Day 2 (Sunday): Time with the kids and each other

On our second day in Guatemala, we attended Fraternidad Cristiana, the largest church in the country. We were warmly greeted and enjoyed a great worship service. We were very thankful for the translation headphones so that we could better understand the music and sermon. Before returning to the children's home, we were able to eat at a Chili's restaurant in Guatemala City where one of the former children (Edgar, pictured below with Daniel and Kara) from the Home now works. He was an excellent waiter to our team!

In the afternoon, Kendon Wheeler, the director of the children's home, gave us a tour of the property and a very informative overview of all of the ministries of New Life Children's Home which include the home itself, a school of 400 pre-Kindergarten through 9th grade students, a special education program, a parents' school program, a medical clinic, and a dental clinic. We also spent the afternoon preparing for our work project which will begin tomorrow morning and preparing a gift bag for each teacher and staff member of the school to welcome them back when they return from their mid-year break tomorrow. The gift bags include a notebook, pen, markers, stickers, gum, hand sanitizer, and a few other small items. We hope that the teachers and staff will be blessed by this small token of appreciation for all of their hard work and ministry to their students each day.

This evening, we divided into smaller groups to eat dinner in each of the home units. There are four home units: Older boys, younger boys, older girls, and younger girls. We enjoyed having the opportunity to interact with the children and trying to communicate. Thankfully, hugs, smiles, and laughter needs no translation! Our dinner consisted of a plate of black beans, a tortilla, fried egg and a glass of water.

Jacob and Becca accompanied six teenagers from the home and five American interns to a Christian music concert at the church that we attended this morning. Becca reports that the church was packed -- it holds 11,000!

Here are a few pictures from the day:

Aaron preparing baked oatmeal for the team/intern breakfast.

Craig is ready for church.

Gail, Emily, Linda and Aaron enjoying the worship music in church and wearing their translation headphones.

Kara, Ethan and Daniel with Edgar mentioned in the description of the day

Due to the Argentina vs. Mexico World Cup game, the restaurant was extremely noisy with multiple televisions and a live announcer on microphone in the restaurant.  Ethan and Michelle (a three year old from the children's home) did not like all of the noise! 

Becca, Craig and Jacob.

The younger boys posing for a picture in their home unit after dinner.