LONGEST BLOG YET BUT WORTH THE READ
Many of you may already know but in case you haven’t heard….
I have taken a year to serve 11 countries in acts of love through an organization called Adventures in Missions but more specifically with a program called World Race. This is the first month and we are in Chimaltenango, Guatemala at Los Gozosos.
Reflecting on this month my transition took time but, in one phrase, it has been a home away from home! I don’t say this easily but it’s the kind of warmth that you see, then sneaks up and blankets your heart. I think God made it clearest one night through one little boy named Jose:
Devotions were done for the night; the kids were all tucked into bed, and the nurses making preparations for the next day. But one little boy just didn’t want to sleep and kept escaping his bed! One nurse would put him to bed and no sooner than they walked away he’d come out with this sneaky look as if no one could see him and began tip toeing out the door. So again and again to bed he went while I looked from my corner at this scene; all the nurses laughing and Jose escaping. I also took note of the fear in his eyes knowing he would be too young to explain why. I thought to myself if only you knew how safe this home will be for you. This was his second night at Los Gozosos and I have confidence that as long as he stays he will discover this one step at a time.
This made me think of God in our lives, if we allow him, constantly putting us back where belong. Longing for us to find safety and rest in him. This is the kind of love that is reflected here at Los Gozosos because of the passionate, brave, and gentle hearts of so many people that care for these children. Let me tell you a little bit about them and the Los Gozosos…
As you walk around you can feel the difference and sometimes when its quiet you can even hear it. The peaceful stillness that is so apparent on the grounds of Los Gozosos. So beautiful and well kept place to walk around we always had devotionals outside and there where so many beautiful spots to choose from. But the quiet never lasts very long with all the lively and easily excitable children!
Upon arriving at the airport we were greeted by the sweetest man! He stood outside the airport exit holding our sign. We eventually made eye contact and headed for the van. Automatically, you felt both the excitement and the gentleness that he exudes. Before working with Los Gozosos he was in the Guatemalan army and then served alongside the US in Panama. Upon returning he decided to help his father who had been helping for many years doing transports for Los Gozosos. Things like school trips, new students, volunteer pickups, and supply delivery. His favorite part about Los Gozosos is the children; playing with and watching them grow.
Our second welcome came from Maureen the founder of Los Gozosos. her educational background is inn Art and Theological Studies but had always had a heart for missions. Maureen go taught in Chimaltenago for 3 years and through a series of events was lead to started the children’s home in Guatemala. On a typical day she is running non-stop to make sure the primary needs of each child is met. She knows their stories by heart and her love for them over flows within every action and word that she speaks. God gave her a vision to serve the disabled youth here and put people along her path to help that vision come to fruition. By faith she took steps to flow his guidance and now they have a home of 24 kids! God is expanding the ministry to be a home from more children. There are SO many moving parts from the children’s food, clothes, doctors, teachers, social workers, therapists and so much more.
The very next friendly faces were Angie and Elsa. The make up a large portion of the administrative staff. Angie would use her English with us to learn more. Elsa is second to Maureen and helps over see projects and tasks within Los Gozosos. My team happened to be there when they were celebrating her birthday! The office is within the school so they often join the children in meals, playtime and greet the kids consistently.
The women pictured above from left to right are Marcelin and Demarlis. Marcelin cooked every meal from 9am-7pm, while Demarlis is overseeing the laundry and house cleaning. I went to the kitchen to find them and they were chatting away . Marcelin has a way of making everyone around her feel at home. She keeps all the staff laughing as they end up moving in and out of her kitchen. She has worked here for 11 years. Demarlis has been working for only a month and studied as a nurse her favorite part of the day is devotionals. Some times the kids help her by passing wet clothing to her as she hung them out on line to dry.
There where two shifts of Ninneras or nannies. They all have varying backgrounds some aspiring to be teachers or has worked in nursing. These women are the many mother figures to the children. Managing behavior, changing clothes, doing activities, grooming them and so much MORE. At first my teammates and I just stood on the sidelines watching trying to junderstand the routine or how we could best help but after a few days we were all in the mix. Their names are: Maria, Teresa, Jessica, Leidy, Saida, Saira, Paula, Carla, Lucero, Katty, Ingrid, Gabby and Elsa. To see them work is really touching because they have gotten to know the the kids distinctly and have little techniques. It really has been a pleasure to walk alongside them exchanging English and Spanish words. So many funny moments but one of my favorites was little Carlos falling asleep on the table after dinner with his mouth open but as soon as a piece of bread is placed inside his mouth he was motivated to wake up to search for more.
The next group is the teachers. They come in the morning and school is done by mid-day/afternoon. The teachers are made up of five different teammates: Leslie, Gladys, Gloria, Erica, and Luis. The ages range from 21-35 and their work history at Los Gozosos ranges from 1-5 years. Continuously, the teachers said how much they loved caring for the students, watching them grow, and helping them learn. My fondest moment was field day with the kids where we played soccer! They divided us into two teams where the nannies/nurses verse the teachers/volunteers. Though we lost I had a lot of fun, even made a couple blocks and almost got an assist.
There is also a team of medical professionals that helps to keep the children healthy and works to treat any ongoing illnesses. The picture above is the in house nurses Erika and Mayra. They help to regulate the medication types and doses based on the doctor’s instructions also marking their progress. But their favorite part is seeing the children improve and heal from their conditions. Both studied nursing. Erika also works at the local hospital and helps bring new things she learns to the children of Los Gozosos.
Wednesday November 1st was our last full day there and it was hard to say goodbye! It was full of warm hugs, tears and well wishes/ partings exchanged. Hopefully some of us will be able to go back visit one day. Maureen made it clear that we would be welcomed back anytime. I’m definitely going to miss the staff with their wonderful sense of humor and the children who never ceased to touch my heart in more ways than one. So with all these bittersweet moments to reflect on and the first month accomplished, I celebrated with a familiar piece of home…Domino’s Pizza!
More Awesome moments captured in photo!
Chatting with Nancy my worship buddy.
Byron stopping for a pose.
Shea! Un foto yells Vincen.
Thank You for choosing to be apart of this mission by supporting me! Please continue to support through donating and spreading the word I still need your help to be able to continue. Donate $25-100 to help me bring me closer to full funding.
