Week 1
Guatemala airport at approximately 5:30 AM.
Hello Family, Friends, and Supporters!
After arriving at Casa Bernabé, Monday, June 11th, we were warmly greeted by the staff and other Rainbows of Hope teammates. We had a day to get to know each other and tour the campus, which is beautiful with tall evergreen trees and a huge garden filled with berries, lettuce, carrots, and basically anything you can imagine (which feeds the children and staff at Casa Bernabe and other orphanages). There are eight houses on campus which we were all divided into on Tuesday afternoon. The first house on the hill is Casa Nuevo Pacto, where Aaron is flying solo with the oldest boys ages 14-18 (so especially be praying for him :) ). Next, is Casa Nueva Esperanza, where Ben and Kaley try and keep up with the 9-13 year old boys. Third one down is Casa Alabanza, where Taylor, Ellie, and Julia chase the toddlers (boys and girls). Casa Samuel is the fourth house, where Chris and Lauren get to play with boys ages 5-8. The fifth house is Casa Lamar, where Gabriella and Melissa hang out with girls ages 7-18. Next up is Casa Promesa, where Beka and Sarah play with girls ages 6-18. Below this house is Casa Angelitos, where Danielle and Heather care for the babies (boys and girls). Last, but not least is Casa Ester, which is directly above our rooms in the main building, where Aubrey and Tori mentor girls ages 6-18.
After arriving at Casa Bernabé, Monday, June 11th, we were warmly greeted by the staff and other Rainbows of Hope teammates. We had a day to get to know each other and tour the campus, which is beautiful with tall evergreen trees and a huge garden filled with berries, lettuce, carrots, and basically anything you can imagine (which feeds the children and staff at Casa Bernabe and other orphanages). There are eight houses on campus which we were all divided into on Tuesday afternoon. The first house on the hill is Casa Nuevo Pacto, where Aaron is flying solo with the oldest boys ages 14-18 (so especially be praying for him :) ). Next, is Casa Nueva Esperanza, where Ben and Kaley try and keep up with the 9-13 year old boys. Third one down is Casa Alabanza, where Taylor, Ellie, and Julia chase the toddlers (boys and girls). Casa Samuel is the fourth house, where Chris and Lauren get to play with boys ages 5-8. The fifth house is Casa Lamar, where Gabriella and Melissa hang out with girls ages 7-18. Next up is Casa Promesa, where Beka and Sarah play with girls ages 6-18. Below this house is Casa Angelitos, where Danielle and Heather care for the babies (boys and girls). Last, but not least is Casa Ester, which is directly above our rooms in the main building, where Aubrey and Tori mentor girls ages 6-18.
Some Highlights from the past week:
- Tom, Aaron, Ben, Kaley, Heather, and Beka visited the Caballero Family in Antigua, missionaries from Casa Bernabe who have moved to Antigua to minister to 18 year olds who have recently moved out of Casa Bernabe. They were able to help with a neighborhood children's ministry and then play with kids for a couple of hours. The neighborhood was one of the poorest ones outside of Antigua. It was encouraging to see how the Caballeros reach out to the families in need. They ended the night with a bilingual Bible Study praising God in both Spanish and English.
- Through talking to one of the house parents about his major (Kinesiology), Chris was invited to work with their son who has special needs. He was able to use what he has learned about physical therapy to bless this family.
- Danielle also had an opportunity related to her major (Biology). She got to take one of the babies to the pediatric unit, which she says was pretty similar experience to America, but with less expense. She enjoyed the experience in being out in Guatemala City and getting to know the house parent.
- We had to say goodbye to Tom on Friday. We were thankful for his time here in greeting us at the airport and getting us off on the right foot. We had one last group meeting and were able to hear some of his testimony and share choco bananas together.
- On Sunday, Beka and Sarah were invited to a Quinceañera for one of the girls in their house. In Guatemala, a girl's Quinceañera is comparable to a wedding in America. The entire house (15 girls) and other staff and friends from Casa Bernabe spent the evening sharing memories about the young lady, taking hundreds of pictures and dining on non-traditional Chinese cuisine.
- Melissa, Chris, Tori, Julia and Tony (the head of Maintenance and highly respected mentor here at Casa Bernabe) had the opportunity to visit another orphanage that is comparable to one of the houses at Casa Bernabe. The house parents at this orphanage care for about 15 children (both boys and girls ages 5-15). They got to see more of Guatemala City and were able to see the impact Tony has had on so many children (they all ran out to greet him when they arrived). They were warmly greeted with hugs from the children, got to play outside, watch movies, and eat ice cream together.
- Overall, our team has been bonding as we spend time together playing cards, sharing testimonies, and worshiping with one another. Every evening we come together as a team to share our highs and lows of the day. We are learning how to care for one another, especially through our love languages, haha.
Ways you can be praying for us:
- Team health (quite a few people have been sick- some with stomach issues and others with cold/flu-like symptoms)
- Going to Antigua Friday, June 22nd
- Continued team unity
- Working in our houses in building relationships with all the children and staff here
*Pictures from Taylor, Sarah and Ellie
Comments
Pat & William Meyer
06/26/2012
Thank you for sharing. We pray but now we know how to pray more accurately.
Blessings to all. You are special!
Pat (Mom Mom) and Bill (Poppy)
06/26/2012
Thank you for sharing. We pray but now we know how to pray more accurately.
Blessings to all. You are special!
Pat (Mom Mom) and Bill (Poppy)