I went and saw a lawyer last week to make sure I am on the right track to get my permanent residency. The lawyer told me about two paths to acquire permanent residency.
Pathway 1: Be employed or be a missionary in Guatemala for 2 years as a temporary resident. Then apply for permanent residency.
Pathway 2: Have an income of a $1,000 from the states per month and work at a ministry. When I have my paperwork ready, I can turn it in and be a resident as quickly as 4 months.
When the lawyer was telling me about the first option, my heart sank. I can't imagine not starting the adoption process for 2 more years. This brought up a lot of concerns about Miguel staying at the orphanage for longer. He already shows the common signs of living without a family.
Then she began sharing about choice number 2. I had already heard a lot about this option from other missionaries, but it didn't seem to work with my plans to adopt. The lawyer cleared that issue up. Both paths lead to permanent residency. The catch is that I have to show proof that I have an income from the states of $1,000 per month. Well, I don't have that kind of monthly support so my heart sank. Then she gave the following example: Let's say you have a house in the states and you rent it out. That is considered income that will satisfy this stipulation.
Wow....wait a minute. I looked at a friend that went to the lawyer with me and said, "This is how I'm going to do this." This is my loop whole inside of the loop whole! The last 8 months I have been wondering why I still have my house in the states. Why don't I just sale it? I now have an answer. My house is going to help me adopt. The Lord new what you was doing 5 years ago when I bought the house. Our God is so amazing to plant the seed in one season so we can reap the harvest when it is time. I now know what a victory in Jesus feels like!
This is one of the first steps in my journey in faith to adopt. I believe walking in faith is taking steps with the Lord by your side. Sometimes the Lord says yes and you to walk straight ahead, sometimes he asks you to stop walking and wait, and sometimes the Lord tells you to take a different path. This time the Lord gave me an open door to continue on in acquiring permanent residency.
The Lord has bombarded me with faith verses this morning as I read Proverbs 16.
Proverbs 16:3 "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
Proverbs 16:9 "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."
Proverbs 16:33 "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord."
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Pondering the Impossible
I haven't written in a while because frankly I don't know where to begin. My most urgent thoughts aren't about my current jobs here or how I can better serve the children. For the last month, I have been pondering how I can adopt a child from Guatemala.
When I came down here on my second trip to the orphanage a little boy made his way into my heart. As I held this screaming child that was always restless and never satisfied, I realized that he was trying to attach to me. You are allowed to think I'm weird, but I don't doubt what I felt that day. This is the type of bonding that happens between a mother and child in the early months of the child's life. To be honest, this child was a huge reason of why I moved to Guatemala.
After a year of preparing to come to Guatemala and being in the country for 8 months the issue of adopting this child has come up in my mind full force. The same week the children from UAE (story is below) left my care I discovered a loop hole in the adoption process.
Let me back up just a step to explain why I need a loop hole. First of all only Guatemalan's can adopt Guatemalan's. The other issue important to know is you canNOT adopt children that you work with in orphan care. Don't ask me the logic, but it is the law.
The loop whole I discovered was that if I become a permanent resident of Guatemala I can then adopt. I am a month and a half into researching how to do this but right now it seems it will be a lot of paperwork, time, headache, and money. After I become a permanent resident, I can start the adoption process which will be more paperwork, a home-study, more time, money, and more unforeseen events that will cause me to rely on the Lord. Lastly I will have to have my child legally adopted into the States which is more of the same stuff listed above. I said it was a loop hole not a short cut.
Since I have moved to CB, my prayer has been for this child to be adopted into a family. Of course, I want this little boy in my family, but I felt this was the way I should pray. Logically I know the odds of adopting this child are against me. Regardless, I plan to take this process step by step to follow what I feel is God's will. I am continuously praying for God to guide me and stop me when I step incorrectly. I believe God is faithful. This weekend I have been praying this verse over this situation "I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." ~Revelations 3:8
When I came down here on my second trip to the orphanage a little boy made his way into my heart. As I held this screaming child that was always restless and never satisfied, I realized that he was trying to attach to me. You are allowed to think I'm weird, but I don't doubt what I felt that day. This is the type of bonding that happens between a mother and child in the early months of the child's life. To be honest, this child was a huge reason of why I moved to Guatemala.
After a year of preparing to come to Guatemala and being in the country for 8 months the issue of adopting this child has come up in my mind full force. The same week the children from UAE (story is below) left my care I discovered a loop hole in the adoption process.
Let me back up just a step to explain why I need a loop hole. First of all only Guatemalan's can adopt Guatemalan's. The other issue important to know is you canNOT adopt children that you work with in orphan care. Don't ask me the logic, but it is the law.
The loop whole I discovered was that if I become a permanent resident of Guatemala I can then adopt. I am a month and a half into researching how to do this but right now it seems it will be a lot of paperwork, time, headache, and money. After I become a permanent resident, I can start the adoption process which will be more paperwork, a home-study, more time, money, and more unforeseen events that will cause me to rely on the Lord. Lastly I will have to have my child legally adopted into the States which is more of the same stuff listed above. I said it was a loop hole not a short cut.
Since I have moved to CB, my prayer has been for this child to be adopted into a family. Of course, I want this little boy in my family, but I felt this was the way I should pray. Logically I know the odds of adopting this child are against me. Regardless, I plan to take this process step by step to follow what I feel is God's will. I am continuously praying for God to guide me and stop me when I step incorrectly. I believe God is faithful. This weekend I have been praying this verse over this situation "I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." ~Revelations 3:8
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
A Time For Everything
Ecclesiastes 3 rang true today. At different times throughout the day I thought about this verse and it wasn't until the end of the day that I understood why it kept popping into my head.
I have been a full-time nanny to two kids from an English speaking country. I can't share the details of why they are here but it isn't an accident that they are here. Today we went to the Child Protective Services office for them to have a meeting with a diplomat from their country's embassy.
Our day began at 5:00 with me literally pulling the boy out of bed. The little girl was having stomach pains, so I had to talk her out of the bathroom when transportation arrived. When we finally got in the van, we (CB) shuttled around some kids and staff to various parts of the city for them to complete their days work. Then we were dropped off on the side of the road in front of a large business building.
Let me just pause the story to say....it is amazing to me that the orphanage considers me to be a person that knows enough Spanish to take these non Spanish speaking children to meet with a foreign diplomat in the city into a building we don't know. I don't think this was a wise decision because I know how much I still struggle with Spanish. You should also know we survived, so I guess it was ok that they allowed me to be in-charge for this meeting.
Continuing story...We sat around the lobby of the building playing UNO and eating Cheerios for a hour and a half. The children saw a person that looked like the diplomat we were there to meet walk into the lobby and said, "is that who wants to talk to us." Yes, it was the guy. He asked to speak to the kids privately and then the fun started. After some time, the man asked to speak with me privately and told me that he was in the country to have a Guatemalan judge sign over legal guardianship to him. After that he planned to take them back to their homeland. This lead me to a serious of questions about his plan of action including: Who would care for them at home? What did there mom want? Remember mom is in jail in Guatemala.
He informed me that dad would take care of them. Uh, What? I was told dad was died. The diplomat said while laughing, "Oh no, he is very much alive and is very willing to care for his children". Well that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy (Sarcastic). Lets pack up the kids and send them off to live with the formerly dead dad. After talking to the kids about this, I learned they haven't seen their dad for 3 years. I never got a straight answer from anyone of why CB was told the dad was dead. Red Flag! This new information made me want to ask the now un-dead father a lot of questions like: Why aren't YOU in Guatemala getting your kids? Why haven't these kids seen you in 3 years?
When I looked at my kids in one of several private meeting with the diplomat and lots of other adults standing in a circle around them, they looked traumatized. I interrupted and had them come out of the room, sit with me, and talk about the situation. Tears rolled down their checks and they were admit about staying in Guatemala and not leaving the country with the diplomat.
In an earlier private meeting the diplomat had with me, he asked me to talk the kids into leaving with him. He realized the children trusted me and listed off all the reasons why returning to their homeland was better than their current life at CB. Unfortunately for him, I was no help to him. His plan didn't seem like a better life for them. I know what these kids do each day because I am living it with them. They are learning about Christ, playing soccer, playing in the band, and they are safe.
After about two hours of private meeting, we were ushered into a van and on our way to the courthouse. In the van, the kids unloaded their emotions on me and asked me a bunch of questions I couldn't answer. I just reminded them that God had this all under control and things would end up just the way he had planned.
After waiting a bit for the judge, all of us adults and my two kids sat in a small room for a herring. The kids were crying because it seemed they would be returning home with a stranger, not their mom. The judge called for a break and I fought for the kids to be able to call their mom. They needed to hear what she wanted and I told the judge this fact. The next hour was spent with the judge, the diplomat, and the kids taking turns talking to the mom on the phone.
Then a new court time was set for 2:30 that afternoon. Luckily, CB's social worker had arrived at the court during the hour long conversation with mom so I had another ear to fill with this craziness. He didn't have any answers but he had a car that took us to McDonalds. It was good for all of us to have a chance to process this unexpected turn of events and to laugh for a bit.
When we returned for court, the diplomat and the judge met for about an hour before the children were told there worst thoughts would come true. This man had custody of them and they would be going with him tonight. Tomorrow they would visit their mother at the jail for the last time and would return home in the afternoon. All three of us sobbed for a few minutes and then got in the van with our social worker friend to return to CB.
The kids continued to ask me questions about the future on the ride home from court that I couldn't answer. The little boy told me with tears running down his cheek that he was praying to God that something would happen so they could stay at CB. We began packing their things when we returned to CB. The kids asked me several times to pack more slowly so they would have more time at CB. When their luggage and book-bags I packed for them were in the car, I prayed for them, put them in a car, and watched them leave.
This is the first time I have had to do this part of caring for kids in this capacity. It hurts. It is so easy to fall in love with kids, and I know the Lord placed these kids in my care. I am honored that God allowed me to teach them about him. I appreciate the Lord being so kind to me to give me these kids for this short time of their lives.
Today I had no idea that God would take them away (Ecclesiastes 3) from me which reminds me to use the time the Lord gives you wisely. People talk about living each day as their last, but it is easier for me to think about making the most out of every opportunity God gives me. I am in my life circumstances and you are in your life circumstances because God allowed it. You never know when the opportunity to share the gospel with someone will be taken from you. Today is the day to tell them about Christ, because you may not be able to share it with them tomorrow.
I have been a full-time nanny to two kids from an English speaking country. I can't share the details of why they are here but it isn't an accident that they are here. Today we went to the Child Protective Services office for them to have a meeting with a diplomat from their country's embassy.
Our day began at 5:00 with me literally pulling the boy out of bed. The little girl was having stomach pains, so I had to talk her out of the bathroom when transportation arrived. When we finally got in the van, we (CB) shuttled around some kids and staff to various parts of the city for them to complete their days work. Then we were dropped off on the side of the road in front of a large business building.
Let me just pause the story to say....it is amazing to me that the orphanage considers me to be a person that knows enough Spanish to take these non Spanish speaking children to meet with a foreign diplomat in the city into a building we don't know. I don't think this was a wise decision because I know how much I still struggle with Spanish. You should also know we survived, so I guess it was ok that they allowed me to be in-charge for this meeting.
Continuing story...We sat around the lobby of the building playing UNO and eating Cheerios for a hour and a half. The children saw a person that looked like the diplomat we were there to meet walk into the lobby and said, "is that who wants to talk to us." Yes, it was the guy. He asked to speak to the kids privately and then the fun started. After some time, the man asked to speak with me privately and told me that he was in the country to have a Guatemalan judge sign over legal guardianship to him. After that he planned to take them back to their homeland. This lead me to a serious of questions about his plan of action including: Who would care for them at home? What did there mom want? Remember mom is in jail in Guatemala.
He informed me that dad would take care of them. Uh, What? I was told dad was died. The diplomat said while laughing, "Oh no, he is very much alive and is very willing to care for his children". Well that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy (Sarcastic). Lets pack up the kids and send them off to live with the formerly dead dad. After talking to the kids about this, I learned they haven't seen their dad for 3 years. I never got a straight answer from anyone of why CB was told the dad was dead. Red Flag! This new information made me want to ask the now un-dead father a lot of questions like: Why aren't YOU in Guatemala getting your kids? Why haven't these kids seen you in 3 years?
When I looked at my kids in one of several private meeting with the diplomat and lots of other adults standing in a circle around them, they looked traumatized. I interrupted and had them come out of the room, sit with me, and talk about the situation. Tears rolled down their checks and they were admit about staying in Guatemala and not leaving the country with the diplomat.
In an earlier private meeting the diplomat had with me, he asked me to talk the kids into leaving with him. He realized the children trusted me and listed off all the reasons why returning to their homeland was better than their current life at CB. Unfortunately for him, I was no help to him. His plan didn't seem like a better life for them. I know what these kids do each day because I am living it with them. They are learning about Christ, playing soccer, playing in the band, and they are safe.
After about two hours of private meeting, we were ushered into a van and on our way to the courthouse. In the van, the kids unloaded their emotions on me and asked me a bunch of questions I couldn't answer. I just reminded them that God had this all under control and things would end up just the way he had planned.
After waiting a bit for the judge, all of us adults and my two kids sat in a small room for a herring. The kids were crying because it seemed they would be returning home with a stranger, not their mom. The judge called for a break and I fought for the kids to be able to call their mom. They needed to hear what she wanted and I told the judge this fact. The next hour was spent with the judge, the diplomat, and the kids taking turns talking to the mom on the phone.
Then a new court time was set for 2:30 that afternoon. Luckily, CB's social worker had arrived at the court during the hour long conversation with mom so I had another ear to fill with this craziness. He didn't have any answers but he had a car that took us to McDonalds. It was good for all of us to have a chance to process this unexpected turn of events and to laugh for a bit.
When we returned for court, the diplomat and the judge met for about an hour before the children were told there worst thoughts would come true. This man had custody of them and they would be going with him tonight. Tomorrow they would visit their mother at the jail for the last time and would return home in the afternoon. All three of us sobbed for a few minutes and then got in the van with our social worker friend to return to CB.
The kids continued to ask me questions about the future on the ride home from court that I couldn't answer. The little boy told me with tears running down his cheek that he was praying to God that something would happen so they could stay at CB. We began packing their things when we returned to CB. The kids asked me several times to pack more slowly so they would have more time at CB. When their luggage and book-bags I packed for them were in the car, I prayed for them, put them in a car, and watched them leave.
This is the first time I have had to do this part of caring for kids in this capacity. It hurts. It is so easy to fall in love with kids, and I know the Lord placed these kids in my care. I am honored that God allowed me to teach them about him. I appreciate the Lord being so kind to me to give me these kids for this short time of their lives.
Today I had no idea that God would take them away (Ecclesiastes 3) from me which reminds me to use the time the Lord gives you wisely. People talk about living each day as their last, but it is easier for me to think about making the most out of every opportunity God gives me. I am in my life circumstances and you are in your life circumstances because God allowed it. You never know when the opportunity to share the gospel with someone will be taken from you. Today is the day to tell them about Christ, because you may not be able to share it with them tomorrow.
 |
| Praying for the kids before they left. |
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Creatures of the Night
My house is known for having bats living in the ceiling. Friday nights when we are all eating popcorn and watching movies it is normal to see a bat swoop in to perch in its home inside our ceiling. Since I have been here, we have all joked that the bats are the houses pets.
This week we have had 2 bats fall from the ceiling. When this happens, the normal protocol is for one of the teenage girls to grab a broom and they push it outside. Typically one of the boys playing outside our home kills it. The older boys home came to our house yesterday to climb into the ceiling and exterminate. The boys couldn't find the bats, but we could still hear them screeching.They plan to continue there search Monday.
Last night while all the girls were eating dinner, my two kids were sitting in the living room. Neither one of them have fully recovered from being sick last week, so I didn't want to torture them by making them sit at the dinner table. I was standing in the doorway between the kitchen and living room when I heard my kids screaming. I looked to find another bat flopping around on the floor. This was our third bat to fly down from the ceiling this week!
As normal, the older girls stood up from the table and grabbed a broom. All 16 kids were crowding into the living room to survey the situation as Collin, the house-dad, and I were trying to get the kids away from the bat. One of the girls decided to try to step on the bat and then pick it up. As all the adults were yelling for her not to do this, the bat bit her. Of course, that was our fear and now we had a huge problem on our hands. What if she contracted rabies from this bat?
The adults in the house sprang into action. Collin captured the bat and I called the nurse practitioner contact I have here in Guatemala. A lot of the missionaries literally began running around campus to get a vehicle, get a driver, get directions to the hospital, grab her medical history paper work. Others of us called the director to get permission to take her, get keys for the van, put the dead bat in a bag, and packed a bag for a potentially long night at the emergency room. The houseparents rushed her to the emergency room and I watched the other 15 kids at the house.
At the hospital, they gave her the first out of three vaccine shots for rabies and something to stop the itching from moving up her arm. The doctor's orders at this point are to watch for any extreme changes in her mood. The house-parents and I laugh at this. When aren't teenagers moody? How will we ever be able to tell if it is the rabies talking or her age? :)
Today she seems to be fine. Our prayer is for the Lord to take the rabies out of her body if it was ever in her body.
This week we have had 2 bats fall from the ceiling. When this happens, the normal protocol is for one of the teenage girls to grab a broom and they push it outside. Typically one of the boys playing outside our home kills it. The older boys home came to our house yesterday to climb into the ceiling and exterminate. The boys couldn't find the bats, but we could still hear them screeching.They plan to continue there search Monday.
Last night while all the girls were eating dinner, my two kids were sitting in the living room. Neither one of them have fully recovered from being sick last week, so I didn't want to torture them by making them sit at the dinner table. I was standing in the doorway between the kitchen and living room when I heard my kids screaming. I looked to find another bat flopping around on the floor. This was our third bat to fly down from the ceiling this week!
As normal, the older girls stood up from the table and grabbed a broom. All 16 kids were crowding into the living room to survey the situation as Collin, the house-dad, and I were trying to get the kids away from the bat. One of the girls decided to try to step on the bat and then pick it up. As all the adults were yelling for her not to do this, the bat bit her. Of course, that was our fear and now we had a huge problem on our hands. What if she contracted rabies from this bat?
The adults in the house sprang into action. Collin captured the bat and I called the nurse practitioner contact I have here in Guatemala. A lot of the missionaries literally began running around campus to get a vehicle, get a driver, get directions to the hospital, grab her medical history paper work. Others of us called the director to get permission to take her, get keys for the van, put the dead bat in a bag, and packed a bag for a potentially long night at the emergency room. The houseparents rushed her to the emergency room and I watched the other 15 kids at the house.
 |
| The dead bat in the bag. |
At the hospital, they gave her the first out of three vaccine shots for rabies and something to stop the itching from moving up her arm. The doctor's orders at this point are to watch for any extreme changes in her mood. The house-parents and I laugh at this. When aren't teenagers moody? How will we ever be able to tell if it is the rabies talking or her age? :)
Today she seems to be fine. Our prayer is for the Lord to take the rabies out of her body if it was ever in her body.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Going to Jail
Today I went to jail with the two children I serve, so they could spend time with their mother. This is a weekly adventure but this is the first time I was able to go.
All morning the kids were begging me to go, because it can be a scary outing. We, the kids and I, didn't know who would go because all the qualified personnel on campus were busy. Unfortunately, I don't have the appropriate identification to accompany the kids.
While we were eating the french toast I made for breakfast we saw the van, their transportation, pull-up in the driveway. Immediately we were running around the house brushing teeth, putting on shoes, and I finished packing my purse just in-case I got the chance to go with them. The little girl wouldn't get ready. I couldn't get here to move, because she was to busy hounding me about who would go with them.
I ran to the office to see if they knew who would go. I was frantically trying to figure out who was going to accompany the kids. I had both secretaries on the phone trying to get answers when the assistant director came into view. He didn't know who would accompany the kids but he directed us to the director. The kids and I ended up running (literally) to the director to ask her. She immediately looked at me and said, "you."
We decided that my passport would serve as appropriate ID so in the van I went. This won't surprise you but the jail wasn't in the best part of town. I have to say I never felt in danger and I knew the Lord allowed me to go this week for one reason or another.
When we arrived at the jail, we walked past the living quarters and into a building with several offices. We stood on the second level, kind of like a balcony, waiting for their mom to arrive. The kids stared at the entrance below waiting for their mom to walk in the building. When she did, she quickly spotted her beautiful children and her eyes filled with tears. My breath caught and I struggled to hold back tears. I can't imagine living in her shoes. I can only imagine the thoughts and worries that go threw her head 24/7.
For the following hour, she held them and they never ceased talking. When there time was up, I made it clear to the authorities at the jail that even-though I spoke the same language as this family that I would not be the one to tell them it was time to leave. I just couldn't do it! The children's protective services employee informed my kids it was time to go. We all walked out of the main building slowly with mom and children crying, prolonging the inevitable. Once again, I can't imagine being their mom. I spoke with her psychologist for a bit while the mom and children were spending time together. The psychologist said the mother was heart broken being away from her children. Rightfully so!
After we exited the jail, the children recovered quickly and began focusing on what to order at McDonald's. People laugh when I say happy meals make me happy, but it seems to cheer-up other people as well. Maybe people think it's funny because I'm not ashamed to admit it. We needed a little ray of sunshine today and McDonalds was just the right thing for these kids. The kids and I had an adventure today, and praise the Lord he allowed us to do it together.
All morning the kids were begging me to go, because it can be a scary outing. We, the kids and I, didn't know who would go because all the qualified personnel on campus were busy. Unfortunately, I don't have the appropriate identification to accompany the kids.
While we were eating the french toast I made for breakfast we saw the van, their transportation, pull-up in the driveway. Immediately we were running around the house brushing teeth, putting on shoes, and I finished packing my purse just in-case I got the chance to go with them. The little girl wouldn't get ready. I couldn't get here to move, because she was to busy hounding me about who would go with them.
I ran to the office to see if they knew who would go. I was frantically trying to figure out who was going to accompany the kids. I had both secretaries on the phone trying to get answers when the assistant director came into view. He didn't know who would accompany the kids but he directed us to the director. The kids and I ended up running (literally) to the director to ask her. She immediately looked at me and said, "you."
We decided that my passport would serve as appropriate ID so in the van I went. This won't surprise you but the jail wasn't in the best part of town. I have to say I never felt in danger and I knew the Lord allowed me to go this week for one reason or another.
When we arrived at the jail, we walked past the living quarters and into a building with several offices. We stood on the second level, kind of like a balcony, waiting for their mom to arrive. The kids stared at the entrance below waiting for their mom to walk in the building. When she did, she quickly spotted her beautiful children and her eyes filled with tears. My breath caught and I struggled to hold back tears. I can't imagine living in her shoes. I can only imagine the thoughts and worries that go threw her head 24/7.
For the following hour, she held them and they never ceased talking. When there time was up, I made it clear to the authorities at the jail that even-though I spoke the same language as this family that I would not be the one to tell them it was time to leave. I just couldn't do it! The children's protective services employee informed my kids it was time to go. We all walked out of the main building slowly with mom and children crying, prolonging the inevitable. Once again, I can't imagine being their mom. I spoke with her psychologist for a bit while the mom and children were spending time together. The psychologist said the mother was heart broken being away from her children. Rightfully so!
After we exited the jail, the children recovered quickly and began focusing on what to order at McDonald's. People laugh when I say happy meals make me happy, but it seems to cheer-up other people as well. Maybe people think it's funny because I'm not ashamed to admit it. We needed a little ray of sunshine today and McDonalds was just the right thing for these kids. The kids and I had an adventure today, and praise the Lord he allowed us to do it together.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
My Welcome Back Party
I entered Guatemala without a hitch. With all my passport issues cleared up, I was ready to enjoy some time with the children from the United Arab Emirates that I serve. As soon as I arrived back on campus, my two kids were buzzing about the the previous week. We sat down with a basket of french fries I purchased at a nearby fast food joint and talked about the things we had missed out on in each others lives the previous week.
Afterwards we unpacked my bags filled with my personal teaching supplies, a much needed math curriculum for home-school, and gifts for my two kids. The one thing I was really excited to give the 11 year-old-boy was a study bible I bought for him. He loved it, and he has been reading it every chance he gets during school. I struggle to tell him to stop reading the bible to learn about reading, writing, and mathematics, so I can't say the State Department of Education would deem me as being an outstanding Teacher.
Just to remind you, I live in a house with 14 girls and typically teach home-school in this house. The house parents of the house needed to renew their passports, so they were in the states.The next day after my arrival to CB the reality of serving at an orphanage was flown in my face. One child stayed home from school, because she has been throwing-up all night. While I was cleaning up the mess of her adventures of being sick during the night and home-schooling my two kids. Two more girls came home from school because they weren't feeling well.
For the next four hours I juggled making sure the girls were hydrated, eating as much as possible, cleaning, and teaching. By the afternoon, the three girls and the 11 year-old-boy I home-school had fevers. They weren't getting better, and it was impossible to keep the medicine from being rejected by their bodies. Luckily, I had another adult's help in the afternoon. It was nice to have someone else to worry with me (yup, that is what we did-worried) about the kids' steady decline and to have another opinion of what to do.
Caring for the kids continues, but today the kids are on a steady climb to surviving a brutal sickness. I was welcomed back to CB the best way I could imagine. I was needed.
Afterwards we unpacked my bags filled with my personal teaching supplies, a much needed math curriculum for home-school, and gifts for my two kids. The one thing I was really excited to give the 11 year-old-boy was a study bible I bought for him. He loved it, and he has been reading it every chance he gets during school. I struggle to tell him to stop reading the bible to learn about reading, writing, and mathematics, so I can't say the State Department of Education would deem me as being an outstanding Teacher.
Just to remind you, I live in a house with 14 girls and typically teach home-school in this house. The house parents of the house needed to renew their passports, so they were in the states.The next day after my arrival to CB the reality of serving at an orphanage was flown in my face. One child stayed home from school, because she has been throwing-up all night. While I was cleaning up the mess of her adventures of being sick during the night and home-schooling my two kids. Two more girls came home from school because they weren't feeling well.
For the next four hours I juggled making sure the girls were hydrated, eating as much as possible, cleaning, and teaching. By the afternoon, the three girls and the 11 year-old-boy I home-school had fevers. They weren't getting better, and it was impossible to keep the medicine from being rejected by their bodies. Luckily, I had another adult's help in the afternoon. It was nice to have someone else to worry with me (yup, that is what we did-worried) about the kids' steady decline and to have another opinion of what to do.
Caring for the kids continues, but today the kids are on a steady climb to surviving a brutal sickness. I was welcomed back to CB the best way I could imagine. I was needed.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Fill My Bags for Guatemala
I brought an empty bag back with me, so I could fill it up with stuff. Here are some items we are needing. I have highlighted the things most valuable for us to get. If you rather give towards me purchasing these things, you can contribute to Eternal Church (directions to the right). I will be at Eternal on Sunday, so you could hand off the goodies that way. Please post below, so I don't have more than one person getting an item. I know I have friends that are cheerful givers but space is an issue. Thanks for your help.
11 year old boy
Glasses case
Jacket (Medium/8-10)
Pajamas (Medium/8-10)
belt (size 10)
Tennis Shoes (35eur or size 3)
Church shoes (35eur or size 3)
Other pants, shirts for play or church
8 year old girl
outfits for church
Teaching Stuff
Dry Erase Markers
Markers (1 pack)
multiplication flashcards
division flashcards
printer
I Tunes gift cards
11 year old boy
Glasses case
Jacket (Medium/8-10)
Pajamas (Medium/8-10)
belt (size 10)
Tennis Shoes (35eur or size 3)
Church shoes (35eur or size 3)
Other pants, shirts for play or church
8 year old girl
outfits for church
Teaching Stuff
Dry Erase Markers
Markers (1 pack)
multiplication flashcards
division flashcards
printer
I Tunes gift cards
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