Home Visits.

On Monday Keena and I went to Coban and bought presents and food to put in baskets for the boys in the Bible club.

 Assembling the baskets. Here it is tradition to give baskets full of food to others at Christmastime. Some of the food is essentials like rice, oil and Incaparina (a healthy protein drink mix) but we also included treats like sugar, marshmallows, Christmas cookies and pop. Things that some families can't afford, but would definitely enjoy during this holiday season.

 We also bought special gifts for each child. Geovani and Omar love soccer, so they each got a new, nice soccer ball. Joshua got a big Winnie the Pooh stuffie that I found at a great price.

Omar was thrilled with his new ball! It was on a string, and he hung it from his hand and just kept kicking at it the whole time we were there. We had to badger him into opening one of his other gifts. After inspecting his box of 64 crayons (he loves to colour!) he went right back to the soccer ball. So fun to watch! 

I was unable to get pictures at the two other houses. We went to Joshua's house first. They have big glass windows into the front room of their house. We knocked and could see Joshua sitting alone, tied to a chair, looking at the t.v. He didn't seem to recognize us but it has been a while since we were there. We went in and visited with his mom for a bit. I was sad. He was dirty, and seemed un-animated. As we left, he began to scream and strain against his mom to go with us. So I felt glad that he remembered us, but sad to leave him alone. 

At Geovani's house his sister was surprised to see us. Sadly Geovani wasn't there. He had travelled to the Capital with his mom to visit family. When I mentioned to his sister that we would be starting up the club again in January she seemed very happy. She said, "Every day, right?" I admit, I laughed a little, as it has only been a 2 day a week club. I asked if she thought Geovani would enjoy coming more often and she said he would. She seems to understand how happy he is there, and how he is progressing. 

At Omar's house, his mom was sure to tell me that Omar would often ask about club and ask when he could go back! Then I met his Grandma, and she told me the exact same thing! 

I was happy to see such positive reactions from the family. I experienced such negative reactions at the beginning from other families who didn't want their children to attend. These families are all happy when their children can get out and learn new things, and gain a bit of independence. 

I look forward to starting up again in January, and I think we will increase the number of days. It will be nice to have them all back here playing soccer and drawing and snacking and laughing and building blocks and dancing to music and enjoying their time with us. 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Joshua, Keena, Omar, Naomi and Geovani!!!

Visitors.

I have been blessed to have many visitors over the last month and a half. It has helped keep my impatience at bay!

 Erin and Jennifer are fellow missionary friends. Erin is based out of Haiti, and Jennifer is in another Guatemalan town. We went up to Tikal, to see the ruins.

 Bob and Georgette asked me years ago if they could adopt me as their missionary daughter. I happily accepted. :) They have come to visit me twice in the last year, and each time Bob does some much needed work and modifications on the house.

 The pastoral care team from CTEN (Commission to Every Nation), as well as the Canadian CTEN directors, came to visit. It was great to spend some down time with them, just enjoying each others company.

Since I couldn't go home for Christmas, my little sister came down to visit and we did Christmas together! It is always nice to have family and friends come down to visit. Though only my mom has come (annually), my sister twice, and one other friend has been to visit me. Hint, hint, all those who promised to come down! ;)

So close!

I wrote the title of this post 5 weeks ago.

And at the time, I believed that I was. And 8 months ago I believed that I would have children by the end of August. Or by the end of September. Or by Christmas. I truly didn't believe I'd be without girls this Christmas. 

And I am sad. And frustrated. And impatient. 

I have been really good at not getting angry. I knew that being impatient wouldn't help. I knew this process would take time. And so I waited. Now it has come down to the small details at the end, and with the slow down around the holidays, it seems to have triggered my impatience. 

We are waiting to hear about one more document. If that passes, it will be about one month more of signatures and processing paperwork.

Please pray diligently with me. I'll be the first to admit that I have not been praying daily for this Home and the certification. 

I spoke with my Canadian team a couple of nights ago, and my friend drafted these prayer requests to send out to my home church. I'll share them with you to pray for.

• Please pray for breakthrough. May Jesus move mightily and may the enemy be thwarted from trying to stall the certification process.
• Please pray for Peace. May God fill Naomi's (me!) soul with the knowledge of His love and care while she waits.
• Please pray for comfort. May the Holy Spirit fill the absence of friends and family for Naomi during the Christmas season.

Thank you all for your prayers. God bless.

Friday Praise and Prayer.

I'm still here! So sorry I haven't been keeping up on the posts. This post was actually started on Friday, so I'm not changing the name. :)

Today's praise:

• I attended the first mandatory workshop put on by CNA and it wasn't as horrifically boring as I thought it would be. :) My friend and social worker Kimy went with me and we went the day before because it started so early in the a.m. the next day. We took advantage of the pool, then ate food in the park that night. It was fun!

Lesly (in the middle) is the social worker of another local Children's Home. 

• My mom and another friend bought me an iPad mini as a "just because they love me" present. I was able to download some Spanish songs to use with the boys in the Club. I tried to put the video here, but it didn't work. I will upload it to the facebook group, so you can check it out here.
• Last time I took my receipts in to the accountant, she told me I was doing a good job! Good thing she isn't here during the week when I'm freaking out because I counted receipts 4 times, and literally got 4 different numbers. And not just a little different. Q800. difference between the 4 different counts. About $100. No fears! I figured it out! Mostly. ;)

Today's prayer:

• Paperwork with CNA. I was in contact with them at the end of last week so things are moving. Slowly.
• The search for nannies to work when the girls come.
• Safety.

Have a great week all!

Friday Praise and Prayer.

It's Friday again! And it is October! I was talking to a friend the other day, and we were commenting on how much faster time seems to go every year. I remember grade school and high school and man did time ever crawl!!!! :)

Today's praise:

• I have been attending a Thursday night Bible study at my church for several months now. I have wanted to get to know people on a more intimate level, but because our church is so big (and I am intimidated) I often don't approach people. Last night we had a potluck and I finally felt like I could meet and get to know some members of the study better. It felt so good and I am thankful for each person in the group. 
• I feel the need to mention the water again. On Tuesday the workers came back for the last minute touch-up's on some cement, and took away all their stuff! Now the water flows freely! And just in time. I was advised that there will be no water from the town for the next 3 days. And I will be blissfully unaware with my cistern full of water and a pump that sends it to my house! But I am thankful for the experience of not having water, as I know a little more what it is like for the life of the average Guatemalan. Of course I am aware of myself enough to know that I can be thankful for the experience now that it is done. Had you asked me at other moments during this saga, I would not have used the word 'thankful'. 
• Increased energy. I'm not sure who has been praying for me, but this week I have been very productive and full of energy to do things. Good thing too, as this was a very full week for me! On Tuesday I was ready for the week to be over. But I had a good week and I am so thankful for that.
• Bible Club is going very well. All three boys are coming consistently now (which was not always the case) and I feel like every time they come I see improvements, however small they are, in their understanding or behaviour or learning. I am having such a good time with them! 

I'm sorry those praises were a little more personal and less ministry oriented, but I wanted to share my happiness! :)

Today's prayer:

• CNA paperwork. Next week I attend a mandatory workshop put on by the CNA. My social worker is going with me because two people are required to attend and I also want to make sure I understand everything that is being said.
• Safety. This is not one to take lightly. In the hospital, we called accidents that didn't happen but could have, near misses. If I were to keep track of my near misses while driving, I think the list would be long! Though it would their near miss, not mine!
• Wisdom. I really want to teach the boys in the Bible club about Jesus and other more practical things like how to read. Only the older one might have a chance to learn at this point, but I want to teach as much as I can. And I am not a teacher! I don't know the best way to do any of this. And also prayer for wisdom when dealing with disobedience. I have disciplined many a child in my day, but this area is new for me. I am more used to dealing with the physical and medical aspects of a child with special needs.

Wow, this was a 'me, me, me' praise and prayer today! Please know that I appreciate and treasure every prayer. Even when I don't know about them! Thanks. :)

The trampoline.

I was so excited to be able to buy a trampoline for the kids. It sat in my house for a very long time, as I had no one to come help me set it up. A couple of weeks ago some friends came over and offered to set it up. Because of rain, we couldn't use it for a while, but last week I managed to get the boys from the Bible club up on it.

I wish I had the camera on for the first time Geovani got on it! He was so scared that it was moving below him.

He stayed in this position for a while, then with me sitting beside him, he finally sat up for a bit. I started bouncing a bit and he smiled, so I stood up to bounce harder and he resumed this position until it was time to get off. ;) Oops.

 Joshua was having a great time!

Holding on for dear life, but not unhappy! 

Now the kids love to go on it, but still no jumping from Geovani. :)

Kids!

Today I just want to send out a bunch of pictures of the very cute kids that I am blessed to work with. Enjoy!

 When Omar is focused on something, he is very serious about it. He is definitely a detail oriented person! He is 17, and joined the Bible club a couple of weeks ago.

 Guatemala Independance Day was in September. Geovani is proud to be Guatemalan!

 Omar is happy now.

 Joshua, the youngest, got in on craft time, but only long enough to scrunch a few newspapers, then he was off again!

 I'd love to teach Omar to read. I'm not a teacher, but I'm doing a good job of faking it! ;)

 Geovani loves to be praised, and when we clap for him, he joins right in.

 Making a big tower.

 Omar and I working on sorting and building.

 Yay! We made a house!

 I love this picture of Geovani. :)

 Poor guy. Even playing has a teaching element. These are groups of 2.

 More letter practice.

 Geovani finally accepts me touching him. On Thursday I looked at him and smiled, like I always do, and for the first time he looked right at me with eye contact and smiled!!! That was the first time he had responded to only a smile! He'll smile at me if something fun is going on. 

 Working hard.

Poor Joshua! He found some water (there was a leak in the windows I didn't know about and he crawled through the water on the floor) and had to wear girly pink pants while his dried! 

The next pictures are from the school I volunteer at. I have a met a lot of the kids in the school and I sure love being with them!

 Bryan had just finished a running race so he had a gold chocolate medallion as a prize. They also gave out red pop. His little stained lip is so cute! This little guy is quiet and so sweet in class.

 Everyone got medallions for participating in the races.

 Erica and I. So sweet!!!

 Kevin is deaf, and very active! He gets frustrated as very few people can sign with him, so he can be a handful at times!

 Marcela is beautiful. :) She had a seizure as a baby, and as a result could not walk for a long time. Through therapy at the school she has learned to walk again. She doesn't speak, but she is very docile and sweet.

 Gustavo! He is very sweet, and loves to just sit and talk with me. :)

 Making castles!

Who wouldn't love working here?!?

Hope you enjoyed the picture bombing! Happy Monday!

Friday Praise and Prayer.

Happy Friday all!

Today's Praise:

• The afternoon Bible club is going really well. Later, I'll do a separate post with more pictures. But the three boys seem to love it, and I am really growing to care for them. I rejoice in their accomplishments, and try to avoid bombarding facebook with status' on how great they are all doing!
• The water saga is over. This really started in November when I moved into the house. It is partly my fault that I didn't get onto it much more aggressively, but I am SO relieved to have a new water pump, a clean and functioning cistern, no leaks and really good water pressure all the way to the house. The workers just have to come on Monday to pick up the leftover materials, and I'll be free!!! This has been such a stressor for me, and I have had to practice patience, and being nice to people when I just wanted to break down and roll up into a little ball until it was all over!
• I was in contact with a man in Uganda who runs a ministry for people with disabilities. He sent me a Bible study called Designed by God: A Biblical Theology of Disability, Suffering and Church Ministry. It is distributed by Joni and Friends Ministry. I printed it off this morning (all 160 pages of it!) and I really look forward to getting into it. From skimming it, I am excited about what I see already.

Today's Prayer:

• For more children to join the Bible club. It is so fun, and I know that the majority of children with special needs rarely (if ever) leave their houses. This is a great chance for them to learn, grow, play, get to know others like themselves, be loved on and to learn how much God loves them and considers them special. This is a new program that no one here has heard of. Culture, fear of the unknown and lack of trust in me (as a North American) have caused many families to refuse to let their children come.
• CNA paperwork. I handed in more revisions last week. So we know that someone is looking at it. It just takes time.
• Wisdom. I always feel like I could use a lot more of that than I have! ;)

Thank you so much to those of you who pray for myself and for the ministry. Living here, I have realized more and more how important and essential prayer is for daily living. When I start to feel out of control, it usually takes me a while, but I do remember that I have been leaning less on God, and more on myself. Not the greatest plan. So thank you to you all. Have a great weekend!

Friday Praise and Prayer.

I'm sorry, I missed last Friday! Some friends came to visit for the weekend, and I was so excited about it, that I forgot.

Today's praise:

• I was able to spend a good weekend relaxing and hanging out with 2 very good friends of mine. We went to a beautiful place called Semuc Champey.

• Afternoon Bible Club is going well. We have a new member, Omar, who is 17 years old. He is very sweet, loves to play soccer, and pays very close attention to details.
• I am loving helping out at the school for kids with special needs. I am learning a lot, and have incorporated some of the info into my Bible Club.

Today's prayer:

• CNA paperwork. A judge's office called asking if I could take a teenager who was abused by her stepfather and has a baby. I am not licensed, so I cannot take any children. But it is hard to hear specific stories, and know that I can't do anything about it.
• The little abandoned boy in the Coban hospital. I saw him today, and for the past couple of months I thought he was a girl! That is what I was told, and his clothing reflected that. But today he had a boy name on his crib and definitely boy clothes on. He is so pitiful. When I thought he was a girl, I had hoped (s)he would come live in my home. He is 10 months old, and still without an orphanage placement. Please pray he finds a good home.
• Safety when I travel.
• Families affected by the rainy season. The rain is needed, but there has been flooding, and this makes life difficult for everyone.

Hope you all have a great weekend! 

Fun things.

Now that I have finally stopped just waiting for my girls to arrive, I have decided to pursue other things. One is the Bible Club that I have written about. I am having a great time with it, and I think the boys are too!

 Geovani LOVES to kick around the soccer ball. Keena and I spell each other off. ;)

When he kicks the ball and we miss it and it goes past us, he gets this big grin on his face, and laughs and laughs.

 On Tuesday when I went to pick up Gevoani , he heard my voice and came running around the tortilla stand that his mom and sisters work at, and went straight for my car with a huge grin on his face. The above picture is when we arrived at my house. We were waiting for Keena to open the gate, and he leaned forward excitedly to see the house.

Hearing about how God made the plants and flowers, and then colouring them.

This club is only 2 days a week. Because of families hesitancy to let their kids go, I decided to start slow, and gain people's trust gradually. So last week I also started helping out at the local school for kids with special needs. It has been so much fun to hang out with those kiddos! Class is only during the morning, and I go 3 days a week. Yesterday was the first day I could take pictures. They were doing crafts for upcoming Independance Day.

 Erica. She might be my favourite. Shh, don't tell the others! She is so cute and sweet and soft spoken. She also has no problem giving the boys a whack when they take her stuff! 

 Gerlinda. She loves to be praised, and loves to give me the thumbs up!

 Sergio. Cute, but oh is he a handful! He knows what is going on, and could obey if he wanted to, but if he is bored or seeking attention, he goes over to any other child that is working well and starts to harass them. Then he gives me a big hug goodbye and all is forgotten. Almost. ;)

 Rigoberto is sweet and quiet and works very well. On this day, I helped him tape the feather to his crown, and put it on his head. He was so excited about it, that he grabbed me and gave me the longest and hardest bear hug. So cute!!!

Hugo on the left, and Jonaton. Cute boys! 

Jhoseline. She is in the teen class, but I had helped her with her crown, so I wanted to take a picture of her. 

There are 13 kids in the class that I help out with. They are a handful! I have loved getting to know each of their little personalities, and I love helping them accomplish things and give them praise and confirmation. But I am definitely NOT a teacher! :) That takes a special gifting, for sure.

My days stay busy and fun. Still keeping up with the Children's Home paperwork. They are asking again for me to re-submit some things. 

So things are moving along slowly but surely with the Children's Home, and while I'm waiting, I'm going to not stress and enjoy the time!