Guatemala, January 27, 2011

It is amazing how quickly the children have adjusted to their new surroundings. While yesterday was a day of upheaval and confusion, today was calm and much easier. We are not sure if it is because we know better what to do and so our tasks are accomplished faster or if everyone was cooperating with us more. The babies are doing well in their new room although it is crowded. The work has already begun in the nursery and it is expected to take 1 ½ months, but we wonder if that is Guatemala time. The toddlers are good, but please pray for Carlos who fell over today and hit his head on the floor. He has a big knot on his forehead. Praise God that Billy is better and was able to rejoin the other children today. Marta and Odilla ate lunch with the big girls today now that they have moved up and looked very happy to sit at the table with the older children. Wendy acts like she has been with the toddlers forever, eating her food by herself and then, digging into everyone else’s! Maryle is having a hard time adjusting although being separated from the babies is forcing her to grow up some. With help, she walked all the way around the courtyard. The older children got to go outside and play today. With no television other than the one in the baby room, they will be getting more exercise now! The morning seemed very long as lunch was late and some children fell asleep before it was served, and that made the afternoon when we have time to really snuggle with the children short but sweet. With only five of us we have been stretched to give the workers the help that they need, but we have been trusting God that like Gideon and his small band of warriors, we are being used in a mighty way.
The men had another great day, but it was the hardest day so far. They put a roof on an existing house and poured a new concrete floor in it. All the materials including the concrete had to be transported by hand 800 feet on a path that is only wide enough for one person and is very rough. It took a very long time. Tomorrow, they are hoping to set a record in erecting a house on a concrete slab that they have already poured. They want to be able to come to the Malnutrition Center in the afternoon. The ladies cannot wait to hand each guy a baby!