GUATEMALA - Thursday 3/28/13

Today was the last day at the Center, and for many of us it was a time of tears and hugs and a sad time to say goodbye to the children that we had grown to love this week.   The team this week is made up of folks from all over Florida that hail from places like Niceville, Pembrook Pines, Parrish, Crestview and LaBelle.  We even had a lady join us from Alabama.  This time last week many of us did not know each other, but we came together as one and had one common goal and that was to love and minister to the children of Guatemala.

We were touched by so many events this week, but one that comes to mind is the daily devotions that some of the members of the team lead with the Staff at the Center.  One day we made cross necklaces with the staff and talked about the meaning  of the cross, which made a tremendous impact  on them.  This week is Holy Week, and these women who work tirelessly to take care of these children were  touched by the simple gesture of making a cross necklace.

Today, we were able to be a part of a special event.  Many parents came to the Center to see their children.  Orphan’s Heart wanted to do something special for these families during Holy Week, so the ministry went out and bought fruit and the team made fruit baskets to be given away today.  The baskets were filled with pineapples, watermelons, mangos and other fruits and even had a New Testament  in them.  The team was able to present each family with a basket, and we were humbled as they came by and hugged each of us for this generous gift.

We also were able to present  baskets to the Staff as we not only celebrated Holy Week, but also the 4^th Anniversary of Orphan’s Heart's work with the Malnutrition Center. Ron Gunter shared with all of us that four years ago there were 12 children being served by the Center, and now there are 80 miracles here who are getting a second chance at life.  God is Good and it was an awesome way to thank the staff for their faithfulness to their work with the children. 

As our journey began, we all believed that we would be a blessing to the children at the Center. We hope that we were, but as we shared at WOW time tonight, we all feel that this week changed our hearts in the way we see the world.  These children changed our lives and the Orphans’ Heart ministry has changed the lives of not only children all over the world, but people like us who come to serve the Lord by caring for the weak and sick and those that are overlooked by many. This week is Holy Week and what better way to celebrate the resurrection of Christ than by serving HIM!

Happy Easter to all who have come before us and those who will follow us!!