Guatemala Trip: Day 4 San Lucas Guatemala

Karin and Lee painting

Today we got up needing to get Gabby's flower painted on the wall in one of the children's bedroom before we ran out of time. This was the sweet idea of Tamara's. I feel so honored they want Gabby to be a part of El Amor de Patricia! We had traced it using a projector on Sunday. Lee and Karin did most of the work. Gabby drew this purple and pink flower a few weeks before the accident in art class. This flower along with the saying "A Smile, A Hug, and a Heart Full of Love" has become Gabby's "trademarks".

Lauren and myself painting Gabby's flower

Slowly but surely....

Albertina playing with Iphone....wanting to skype with Tucker!

We also spent time with the kids. They have already won over our hearts. Little Albertina loves to show off her teeth. They said when she came to the Hogar her teeth were black but a generous donor paid to have them fixed. She has loved watching videos of Tucker swim, play baseball, and play on the mall jumpy. She will go through pictures on my iPhone saying "Tucker" if he is in the picture and "no Tucker" if he isn't. I just love her so. Tucker loved skyping with her also. When I call him and Shane, he says, "where is the girl that keeps calling my name!"

Lauren's little helper!

Sleeping Maria Belen

Antonio with one Wonderful Nannie

Sweet Boys!

That afternoon, we arranged to purchase two bunk beds for two different families. Often times entire families sleep in one bed (if they are lucky enough to have a bed). Sometimes families sleep on old doors, crates, etc. The bunk bed project is sponsored by a local church where individuals can donate the beds and

Getting ready to deliver bunk beds!

then go and surprise the families with them. Karin, Lauren, and Lilly along with the minister and his wife road in the back of the pick up truck while me and Lee were buckled inside the truck! In Guatemala, everything is gated in some fashion. There are gates that you must knock on to drive down a road containing house, there are gates when entering a restaurant, and there are gates sometimes surround individual houses. As we drove along the country side, we had to knock at the gate to enter the road. Our first delivery was to a mother, Rose, and her four children (3 boys and one girl). They lived in a very small house made of cement blocks. The mother talked about being a Christian and that she was sometimes "shunned" (not sure her exact words) because of it. The kids seemed very excited about their beds....but especially loved the finger lights and cars Karin brought! The older brother gave us a "thumbs up"!

Sweet boy awaiting bunk bed!

Group photo with family, Lilly and her son, and minister and his wife

Kids receiving bunk beds

Brother and his young sister

Pila (sink) and laundry

Bunk bed assembly

I think they like it!

Rose with her youngest child

The second house we went to was a couple who had 5 children. Only 3 of the children were at home. There house was more directly of the road but was, of course, gated. This family's home was on the roof of another families. Lilly, one of the orphanage founders, thanked the father for his weekly food donations to the hogar. This family, who has so little, makes sure that a portion of their food goes to the children of El Amor de Patricia!

Momma and baby girl

View from the roof top where their house is

Beautiful girl!

Doorway inside home

Trying out new bed

Not sure if his siblings will get those finger lights!

Yes, Shane, I did climb up and down these!

Gabby did love corn....

Love her heart!

Me with the family receiving bed

My friends on the roof beside their "front" door

This families house was on the roof of anothers

Sometimes it's easy to think about what we can teach those who are less fortunate but this trip I have learned that they can teach me more. Talk about perseverance! I've heard several people talk about Guatemalan families who have lost children. They talk about how the heart ache and grief is there just like it is for me. But one thing is different....a child's death in Guatemala is not shocking like it is here. I know that so many have seen it happen to them, happen to their friends, that it's not a surprise....but the pain, grief, and despair for that mother and father is still there. It made me realize how blessed I am. Not blessed with materialistic thing. Blessed with Shane and Tucker, without worries of physical survival or a life of fear. Sadly, some of these families have never know (in their entire life) peace.

Our funny moment of the day was, of course, from Lauren. She became our comic relief on this trip! We ate Domino's Pizza with the nannies and the ground keeper Diego. It just so happened that no one at the table this particular evening was bilingual. So we all got the giggles. The nannies were giggling at something and we got tickled at them. That is when Lauren looked up and said "I feel like you all are talking about me" and at this time the nannies, in unison, laughed and nodded "yes".....this just cause for even more giggles!