The search for the house is on! I will update you more on my trip to Canada and the U.S. in another post, but for right now I would like to share what is currently going on.
The social worker continues to work on the paper side of things. I am so thankful for his help and expertise. He has completed the paper work for many other homes and knows the language and expectations of the government. When I speak with him, he seems to have really caught the vision and even adds ideas on how I can provide more and better care to children with physical disabilities. I get excited that he truly wants to help the children, this is not just another job for him. We meet on a regular basis.
So my big job right now is to find the house. Down here, you can't just call a realtor, tell them your specifics, and be shown a bunch of houses until you find the right one. No, down here it all tends to be word of mouth. Which means this may take a little longer than I anticipated. I am trying to cast the net wide in terms of letting everyone know I am looking for a place. For example, there is a house that I am going to look at. I was told about it by my friend who heard about it from her sister-in-law who knows the owner of the house.
Please be praying for this specific job of finding a house to rent. There are certain specifications that I want, and there are certain specifications required by the government. This will likely require physical modification. Please pray for the perfect house. Please pray for the perfect location. Please pray for the landlords, that they will be compassionate, flexible and understanding. I know God has the perfect house out there, I just have to find it! Pray that I will make the right conections and I will not rush into something that will be less than perfect for the children that will be living there.
In the future, I will have a piece of land to build on. I will have people help me to draw up a building plan that will be completely handicap friendly! Something that is not common here in Guatemala. This will take years to finish, which is why I am looking at a rental for the time being.
On the land I buy there will be a garden for the kids to "work"in. Dirt therapy! I would love to have a big green grassy yard that they can run, crawl or wheel around in. I would love to have a pool. Water therapy is fantastic for kids with physical disabilities. I want a big kitchen that will allow the children to help with and learn food prep. I want neighbours that will learn to love the children. I want a safe neighbourhood where we can all go walking.
There will also be room on the land to build the medical day care center. I want therapy rooms, play rooms, school rooms, nap rooms, and a big dining room. I want as many kids that desire to come, be able to. This will give their families a chance to work, go to school and have a break during the day. It will give the children attending the day care an opportunity to receive medication, physical therapy, food, education and whatever else they need to reach their highest potential. They will learn how much God loves them, and how valuable they are. The parents will be able to come and receive a weekly Bible study, education regarding their children and proper care, as well as meet other parents who are in the same situation and draw support from them.
But even if I don't get all that I want, I want the kids to know and feel two basic things. To know that God loves them, values them, sees them as His precious children and desires a relationship with them. And to know that I love them. To know that regardless of what they achieve or don't achieve, they will always be loved and cared for.
Thank you so much for your prayers. They are necessary and definitely appreciated.
God bless.
