Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Many Different Ministries...

The last two days have been awesome! We have been blessed with some really cool opportunities to serve. On Thursday Kyle and I packed bags and left the boat for the day. We decided to go and sit in a park in Fronteras with all of our “stuff”- a few puppets, balloons and beads. Before we knew it we were surrounded with children of all ages who were so excited to make a bracelet or get a balloon animal. They would watch Kyle intently as he made “perros” (dogs)- of course this is the only thing we know how to make out of balloons! The children were so grateful and quick to agree when we told them that Jesus loved them. They promised to remember, and in order to do so, made bracelets and necklaces with cross charms on them. A few even said that they were “Cristianos.” We were especially moved by a young girl who came up to us pushing a stroller. The girl was 8 and she had obviously been put in charge of caring for her 1 year old sister- their mother was at work, we learned. She acted like it was no big deal to care for a baby all day outside in the middle of the city! There was also a mother who brought her two daughters and just watched Kyle and I for about 45 minutes. Later she told us that she was a Christian and she thanked us for our service with a free lunch. (Many women in Guatemala cook food in the morning and then carry their tortillas and toppings around in a plastic bucket to sell during the day.) She was excited to serve us her onion tortillas with red sauce and salad, and she wouldn’t take any money from us... what a sweet blessing! Not only were we able to minister to the children in the park, but we were able to talk to many adults who were curious about our presence. It was so neat to walk through the town (after we had run completely out of supplies) and to spot children with their balloons, bubbles and jewelry knowing that we were able to share God’s love with them. Please pray for all of our new friends and their families... that our small ministry will make a large impact!
Later we walked to the Backpacker’s hotel where many travelers from all over the world come to rest their weary feet. We ate lunch at their restaurant that is run by the Casa Guatemala. The proceeds benefit the orphanage and the wait staff and cooks are all adolescents and volunteers from the Casa. This effort gives them work experience with the tourism industry. We took a “taxi boat” to the Casa and met many of the children and volunteers. We walked around in the rain and toured the entire facility. The Casa is completely self sufficient, with a farm and many livestock. We were guided through the dismal classrooms and living quarters and bombarded by curious children. On one occasion we came across a volunteer from the States who was sitting in the middle of a pile of rambunctious boys who were obviously starving for the attention. All of the volunteers obviously have incredible hearts for the children but it is obvious that they are overworked and rarely get a break! We hope to be able to encourage them during our time spent at the orphanage and will be praying about how to do so. The Casa schools about 250 kids each day and houses and feeds approximately 90 each night. We watched as children played inside and outside even in the rain and mud! They all wanted to know our names and if we were volunteers that would be with them for a few months. We had to say, “No, just for today” and they would look a little disappointed. We were rushed out of the Casa before our tour ended because we were about to miss the boat back down the river. However, we were glad that we were able to get a better feel for the orphanage in order to assess what parts of our ministry would be most effective here. Pray for wisdom in our planning. We will be returning soon.
After the Casa we got coffee at the backpackers hotel and ended up talking to six different people all about our age who had ended up there for many different reasons. Many were seeking adventure or volunteering at the Casa. Some were traveling as a break from school or backpacking around the country. It was so great to have the opportunity to get to know these people and to share our story with them. Pray for the backpackers as many seemed interested, curious and challenged by our testimony.
Today we were able to work with the Buchanan’s and the mission team from Maine at a medical clinic. Bryan picked us up on shore and we drove to a nearby village where children and adults were awaiting our arrival. Kids came out of their classrooms of the school building and cheered as we pulled up. School was going to be cancelled for the day due to the clinic! (The children were very excited :) We set up, Bryan assigned jobs, we prayed and then got started serving the village. My job was crowd control. I would line people up with their families and give them each a number. Then as the doctor saw them they would move through the progression of tables and receive the vitamins and medicine that the doctor had prescribed them. At the tables Kyle, the Goodrums and the team from Maine were handing out vitamins, giving doses of worm medicine, applying topical ointment and filling prescriptions for other meds. It was so much fun to meet the people and to entertain them while they were waiting. They were all so friendly and appreciative and excited to receive treatment. In this particular village there had been an outbreak of chicken pox, so many children lined up with sores from head to toe. A few of the children were scared because they thought that they were going to have to get a shot. Riechelle and I quickly calmed their fears. It was so much fun to practice Spanish today, especially with the children in line.
After the clinic we put on an informal puppet show and sang songs in English and in Spanish- I have Joy Down in My Heart, Jesus Loves Me, and He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands. Adults and children were mesmerized by the puppets and had a great time dancing and singing with us. We were able to tell them that we had come because Jesus loves them tremendously. To thank us for everything the village children sang three songs in their native tongue. It was such a blessing to be able to serve and love on these people, leaving them with better health and better spirit. Enjoy the pictures of the clinic on Photo page 2 on www.kyleandlorin.com!

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