Week 5
This week wasn't too different from any other week. The routines are pretty much the same for all the houses, however, there were a few special events throughout the week. The first would be the despedida that we had for Darby, Julia, Ashton and Kristin. Darby lived in Casa Ester and helped out with their house, as well as helped our team and all the teams that come and go here at the orphanage. Her presence will be greatly missed and she was here for about a year and a half? Julia has been here for six weeks and helped out in the toddler house with Taylor and Ellie. For only being a junior in high school, she acted much older than her years and her presence will be greatly missed as well, especially among the toddlers. As for Ashton and Kristin, they have been here for five months. They worked in the baby house with Danielle and Heather. They were high school graduates who took a year off and decided to come to Guatemala and serve. How cool is that? Like Julia, they seemed so much older than they are. Not sure what it is, but it seems like that's what always happens here in Guatemala, you assume people are so much older than they are. While it's sad to see them go, a great joy it's been to know each and every one of these wonderful women of God.
The next event, which actually isn't too special, but a neat experience, is that Sarah and Beka got to go to the market, bright and early, at 5 AM on Wednesday morning. Before them, Gabriella and Aubrey had the chance to go the first couple of weeks we were here. It's a neat experience because you get to see how the process works of having to buy enough food to not only feed an orphanage of approximately 140 children, but also all the staff. It's just like a giant old parking structure that's full of everything.
Come Friday, most of our group (a few stayed behind to spend more time with their houses, and others because they were feeling sick) got to go to Antigua for the day with one of the teams that was here for the week. The only downside to that trip was that the bus was so full (the team had 32 people) that some of us actually had to sit on the floor in the back of the bus or stand. Other than that, it was a beautiful day. No rain and no feelings of being rushed.
An actual special event would be Beka's birthday on Saturday. She had the weekend off but her house planned a small surprise party for her when they found out that we weren't doing much, aside from having some cake and potentially watching a movie. It was a sweet, sweet time and so precious. She loved it. Some of her girls made her cards, and the younger girl even made a video of them singing happy birthday to her. It was a sweet, sweet time and so precious.
That's all for now. Again, we apologize for the late, and rather short, updates. Things just get so hectic around here that we forget. But much prayer would be appreciated for those that are sick. It seems like we have at least one person who is sick every week. Also, thank you, once again, to everyone for all your love, support, and encouragement. This trip truly would not have been possible if it weren't for all of you. Because of your love and support, we're able to be here and make a difference here by simply loving on all of these children. Their joy and laughter melts our hearts and there is no place we'd rather be right now.
*Pictures by Sarah