Day 3

Day 3

This morning started off with another fantastic breakfast made by John H. and Page, followed by a devotion led by Pablo, which set the tone for our day. From Luke 15, we heard again the way the father, as a picture of our Heavenly Father went after both his sons, because he loved them. In the same way, our Heavenly Father loves, provides for, protects and has adopted us as his children. What love the Father has for each of us, and for each child here in Guatemala, that we should be called children of God. 

Zumba with the special need kids.

So, with that in mind, we visited a state orphanage and had the opportunity to take some really precious special needs kiddos out for a walk in their wheelchairs! What a simple joy for them, and a gift for us to show love to them. Next, some of us played soccer/futbol with special needs older kids and others of us danced zumba and took pictures with other special needs kids. What a blast to love on them and take pictures with them and dance with them and giggle with them!! Finally, we spent some time teaching teen mom's at the state orphanage to use knitting looms we brought with us to make hats for their babies and scarfs for themselves. Was challenging to learn for some, but a real gift to spend time with them teaching them to use the looms. 

While it was amazing to show love to these kids, who have been rejected and abandoned by their families, it was also hard to be there, as well as eye opening. It is not an easy place to be, feels like a prison, and it is a tough life for those kids. And yet, God showed up and taught us a lot about not relying on our circumstances to be happy, but on the love of God and relationship with Jesus. One of the young ones moved us all as he described with tears and just a few words how hard it was to be introduced to a 12 year old girl, same age he is, who was 5 months pregnant. Another two had a conversation with a teen boy in a wheel chair. They expressed sadness to him because he is in a wheelchair and his life is really really tough. He responded to them to not feel heavy-hearted because God is with him and fills his heart with the love of Jesus. When you open your eyes and hearts, it is amazing how God shows up and blesses you.

We came home and spent a great afternoon with the kiddos at Dorie's Promise - more soccer, a walk around, and dodge ball! What a blast to be with these kids. A highlight also was spending time with the girls - we read Matthew 14 - Jesus calming the storm with his words and stilling the fears of his disciples with his presence. We learned Matthew 14:27 with the girls to the tune of "Los Pollitos" for those of you who might know it... Jesus les hablo, diciendoles, Calma, calma, calma, soy yo, no tengan miedo. Jesus said, Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid. The girls sang it, the amazing star special mama's sang it, we even had a men's chorus sing it! It was a blast, and silly, and also great to put those sweet words of Jesus in our hearts and the hearts of the kids... 'cause sometimes fear rises in us, and how good to know again and again that Jesus is with us and we do not need to be afraid. We made boats with the girls, fed them, watched one toddler begin to take her first steps. 

We laughed and cried and ate and danced and sorted donations and laughed some more. A great dinner and sweet time of debrief filled our evening, too. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for another great day.