So we are all packed and ready to go. One last thing on our agenda....hold babies. We are going over to Hannah's Hope one last time to love on these precious little kids. Please pray for safe travels by minibus, plane, and car. We look forward to seeing you all soon.
Adios Amigos!!
Karen
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Last Day
Just a note, I did two posts today so make sure you check all the pics we uploaded.
We can't believe that we are heading home tomorrow. I think we all have mixed emotions about leaving Guatemala. Some don't want to go back to school, some can't wait to see their son, some can't wait to have a nice hot shower, some feel guilty for being able to be leave the poverty, some would love to bring about 10 kids along home, some think their families are the right size, but we all agree that the trip was well worth it and would do it all over again. I know none of us will soon forget the sights, smells, and especially the people we have seen in Guatemala.
Today was a very relaxing day. We headed for Antigua this morning. Our mission.....find souvenirs. We were successful and everyone left happy which says alot since we had two men and 4 kids with us. Antigua is an old town with lots of character. The streets are cobblestone and the buildings look worn. It was interesting just walking the streets.
We headed back to the city and met about 10 kids from Hannah's Hope at the city zoo. They ranged in age from 2-9. We had a lot of fun with them. I am sorry we can't post pics of this...we got alot of adorable shots, but we can't post their pics if they are in the adoption process and we don't know which kids are or aren't. After the zoo we headed back to the guest house and we made supper for the kids and their 3 caretakers or Special Mothers. We were to make them a typical American meal but we went Italian instead. We had spaghetti, garlic bread, and Rice Krispy treats. They loved the meal. It actually did taste good to me to have a home cooked meal again. We watched a movie, in Spanish with them and ate popcorn and then they were off to bed. They are all so sweet and we got lots of hugs and Gracias from them. It is so hard as a parent to imagine giving up such sweet kids but things are so different down here that I think for alot of these kids they are better off here. If it were easy I think we would fill up the whole plane and bring them with us.
So I guess this trip is winding down. Thanks for "traveling" with us. I know we learned alot and hopefully through "traveling" with us you have also felt led to show compassion to those that are not as blessed as us. This trip has been humbling for me when I think how much I take for granted and how discontent I can be when so many aren't even able to meet basic needs. So I hope that I remember to be grateful and that I will continue to reach out to those in need. I certainly don't need to travel to another country, or county, or even town to find someone in need.
We hope to see you soon and we can't wait to tell you more about our trip.
Blessings,
Karen
We can't believe that we are heading home tomorrow. I think we all have mixed emotions about leaving Guatemala. Some don't want to go back to school, some can't wait to see their son, some can't wait to have a nice hot shower, some feel guilty for being able to be leave the poverty, some would love to bring about 10 kids along home, some think their families are the right size, but we all agree that the trip was well worth it and would do it all over again. I know none of us will soon forget the sights, smells, and especially the people we have seen in Guatemala.
Today was a very relaxing day. We headed for Antigua this morning. Our mission.....find souvenirs. We were successful and everyone left happy which says alot since we had two men and 4 kids with us. Antigua is an old town with lots of character. The streets are cobblestone and the buildings look worn. It was interesting just walking the streets.
We headed back to the city and met about 10 kids from Hannah's Hope at the city zoo. They ranged in age from 2-9. We had a lot of fun with them. I am sorry we can't post pics of this...we got alot of adorable shots, but we can't post their pics if they are in the adoption process and we don't know which kids are or aren't. After the zoo we headed back to the guest house and we made supper for the kids and their 3 caretakers or Special Mothers. We were to make them a typical American meal but we went Italian instead. We had spaghetti, garlic bread, and Rice Krispy treats. They loved the meal. It actually did taste good to me to have a home cooked meal again. We watched a movie, in Spanish with them and ate popcorn and then they were off to bed. They are all so sweet and we got lots of hugs and Gracias from them. It is so hard as a parent to imagine giving up such sweet kids but things are so different down here that I think for alot of these kids they are better off here. If it were easy I think we would fill up the whole plane and bring them with us.
So I guess this trip is winding down. Thanks for "traveling" with us. I know we learned alot and hopefully through "traveling" with us you have also felt led to show compassion to those that are not as blessed as us. This trip has been humbling for me when I think how much I take for granted and how discontent I can be when so many aren't even able to meet basic needs. So I hope that I remember to be grateful and that I will continue to reach out to those in need. I certainly don't need to travel to another country, or county, or even town to find someone in need.
We hope to see you soon and we can't wait to tell you more about our trip.
Blessings,
Karen
Pictures...finally on our last day
Waiting to check into for our flight out of BWI. We had around 30 pieces of luggage we took with us.
Baby Isabella....we are in love.
We are standing on a hill looking into the city dump. The stench was unbearable. If you look close you can see people picking through the trash.
The city cemetery. The poor had just a slot while the rich had huge monuments just for 1 person.
Again, the shortage of beds led to kids napping on the floor.
This is Katherine and she stole my heart as soon as I picked her up. She wrapped her arms around me and would not stop hugging me. I could've held her all day.
There are not enough beds at Mama Carmen's so the kids are tied into high chairs to nap.
This is one of my favorite pics from our trip. This kid did not stop smiling the whole time Lane was giving him a shoulder ride.
Two of many adorable faces we saw in Guatemala.
These are some of the older girls from the AIDS Hospice Orphanage.
This is the ghetto where our leader Ashlee lives. There are numerous ghettos around the city.
It is very normal to see military and guards carrying sawed off shotguns. It was quite unsettling to see.
Our friend at Hannah's Hope. We got her a shirt to match Makenzie which she thought was pretty cool.
One of the many homes we saw on our travels.
We saw a lot of women carrying their things on their heads. I don't know how they do this.
Our transportation back to the mudslide kids.
The women doing their laundry in the lake with special minerals found in the water.
Playing ball with the mudslide kids.
Temporary housing the government gave these families after they lost everything in the mudslide.
Eating lunch with 10 of the mudslide kids.
This family opened up their home and cooked us a fabulous meal despite the kitchen they have in their house.
This is the family that lost their home in the mudslide.
The city dump.
All of us with Elmer and Dervin, on the left, in his new outfit.
Meet 2 week old baby Andreas...who Karen would love to bring home.
Monday, December 1, 2008
A Dumpy Kind of Day
It is hard to believe that we have been in Guatemala for 1 week already. We have had a lifetime of experiences since we have been here. The girls are already planning our next trip to Guatemala.
Our original plans for today went totally out the window and we went to plan b. Of course in Guatemala that is the norm. We have all learned not to count on anything until you are actually doing it. This seems to be the Guatemalan way.
So today we headed to the city dump. We took along the rest of the hygiene packs and we made packs up of black beans, rice, and soup mix. We also took along some of our clothes that we wanted to leave here. The people we handed these things out to actually live in the dump. It is estimated that 1000 people call the dump home. One of the most shocking things is that the once you are in the dump it doesn't really smell that bad. It actually smelled worse before we got into the dump. They have tin houses and they go through the trash that is brought in and salvage whatever they can. They sell what they can and the rest they keep. Most of the food that they eat is what they find in the trash. It was truly an unbelievable sight to think that people live like this. Words can not even describe the feelings we had being able to experience this and possibly help them in some small way. As we were leaving I asked an older lady if we could have our picture taken together. She agreed and I thought I should put my arm around her but she was so dirty! I put my arm around her and she just hugged me and laid her head on my shoulder and said "Gracias" several times. I had to think to myself that I may never know what putting my arm around her did for her as I am sure there are very few people who are willing to touch them. It was a very humbling act for me. We have absolutely nothing to complain about and it is only by God's grace that we were born to the life we have. It is definitely not becasuse we are more deserving. We are so blessed and to think that the majority of the world lives in poverty. Ashlee had taken 2 guys, Dervin and Elmer, along to help since they know the language and the people that live in the dump recognize them and trust them. Dervin and Elmer live in the ghetto and are neighbors to Ashlee. When we were finished at the dump we were able to take Dervin, 14, shopping to buy him a couple of shirts and a new pair of pants. These were the first pieces of new clothes he has ever had. When Ashlee told him why we were at the mall his smile was priceless. He was so proud of his clothes that he wanted us to take his picture and he just couldn't stop smiling. He was very appreciative. We all agreed that it was a toss up as to which day was more fun...the dump or the mud slide kids. I think these 2 places we really felt like we were making a difference in a small way.
Late this afternoon we headed out to Fundaninos which is the first orphanage that Orphan Resources started helping. We got to hold some babies. I even was able to feed a 2 week old baby boy his bottle. I am in love! Matt and Lane played some football or soccer with the older boys. Our time there was very limited since we had spent more time at the dump then we had planned.
For supper tonight we met the staff of ORI at a pizza place and ate with them. There are currently four families on staff down here for ORI. Harvey Burkholders, no relation, The Freids, Randy Weavers, and Charlie Weavers. It was nice to learn a little what ORI does and also connect with some fellow Americans. I actually knew two of the families so it was nice to see them again.
We are looking forward to our last full day here tomorrow. It is a full day and we want to make the most of it. So goodnight and I will see you tomorrow.
Karen
Our original plans for today went totally out the window and we went to plan b. Of course in Guatemala that is the norm. We have all learned not to count on anything until you are actually doing it. This seems to be the Guatemalan way.
So today we headed to the city dump. We took along the rest of the hygiene packs and we made packs up of black beans, rice, and soup mix. We also took along some of our clothes that we wanted to leave here. The people we handed these things out to actually live in the dump. It is estimated that 1000 people call the dump home. One of the most shocking things is that the once you are in the dump it doesn't really smell that bad. It actually smelled worse before we got into the dump. They have tin houses and they go through the trash that is brought in and salvage whatever they can. They sell what they can and the rest they keep. Most of the food that they eat is what they find in the trash. It was truly an unbelievable sight to think that people live like this. Words can not even describe the feelings we had being able to experience this and possibly help them in some small way. As we were leaving I asked an older lady if we could have our picture taken together. She agreed and I thought I should put my arm around her but she was so dirty! I put my arm around her and she just hugged me and laid her head on my shoulder and said "Gracias" several times. I had to think to myself that I may never know what putting my arm around her did for her as I am sure there are very few people who are willing to touch them. It was a very humbling act for me. We have absolutely nothing to complain about and it is only by God's grace that we were born to the life we have. It is definitely not becasuse we are more deserving. We are so blessed and to think that the majority of the world lives in poverty. Ashlee had taken 2 guys, Dervin and Elmer, along to help since they know the language and the people that live in the dump recognize them and trust them. Dervin and Elmer live in the ghetto and are neighbors to Ashlee. When we were finished at the dump we were able to take Dervin, 14, shopping to buy him a couple of shirts and a new pair of pants. These were the first pieces of new clothes he has ever had. When Ashlee told him why we were at the mall his smile was priceless. He was so proud of his clothes that he wanted us to take his picture and he just couldn't stop smiling. He was very appreciative. We all agreed that it was a toss up as to which day was more fun...the dump or the mud slide kids. I think these 2 places we really felt like we were making a difference in a small way.
Late this afternoon we headed out to Fundaninos which is the first orphanage that Orphan Resources started helping. We got to hold some babies. I even was able to feed a 2 week old baby boy his bottle. I am in love! Matt and Lane played some football or soccer with the older boys. Our time there was very limited since we had spent more time at the dump then we had planned.
For supper tonight we met the staff of ORI at a pizza place and ate with them. There are currently four families on staff down here for ORI. Harvey Burkholders, no relation, The Freids, Randy Weavers, and Charlie Weavers. It was nice to learn a little what ORI does and also connect with some fellow Americans. I actually knew two of the families so it was nice to see them again.
We are looking forward to our last full day here tomorrow. It is a full day and we want to make the most of it. So goodnight and I will see you tomorrow.
Karen
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