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. :)