Guatemala, December 27, 2011-January 2, 2012

Here we are in Guatemala! I never dreamed that I’d ever be able to travel to other countries, but God has blessed our team to be able to come and work at the Malnutrition Center.  We traveled here and God watched over us and kept us safe. As soon as we arrived, all of us were absolutely awed by the lush, greenery here.  The flowers are so bright and the land very mountainous. The people are so friendly, and I began to be very at ease once we reached the hotel.

    Let me tell you a very special moment that I had yesterday. Of course, there were many of them, but this really spoke to me:

Yesterday we finally got to come to the center, and while Howie was starting to talk to our team when we walked in the door, I looked in one of the children’s rooms to see the most adorable girls on earth.  Three or four of them walked to the doorway and looked at me. I looked at them and they stared at me, too.  And when I looked in their rich-brown eyes-oh, it was amazing. They just lit up like little stars, and I could see the hope and joy they felt to see me. One of them-Maria Elena, I believe, just walked right up to me and fell into my arms for a hug. My heart melted at the site of them.  And once they saw it was okay to hug me, the other two began walking to me for hugs, also.  Back and forth they went-hugging me, walking away a bit, smiling, then coming back. It was absolutely adorable. I absolutely love to be here with the kids- when you just hold them or kiss their cute little cheeks, they just eat it up.

   If you want to learn what trusting God is and what his love feels like, then come here.  Love is all over this place. It is a symphony of little voices laughing, lit up faces, and love-filled hearts. Our team has had a blast here on our trip and God has really touched our lives through this. And while I have so much more to write, I am very anxious to see my little girls. I am sure they want to see me too. I cannot wait to see their precious smiles and hold their little hands.  May God bless those reading this blog. Adios!

New Homes Baptist Church,  Lakeland, FL