Day two of our service here in Guatemala began with a trip to El Amor de Patricia which is an orphanage for babies and toddlers. We took suitcases full of Crocs, balls, sidewalk chalk, baby dolls, crayons, and other items. We also stopped at the grocery store before we went to buy items like formula, diapers, and other items for the babies. I think we almost bought out the store of the sizes of diapers we were buying. When we were looking for the formula, we were told we had to go to a counter and tell them how much we wanted because it was all locked up. The formula was fairly expensive (for Guatemala) so our guess was that many people had stolen formula because they could not afford to purchase it for their baby. With our carts overflowing, it was time to pack it in the bus and head out.
Once we arrived we began unloading the supplies. As we were putting the diapers away, the director was pretty excited because they had just ran out of the sizes we bought and when they had gone to buy diapers the last time, the store was out of the smaller sizes. Although no one really said it, I think we all probably agreed that we serve an amazing God who can lead us to supply needs that we don't even know about.
Then it was time to just hold and love on the little ones... I think we all fell in love with at least one of the kids. Even some of our younger kids were holding and playing with the kids. It was amazing to watch them having fun. After the children ate lunch, we took each child individually and fit them with new Crocs and let them pick out a baby doll. The smiles and joy on their faces was worth every penny it took to get here. We wrote their names on the back of their shoes and began realizing that these were probably the first shoes any of them could really call their own.
As much fun as our morning was, it was just the beginning. After we ate a wonderful lunch prepared by the orphanage, we loaded up a truck full of the supplies for the bunk beds, and loaded up our suitcases full of sheets for the beds, and other items for the children. Then it was off for what I think quickly became one of the best times so far on our trip.
The area we delivered our beds to was a place dear to one of our guides hearts. We went to help a lady named Abuela and her neighbors, many of whom were part of her family. This lady took in one of our guides after he had aged out of the orphanage and had no where else to go. Despite the fact she could hardly make it on her own and she was helping to take care of her 12 kids and 38 grandkids. When he returned a few weeks ago to tell her we were going to come help, she was very excited, and the others in the neighborhood were even more excited. It was such an exciting time to watch the families as we build the beds and then gave them to the children.
After we finished the beds, we gathered the children in one area and began handing out toys, shoes, and clothes. It was absolutely amazing to watch their families as we helped. You could tell they were overwhelmed with the love our team showed them. It was amazing how thankful they were even though we did not even come close to meeting all of their needs. In face, just in that area, we found out that they actually need at least 30 more beds. I would love to be able to come back and help deliver beds to those families as well. They are such a loving and caring group of people. It is amazing to me to watch over and over again how happy these families are who don't having anything... at least, they don't have what we tend to think we need to make us happy..... I love my "stuff", but I think maybe we could learn a little from the people we are serving.
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