Here are a few highlights of my day:
-¡RAIN! This is the 1st time that I have seen rain while in the city of Parramos. (and about the 3rd time that I have seen rain while in Gautemala- supposedly it is the rainy season???) I was soooooo happy to see the rain:)
-A "maracuyá" flavored sucker. In English it is "passion fruit" and in Puertorican Spanish it is "parcha". Although this sucker was not mine (I was handed a "cookies and cream one") I still really enjoyed learning that this flavor also exists in Guatemala AND that I can buy it at the local store for 6 cents!!!!
-One of the best highlights of my day was that I talked to Naomi (via facebook)!!! It was really nice to talk to her and it is a bummer that she won't be visiting in Puerto Rico when I get back this time:(
miércoles, 1 de agosto de 2012
martes, 31 de julio de 2012
Guate("My kids"), Days59-62
Friday was another day of school and homework, but I got to go play games with the teens in the transition house at night. We had fun playing games, watching movies, and eating cookies and quenepas!
Saturday was visiting day at the home, so some of the family members of the kids came in the afternoon and a family from church also came to visit. They visit once a month and bring goodie bags for all the kids and a special supper:) I spent the evening with the girls in their house. We make a new version of bagel pizzas and played leap frog!
On Sunday I got to go to church and see all of the families and friends that I know from my December/January trip.
Monday and Tuesday have been really fun days! I went to Santiago (on Lake Atitlan- look it up it is BEAUTIFUL!) I went there to visit an orphanage that has about 25 kids. They run it like a family, so there is a couple as house parents and it just happens that they take care of a ton of kids. They do all their own cooking and cleaning, so it is just like a HUGE family. I really liked the set up and it was something really different than the other homes that l have been in. (I forgot to add that they have 9 babies!!!)
The most exciting event was mopping the floor at 1am. The directors and I had stayed up LATE talking, so we were in the living room and heard water running. We did not have any water in the afternoon, so it appears that when the kids tried to wash dishes after supper they turned on the water, nothing came out, and they did NOT turn off the faucet! So, the kitchen sink overflowed and the entire kitchen and dining room were flooded. So we used brooms and mops and swept the water outside. After that we decided it was time to go to bed.
It was also a really fun and uneventful adventure getting there and back. On Monday morning I left at 7 with the kids. The kids went to school and I went to the plaza to wait for the chicken bus. It was a 2 hour and 20 minute ride to the town of Panajachel. From there I took a tuk-tuk to the boat dock- what a rip off! They charged me Q5 (or about 70cents) for a 2 minute ride- in Guatemala this is expensive the bus trip cost about $4 total. Then I took the boat to the town of Santiago. The boat could have been another rip off, but I was prepared for this one. If you are Guatemalan and dressed in the indigenous Mayan cloting you pay Q15($2) (If you are guatemalan and dressed in american clothing they can charge you more). If you are a tourist you pay Q25($4), but they will try to have you pay more if they think you are a gullible tourist/American . Well, thankfully the directors of the orphanage had warned me that I should not pay more than Q25 and I knew the locals paid less so when the boat driver told me 30 I told him 20. He asked me what I was doing and I told him I was a volunteer in the orphanage and he gave me the ride for 20!!!!! Once I arrived in Santiago the family came to pick me up and they brought me to the orphanage where I stayed the night.
Coming back to Parramos: I left the orphanage around 9:30am and the boat left a little after 11- this time the driver wanted to charge me Q30 and I told him 20, he said 25 but I told him I would not pay that-I was serious- so he let me on for 20!) We got to Panajachel around 11:45 and I decided to walk to the bus stop because I did not want to pay the Q5 for the tuk-tuk since it was such a short ride. By 12:30 I had paid the Q2 to use the bathroom (it is not free here), gotten some snacks to eat on the bus, gotten on the bus, and the bus started on it's way. I arrived in Chimaltenango around 3:00. I had to transfer busses, so I followed all the other Americans and got on a bus for Antigua (I thought that all the busses from Chimaltenango to Antigua would go through my town of Parramos). The bus started to pull away and I thought, Parramos is not this way, it is behind us and to the right. I quickly asked the driver if he was going to Parramos and he said NO! So I just jumped right off the bus! Then I went around the corner and got on the correct bus:) I got to Parramos around 3:30 and I started to walk home and while I was walking one of the boys came and met me. So I got home at 4 in the afternoon.
I have had 2 long days of traveling but it has been wonderful to meet new people and get to see more of Guatemala! And it prepares me for my day of traveling back to PR (in a little over 1 week:)
Saturday was visiting day at the home, so some of the family members of the kids came in the afternoon and a family from church also came to visit. They visit once a month and bring goodie bags for all the kids and a special supper:) I spent the evening with the girls in their house. We make a new version of bagel pizzas and played leap frog!
On Sunday I got to go to church and see all of the families and friends that I know from my December/January trip.
Monday and Tuesday have been really fun days! I went to Santiago (on Lake Atitlan- look it up it is BEAUTIFUL!) I went there to visit an orphanage that has about 25 kids. They run it like a family, so there is a couple as house parents and it just happens that they take care of a ton of kids. They do all their own cooking and cleaning, so it is just like a HUGE family. I really liked the set up and it was something really different than the other homes that l have been in. (I forgot to add that they have 9 babies!!!)
The most exciting event was mopping the floor at 1am. The directors and I had stayed up LATE talking, so we were in the living room and heard water running. We did not have any water in the afternoon, so it appears that when the kids tried to wash dishes after supper they turned on the water, nothing came out, and they did NOT turn off the faucet! So, the kitchen sink overflowed and the entire kitchen and dining room were flooded. So we used brooms and mops and swept the water outside. After that we decided it was time to go to bed.
It was also a really fun and uneventful adventure getting there and back. On Monday morning I left at 7 with the kids. The kids went to school and I went to the plaza to wait for the chicken bus. It was a 2 hour and 20 minute ride to the town of Panajachel. From there I took a tuk-tuk to the boat dock- what a rip off! They charged me Q5 (or about 70cents) for a 2 minute ride- in Guatemala this is expensive the bus trip cost about $4 total. Then I took the boat to the town of Santiago. The boat could have been another rip off, but I was prepared for this one. If you are Guatemalan and dressed in the indigenous Mayan cloting you pay Q15($2) (If you are guatemalan and dressed in american clothing they can charge you more). If you are a tourist you pay Q25($4), but they will try to have you pay more if they think you are a gullible tourist/American . Well, thankfully the directors of the orphanage had warned me that I should not pay more than Q25 and I knew the locals paid less so when the boat driver told me 30 I told him 20. He asked me what I was doing and I told him I was a volunteer in the orphanage and he gave me the ride for 20!!!!! Once I arrived in Santiago the family came to pick me up and they brought me to the orphanage where I stayed the night.
Coming back to Parramos: I left the orphanage around 9:30am and the boat left a little after 11- this time the driver wanted to charge me Q30 and I told him 20, he said 25 but I told him I would not pay that-I was serious- so he let me on for 20!) We got to Panajachel around 11:45 and I decided to walk to the bus stop because I did not want to pay the Q5 for the tuk-tuk since it was such a short ride. By 12:30 I had paid the Q2 to use the bathroom (it is not free here), gotten some snacks to eat on the bus, gotten on the bus, and the bus started on it's way. I arrived in Chimaltenango around 3:00. I had to transfer busses, so I followed all the other Americans and got on a bus for Antigua (I thought that all the busses from Chimaltenango to Antigua would go through my town of Parramos). The bus started to pull away and I thought, Parramos is not this way, it is behind us and to the right. I quickly asked the driver if he was going to Parramos and he said NO! So I just jumped right off the bus! Then I went around the corner and got on the correct bus:) I got to Parramos around 3:30 and I started to walk home and while I was walking one of the boys came and met me. So I got home at 4 in the afternoon.
I have had 2 long days of traveling but it has been wonderful to meet new people and get to see more of Guatemala! And it prepares me for my day of traveling back to PR (in a little over 1 week:)
viernes, 27 de julio de 2012
Long overdue update! Days 47-58
I stayed at the school in the city from Monday through Friday. I got to help out in the preschool class and also take care of the babies:) It was a normal school and nothing really exciting happened.
On Friday I went to a town called Juitapa to help an American family in their ministry with deaf people there. The family has started a school for the deaf teens and adults in this community. Most of these people have never had the opportunity to go to school, so they are taught the basic subjects at about a 2nd or 3rd grade level. I got to teach the difference between addition and subtraction! This whole trip was AMAZING!
-To start off, the climate was comparable to Puerto Rico (not quite as hot, but close)!!!
-The first night I got there the family was eating chicken noodle soup for supper- I had been feeling a little sick, so this was wonderful:)
-Then, on Saturday morning we were driving to another town to give a class and on the way I SAW A FLAMBOYAN TREE!!!!! (In case you don't know what this is, it is my FAVORITE tree in PR and it is covered in really pretty flowers)
The family has a lot of kids (I think 8), but many are married or in college in the US, so they have 3 kids living with them in Guatemala. I really enjoyed playing games with the teenage boys. We played Risk (3 times!), a Rummy Tile game, and Othello!
The family's house is kind of like a bed and breakfast. They always have visitors around and they have a lot of extra bedrooms, so it works well. I got to meet a lot of deaf people from Gautemala and spend time with them, so I learned some Gautemalan Sign Language!
On Wednesday, I left the family's house at noon and traveled to the city then to a town named San Lucas. Some of their friends was going from Juitapa to San Lucas so I got to ride with them. They were all deaf, so I had about 3-4 hours of practicing only Sign Language- I loved it!!!
I left a suitcase of mine with another missionary family that I know in San Lucas (I will pick it up later) so that I could take the bus to my next stop in Guatemala.
From there, I took the chicken bus to Antigua. The bus was CROWDED some seats had 6 people in them (4 sitting and 2 kids on people's laps). Then there were people standing in the isles. We had some entertainment- a clown got on and started telling jokes. Once I got to Antigua, I went to McDonalds (just to sit in their patio). The McDonalds here is really nice- they have a patio with a fountain, so it was a relaxing place to pass the time.
Then I got on another chicken bus for a 3 minute ride to the church. At church, I met some of the kids and the "uncles" from the orphanage where I stayed in December:) After church I rode home with them!
So now for 10 days I am staying at the same place that I was in December/January! It has been really nice to see all the kids and to spend time with them again. They are all in school now, so in the evenings after homework is finished, we have time to play. Last night I played othello!
I am so thankful to be here with "my kids" but I really miss Puerto Rico, so I am looking forward to returning in less than 2 weeks!!!
*One last thing: On Wednesday as we were driving down the mountain to get from Jutiapa to the City, I thought I saw quenepas (my FAVORITE food/fruit from Puerto Rico). We were not able to stop because there was construction and there was no where to pull over, so I spent the next 3 hours looking for quenepas and I never found them. Once I got to Antigua, I was walking through the market and I FOUND QUENEPAS!!!! :)
So in one week I have: lived in a warm place, seen a Flamboyan Tree, and eaten quenepas:)
On Friday I went to a town called Juitapa to help an American family in their ministry with deaf people there. The family has started a school for the deaf teens and adults in this community. Most of these people have never had the opportunity to go to school, so they are taught the basic subjects at about a 2nd or 3rd grade level. I got to teach the difference between addition and subtraction! This whole trip was AMAZING!
-To start off, the climate was comparable to Puerto Rico (not quite as hot, but close)!!!
-The first night I got there the family was eating chicken noodle soup for supper- I had been feeling a little sick, so this was wonderful:)
-Then, on Saturday morning we were driving to another town to give a class and on the way I SAW A FLAMBOYAN TREE!!!!! (In case you don't know what this is, it is my FAVORITE tree in PR and it is covered in really pretty flowers)
The family has a lot of kids (I think 8), but many are married or in college in the US, so they have 3 kids living with them in Guatemala. I really enjoyed playing games with the teenage boys. We played Risk (3 times!), a Rummy Tile game, and Othello!
The family's house is kind of like a bed and breakfast. They always have visitors around and they have a lot of extra bedrooms, so it works well. I got to meet a lot of deaf people from Gautemala and spend time with them, so I learned some Gautemalan Sign Language!
On Wednesday, I left the family's house at noon and traveled to the city then to a town named San Lucas. Some of their friends was going from Juitapa to San Lucas so I got to ride with them. They were all deaf, so I had about 3-4 hours of practicing only Sign Language- I loved it!!!
I left a suitcase of mine with another missionary family that I know in San Lucas (I will pick it up later) so that I could take the bus to my next stop in Guatemala.
From there, I took the chicken bus to Antigua. The bus was CROWDED some seats had 6 people in them (4 sitting and 2 kids on people's laps). Then there were people standing in the isles. We had some entertainment- a clown got on and started telling jokes. Once I got to Antigua, I went to McDonalds (just to sit in their patio). The McDonalds here is really nice- they have a patio with a fountain, so it was a relaxing place to pass the time.
Then I got on another chicken bus for a 3 minute ride to the church. At church, I met some of the kids and the "uncles" from the orphanage where I stayed in December:) After church I rode home with them!
So now for 10 days I am staying at the same place that I was in December/January! It has been really nice to see all the kids and to spend time with them again. They are all in school now, so in the evenings after homework is finished, we have time to play. Last night I played othello!
I am so thankful to be here with "my kids" but I really miss Puerto Rico, so I am looking forward to returning in less than 2 weeks!!!
*One last thing: On Wednesday as we were driving down the mountain to get from Jutiapa to the City, I thought I saw quenepas (my FAVORITE food/fruit from Puerto Rico). We were not able to stop because there was construction and there was no where to pull over, so I spent the next 3 hours looking for quenepas and I never found them. Once I got to Antigua, I was walking through the market and I FOUND QUENEPAS!!!! :)
So in one week I have: lived in a warm place, seen a Flamboyan Tree, and eaten quenepas:)
lunes, 16 de julio de 2012
Guate(the city), Day 46
Today I finally met Betty and her friend Marta. I have been in contact through facebook and phone since about Easter time after I found out about their ministries through some mutual friends who had come to Guatemala.
Marta has a school/daycare for children through sixth grade. These kids live in a very poor part of the city right by a garbage dump. There are 190 kids who attend this school!
I spent my day helping the kids with their school work, playing with the kids, and holding the cuteist and littleist baby girl:)
It was tons of fun!
Marta has a school/daycare for children through sixth grade. These kids live in a very poor part of the city right by a garbage dump. There are 190 kids who attend this school!
I spent my day helping the kids with their school work, playing with the kids, and holding the cuteist and littleist baby girl:)
It was tons of fun!
Guate(VOH), Days 40-45
Sorry I haven't written about my time- I have been having too much fun to sit on the computer!
I arrived at Village of Hope on Wednesday morning and got right to work hand washing sheets, towels, pillowcases, etc in the outdoor pila. One of the electrical poles (or something like that) had caught on fire and so there was not any electricity. I thought it was kind of fun and thankfully the power came back on Thursday afternoon!
Thursday we woke up and took the rest(most) of the laundry to the laundromat. We figured that we would be washing by had for DAYS in order to finish, so this was a better option!
Friday was a relaxing day in Antigua. We went to the market and then ate at a mexican restaurant.
Saturday we cleaned out and painted the pantry cupboards then just relaxed around the house:)
Sunday was EXCITING! The two other "interns" and I left the home at 8:15 to begin our adventure to church. We started with a 45 minute walk to the bus stop in town. Then we got on the bus and made it to Antigua in about 1/2 hour. There was a running race going on in the town, so the roads were closed and we got off the bus and walked for about 20 minutes.
We got to church 45 minutes early!!!
Then after church we did all of this, just in reverse order. The only difference was that this time, the bus was FULL! We had 6 people sitting across the bus (3 in one seat, 1 in the aisle, and 2 in the smaller seat on the other side of the aisle). There were also people standing up, all the kids were sitting on people's lap, and it was PACKED FULL !!! But, it was a fun adventure:)
I arrived at Village of Hope on Wednesday morning and got right to work hand washing sheets, towels, pillowcases, etc in the outdoor pila. One of the electrical poles (or something like that) had caught on fire and so there was not any electricity. I thought it was kind of fun and thankfully the power came back on Thursday afternoon!
Thursday we woke up and took the rest(most) of the laundry to the laundromat. We figured that we would be washing by had for DAYS in order to finish, so this was a better option!
Friday was a relaxing day in Antigua. We went to the market and then ate at a mexican restaurant.
Saturday we cleaned out and painted the pantry cupboards then just relaxed around the house:)
Sunday was EXCITING! The two other "interns" and I left the home at 8:15 to begin our adventure to church. We started with a 45 minute walk to the bus stop in town. Then we got on the bus and made it to Antigua in about 1/2 hour. There was a running race going on in the town, so the roads were closed and we got off the bus and walked for about 20 minutes.
We got to church 45 minutes early!!!
Then after church we did all of this, just in reverse order. The only difference was that this time, the bus was FULL! We had 6 people sitting across the bus (3 in one seat, 1 in the aisle, and 2 in the smaller seat on the other side of the aisle). There were also people standing up, all the kids were sitting on people's lap, and it was PACKED FULL !!! But, it was a fun adventure:)
jueves, 12 de julio de 2012
Village of Hope- Guatemala
I arrived Wednesday morning at Village of Hope!(https://www.facebook.com/VillageOfHopeGuatemala)
Guate(POP), Days 35-40
Well, I stayed at Prince of Peace for 40 wonderful days (just in case you were wondering, this is how long it rained during the flood-hahaha)
Some of the highlights over the last week have been:
-Staying a few extra days:) When I showed up to church unexpected last Sunday, they celebrated by obligating me to translate the songs into Guatemalan Sign Language- it ended up being fun!
-Eating crepes with the psychologist and her mom:)
-Spending time with and taking CRAZY! pictures with the girls!
-I was also able to accompany the social worker and some girls on a (not so fun) adventure to the cemetery. This really helped me to experience the work that social workers do and I am soooooo thankful to Vilma for teaching me so much over the past several weeks- she is amazing!
On Wednesday morning, I was very sad to say good-bye to the wonderful girls and amazing staff at Prince of Peace:( But I am still praying for them and I am excited to write them letters!!
Some of the highlights over the last week have been:
-Staying a few extra days:) When I showed up to church unexpected last Sunday, they celebrated by obligating me to translate the songs into Guatemalan Sign Language- it ended up being fun!
-Eating crepes with the psychologist and her mom:)
-Spending time with and taking CRAZY! pictures with the girls!
-I was also able to accompany the social worker and some girls on a (not so fun) adventure to the cemetery. This really helped me to experience the work that social workers do and I am soooooo thankful to Vilma for teaching me so much over the past several weeks- she is amazing!
On Wednesday morning, I was very sad to say good-bye to the wonderful girls and amazing staff at Prince of Peace:( But I am still praying for them and I am excited to write them letters!!
miércoles, 4 de julio de 2012
Guate(POP), Days 30-34
WOW! I can't believe that I have been here for 34 days! I have had so much fun and learned so much in this time:)
I will be leaving Prince of Peace Girls Home on Sunday morning. So, this week is a week of "lasts".
Sunday was my last day at church. It is a HUGE church (I think about 5,000 people go every Sunday, but there is seating for over 12,000). This church also has a Sign Language interpretation section. So, I have joined them and I learned some Guatemalan Sign Language:)
On Monday I got to go with the social worker to a court hearing and to two hospitals to find birth certificates for some of the girls in the home. We left at 6:40am and arrived back at the home at 3pm. We were able to go to the hearing and get one birth certificate, so although it was a long day, it was pretty much productive (we accomplished 2 of the 3 errands!)
When I got back on Monday, I took some of the girls to the store and we got some school supplies.
Tuesday I was able to get some odds and ends office work done and teach the two new interns about what I do here. When I leave, they will be staying and working at the home for the month of July.
I went to the bank twice (this was the last time I will see my "bank friends". I usually spend about 2 hours at the bank every week), dropped off and picked up some people from the home who had to do other errands, picked up the girls from school, picked up a different girl from a different school, and ate at "taco men" for the last time:( I love the food there! At the end, I got to go in the "guaguita" or the little van type taco stand, for a picture with the owner!
Today, Wednesday, was my last time taking a group to Antigua. Although I like going there, I have done the same thing for the last 5 weeks, so I am actually a little relieved to not have to do this next week (at least I don't think I will at the new place, but you never know...)
Now I am going to go up the hill and spend some time playing with the girls before they go to bed:)
I will be leaving Prince of Peace Girls Home on Sunday morning. So, this week is a week of "lasts".
Sunday was my last day at church. It is a HUGE church (I think about 5,000 people go every Sunday, but there is seating for over 12,000). This church also has a Sign Language interpretation section. So, I have joined them and I learned some Guatemalan Sign Language:)
On Monday I got to go with the social worker to a court hearing and to two hospitals to find birth certificates for some of the girls in the home. We left at 6:40am and arrived back at the home at 3pm. We were able to go to the hearing and get one birth certificate, so although it was a long day, it was pretty much productive (we accomplished 2 of the 3 errands!)
When I got back on Monday, I took some of the girls to the store and we got some school supplies.
Tuesday I was able to get some odds and ends office work done and teach the two new interns about what I do here. When I leave, they will be staying and working at the home for the month of July.
I went to the bank twice (this was the last time I will see my "bank friends". I usually spend about 2 hours at the bank every week), dropped off and picked up some people from the home who had to do other errands, picked up the girls from school, picked up a different girl from a different school, and ate at "taco men" for the last time:( I love the food there! At the end, I got to go in the "guaguita" or the little van type taco stand, for a picture with the owner!
Today, Wednesday, was my last time taking a group to Antigua. Although I like going there, I have done the same thing for the last 5 weeks, so I am actually a little relieved to not have to do this next week (at least I don't think I will at the new place, but you never know...)
Now I am going to go up the hill and spend some time playing with the girls before they go to bed:)
viernes, 29 de junio de 2012
Guate(POP), Days 26-29
This week I:
-Slept through an earthquake. (I think it was about 5.7ish).
-I climbed a volcano! We hiked to the top and while I was there I made a "snow" angel in the volcanic ash (picture coming soon!). There was also a natural sauna (or a little hole that you could jump down into)- it reminded me of Puerto Rico :)
-I also went to Antigua and I bought two handwoven, Guatemalan skirts. All together it was less than $15!
-We have a lot of visitors/workers/interns coming and going next week. Twards the end of the week, I will be leaving Prince of Peace:( but, I will be moving on to a different home in Guatemala:)
The only other new news is that my computer will not open the program iphoto, so I cannot get to my pictures or put new pictures on the computer:( Any ideas on how to fix this???
-Slept through an earthquake. (I think it was about 5.7ish).
-I climbed a volcano! We hiked to the top and while I was there I made a "snow" angel in the volcanic ash (picture coming soon!). There was also a natural sauna (or a little hole that you could jump down into)- it reminded me of Puerto Rico :)
-I also went to Antigua and I bought two handwoven, Guatemalan skirts. All together it was less than $15!
-We have a lot of visitors/workers/interns coming and going next week. Twards the end of the week, I will be leaving Prince of Peace:( but, I will be moving on to a different home in Guatemala:)
The only other new news is that my computer will not open the program iphoto, so I cannot get to my pictures or put new pictures on the computer:( Any ideas on how to fix this???
lunes, 25 de junio de 2012
Guate(POP), days 21-25
Last week I went on a few more adventures. The social worker and I went to a market in the city to find a school. They have a little room on the second floor inside a market. The idea is that the parents can work while the children attend school. Well, the documents we were looking for were not there, but they told us where to go. And after the second stop we had the documents in our hands!!!
This weekend there was a 3 day christian music festival at the church. There were 5 different bands that played and I think over 12.000 people attended. The older girls from the home went and they all had a really fun time! (I was the chauffeur and also attended the concert...)
Speaking of driving- I have been driving the big, white 15 passenger van! And, I have pretty much learned my way to and from the places that we go.
This weekend there was a 3 day christian music festival at the church. There were 5 different bands that played and I think over 12.000 people attended. The older girls from the home went and they all had a really fun time! (I was the chauffeur and also attended the concert...)
Speaking of driving- I have been driving the big, white 15 passenger van! And, I have pretty much learned my way to and from the places that we go.
miércoles, 20 de junio de 2012
Guate(POP), days 14-20
¡WOW! I can't believe that I have been in Guatemala for 3 weeks! -and I have to leave Prince of Peace in two weeks:(
This last week has been really fun and busy I have:
-scared some Americans with the fact that I can drive a 15-passenger van through Guatemala city (and in the country side)
-visited another church with the psychologist. And, ate lunch with her and her extended family- I broke the ice quickly at this gathering... I put some hot chili in my soup. They all warned me to use just a little, so I did. BUT, I put it all on top of my spoon and ate it ALL IN ONE BITE!!! So needless to say I was bright red, we were all laughing and the rest of my soup was not spicy because there was not any chili left in my bowl.
-I continue to help with office work and updating the website http://www.princeofpeacegt.com/
And, I have gone on SOCIAL WORK ADVENTURES!!!!!
Last Thursday, I went with the social worker and some girls to a court hearing. All 3 girls came back to the orphanage with us (I hope that some day in the future, they will be able to go back home, when their dad is ready) and we also gave their dad a ride to his work. It was really nice that he came back with us, because we got to talk and get to know him and his mom (the girls grandma) lives in Wisconsin!
This was a really good "field trip" because I got to experience the stress of court. learn the process that is used, and it really opened my eyes to the possibility, the pros/cons and the steps that need to be taken to ensure the children a safe return to their home.
Basically, I LOVED THIS EXPERIENCE!
On Friday, the plan was to go and do a home study in the morning. After going on an airport run, shopping and one of the cars in our "car pool line" getting lost, it was evident that I was not going to make it back in time to leave in the morning.
By the time I made it home and ate lunch, the social worker informed me that I had to go change into medium-fancy, dark clothing because we had to stop at a funeral of the grandma of one of the girls on the way.
After the funeral/wake we went ¡searching! for the house of some of the girls who are new at the orphanage. We stopped and asked directions from everyone we saw. And after turning around down the mountain, we decided to park the car and walk to find the house. We found it and we also found grandma. After climbing through the back window to open the door, we were welcomed into a one room home. There was no electricity, no water and absolutely no food. We talked with grandma for a while took notes on the conditions of the home and then we left.
Our next stop was another girl's home. We went to visit the mom and siblings to see how they are doing. The biggest adventure with this home were the roads. They were made of dirt and had huge potholes and ruts from the rain, so once again it was much easier to get out and walk.
I learned A TON about some of the living conditions in Guatemala and I was also able to observe the social worker doing her work and how she talked to and cares about the parents of the children. It was a REALLY VALUABLE EXPERIENCE!
Tomorrow I am going on another social work adventure. I am not sure exactly where we are going or what we are doing, but I am positive that it will be fun, exciting, educational and I will be able to experience something new :)
This last week has been really fun and busy I have:
-scared some Americans with the fact that I can drive a 15-passenger van through Guatemala city (and in the country side)
-visited another church with the psychologist. And, ate lunch with her and her extended family- I broke the ice quickly at this gathering... I put some hot chili in my soup. They all warned me to use just a little, so I did. BUT, I put it all on top of my spoon and ate it ALL IN ONE BITE!!! So needless to say I was bright red, we were all laughing and the rest of my soup was not spicy because there was not any chili left in my bowl.
-I continue to help with office work and updating the website http://www.princeofpeacegt.com/
And, I have gone on SOCIAL WORK ADVENTURES!!!!!
Last Thursday, I went with the social worker and some girls to a court hearing. All 3 girls came back to the orphanage with us (I hope that some day in the future, they will be able to go back home, when their dad is ready) and we also gave their dad a ride to his work. It was really nice that he came back with us, because we got to talk and get to know him and his mom (the girls grandma) lives in Wisconsin!
This was a really good "field trip" because I got to experience the stress of court. learn the process that is used, and it really opened my eyes to the possibility, the pros/cons and the steps that need to be taken to ensure the children a safe return to their home.
Basically, I LOVED THIS EXPERIENCE!
On Friday, the plan was to go and do a home study in the morning. After going on an airport run, shopping and one of the cars in our "car pool line" getting lost, it was evident that I was not going to make it back in time to leave in the morning.
By the time I made it home and ate lunch, the social worker informed me that I had to go change into medium-fancy, dark clothing because we had to stop at a funeral of the grandma of one of the girls on the way.
After the funeral/wake we went ¡searching! for the house of some of the girls who are new at the orphanage. We stopped and asked directions from everyone we saw. And after turning around down the mountain, we decided to park the car and walk to find the house. We found it and we also found grandma. After climbing through the back window to open the door, we were welcomed into a one room home. There was no electricity, no water and absolutely no food. We talked with grandma for a while took notes on the conditions of the home and then we left.
Our next stop was another girl's home. We went to visit the mom and siblings to see how they are doing. The biggest adventure with this home were the roads. They were made of dirt and had huge potholes and ruts from the rain, so once again it was much easier to get out and walk.
I learned A TON about some of the living conditions in Guatemala and I was also able to observe the social worker doing her work and how she talked to and cares about the parents of the children. It was a REALLY VALUABLE EXPERIENCE!
Tomorrow I am going on another social work adventure. I am not sure exactly where we are going or what we are doing, but I am positive that it will be fun, exciting, educational and I will be able to experience something new :)
miércoles, 13 de junio de 2012
Guate(POP), days 7-13
Thursday was so long ago, I don't remember what I did.
Friday night the visiting group took the kids and staff to McDonalds. Just try to imagine 58 EXCITED kids in one restaurant!!! It was tons of fun!
When we arrived back at the home, we had a closing ceremony to say goodbye to the visiting group that left the next day. The girls did a dance routine, handed out signed t-shirts, and said thank you to the group. I had the honors (or the tortures) of translating! hahaha- actually translating doesn't bother me- I like it!
Saturday was a day of 4 airport runs. One at 5am to drop off the group that was leaving for the States (thankfully I was not a part of the driving comittee and got to sleep in:) And then 3 trips to pick up the next group that arrived. At 11am, 1pm, and 11pm. The 11am group was delayed, so we waited at the airport for a long time and picked up the 11am and 1pm groups together. I got to drive the big white 15 passenger van full of people back to the home!!!
I attended my first quinceñera (or 15th birthday party). One of the girls at the home turned 15, so we had a big party. Family, friends, the girls, the staff and a visiting group from the States all attended. She had a really pretty dress and there were tons of tomales and cake!!! We started off the party singing songs then there was a message and I got to translate the whole thing from Spanish to English.
I also attended "Family day" at one of the schools. There are 5 or 6 girls from the home that go to the school, so I got a tour of their school and I got to see them play soccer:)
Sunday we went to church and I sat in the Sign Language section! I am on my way to learning Guatemalan Sign Language (it is similar to American Sign Language, but a little different). yay!!!!
Monday consisted of some errands (I think) and a visit to the widdows in the mountains. I LOVE going up the mountain and visiting with the women and their families. They have such a simple life-style and have very limited resources, but they are always thankful to God and blessed that we visit them. The kids are extremely excited when they see us because they know that we have candy, toys and hugs for them:)
I also organized clothing donations! It was a ton of work, but I think I am getting better at it (I have had tons of practice thanks to the generosity of those in Puerto Rico who have donated clothes).
There is an eye doctor here with the group that is visiting this week from the States. So he gave all the kids eye exams. I had fun visiting the clinic and playing pirate with the kids (picture to come soon:)
Tuesday I had a bodyguard with me almost all day and I did not have to pay anything!!!! hahaha
I spent about 2 and 1/2 hours at the bank in the morning exchanging money for the visiting team from the states. (about 1/2 the time was spent exchanging money and the other 1/2 waiting to be picked up- they had to take a girl to the doctor and when they finished they came back for me). Then in the afternoon, I had to exchange some more money for the team and take some of the older girls to the bank. So, I have decided the the guard that works at the bank was my bodyguard for the day!
For supper we went to a really good taco place to eat. It was outside in 1/2 of a barn (or at least the wooden frame resembled this shape), but the sides and roof were made of plastic sheets (like a plastic cloth you would put on the floor when you paint). They had the BEST food and it was really cheap (a sampler of 3 different tacos/ quesadillas and a soda for under $4!!!!
Wednesday was a tourist day in the city of Antigua. We took the group up to "Cerro de la cruz" (a hill with a cross on it that overlooks the city and the Volcan de Agua (or Water Volcano). Then we went shopping at the market, then to eat at a restaurant, then to pick up coffee from the coffee plantation, then to a really beautiful hotel and some old ruins- it was really pretty!!!
In between all of this, I was able to see a woman/ friend from the church that I went to when I was in Guatemala in December :) :) And by surprise, I ran into another family that I know from that church while we were walking! (And I should not forget, this morning we me some other missionaries who are starting a home and gave them some clothing donations. We have know each other through facebook since October and I am going to spend 10 days with them in July, so it was really nice to get to meet them!)
Tomorrow and Friday, I will be following the social worker around on some really exciting adventures!!!! I can't wait! Stay tuned for updates:)
Friday night the visiting group took the kids and staff to McDonalds. Just try to imagine 58 EXCITED kids in one restaurant!!! It was tons of fun!
When we arrived back at the home, we had a closing ceremony to say goodbye to the visiting group that left the next day. The girls did a dance routine, handed out signed t-shirts, and said thank you to the group. I had the honors (or the tortures) of translating! hahaha- actually translating doesn't bother me- I like it!
Saturday was a day of 4 airport runs. One at 5am to drop off the group that was leaving for the States (thankfully I was not a part of the driving comittee and got to sleep in:) And then 3 trips to pick up the next group that arrived. At 11am, 1pm, and 11pm. The 11am group was delayed, so we waited at the airport for a long time and picked up the 11am and 1pm groups together. I got to drive the big white 15 passenger van full of people back to the home!!!
I attended my first quinceñera (or 15th birthday party). One of the girls at the home turned 15, so we had a big party. Family, friends, the girls, the staff and a visiting group from the States all attended. She had a really pretty dress and there were tons of tomales and cake!!! We started off the party singing songs then there was a message and I got to translate the whole thing from Spanish to English.
I also attended "Family day" at one of the schools. There are 5 or 6 girls from the home that go to the school, so I got a tour of their school and I got to see them play soccer:)
Sunday we went to church and I sat in the Sign Language section! I am on my way to learning Guatemalan Sign Language (it is similar to American Sign Language, but a little different). yay!!!!
Monday consisted of some errands (I think) and a visit to the widdows in the mountains. I LOVE going up the mountain and visiting with the women and their families. They have such a simple life-style and have very limited resources, but they are always thankful to God and blessed that we visit them. The kids are extremely excited when they see us because they know that we have candy, toys and hugs for them:)
I also organized clothing donations! It was a ton of work, but I think I am getting better at it (I have had tons of practice thanks to the generosity of those in Puerto Rico who have donated clothes).
There is an eye doctor here with the group that is visiting this week from the States. So he gave all the kids eye exams. I had fun visiting the clinic and playing pirate with the kids (picture to come soon:)
Tuesday I had a bodyguard with me almost all day and I did not have to pay anything!!!! hahaha
I spent about 2 and 1/2 hours at the bank in the morning exchanging money for the visiting team from the states. (about 1/2 the time was spent exchanging money and the other 1/2 waiting to be picked up- they had to take a girl to the doctor and when they finished they came back for me). Then in the afternoon, I had to exchange some more money for the team and take some of the older girls to the bank. So, I have decided the the guard that works at the bank was my bodyguard for the day!
For supper we went to a really good taco place to eat. It was outside in 1/2 of a barn (or at least the wooden frame resembled this shape), but the sides and roof were made of plastic sheets (like a plastic cloth you would put on the floor when you paint). They had the BEST food and it was really cheap (a sampler of 3 different tacos/ quesadillas and a soda for under $4!!!!
Wednesday was a tourist day in the city of Antigua. We took the group up to "Cerro de la cruz" (a hill with a cross on it that overlooks the city and the Volcan de Agua (or Water Volcano). Then we went shopping at the market, then to eat at a restaurant, then to pick up coffee from the coffee plantation, then to a really beautiful hotel and some old ruins- it was really pretty!!!
In between all of this, I was able to see a woman/ friend from the church that I went to when I was in Guatemala in December :) :) And by surprise, I ran into another family that I know from that church while we were walking! (And I should not forget, this morning we me some other missionaries who are starting a home and gave them some clothing donations. We have know each other through facebook since October and I am going to spend 10 days with them in July, so it was really nice to get to meet them!)
Tomorrow and Friday, I will be following the social worker around on some really exciting adventures!!!! I can't wait! Stay tuned for updates:)
miércoles, 6 de junio de 2012
Guate(POP), days 3-6
Sunday- Today we all went to church. The church here is HUGE (about 5,000 people)! There was a good message and they sang mostly normal American songs that were translated into Spanish. In the afternoon we made bracelets and jewelry with the girls:)
Monday- The highlight of today was a visit up the mountains. We delivered food to widow friends. It was really nice to get to know the women a little and see all of the kids. There is a big need in the mountains!
I also went on some errand runs today. We went to buy wood to make a hand-railing for the stairs. Here are some pictures of the logs and the machinery that they use to cut them.
Tuesday- Today I ran errands around the city. We went to the paint store to buy paint, but they did not have it. So we went to a different store that sells paint but they did not have it either. So we went back to the 1st store later in the day and we were able to buy the paint! This same thing that happens to me often in Puerto Rico, so I feel right at home:)
Wednesday- Today I TRANSLATED biographies for the girls. I really like translating! I also got a lot of office work done before the pizza party! Tonight all of the girls came and ate in the big fellowship room. We had pizza and afterwards they all enjoyed playing, painting nails and dancing.
Monday- The highlight of today was a visit up the mountains. We delivered food to widow friends. It was really nice to get to know the women a little and see all of the kids. There is a big need in the mountains!
I also went on some errand runs today. We went to buy wood to make a hand-railing for the stairs. Here are some pictures of the logs and the machinery that they use to cut them.
Tuesday- Today I ran errands around the city. We went to the paint store to buy paint, but they did not have it. So we went to a different store that sells paint but they did not have it either. So we went back to the 1st store later in the day and we were able to buy the paint! This same thing that happens to me often in Puerto Rico, so I feel right at home:)
Wednesday- Today I TRANSLATED biographies for the girls. I really like translating! I also got a lot of office work done before the pizza party! Tonight all of the girls came and ate in the big fellowship room. We had pizza and afterwards they all enjoyed playing, painting nails and dancing.
sábado, 2 de junio de 2012
Guatemala 2012
GUATEMALA 2012
I arrived in Guatemala on Thursday night and I will be staying in the country for 10 weeks. In this time, I will be visiting 6 orphanages.
Right now I am at Prince of Peace Home for Girls. I will be staying here for five weeks. My work includes office work and translating/ hosting the various missions groups that visit from the United States.
On Friday I:
-woke up and took a HOT shower- yay!
-delivered breakfast from the kitchen to the group dining hall
-rode along to drop the team off at the airport (it was their last day, so they went back to the States)
-learned how to update the webpage of the home
-learned how to update the facebook and twitter pages of the home
-revised lists of the girls in the home and their ages, clothing sizes, etc.
-learned how to update the biographies of the girls
-learned how to make a "quinceñera" (15th birthday party invitation) for one of the girls
-learned how to print (in black/white and in color)
-revised the list of pictures of each girl
-learned how to put together sponsorship brochures
-helped clean/ make beds to prepare for the group that arrived in the afternoon
-went to the store to buy shower curtain hooks
-delivered lunch from the kitchen to the group dining hall and ate with/ met the new group that is visiting this week
-exchanged money at the bank (this took well over 1 hour!)
-bought a cell phone:)
-ate supper and visited with the group
-went to youth group with some of the teen girls
-went to bed:)
(this is in addition to meeting all of the staff and some of the kids:)
It was a busy day!
Today was a little slower-paced.
We ate breakfast and then went to the city of Antigua. Our first stop was an overlook. We could see the city, the famous cross (I still have to find out what the story is, but everyone has pictures of it) and the "Volcan de Agua" (Volcano of Water).
Then we went to the Artisan Market and did some shopping with the group. This included bartering! The best deal that I got was from my new friend (a woman who who sells hand-made pottery). I bought a 50cent paper bill from her! They stopped making these and only make coins now, so it is pretty cool:)
I arrived in Guatemala on Thursday night and I will be staying in the country for 10 weeks. In this time, I will be visiting 6 orphanages.
Right now I am at Prince of Peace Home for Girls. I will be staying here for five weeks. My work includes office work and translating/ hosting the various missions groups that visit from the United States.
On Friday I:
-woke up and took a HOT shower- yay!
-delivered breakfast from the kitchen to the group dining hall
-rode along to drop the team off at the airport (it was their last day, so they went back to the States)
-learned how to update the webpage of the home
-learned how to update the facebook and twitter pages of the home
-revised lists of the girls in the home and their ages, clothing sizes, etc.
-learned how to update the biographies of the girls
-learned how to make a "quinceñera" (15th birthday party invitation) for one of the girls
-learned how to print (in black/white and in color)
-revised the list of pictures of each girl
-learned how to put together sponsorship brochures
-helped clean/ make beds to prepare for the group that arrived in the afternoon
-went to the store to buy shower curtain hooks
-delivered lunch from the kitchen to the group dining hall and ate with/ met the new group that is visiting this week
-exchanged money at the bank (this took well over 1 hour!)
-bought a cell phone:)
-ate supper and visited with the group
-went to youth group with some of the teen girls
-went to bed:)
(this is in addition to meeting all of the staff and some of the kids:)
It was a busy day!
Today was a little slower-paced.
We ate breakfast and then went to the city of Antigua. Our first stop was an overlook. We could see the city, the famous cross (I still have to find out what the story is, but everyone has pictures of it) and the "Volcan de Agua" (Volcano of Water).
Then we went to the Artisan Market and did some shopping with the group. This included bartering! The best deal that I got was from my new friend (a woman who who sells hand-made pottery). I bought a 50cent paper bill from her! They stopped making these and only make coins now, so it is pretty cool:)
sábado, 11 de febrero de 2012
¡GRACIAS! :)
Well, I was in Guatemala for 30 days and now, I have been home for 30 days.
I would like to say thank you to all the people who prayed for me and the children of Guatemala, and to everyone who made monetary donations and to those who donated clothes and other items. Thank you so much for your generosity!
I absolutely LOVED being in Guatemala. I was able to live in and experience a new culture, familiarize myself with another country, learn Guatemalan Spanish (it was almost like another language-hahaha), and experience a more basic,simple form of living. Although I enjoyed all of this, my favorite part about my trip was getting to know the children, listening to their stories, sharing with them about the gospel, and hopefully making a lasting impression on their lives (I know they have impacted my life, and I hope and pray that this is mutual:)
A few of the highligts of my trip were:
-all the new words!
bulla, guaqual, pila, restregar trastos, hipil, helado, chévere (salchica), chillero, the disminuitives and aumentatives in Spanish, and many others! The kids and I laughed a lot over the differences between words and experssions:)
-The water
Guatemalan water is not that safe to drink, so in the home they have purified water that they buy from the store and they have tap water that they purify by adding some bleach to the jug. Well, when I arrived they all insisted that I drink the store-bought water. But, I had heard that after a hurricane you can add bleach to the water to clean it, so I told them I didn't care and... I drank the bleach water. It didn't even make me sick:) -¡The pila!
I absolutely LOVED doing the dishes and hand washing some clothes in the outdoor pila! I thought that it was a really neat thing and I didn't mind not having a "real sink" to do dishes in. It has really made me notice how spoiled I am even while living in Puerto Rico. When I hear the students at the university complain that the sinks only have cold water (remember it is 80 degrees here, why do we need hot water for our hands?) I think to myself that they don't know how lucky they are to have 4 sinks with running water in one bathroom.
-Bible study with the teens
-Playing games
All of the kids and I played games together all the time!!!! With the younger ones, I played checkers, go fish, old maid, uno, memory, their own version of ERS (or masacre!), and sorry. Some of the kids LOVED to play Sorry. I found out after many games, that I am not good at this game at all- I ALWAYS lost! But, it was really nice to play with the younger kids!
The older kids and I played tons of different card games- ERS (renamed masacre!), conguien (I'm not sure about the spelling). We also played chess and I taught them how to play Othello.
Game time was always a relaxing time of hanging out, having fun, joking around, and building relationships with the boys.
-Playing football (or soccer)
I had tons of fun!!!!!! Although I am not very good, the boys put up with me and allowed me to play with them (some of them even tried to teach me:)- Thank you boys!!!! And, I was the cause of a few good wipeouts and I also had a few good falls (one of which resulted in a pair of jeans with a hole ripped in the knee!)-Getting to know the kids and letting them get to know me
While I was in Guatemala, many of the kids shared with me about their lives and also asked me about my life. It was really nice to be able to share with them and relate to them in some aspects and I found it encouraging to hear them tell their stories and to see how far they have come and how the have matured. Every time some one shared with me, I was so thankful that the kids had trusted me and that God had given me the opportunity to go to Guatemala and be a part of the lives of these kids. And I am thankful that they are now a part of my life:)
-The comments, compliments, and thank you cards that the kids said and gave to me
"I tell you my stories and I talk to you because you shared your story first. Now I know I can relate to you and I have trust in you."
"I never used to like math. I actually kind of hated it. Now, little by little I am starting to like it."
"You are different than all the other Americans who come. You actually do stuff with us and you care about us as a person. You are here to get to know us not just give us stuff. ¡And you drink our water!"
"You want to have an orphanage when you grow up? Seriously?!?!? I would come and live in your home!"
"I think that we are going to need to get cups to catch all the tears when you leave, so that the house does not get flooded." (I think this one was right- at least on my part!)
"Some times I did not listen to you. I am sorry for not obeying. Aunt Tess, I know that you are leaving tomorrow at 4 in the morning and I am going to be sad for you"
"Thank you for sharing with me about your life and for the way that you explained God to me. Thank you for teaching me math. I hope that you have a good trip and that you come back another day. Because I am going to miss you."
Thanks again for all your support. Please continue to pray for these kids and for all the people of Guatemala.
After being back for a month, I have had time to reflect on my trip. I am soooooo thankful that God allowed me to meet these kids and I pray for them daily that they may seek Him and continue to grow in his Word. I know that God has is working in the hearts of these children and that He was working through me while I was there. I am thankful of the "difference" that the children saw in me compared to other people and I am thankful for the opportunity to explain to the kids that this difference is that I have Christ in me and that he changed me:) All of the successes and the relationships that I have with the boys are none of my doing, but all come from God! Thank you for partnering with me in this endeavour, it would not have been possible without your support- ¡GRACIAS!
And, THANK YOU to the staff, the children, the church, and everyone in Guatemala for your hospitality and for giving me the opportunity to come live with you and get to know you!!!!!
Yo estaba en Guatemala por 30 días y ahora, ha sido 30 días desde que regresé a Puerto Rico.
Muchas gracias a todas las personas que oraron por mí y los niños de Guatemala, a todos los que donaron fondos y a aquellos que donaron ropa y otros artículos. Muchas gracias por su generosidad!
Me encantó el viaje a Guatemala. Tenía la oportunidad de vivir y experimentar una cultura nueva, familiarizarme con otro país, aprender el español de Guatemala (era casi como otro idioma- jajaja), y experimentar una forma de vivir que era más básico, y simple. Aunque me disfruté de todo esto, mi parte favorita fue conocer a los niños, escuchar sus historias, compartir con ellos acerca del evangelio, y yo espero que tenía la oportunidad de hacer una impresión verdadera en sus vidas (ya se que han impactado mi vida, y espero y oro que esto es mutuo :)
Algunos de mis mejores recuerdos son:
-Las palabras nuevas!bulla, guaqual, Pila, restregar trastos, hipil, helado, chévere (significa salchica), calidad, chillero, los disminuitivos y los aumentativos, y muchas otras! Los niños y yo nos reímos un montón sobre las diferencias entre las palabras y experssions :)
El agua-Guatemala el agua no es segura para beber. Entonces, en la casa, compran agua de la tienda para los visitantes y echan cloro al agua de la pluma para que los niños lo puedan tomar. Cuando llegué, todos insistieron en que yo bebía el agua de la tienda. Pero, yo había oído que se puede echar cloro al agua después de un huracán para purificarlo así que les dije que no me importaba, y ... Bebí el agua con cloro. Y no me enfermé:)- ¡La pila!¡Me encantó restregar trastos y lavar a mano la ropa en la pila ! Pensé que era calidad y no me faltaba un "fregedero real". Este estilo de vida me hizo dar cuenta de cuánto tengo viviendo en Puerto Rico. Cuando escucho a los estudiantes de la universidad quejarse de que solamente sale agua fría de los lavamanos (recuerda que aquí tiene 80 grados ¿por qué necesitamos agua caliente para lavar las manos?) yo pienso a mi misma que no saben cuanto suerte tienen porque hay 4 lavamanos con plumas en el baño.
-El estudio de la Biblia que hice con los jóvenesCuatro jóvenes (dos muchachas y dos muchachos) y yo hicimos un estudio Bíblico todos los días. Trabajamos una jornada que hacemos en mi grupo de jóvenes en Puerto Rico. Me gustó este tiempo mucho porque nos dio la oportunidad de conocernos mejor unos al otro y para estudiar la Palabra de Dios juntos. Yo oro por ellos que estén motivados y que sigan pasando tiempo en la Palabra todos los días. Una de las chicas, Lesly, terminó la jornada- yay!! Buen trabajo Lesly :)
-Juegos de mesaSiempre, los niños y yo jugábamos juegos de mesa! Con los más pequeños, jugamos la dama china, Old maid, Go Fish, uno, memoria, su propia versión de la ERS (o masacre!), Y lo siento (Sorry). Algunos de los niños les encantó jugar Sorry. Después de algunos juegos, di cuento que no soy buena en esa; ¡Siempre perdí! Sin embargo, me gustó mucho jugar con los niños pequeños. Los niños mayores y yo jugábamos diversos juegos de cartas -ERS (lo renombramos ¡masacre!) y conguien (no estoy seguro de la ortografía). También jugamos ajedrez y les enseñó a jugar Otelo.Siempre me gustó jugar juegos con ellos porque nos dio tiempo de relejarnos, divertirnos, bromear, y conocernos mejores uno al otro.
-Conocer a los niños y dejarles conocer a mi mismaMientras yo estaba en Guatemala, muchos de los chicos compartieron conmigo acerca de sus vidas y también me preguntaron sobre mi vida. Me gustó mucho compartir con ellos y relacionarme con ellos en algunos aspectos También, al escucharles y saber sus historias, podía ver como han crecidos y madurados a través de sus vidas. Cada vez que alguien compartió conmigo, yo estaba muy agradecido de que los niños habían confiado en mí y que Dios me había dado la oportunidad de ir a Guatemala y ser parte de sus vidas. También me alegro mucho porque ellos son parte de mi vida :)
-Los comentarios, complementos, y tarjetas de agradecimiento que los niños me dijeron y me dieron"Compartí mi historia de mi vida contigo porque compartiste conmigo primero. Ahora sé que puedo relacionarme contigo y confío en ti. "Nunca me gustaba las matemáticas. De verdad, la odiaba. Ahora, poco a poco estoy empezando a gustarla.""Tú eres diferente de todos los otros americanos que vienen. Tu haces cosas con nosotros y preocupas por nosotros como persona. Estás aquí para conocer a nosotros y no solamente para darnos nos cosas. ¡Y tomas nuestro agua!"
"Tú quieres tener un orfanato cuando seas grande? ¿¡¿¡¿En serio?!?!? Me encantaría vivir en su hogar!"Creo que vamos a necesitar usar vasos para coger todas las lágrimas cuando te vas, para que no se inunde la casa". (Creo que esto era la verdad- por lo menos de mi parte!)
"Algunas veces no te escuché. Lo siento por no escucharte. Tía Tess, yo sé que te vas mañana a las 4 y voy a estar triste por ti."
"Gracias por compartir conmigo acerca de tu vida y por la forma en que me explicaste de Dios . Gracias por haberme enseñado las matemáticas. Espero que tengas un buen viaje y que vuelvas otro día. Porque te voy a extrañar. "
Me gustaría darles gracias una vez más por todo su apoyo. Y pido que sigan orando para todos los niños y toda la gente de Guatemala. Bueno, hace un mes desde que volví a Puerto Rico y he tenido tiempo para reflexionar sobre mi viaje. Estoy tan agradecida a Dios porque me permitió conocer a estos niños y yo oro por ellos todos los días, que busquen a Dios y que sigan creciendo en su Palabra. Yo sé que Dios está trabajando en los corazónes de los niños y que Él estaba trabajando através de mi mientras estaba en Guatemala. Doy gracias que los niños vieron algo "diferente" en mi y que pude explicarles que esa diferencia es que tengo a Cristo en mi corazón y que Él me cambió:) Todos los éxitos y las relaciones que tengo con los niños no son de mi parte, pero todo es de Dios! Gracias por apoyarme en este esfuerzo, no hubiese sido posible sin su apoyo. ¡THANK YOU!Y MUCHISIMAS GRACIAS a los empleados, encargados, directores, niños, y la iglesia para dejarme ir a Guatemala y vivir con ustedes y conocerles! Era una experiencia inolvidable- muchas gracias:)Últimamente, estoy muy contenta y muy agradecida por la tecnología! El correo apena existe en Guatemala, y he mantenido el contacto con los niños allí por medio del teléfono y el facebook! Estoy muy agradecida por esto y oro que pueda seguir siendo una parte de la vida de estos niños, aunque no estoy allí. Espero que pueda volver a Guatemala Guatemala! (y espero que esto sea pronto :)
miércoles, 11 de enero de 2012
Last day:( Mi ultimo día:(
Well, today was my last day. It involved some soccer (I kicked the ball and a kid completely wiped-out, my fault. But we all, the kid included, thought it was really funny:), playing cards, a little bit of work, and a lot of fun!
Then we had SPAGHETTI for lunch. It was Naomi's birthday (she is the other missionary here). Her sister is visiting her, so she made spaghetti and cupcakes. Then later we had another cake!!!!
Then after supper, they younger kids made me cards- so cute:) And I said goodbye to them (lots of tears).
Then it was off to youth group. We had a fun time and Edgar (20) and I played guitar together for the singing time!
Then it was time to say good bye to the older kids. They gave me a card and Angel gave me a note and a picture that he had colored, and Miguel gave me a story that he wrote (1/2 in English)- it was part of a bet that we had made- hahahaha! I think they are all going to go to the airport tomorrow morning, so I will get to see them again:)
Then we had SPAGHETTI for lunch. It was Naomi's birthday (she is the other missionary here). Her sister is visiting her, so she made spaghetti and cupcakes. Then later we had another cake!!!!
Then after supper, they younger kids made me cards- so cute:) And I said goodbye to them (lots of tears).
Then it was off to youth group. We had a fun time and Edgar (20) and I played guitar together for the singing time!
Then it was time to say good bye to the older kids. They gave me a card and Angel gave me a note and a picture that he had colored, and Miguel gave me a story that he wrote (1/2 in English)- it was part of a bet that we had made- hahahaha! I think they are all going to go to the airport tomorrow morning, so I will get to see them again:)
|
| Angel and I hand-washing the mop towel. As you can see, we had tons of fun cleaning:) jajajaja |
 |
| Gerber! |
 |
| The boys taught me how to play soccer. ¡Los niños me enseñaron jugar fútbol! |
 |
| The boys and I |
 |
| Me with Conchita- the youth group leader |
Pues, hoy fue mi último día. Jugamos fútbol (tiré la bola y un niño se cayó, mi culpa. Pero, todos nosotros, y el niño, pensábamos que era muy gracioso:), jugamos cartas, trabajamos un poquito, y nos divertimos un montón!
Comimos SPAGHETTI para almuerzo. Era el cumpleaños de Naomi (la otra misionera) y su hermana cocinó almuerzo. Comimos cupcakes, y después, comimos bizcocho otra vez!!!!!!
Después de la cena, los niños chiquitos hicieron cartas para mí- tan lindo:) Y, les despedí (con muchas lágrimas).
Después de esto, fuimos al grupo de jóvenes. Nos divertimos y Edgar (20) y yo tocamos guitarra para el tiempo de canciones!
Entonces, era tiempo para despedir a los niños grandes del hogar. Me dieron una carta y Angel me dio una nota y un dibujo suyo, y Miguel me dio un cuento que había escrito (1/2 en inglés)- era parte de un pacto que hicimos-jajajaja! Creo que todos ellos van a aeropuerto mañana, entonces les veré una vez más:)
Suscribirse a:
Entradas (Atom)