It was absolutely gorgeous.  She will work daily for about two months to complete one garment, which she will sell for about $100. 

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Finally, we arrived at the home of Maria Son.  Maria’s husband was killed about four years ago, crossing the highway while going to work, and leaving her with four children.  Dick says that the first time they came into this family’s yard, the children hid crying in fear of the gringos.  Now the children in this whole community flock to us when we come.  Many times teams come here bringing shoes, clothes, school supplies and other items.  Today we came bringing only ourselves and our love, and were just as warmly received. 

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As we drove home, we talked about how today could be seen as a vacation day.  But it was also very much a day of ministry.  Maybe we ministered to the families we visited, bringing a reminder of Jesus’ love to them.  I know for sure, though, that they ministered to our hearts and blessed us beyond measure with their welcome and their love.  It was a good day!

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Camperos, August 6, 2011

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Today I had planned on meeting a couple of people from church and taking some of the kids to Camperos.  They couldn’t come at the last minute, and since I had already signed out three kids (no small feat on a Saturday!), I didn’t want to disappoint them.  I went scouting around the orphanage looking for help, and was lucky enough to find some of the Fulp kids in playing with the older boys.  They agreed to come with us.

What had been planned to be just a routine outing for lunch ended up being anything but routine, thanks to the Fulps!  For one thing, it was the easiest lunch outing I’ve ever been on, since Taryn, Brittney, Karissa, and Jay are as skilled with the kids as any adult I’ve seen. 

But more than their skill, today I appreciated their youth, energy and enthusiasm.  The reminded me of how much fun the kids can be when we (adults) don’t take ourselves too seriously.  They are amazing with the kids, and for the kids, and it was good for my soul to spend the day with them!  The pictures say it all!

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Brittney and Taryn with Julio

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Jay and Karissa helping Delmi take a “dip” in the fountain

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Brittney, Karissa, Teisha (who joined us in the park) and Taryn “sitting” on Julio’s lap

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Brittney and Teisha helping Julio and Elmer “dance” in the park.