MALNUTRITION CENTER - January 12

Today was our final day at the Malnutrition Center. It was filled with joy and emotion.

The “Ducks and Squirrels” enjoyed puzzle time and taking a walk outside.

They covered the pavilion in sidewalk chalk.

Several of the children wanted us to outline them on the ground.

They were covered in chalk as they walked back inside.

It was precious to see little Victoria join the Squirrels over the last couple of days. She sure would like to get out of the Canaries and join the big girls!  Her face lit up when she went down the slide for the first time. It seems she may have even found a boyfriend!

Right before lunch most of the children had the opportunity to help unload supplies for the Center. We couldn’t believe how excited the children were to carry a container of wipes & diapers. They ran back and forth to the van without any whining or complaining. It was a joyful experience.

RUTH

ODILIA

MARIA ELENA

SANDRA

ZOILA AND RICARDO

MARIA ELENA

MIKAELA

ODILIA

RICARDO

SONIA ESPERANZA

MADELYN

ELENA

SAM

MIGUEL ANGEL

BILLY

Luis Fernando & Dalia have shown great improvement in moving all around. Dalila walked holding onto a chair. Luis actually took a few steps on his own!

We heard stories of how severely malnourished some of these children were, and it was so encouraging to see the improvements they made even this week.

In the afternoon, we gave the staff some of their favorite things...chocolate!  And the staff provided a wonderful snack for us as a send off… authentic Guatemalan food.

They had fun taking pictures and we had a chance to see more of their personalities come out despite the language barrier. A smile and laughter are universal.

As we prepared to say good-bye, the kids were given  a small toy car and a package of Oreos. We loved seeing them with chocolate outlining their mouths and faces. They enjoyed every morsel, and I think they left some clean up for the workers at the Center, too!

This day was no different than the previous three days in regard to the way we would leave each day. The children and staff would all come out and wave good-bye until we were out of sight.

What was different about today was the fact that we wouldn’t physically be back tomorrow. Our team may not be at the Center tomorrow, but a part of our hearts will always be there. What a joy and a blessing the Lord gave us this week!