Guatemala, December 16 Team

Wonder beyond wonders….it snowed in Guatemala! Well, not really but we made snow and the kids had a blast tossing it in the air and getting it in their hair! With it being our last full day at the Center everyone was determined to get as many hugs and put in as much time as possible with the kids.

Keith and Gladys

Maria Ascuncion

Abelardo

Billy 

Edgar

Marvin

This morning another group visited the Center with bags brimming full of gifts. It was interesting and sad to see that some of the children didn't even know what to do with the wrapped packages. The presents were delivered to the Ducks, Squirrels, and Chicks who adored having a new toy to play with. Other toys were left for the younger ones. The boys received toys like airplanes, trucks, and tools. Many of the girls were on cloud nine with new baby dolls and little kitchen sets! The nannies scurried to write the children’s names on the toys in hopes to keep them separated when they collect them.

Chicks opening gifts

Gladys with her toys

Micaela tearing into a present

Odilia excited about her purse!

After the toys were played with, we had our snack. The children were all smiles to see that they got to eat the left over cupcakes from the previous day’s celebration. Once again, faces were covered with red, green, and yellow frosting. We chuckled at a few who had a different color frosting on their face than the cupcake in their hand. While the Ducks, Squirrels, Chicks, and Bunnies were finishing up their special treat, Pastor Dennis and some of the Louisiana crew put on a puppet show for the children. The kids bobbed their heads, clapped their hands, and sang along to familiar songs like “Yo Tengo Gozo.” Andres and Luis Fernando were especially excited about the dog puppet.

German chowing down on a cupcake!

Brotherly Love

Bunnies are so well behaved for the puppet show!

Since we've had kind of a crazy schedule with all the visitors and piñatas this week, we decided to take the kiddos outside for a Bible story. We wanted to make sure we told the Christmas story one more time so Olivia read it to the children. They did so well answering questions that she posed to them. To tie in the “snow,” we told them that Jesus came to make us white as snow. The kids then crowded around buckets and helped me count out scoopfuls of the polymer powder that would turn into a soft substance. They ooohed and ahhhed when the water was added the snow began to grow! We made two more bucketfuls for the Ducks and Squirrels to play with. Some of the girls decided to toss it into the air and shower the bushes to make it look like winter at the Center. There was plenty of it in hair so that it looked like a horrible case of dandruff! It was a hit and no one really minded the mess….we hope!

Olivia telling the Christmas story

Mayra tossing the snow in the air!

Yoselin excited to play with snow!

The Ducks looked especially guapo with their fresh haircuts thanks to Bryan! It’s taken two days, but most everyone who needed a new do has one and they look great! Our boys were troopers!

Andres smiles while Bryan clips his hair.

Carmen and Kelvin- our little ones with the chicken pox- are slowly beginning to participate with the others in their activities. No new spots have been seen- thank you Lord! Kelvin is thankful to those in the group who have made a point to make sure he has company with his meals and has something fun to do while he is waiting to be cleared to play with the others. Santos in the Canaries however, is covered in hives. Please pray for healing and comfort.

Kelvin stacks the crayons in his pocket for safe keeping!

Walter is still waiting on his surgery. We’re told that in early January he will go to the doctor for an update. Until then he is full of energy and playing with all the other Chicks.

Walter

Our team is still hard at work. Pastor Dennis is refurbishing a discarded rocking chair in hopes that it will soon rock a sweet little one to sleep. Who knows, maybe one day you, reader, will be able to sit in that very chair and pray over one of the precious children of Guatemala.  Next in his sights is building a table for the Comedor so that the children will have plenty of room to eat their meals. Tim has completed painting the hallway and is working on weeding around the center. Tyler, Alex, and Nick added a special touch to the swing set. We hope they got more paint on the swing set than on themselves! Alex even made it into the chicken coop today to visit the chickens.

Tim and Ana Lucrecia

The table in the middle is new!

The team was so excited about our authentic Guatemalan dinner cooked by none other than Lupe and Odilia. The fare consisted of chicken in a delicious sauce, rice with vegetables, beans, fried plantains with cream, and of course tortillas. The aroma was hypnotic after a long day of play with the kids and we ate our fill!

Frozen bananas...YUM!

We had a special treat at lunch today thanks to Jacob and Seth: chocolate covered frozen bananas. We’re all very excited to get back to work and love on those kiddos and nannies. It’s hard to believe that four days have passed by so swiftly! God is good and is revealing Himself to us through the work here. We are so blessed and have enjoyed learning each other’s stories throughout the week. 

The Team