Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

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Coming into our month in Guatemala, I only had one preconceived idea of what I wanted our ministry to look like. I

did not want to do kid’s ministry. In Mexico we were responsible for planning kid’s services (doing VBS) every single day, and when we weren’t doing/planning services, we were playing with the kids, going to the river with the kids, etc. I was really wanting something different here. And isn’t it just the case that when you set your mind on something you don’t want, God chuckles and then gives it to you anyway? But I’m glad God doesn’t always give me what I want because I’ve ended up with some huge blessings instead! Most of my ministry here in Guatemala has been with children, but not in the traditional VBS way. First, I got connected with an orphanage here called the Eagle’s Nest. I believe the World Racers came here last year, and Leisl Roos (an 06 world racer who has come back to live in Panahachel) took us there to check it out. After visiting that one afternoon, I felt that was to be my personal ministry. I’ve committed to going there Mon-Wed from 7am-11am to help with the babies, since they are currently short staffed. There are about 80 children here and I found out that only 7 of them don’t have families in the process of adopting them. Praise Jesus! They are all happy, healthy, and very well taken care of. They just need a little more love! Here are a few pictures from the orphanage.

This is an absolutely beautiful facility. All the children are taken care of upstairs, and downstairs they have apartments for families who come to visit and future adoptive families. The orphanage is higher up in the mountains in a village called Solola and has a beautiful view of the lake. It’s about a 15 min. bus ride, then a 15 min. walk to the orphanage.

They also have a great little outdoor patio area where all the preschool age kids play.

These are some of the little bundles of joy I get to spend my days with! On the left is Aron. He has huge eyes and just loves to bounce! I like to call this little girl happy girl (her name is Elena). She is honestly the happiest baby I have ever seen! She never cries and is always laughing and smiling about something.

This is me and Fernando. He is one of the 7 children who doesn’t have a family yet. Not that I’m biased or anything, but he’s my favorite. 🙂 On the right is Mavia. She was born 2 months premature and is SOO tiny, but she’s doing very well.

This is the newest addition to the orphanage…he’s 8 days old. And once again, this is happy girl.

This is Leah and Brooks from Louisiana. They were at the orphanage for a week visiting their daughter. She was born November 22, and they should be able to take her home in May.

2nd, as my previous blog indicated, I’ve really been drawn to the street vendor kids here. I was struggling with how I was going to fill my afternoons since my orphanage ministry was only from 7-11. I went to a coffee shop to think and pray about it, and low and behold, these kids just started coming up to me. Of course at first they were just trying to sell me stuff, but I managed to get them talking about more than just cheap bracelets, and now we’re pretty much on a first name basis. I bring cookies with me, and we just sit around and chat. I never imagined that this would be my ministry in Guatemala, but I’m totally loving it! One particular little boy Henry has become my friend. He usually shows up with I’m out with Kari, so she’s had fun with us too. I’m not sure what life is like for most of these kids, I’m just trying to be different than every other tourist on the streets here. I like to laugh with them, ask them about their families, school, their favorite animals (and of course animal noises!) and just try to be their friend. Here’s a picture of Henry, he’s 10 yrs. old. I showed him my digital camera and I think he took about 50 pictures with it! My battery died, but we had lots of fun. I would post more pictures from that day, but I was wearing a tank top. oops! 🙂

So all that to say that although my experience here in Panajachel has been much different than I had originally expected, it’s been great! I’m seeing God in so many little ways every day and it just blesses my heart. Much Love!