Week 3
Buenas tardes!
Seeing that we're a little behind on our blog posts, which we apologize for, we'll try to keep this short and sweet and do our best to get updated! So, this week consisted of a week break from school for the kids, lots rain (hence, the rainboots photo above), lasertag/mall outings with most of the houses, a great lunch made by Casa Lamar, a band concert with all the kids who went to band camp, and a visitors weekend. Ellie and Taylor's kids love playing in the water, so they decided to take them outside and do a little photoshoot. Cutest kids.
Seeing that we're a little behind on our blog posts, which we apologize for, we'll try to keep this short and sweet and do our best to get updated! So, this week consisted of a week break from school for the kids, lots rain (hence, the rainboots photo above), lasertag/mall outings with most of the houses, a great lunch made by Casa Lamar, a band concert with all the kids who went to band camp, and a visitors weekend. Ellie and Taylor's kids love playing in the water, so they decided to take them outside and do a little photoshoot. Cutest kids.
As for the lasertag and mall outings, most of the houses were able to do that except for toddler and baby house. The owner of the lasertag place allows for each house at the orphanage to come and play during their school break for free. Most of us in the houses also got to go and play as well. But we all went on different days throughout the week.
Then, on Saturday, Gabriella and Melissa's house parents invited our whole team over for lunch. Unfortunately, most of us were either at the band concert (which was an hour and a half away from the orphanage) or at the mall (those who weren't working over the weekend got to go). The only people still around were Gabriella, Melissa, Heather, Taylor, Julia, and Sarah. So, they got to enjoy a more "authentic" Guatemalan meal with not only Casa Lamar, but also the house parents actual family, who were visiting from Honduras.
Visitors weekend, which happens once a month on a Sunday, it's a time where the parents, guardians, or people who are wanting to adopt can come on campus and spend time with their kids at the orphanage. We were told to have no interactions with the visitors or the children when they're with a visitor. All the children who didn't have visitors were down at the school, where they had activities going on like a small bounce house and some piñatas. The day proved to be a pretty challenging and emotional time for many of us. But we made it through and so did the kids.
Next week is our "excursion" trip aka our team vacation, which couldn't have come at a better time. It's not that any of us are hating our time at the orphanage or anything like that. We miss our kids like crazy whenever we're away. But some time to just relax and be has been something we've all needed, some more than others. We get to stay at a hotel on Lake Atitlan, which is about 2.5-3 hours away from the orphanage. We hope to have a fun and peaceful time together.
Next week is our "excursion" trip aka our team vacation, which couldn't have come at a better time. It's not that any of us are hating our time at the orphanage or anything like that. We miss our kids like crazy whenever we're away. But some time to just relax and be has been something we've all needed, some more than others. We get to stay at a hotel on Lake Atitlan, which is about 2.5-3 hours away from the orphanage. We hope to have a fun and peaceful time together.
Thanks for all your prayers and for reading!
Prayer Requests:
Prayer Requests:
- Team Health (this will probably always be one)
- Continued grace, patience, and love for everyone
- Team unity
- Being present here at the orphanage and not letting ourselves get distracted by other things/things at home
*Pictures by Ellie and Sarah
Comments
chelsea davis
07/06/2012
best ever
07/06/2012
best ever
Jim & Cindy Dall
07/06/2012
We look so forward to every update and are very blessed by the wonderful work you all are doing. Please know we're praying for you all.
Give Chris a hug for us - we miss him! :)
07/06/2012
We look so forward to every update and are very blessed by the wonderful work you all are doing. Please know we're praying for you all.
Give Chris a hug for us - we miss him! :)
Ana Pinhiero
07/06/2012
God be with you Gabriella and your team. Enjoy all that t God has in store for you. The memories you make will last you a life time.. We miss you and God Bless. Love Mom
07/06/2012
God be with you Gabriella and your team. Enjoy all that t God has in store for you. The memories you make will last you a life time.. We miss you and God Bless. Love Mom