A Year Later

A year ago, is where it all started.

It started with joining World Help to go to Guatemala. God was already preparing something big, not knowing exactly a year ago what that would be. But returning from my trip, I somewhat knew what God was preparing for me. Fast forward to August, exactly five months later, I found myself at Hope of Life again. Fast forward once again and almost exactly five months later, I’m back at Hope of Life for long term volunteering. 

When I was here for my first time in March, on the first day we went into a village called Pueblo Modelo. That day was the day reality hit. The reality of seeing how people live in third world countries. Tarps as homes, or tin as walls and/or ceiling. Not having enough food for every day. Just surviving the best they know how to with the resources they have. It was a reality that was hard to comprehend.

A year passed and I found myself this village again.

Walking around this village with the team leader, you learn all the things that have been happening in the past year. That day was the most emotional day, but the best day anyone can ask for. Let give you a little update. From what the original amount of people that lived there, there is almost double the amount now. And every day, there are new people that come to try to make a living there. Most are people from the mountains. The government controlled village is hard to change when all they think about is making money and not for the well-being of the people. The promises that were made were all broken and people don’t know what to believe anymore.

One family’s living condition was harder to comprehend.

Walking to a house with a mother and her child, it is hard to know what to expect. The only thing we knew was that she has five children and a husband who is incapable to work because of an accident that has happened. She is the only one working trying to provide for a family of seven total.

Walking up to their home, it was just a small dirt lot. Then you see a deep ditch dug and four wood sticks to cover it that was right beside the entrance to their home. That ditch, is their restroom that is right beside the entrance. Also, you see four sides of tarp hanging that creates a shelter to the family of seven. Inside, is an old bed, a small hammock where a child is sleeping, some handmade piñatas (to try to sell), some other belongings, and a rocky, dirt floor.

As holding one of the children in my arms, it was hard to ask the questions, but I would only know if she would tell me. In the meantime, the team leader talks to the parents about this lot and learns a little more about their family. The little girl, being shy, still gave me a hug and climbed into my arms. The question I wasn't sure I wanted to hear the answer to was hard in itself. The question remained, it was where she and her other siblings slept. She informs, that she, along with her three siblings sleep on the ground. The rocky, dirty floor. The little one sleeps in the hammock.

As hard as it was that day to accept the reality once again, the one thing that needs to be reminded is that, we as people are here to help them. Jesus tells us to take care of the poor.  'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:40

Now the question stands, are you willing to take care the least of these? 

Please feel free to message me or ask questions. I'd love to hear from you! God's blessings to you. 

Change of Heart

When you hold a two month baby who is two pounds, or you meet children in villages that hold on tight to you the whole time, or spending time with children at the orphanage, your heart does nothing but keep breaking. Some people have asked me if you “get used to it.” My answer is, no you don’t. Since I got here, I have been to several villages. Some poorer than others. Some have more malnourished problems than others. It doesn't change the fact that these people are the poorest of the poor. They don’t have what we have.

One of the biggest things that has been on my heart since getting here was and is about love. Since the first day being here the verse from 1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” has been my motto. I read that and was just reminded that every day, no matter what I was doing that love is the greatest thing to show these people who have nothing.

Few weeks ago, I was in a village called Paseo del Credo. I was doing photography with a team that was doing a medical clinic and VBS with the kids in the village. This was the first time I was ever around a medical clinic in Guatemala. So it was exciting to see how it goes. Of course, I wasn't prepared to see what I did. Many people started flooding in to a little area, in front of a house that someone let us use. There were mostly just mothers with their children. Though we gave out about 50 tickets, through the day the few doctors saw over a hundred people. One particular child got my attention. This child’s mother was there with a few of her children. She held her tiny child in her arms who cried because he was hungry. By the looks of it, he looked no more than a month, well more like a newborn. As I asked her his age, she told me he was four months old. I didn't want to believe it the reason being that there was another child with her mother who was also four months, but she was three times bigger. As I looked at both of them standing together, there were a just lot of things going through my mind. I was trying to keep myself from crying for this child’s life. It was just that bad. As the doctor saw them, he knew that something needed to be done, because this child would not be able to survive if nothing would be done. There were some complications with getting the mother to come to understand that her child needed medical attention pronto, but just last week, to my surprise, the doctor told me great news. This mother had come to Hope of Life. She had come to get her baby the medical attention that he needs! I was so ecstatic finding out that she had agreed to this. It was an answered prayer.  Seeing them at the hospital is such a fulfilling feeling, because you know that St. Luke’s Hospital will nurse the child back into great heath!

I also wanted to share another time that left a mark on my heart. Do you remember the story about the girl in the blue? You can read it here if you want…http://heartinguatemala.blogspot.com/2013/05/day-4-pueblo-del-rio-jurgallon.html

There has been a similar experience, but a different situation. This one particular day, I was with a team doing photos. We went to six different villages around Tecultant that day to give out sponsorship bags/ gifts. So to say the least, it was a very busy day for sure. It was in the third village that a boy named Alejandro who is eight that had grabbed my attention. When we walked into that small village, this women came up to me and had Alejandro hug me and all the people who were with us. It was more of a manner hello to welcome us. As we were doing what we needed to, he came around and stuck around me for most of the time there. He was very shy, but yet he made the effort to talk to me though he would talk quitter. I knew that the lady who was with him wasn't his mother, so I asked him where she was, and he said she was away somewhere else. As time was getting closer to be leaving, he hugged me and didn't want to let go. My heart started aching knowing that I had to be getting on that bus soon. Again, something was happening that I didn't really understand. I had to leave the unknown. The unknown of his life, family, and everything in between. My eyes were watering leaving this village.

Alejandro is in the light blue shirt

That evening as I was talking with a few friends here, who are also volunteering, I told them about my experience that day. I told them that it just makes me think, “Who am I to be chosen to be loved by these precious children?” Then my follow up question is, “How is it that God chooses those who least deserve it, but are loved unconditional by our Father?” As we talked about this, I was reminded by them that God chooses certain people to break our hearts to show us what breaks His!

In all, what I can say is that this has been the best thing that has happened in my life. Being here in Guatemala has given me peace. Peace in knowing I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. 

 

Pie de la Cuesta, Hospitality, New Friends, Baby Rescue Center, and Just a Blessed day! :)

So open my eyes wide as I can, blind as I am, blind as I am. This is a lyric from one of the songs that has become the “unofficial” song of our team which is Jesus in Disguise by Brandon Heath. I was re-listening to that song recently as that part of the lyrics stuck with me. It was part of my prayer to God, to keep opening my eyes to things I may not see because a lot of times we can be “blind” not noticing something that God is trying to teach us at a particular moment.

This was my prayer before my trip and during it, every day. As this next day arrived which was a Tuesday, we found out that morning that our team was going to be going into a village called Pie de la Cuesta. From what we were informed, this village is not yet sponsored by anyone. We were doing evangelism, passing out Toms shoes, and food distributions (which was rice and manna). I was excited to be able to do the evangelism part because last time I was there we didn't get to walk around the villages before the distributions.

After breakfast, we loaded up the van we drove on with all the necessities for the day. It took about forty minutes to get there. It was remote, farther away from the “busier” area we were driving through.  We came to a church that had music playing on speakers for the men who were working outside. You can hear the music quite far away. As we got there, we unloaded the buses with everything we brought, and there were some kids and men who came to help us as well.

The Front of the Church

Unloading the van

The men of the village, working to build an addition to the church

After unloading everything, we had two very nice ladies who were our guides through the village. One of the ladies names is Nelly, but sadly I do not remember the other one’s name. They guided us house to house, family to family to meet and talk with. No matter whose house we would come to, everyone was very welcoming. This is one of the things that really stuck out to me throughout the day. Some were even excited to have us there. I don’t know if it was because some of them never had white people in their home, but you could just see the excitement on their face. That made me smile so much. They were not scared. Nor were they shooing us away. They welcomed us into their living areas. They stopped for the time begin what they were doing, and took the time to talk with us. They tried to make us comfortable by giving us places to sit, with the little they do have.  Now you don’t get this in America, do we?

Visiting some families in the village!

Making tortillas for her family 

Almost done!

Why I say that about not having this in America, is because many times, we can’t come to a somebody’s house without giving them a warning at least a few days in advance, if not a week. They need to make sure that their house is clean, well put together, and have some snack/food ready. Now this is not a bad thing at all to be able want to have a house clean and prepared, but how many times do people get upset if someone drops by and the kitchen is messy, or you are in the middle of cooking? Would you be happy to accept the company, or upset? Most times, people get upset. Now I’m not putting everyone in one category, but I’m saying a lot of times this happens. 

Inside a home

Twins we met

If you look at what the bible says, it tells us to show hospitality. Now I did a little more research and looked up what the word hospitality means in Greek.  The word hospitality is, philoxenia. This word is made up of "xenos" which means stranger, and "phileo" which is to love or show affection. So the word literally means "to love strangers." 

Mud home

Another home in the village

I have learned what it really means to show hospitality by being in Guatemala at that village, Pie de la Cuesta that day. They showed me what 1 Peter 4:9 really means, which says: “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” Or in Romans 12: 13, where it says, “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” But honestly, I still have a long way to learn and practice this.

Now back to what else we did that day. After walking house to house, meeting the families, we headed back to the church to have our peanut-butter sandwiches or turkey with cheese sandwiches. Then, we prepared everything for the shoes distributions, which we did first. Before we started, the pastor of that village, prayed. The prayer was obviously in Spanish, and man that was awesome! I've been in different countries and heard people pray in different languages, but I've never heard as much passion while praying as this pastor prayed. It was simply amazing!

Feet washing

My niece Venessa washing kids feet!

People in the village awaiting their turn for their new shoes

This time around, it was such a different feel because we actually met most of the people that came down to the church. The interactions were friendlier. They were friendly before, but it was different now, since they have met us ahead of time, so they “knew” us. The people seemed more open to us throughout this time. It was nice to be able to make new friends. I absolutely love these people!

After finishing the shoes, we headed over to the church to do food distributions. Since, not everyone was able to pass out the food bags, I remembered that I had stickers I brought and some candy left that I also brought. So on the side of church, there is a huge window that was open and kids were looking in…so I went over with the things I had and passed them out. More kids ran up to grab a candy and stickers. Some tried taking more, trying to convince me that they didn't get one.

Line outside the church for food distribution

Receiving a bag of food that will supply a family for a month

Kids outside the window receiving stickers and candies! They were so excited!

Before leaving I was talking with Nelly and randomly, she tells me she liked my sunglasses. Just a quick lesson, if you ask someone if they want to try something on, it means to them that you mean, “I can have it.” Just a thought I’d throw it out there for who might go to other countries.. :P But on with the story.. I asked if she wanted to try it on, as she said, “really?, oh thank you so so much!” In a split second I had no idea what just happened. Then it hit me that what happened. In that second, I didn't hesitate to let her have them, because after all, I can just go to the store when I get back and get another pair, just like shoes. But they don’t have that opportunity. So though I didn't have my sun glasses for the rest of week, I knew that those sunglasses belonged with Nelly. So as we were leaving, I said I’ll pray for her and asked what she needed prayer for, as she told me to pray for her schooling and health. I pray that God will really help her finish so she can help the people there too, or where-ever God will send her! What a sweet girl she is! Hoping our paths will one day cross again.

Nelly with the pair of sunglasses! :)

The two that guided us through the village.

After returning back, we had time once again to spend at the rescue center. It was another great time spent, playing with Hugo, Estelita, Demly, Esperanza, among the many others there. These kids, never leave your heart. They have a tendency to grab your heart and you leave it with them forever!

Love these two!

 

Delmi

Venessa with sweet Angie

Stay tuned for some interesting interactions, and having the Vice-President visit Hope of Life! Until next time… God bless and always feel free to ask questions, or comments! J

Tour, Orphanage, God's timing!

On our first full day, my morning started around 5:30 am as did most other days since I had to make sure the rest of our team was up. J  Breakfast was always around 7:30 am. After breakfast, our team, along with a few other teams had the opportunity to go on a tour with Sean, who is currently volunteering, at Hope of Life. I have previously described the Hope of Life ministry from the first time I was there, so I won’t go much into details. But we toured the warehouses, Elders home, Special needs home, St. Luke’s (hospital- where the baby rescue center is currently), and the orphanage. It was refreshing to be back and to witness what has been renovated since I was there last. For instance, the hospital was still under complete construction back in March, however now the first and second floors are open. They are still working to finish the rest of the hospital, and they are hoping to have it all completed soon.

After we finished the tour, we headed over to the Rancho for lunch. After lunch, we got to spend time up at the orphanage! Many of us brought things to do with the kids so we all kept busy! I brought some beads to make bracelets and necklaces. Others brought coloring books, uno cards, stickers, nail polish, etc. The children sure appreciated all the activities we had for them! After I finished making necklaces and bracelets with the children, I went over to the playground to play with a few of the children, solely to spend time with them. It was so nice getting to know more of the orphans during this trip, since last time we didn’t get too much time with them. Then something occurred which brings a smile to my face, I finally found where the younger children were set! I found Emilio, Diego, and Christina, all whom I met back in March when they were still recovering at the Baby Rescue center!  They are doing so well and I miss them every day!

After some time there, we headed back to clean up before dinner. Since we still had some time, some of our team went to visit the various ministry areas or down to the Rancho area before dinner.  Dinner was great as always! After dinner, we had some Spanish lessons from Hugo! Unfortunately, I had to miss some as I had a interview during it.

That evening, as I reflected back on what God was doing, I was simply amazed at how perfect God’s timing is for every aspect of our lives! In the short time I spent in Guatemala, God sent people my way that I had the privilege to met and connect with, instantly.  Deep down, I saw this as God-given relationships that were created.

Regarding what I had already explained in the previous paragraph, I wanted to share an excerpt from my journal for that particular evening:

“God is amazing and His timing is perfect for everything. All things work together for the greater good for His glory, even when things seem messed up at times, He still shows me that He is there through everything. I am so thankful for it! He continually gives grace and shows us mercy, as we should to others.  It hurts me so much when things are out of control, but how much more it hurts Jesus when we act the same to Him...”

There were numerous things going through my head, and I am so thankful God was able to show me what He was doing through that day and every day! That evening ended with an entire-team prayer.

Stay tuned for our time in a village! Until next time… God bless and always feel free to ask questions, or comments! J