Friends & Family,
It’s Monday night, and the expression “Time flies” has once again proven true. My squad has only 1 WEEK left here in Guatemala. I cannot believe month #1 is almost over.
Last week I continued working on painting the nutritional services room in the hospital, which is where Macario and Rosario, the two beautiful babies we’ve had the privilege of loving this month are cared for. This room also is where mothers can leave their babies if they need to leave the hospital for a while or go to nurse them. The babies are pretty much just left on a bed (without rails) and it's hoped that someone will watch them so they don't fall or get hurt while they're gone. Today we walked in and the babies were alone in the room-I guess this has to do with under-staffing at the hospital. It has been a blessing to talk with the mothers while we visit the babies and while we work. Today we finished the room, and painted 1 John 3:1 on the wall nice and big as a reminder to both the babies and their mothers: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God.”
As I think about leaving next week, I am starting to realize that one of the most difficult parts of these 11 months will be leaving each place just as I become attached to it and the people there. Saying goodbye to Macario and Rosario will be so difficult, especially knowing that they have been left behind already by their parents and face the serious effects of feelings of abandonment. We were told this week to begin “weaning” them off of our affection and our time so that when we are suddenly not there to hold them and make them smile next week they are not negatively affected with further feelings of abandonment. The same goes for the 3 beautiful girls that come to play every day during our lunch break and after ministry each day. They are older, so we need to begin explaining to them that we will not be here, because they have thrived off of our attentions towards them this month due to the lack of affection they are shown at home.
It will also be hard to say goodbye to the staff at the hospital that have allowed us to serve alongside them this month. The nurses, maintenance staff, and secretaries now call us by name, greet us when they see us in the markets or city square, and have even invited us to church services, family dinners, and out for local treats. These are the people who will continue serving in the hospital in spite of the lack of resources and finances there long after we’ve gone, and I hold a great deal of respect for them in their service to the people of Guatemala.
Outside of ministry, my time has also gone well. This past weekend I hiked to some Mayan ruins outside of town with some squadmates. It was interesting to see, and a nice day outdoors, except for one event. My teammate Britt fell from a steep grassy cliff and took a terrible tumble down the hill. The Lord showed tremendous provision though and she survived with only some bad cuts, a huge bruise, and a really sore body. Please pray for her continued healing because I know she is eager to jump back into ministry with us this last week.
Besides that, I’ve been interviewed twice in the past week for television and radio broadcasts about our ministry in Quiche, attended a worship concert by Cristo para las Naciones, and ridden in a 12 passenger van packed full of 23 passengers for a half an hour to visit a nearby town called Chichicastenango. Life is well, and God is Good and continuously teaching me new things. Sending my love, from Guatemala.
Teresa
