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

Our Arrival and Baby Rescue Center!

Back again! On August 11^th, our team set out on our journey to Guatemala from Newark airport. Everything went smoothly through security and our plane ride to Guatemala City was smooth as well. We got in about twelve in the afternoon and met Hugo, who was our translator and waiting for our team outside. Before driving out to Hope of Life, we stopped for lunch at Pollo Campero. Then our journey continued out to Hope of Life which was about a four hour drive through the wonderful views of Guatemala. Everything is so beautiful now! When I was there back in March, it was dry and brown, not much leaves or other greens. This time around, it was full! The scenery was magnificent for sure!

March

August

As we got in to Hope of Life, we went straight up to the mission houses to place our things in the rooms we were going to be staying in. We had some time before we needed to be down for dinner, so we had a chance to go to the baby rescue center to play with the children. The baby rescue center which is now located inside the St. Luke's hospital on the first floor.

It was so nice to be able to be back there once again. It was amazing to see the children I already knew. They all grew so much and look so much healthier from the last time. But there are also a lot of new children who are sick, very sick. But thanking God that Hope of Life is there to provide them medicine and also the get them back into health.

Angie

Sweet Demli!

Hugo says Hello!

With Yolanda and Esperanza

Some of our team members got to wash the children, change diapers, and feed them. It was a nice start to our time in Guatemala.

Among the kids I saw that day, that I already knew were Yolanda, Esperanza, Hugo, Delmi, and a few others. Esperanza has this little afro growing on top of her head… she is just a beautiful baby! Love her to pieces!

My heart leaped with joy being back again! But then again, it was like I never left. But at the same time, it felt like this is where I belong. Being around these children on the first evening reminded me, we are here to serve and to show Christ’s love once again through everything we do! 

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:11

God’s blessing to you! Until next time… feel free to comment or ask questions! J

The Return to Guatemala

It has been almost a month since my return from Guatemala, and it has bittersweet being back. By bittersweet, what I mean is that my heart is still there. My body may be back, but my heart is completely there with the people of Guatemala. It aches quite often and I can’t do anything about it. What I can do is just pray in those moments for the people who have touched my heart in so many ways!

This trip was another blessed trip to Hope of Life in Zacapa, Guatemala. Most know that I was there back in March with another team. If you asked me right after the trip, I would have never guessed that I would be back there just exactly five months later in August. All I knew was that I would be going back and was hoping it would be soon. When people asked me when I would go, I told them, “As soon as I can!” I really felt like God is calling me back there.

About a month passed when a friend told me that she was going to take a group, to Guatemala! She asked me if I would join, and I agreed right away knowing that this was God’s answer to my question of “when.” God was working in my friends’ heart after telling her about all that God was and is doing in Guatemala. It was amazing to see how God has opened her heart for a country, she has never been too.

The team consisted of people who were close to me. I was excited that I was able to share this next trip with those who are the closest to me! I knew that God was going to be doing huge things through this trip and huge things in their life.

Our team :)

We got to be part of a lot of incredible things that includes feet washing/Toms distributions, giving out food bags to families, feeding at the dump, baby rescue, spending time with the orphans, among many other things. I will try to share all that we did with posts to come. I pray it will encourage you and open your hearts. God bless, until the next time! :)