Tired, but back home

Our team landed in Midland about 11 pm last night, and although we were all more than ready for bed, we each returned with grateful hearts for a very good week with one another and the staff and kids of NLCH.

Video of the Week

These boys, Kevin and Jorge, were enjoying playing on the new swings we built. I told them I wanted to take a picture, so they started acting as if they were combing their hair. It was so funny I asked them to do it again, and instead of the picture I took this video. The end is the best, when they're finally ready for the photo.


Prepping for a photo from First United Methodist Church on Vimeo.

Day 7 (Friday): Saying Goodbye

Our last full day at the children's home was a busy day! We finished our work projects of two large wooden swings, portable steps for the school auditorium, painting the security guards' building, and maintenance work on one of the playgrounds. Gail saw 15 or more patients in the clinic this afternoon  which culminated with a young couple who are expecting their first child and just wanted to make sure everything is okay. A highlight was being able to reassure them that the baby is healthy and allow them to hear the heartbeat for the first time.

Jacob was invited to join in with a girls' basketball team during gym class at the school which was a highlight for both him and all of the girls!

This evening we were treated to a delicious dinner of tostadas with guacamole, black beans (of course!) and salsa. We had a frozen, chocolate covered banana for dessert -- the highlight of the day for Ethan! After dinner, the directors of the Home showed a slideshow of photos of our team engaged in various activities with the children from the past week. Then we enjoyed a dance by some of the younger children, a solo by one of the teenage girls and thank you messages from some of the children. At the end of this time together, the children all surrounded us and prayed for us. We were very touched by their love and kindness. Many of these children have unimaginable pasts full of pain and incredible heartache, and yet they radiate contagious joy and ministered to us this evening with the love of Christ.

Some of the children trying out the swing

Gail and Randy

Linda, Nancy and Aaron

Emily and Arlette

Jacob and Kevin

Craig and Brenda

Becca and Julia

Kara and Estela

Praying for Linda and Aaron

The dance by the younger children

Ethan enjoying the chocolate banana

A Few More Photos

Day 6 (Thursday): A Day in Antigua and Evening with the Kids

We left early this morning for a day in Antigua, an hour's drive from the children's home. We enjoyed a great breakfast in a hotel converted from ruins of a 15th century monastery. Then we were able to learn about an essential part of Guatemala's economy in its coffee production as we visited a coffee plantation. Then after a lunch at the signature Guatemalan fast food place, Pollo Campero, some of us enjoyed the tourist market (others of us sat on benches in the tourist market- see Aaron's picture below).

After returning from Antigua, we shared devotions in the kids' houses at dinner. Linda said that this was one of the highlights of her week, as she shared about her own life with the younger girls and they enjoyed being with her.

Tomorrow we will wrap up our work projects and spend another evening with the kids.

Becca in a tropical pose at the coffee plantation.

Michelle at the coffee plantation.

Tourist shopping isn't for everyone. Aaron looked like a few of us felt.

Craig has made good use of his Spanish-English dictionary.

NLCH directors Kendon & Wendy Wheeler with Michelle

Day 5 (Wednesday): A National Holiday

Today was a national holiday in Guatemala, Army Day, and therefore the kids were out of school and our team's schedule was different than usual. The majority of our team was able to take some of the kids on a special outing this morning to see Toy Story 3 at the local theater- the only catch was that the movie was in Spanish with no subtitles. Apparently they were able to understand something of the plot anyway, and the kids sure enjoyed it.

During the rest of the day, some of the team continued work projects while others spent time with the kids during their day off from school, helping make cards for their sponsors. Aaron, Craig, Linda, and Jacob put the finishing touches on our swings, and began building portable stairs for the school's stage.

This evening the team ate in the kids' houses, which are divided into younger boys, older boys, younger girls and older girls, and there was good time for playing with the kids after eating dinner.

The Harrises had a special treat tonight as we were invited to eat dinner with friends who live in the local neighborhood and serve on the NLCH staff. Elmer, Sara, and their three boys honored us by inviting us into their home and making a delicious dinner of taquitos and fried plantains with cream. 

Tomorrow the kids are back in school, and our team will spend the majority of the day in Antigua before returning for an evening of sharing dinner and devotions (and playing, of course) with the kids.

Ethan making friends with Salomón (whom he calls "Mon")

Elmer, Sara, and their three sons

Sammy, Daniel, and Adolfo making "caras locas"

Day 4 (Tuesday): Work Continues

Our team was involved in a variety of things today, including finishing work projects, helping the kids get an early start on writing cards to their sponsors, and enjoying being with the kids.

At the end of the day, the kids got a special treat of dinner from McDonald's. Having hamburgers and french fries was a big deal for them, and they loved it!

Tomorrow is Army Day (a national holiday), so the kids are out of school. We'll continue with work projects, but also have extra time with the kids.

Jacob and Becca helping to paint inside the guard shack

Emily and Becca spent the morning helping with some of the young kids while the home mothers were in a meeting. Here they are with Melvin, one of the youngest boys at the home.

Aaron, Craig, and Daniel proudly enjoying one of their finished swings

We've enjoyed our lush surroundings.

Not sure what to say about this one... You'll have ask Linda and Gail.