We rolled out of bed and ate a delicious breakfast of stove toast prepared by Chef Brian! Kate added cheese for a fantastic breakfast of toasted cheese. Joel again joined us around 9am for a time of brief devotions. We read from Jeremiah 17 and John 16, discussing trusting the Lord. If our roots are in Him, no matter what comes, we will have peace. Though the discussion was short, it was a good reminder to trust in the Lord so that even when trials and tribulations come, we will be strong.

Today as we loaded into the van, we brought with us money and bags to buy and carry our treasures. The drive was similiar to the ones we’ve experienced throughout the week. However, the trip to Antigua was longer and involved travelling up and down some steep roads. But it was highway the whole way, so we had very good roads, even though the motorcycles are scary weaving in and out of traffic. When we reached Antigua, we drove up a mountain and got out of the van to walk to a large cross overlooking a beautiful view of the city. There were volcanos in the background, and the city spread below. Joel told us a little of the history of Guatemala´s 3rd capital, which was mostly destroyed by two earthquakes in 1733 and 1773. It´s hard for Americans to comprehend a country on its 3rd capital city in the 1700s. After this stop, we drove back down the mountain and into the city to a market. There were so many beautiful things for sale! It was a little overwhelming for the Mabrys, but Jennifer discovered a great talent for bargaining. The rest of us were grateful that the section we went to were Joel´s Christian friends, who quoted us good prices and didn´t make us work too hard to get good buys. These things are all handmade locally and display the bright colors typical of Guatemala.

We had lunch at Monoloco, which means Crazy Monkey. We had nachos and quesadillas and ice cream until we thought we would pop. Then we walked off a few calories heading over to one of the cathedrals that was ruined in the 1773 earthquake. While the domes were gone, the huge brick archways remained, and we got to see a float used in a Holy Week parade. While some of the cathedrals were rebuilt, this one is used mostly like a museum, although there were some places used as prayer stations with candles to light. We walked the cobblestone streets back to our van and headed for home.

Back at the orphanage, we played with the children in the backyard for a while, then came in for debrief and prayer. Afterwards, we went back to the middle-aged children who had been bathed and were all sweet-smelling, and played with them, helped with dinner, and watched movies before putting children to bed. Unfortunately, we waited all we to discover the joy of watching tv with a dozen children while they cuddle up with you to sleep. Next time we will definitely take advantage of this joy every night!

As every morning, joyful noises of children preparing for school came through our windows and reached our ears around 5am. Luckily, most of us were able to tune it out and sleep for a little bit longer. When it came time for breakfast Brian made us both scrambled eggs and fried eggs to go with our toast. Joel joined us around nine for our time of daily devotions. Today we read from Galatians 6 and discussed sowing and reaping seeds. Joel was encouraging to us remember that while some are called to reap the harvest, some are simply called to sow the seeds. This is important for us to remember because we are here this week sowing seeds and we shouldn’t be discouraged because we aren’t able to see what becomes of the seeds. Another thing he reminded us of is the scripture that tells us to pray on our own, not in big shows on the street. This was important to remember because we need to keep our check our hearts when doing good things to make sure we have the right motives. In all, it was encouraging to have the reminder that we are here to do good deeds for the Lord and because we have pure motives, God will turn these seeds into great things.

After  prayer, we loaded up the remainder of the clothes, all of the shoes, a case of baby wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, toys, and candy to share with the community. The trip to the dump ghetto wasn´t very long. We stopped on the way at a store where Joel spoke with a woman about getting the two Pilas that we would install in the neighborhood. Pilas are a type of concrete sink that the families in the community use to wash all of the items they gather from the dump throughout the day.

It was only a few blocks later when we arrived at a community with walls made of sheet metal. Dogs were running around and some people could be seen going through bags of trash and sorting out plastic, metal, and any other objects that could be sold in the market. The road was narrow, but we only drove about a quarter of a mile before we stopped the car and unloaded the supplies into a small building where we were told to set up the donations. We went outside to help the men unload the pilas, each of which weigh about 500 pounds. Then we went back inside to organize shoes and clothes by size, and lay out the toys. Each mother coming through would receive either shoes or a piece of clothing for their child, a toothbrush, tube of toothpaste, floss, and a toy. While they waited in line, Kate helped clean the children´s hands and faces with wipes, gave extra wipes out, and shared candy with the people (the adults loved it too!). Meanwhile, Brian took pictures of everything. Alyssa, Jennifer, and Michelle were in charge of making sure everybody got something that they needed, but no extra. It was incredibly touching to see people with no shoes or clothes that didn´t fit leave with something they really needed.

They sounded an alarm that sounded much like our tornado sirens or car alarms, which alerted the people that donations were ready to be handed out. Many people came and stood in line in the hot sun, waiting patiently for their turn to receive their gifts. We were impressed with how polite they were, with no pushing or complaining, just gratitude. Joel commented later that God multiplied the gifts, like Jesus did with the bread and fishes. It certainly seemed that way, as many many people came through, but we hardly seemed to make a dent in the toothbrushes and toothpaste. Everything that wasn´t passed out to the current group was left there to be distributed later. One of the women in charge showed us where the pilas had been put, then we left for home.

After lunch we watched a documentary about the recent history of Guatemala, which told how the country went from relative prosperity to areas of overwhelming poverty in the last 60 years. The joy of the story is how Guatemalans are working to improve living conditions, bring work, and help young men get out of gangs. We have seen this same determination, persistence, and faith in all of the groups that we have worked with this week. While life is difficult, people are focused on making things better for the next generation.

Then it was time to go back outside to play with the children. It´s heartwarming how excited they are when we come out. We love pushing them on the swings, kicking the ball with them, carrying them on our shoulders and playing tag. We know them well enough now to see them as individuals with different personalities, and to know what kind of play they like. We know who is going to want to be held, who will go through our pockets looking for treats, which toddler will make a break for the big playset they aren´t allowed to play on, and who will try to steal Kate´s shoes! They pass around Alyssa´s telephone to play with (and navigate the games very well) and we know enough Spanish to ask them to share. The mothers keep a close eye on them and make sure they all behave. We also distributed the gifts to the mothers who were working today and they were all very appreciative. They give so much of themselves to the children, and we  hope that these little gifts for them will make them happy.

We finished the day completely filthy, but full of love and true amazement by how God worked for and through us to do miraculous things! Dios es muy grande! Dios es muy bueno! Alaba a Dios!

Another day began earlier than expected as the sounds of children preparing for school flooded through our open windows. We shared a breakfast of cereal, though the milk was a bit different from the milk we’re used to. Joel joined us around 9 to begin devotions. We read from 1 Samuel 17 and discussed the story of David and Goliath. Joel pointed out that this story is applicable to our lives because each of us faces Goliath. Though we probably don´t come across actual giants, we face people that are hard to love and challenges that we must overcome. Luckily, we serve a God who doesn´t abandon us. If we follow, He will lead us to the river where we will find the stones to overcome Goliath. Although the rocks seem insignificant to many, God uses them in powerful ways. Again, the devotion was powerful and very inspiring to go into the world and, through God, overcome every difficulty that comes our way.

Afterwards we loaded into the van with a suitcase of clothes, two bags of candy, and several bags full of food that the orphanage provided for us to bring to the ghetto. The drive was about as far as the government orphanage, but in a different direction. We were able to see the city quickly change from rich to poor as we neared the ghetto. Eventually we were in an area where the streets were lined with people setting up stands to sell their goods. We pulled up near a field full of children playing soccer and awaited the Ghetto president. As we waited, we were greeted by a lady from the city who brought us fresh watermelon. It was delicious!

The Ghetto president, Juanita, greeted us and introduced herself. We learned that, as the president, it is her job to oversee the area and go to the government and request assistance as needed. Then when the government agrees to help, it is her job to nag them until they actually follow through. Without her, many of the people in the ghetto would be completely homeless. Though the ghetto wasn’t a place of riches and lavish living, it was certainly a better alternative to being homeless.

We walked through an alley, down some steps, and through a gate where we looked out across a ginormous dropoff leading to a ravine. The hillside was steep and covered in concrete retaining walls, topped with tiny block houses, and covered in clothes lines clad with tiny outfits. We followed Juanita up some stairs and into the house of a woman who was living in the ghetto with 16 year old Carlito. Joel translated as Juanita told the story of the people, how the woman was a widow and must now be the sole provider for the children. We gave candy to the children, food to the family, and gathered around the family to pray over them. We closed by taking a picture together and wishing them well. We followed this same process through nearly half a dozen homes in the ghetto. Each home consisted of a tiny kitchen area for cooking and a tiny bedroom. One house was three bedrooms, but altogether was only slightly larger than the average master bedroom we’re used to. The walls were made of concrete and windows lined the outside wall. There were few decorations and no sign of luxuries. They did have a single light in each room and a small refrigerator for clean water, which is necessary to stay healthy because all of the tap water is too impure to drink. Though the houses were rather empty, each was filled with love and care. All of the guardians were female and many were caring for both children and grandchildren. Some were out of work, while others worked as hard as possible to make a mere $4 a day. But as Juanita and the people continuously told us, praise the Lord for He continues to make ends meet and ensures people are cared for. The faith of Juanita was incredibly large and every word from her mouth was inspiring. Everyone was so thankful for what we had brought…though our gifts were truly so minimal. It was an incredibly humbling experience and was an excellent reminder to be grateful for all of the wonderful things God provides for us daily, that we often don´t appreciate.

After lunch and nap time (which we really needed after walking back up the steep ghetto steps) we went out to play with the children. We took stickers this time, and the children had fun sticking them on us, themselves, and each other. It was fun to have enough Spanish now to say Princesa! for the Disney picture stickers and Pelota! for the ball stickers. One of the special mothers has been very good to help with our Spanish…she is used to working with two year olds, which is about our level… Her daughter works here as well, and it is great to see how the younger special mothers run and play with the children, while the older ones sing songs with them, hold them, and keep the peace.

We had fajitas for dinner again … yum!… then assembled the bags for the special mothers. Thanks to everyone who supported these gifts to women who give so much to these children. We looked at today´s pictures and finished the day´s laundry. Now it is time to relax, reflect, and rest for tomorrow brings a new set of challneges. For those in prayer for us, thank you! Please keep it up! We would ask that you say a special request for our leader, Joel, who has been feeling very poorly, but working as hard as he possibly can. He’s a wonderful man of God and could use the prayers!