This week we had two days that we had to leave the hostel at 6:00 a.m. to go out to a couple of the schools we are working with. If you know me at all you know that mornings are not so much my thing. I would rather be going to bed at 5:30 than waking up.
The first day really kicked my butt. I ended up in bed that night by 9:30 because I was just wiped out. That morning between the two teams we went to four different classes teaching about Values as well as hanging out with some sweet little kids playing games. If we are not at any of the schools teaching the values class we are still going to the hospital and the grandpa houses.
At the hospital for the last two weeks I have absolutely fallen in love with this boy named Edgar. He is so precious. The first time I noticed Edgar he had on a helmet because he likes to bang his head on the crib. It is really hard to watch and at first I put my hand in between his head and his crib so that he couldn’t hurt himself. I started to get to know Edgar by first just holding his hand or brushing my fingers on his face. At first, he wouldn’t let me. He would move his head away or push my hand away, but slowly as the days went on and we spent more time there that has changed. He smiles at me when I come up to his crib and he holds my hand and won’t let go.
The other day it was too cold to take the kids outside so the kids were in their wheelchairs inside and in Edgar’s room they were just blaring music. So I pulled up a chair and sat with him. We danced all crazy with our arms and heads, we laughed a little bit, and I gave him lots of little kisses on his face and he would just smile. His laughter is like hearing into the joyfulness of God. I love him so much.
On Friday we went to a different school where the students were doing a special project. The students in this school did a project representing all of the major cities and surrounding areas in the Guatemalan city state. They researched and decorated their classrooms to show what the typical dress, food, agriculture, and traditions are. Not only did they do that for their research project, but then it was presented to US! The teachers gave us a brief presentation in each classroom. So we went to go do our regular presentation, but then instead were presented to about the culture we have been living in. After all of the presentations, we were treated to lunch by the principal to discuss the ministry that is going to continue through Luis even after we leave. That day we were spoiled by God so much. I am just so thankful for that day. Sometimes as missionaries we have this attitude like “I am the one that is going to do ministry” but so often it is the other way around and we are ministered to. This was just another example of God just telling us “Hey, I want to bless you too”
Today I preached my first message while on the race. It felt so good. It seems like it has been such a long time since I last preached. It was so refreshing to me and I can only pray that it was as much of a blessing to my team and the other team as it was to me. It wasn’t a big production it was just the 12 of us, in our little common room, two songs of worship and my short message. It was intimate and I loved it so much. I cannot wait to be able to preach in a church… or hopefully to some teenagers soon.
It is our last Sunday in Guatemala and that is so crazy to me. Next week we will be in El Salvador!!! I am still blown away that I am even here, but I am still not yet fully funded. I believe that God is going to rock my socks off as he already has with fundraising, but I just wanted to tell you it is not too late to support me. My next deadline is April 1st and I need to have $11,000 in my account by then. I am not there yet, and if I don’t make that deadline I will go home in April. Will you consider helping me stay on the field? Every little bit counts.
Thanks for all your love and support, I promise some more pictures will be up soon and there may be a surprise video in store for you all. =]
Much love,
A
