more pics from Guatemala

the red tomato- buses used for public transportation. Over crowded, this one had no tail lights or back left panel behind tire.

a home along a main road

a baby at the market with mother while she is selling her products

eggs for sale: they are not refridgerated in Guatemala

a man with his cart loaded with product. He is pulling this cart

business's in Antigua

Community wash for clothing in Antigua

Volcano. A constant changing portriat.

checking me out while I'm taking a picture

a quiet boy that spent time with me

he would look up at me & smile after putting them all together

he would put them away, and get them out again

the kitchen of an orphanage that has 10 special needs children

the babies room, 3 beds and 2 cribs, 1 large changing table on opposite wall

the older boys room, 3 beds

the gilrs clothes and toys. this is ALL they had. 4 girls share this room

the indoor play-yard. right side (about 16 x 16 ft)

indoor play yard, Left side (about 16 x 16 ft)

the roof of play yard. open but has razor wire at top. there is no out side yard for these kids so they make the most of the space they do have. This orphanage is in the city.

Since returning to NC I have thought of the children, the country and its people often.  My question is this: what can I do to enrich the lives of these precious children that have so very little, yet smile and are so loving.

Please join me in prayer as I seek His will in answering this question.

I return to Idaho early Wednesday AM. It is amazing to me that this time is already over. I think once I am settled back into a routine, I will be able to reflect and blog some more about Guatemala.

and also what the Lord has been showing me since my return to NC.

THANK YOU to the prayer warriors out there that care for me and lift me and my family before the Lord on a regular basis. Your prayers are most welcome!

May His peace remain with you all the days of your life.

In Him,

Kim

first day back in the USA

I arrived without incident on the trip back to the USA. I was able to manuver the Guatemalan airport alone, inspection of my bags, at two different locations, plus filling out papers on my own. ha, God is indeed good! I managed just fine even with my very limited Spanish.
I think that this past week could 'only' have been improved upon is if I had known more Spanish so I could have communicated with the local people without interpretators. I would have loved to chat with them in their language.

I am considering returning f/t to teach English as a second language to the children at one or two orphanages.  Please join me in asking God if this is His will for me.  I am willing to go, how could I not be?  The children and their caretakers live on so very little DAILY, yet they express joy, laughter and happiness.  I imagine there is sadness in them as well, yet they do not express it. 

 Their toys are very simple things. Things our American children would probably not do or play with, but rather sit and complain that they are bored.  The society is very different in Guatemala. People that I encountered were not rude, but friendly. They drive CRAZY there, ha, total confusion. But it is the law the driver (only) has to wear a seat belt. People, (even kids) can ride in the back of trucks, often buses are overcrowded.

Weird, but I was at peace while there, I felt safe, and also felt the presence of the Lord daily, even when I was so sick with the migraine. I KNEW He had a plan.

The church service I went to was in Spanish. They had translation ear-phones, so I used them. The person translating was excellent. I felt as though I was being ministered to personally, and that no-one else was there.  ha, but I was in a room filled with people of various nationalities. It was AWESOME. They sang songs in Spanish, with the words up on a screen like we have, I couldn't identify the words, but recognized the tune! They played songs we sing here in the US. yes, I was very, very blessed to have had the opportunity to be in church there last Sunday. :)

There is SO MUCH that happened. It will take more blogs ~ but in the meantime:

I do not know any details about returning to Guatemala to teach the little children. This is a time to be still, pray and wait on the Lord to speak.  As you join me in prayer about returning to guatemala, please also pray that He would be working out ALL the details even now that He be glorified through me in what ever it is He has for me to do for His kingdom, where ever He wants me to live that I would be a wiling vessel for Him to use.

Psa 143:1 NKJV - A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O LORD, Give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, [And] in Your righteousness.

Pro 8:17 NKJV - I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me
Jer 29:13 NKJV - And you will seek Me and find [Me], when you search for Me with all your heart.

Psa 46:10 NKJV - Be still, and know that I [am] God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

The following scripture stands out to me: It is a vision Daniel had, and an Angel of the Lord appeared to him:

Dan 10:11 NKJV - And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
Dan 10:12 NKJV - Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.

Because the Word of God tells me that He hears my prayers (and yours too) that it is important to make our requests made known to Him.

Phl 4:6 NKJV - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Phl 4:7 NKJV - and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Phl 4:8 NKJV - Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just, whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely, whatever things [are] of good report, if [there is] any virtue and if [there is] anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.
Phl 4:9 NKJV - The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

in Him;

Kim

pictures from Casa Barnebe' 8-13-11

the kids playing hockey. they received these hockey sticks two weeks ago from another mission team

this little boy checking me out taking his picture

watching others

this group of kids are 3-6 yrs old.

they enjoy their pictures taken

this little girl did my hair

the little girl standing watches out for the smaller ones in her house

looking through the leaves

this boy wanted his picture taken, but was very shy

waiting to go do crafts

this little one wanted his picture taken 'with mommy'... yes, they need individual attention and love

the 0-3 yr olds learning a song and dance. they really paid attention and listened. very cute

doing crafts

showing off the crafts they made

very sweet children

a little boy took this picture of the little girl

the ORI team preparing chicken to bbq.

They bbq'd 300 lbs of chicken today.

the chicken ready for grill

Jim preparing the charcoal for the grills. the grills are behind him. the charcoal is homemade by the locals

older childrens playground (6 and up)

the team from PA bought these shelves for the clinic in the pharmacy. Now they can purchase medicines for the shelves.

the boxes are the 'grills' that they put the homemade charcoal in. very cool way to cook them.

friends from my home church in Asheville, NC they are now f/t missinaries in Guatemala. It is good to see them again!

another sweet little girl. These children are so loving. pray for them and for their caretakers.

I will try to write more tomorrow. Amazing how quickly this week went by. I fly to Asheville, NC on Monday morning.

God bless each of you for your prayers while I am here.

lets see where to begin,
it is challenging to post daily since my laptop is not connecting and I must borrow this one.
Our days start by getting up around 6am, showering, (3 minute showers each) breakfast, then off to the orphanage or deliveries. back to hotel by 5pm, dinner around 6:30-7pm. then daily bible study and discussion.

My arrival was late monday night, up early tuesday, doing deliveries to 4 orphanages plus being at the one the rest of the team worked at on tuesday. I had a migraine since arriving, probably due to being over tired.

I went to bed early Tuesday, up early Wednesday. Off to the orphanage. (the pictures on previous post are from that day). We we returned to hotel that evening, I went to bed, no dinner, the migraine overcame me and it was to painful to eat or stay up. The next morning, I was quite ill and discouraged due to not being able 'to go' to the orphanage and work.  I prayed to God, knowing He had a purpose even though I could not see it or understand it. I cried from pain, disappointment and just not feeling well. I could hear my daughters voice in my head, "ma, dont cry, it will only make it worse" so I stopped crying and continued to pray for relief and for Him to show me what I was suppose to learn from this, I knew He had a purpose.

So, I took my medicine, slept, ate and downloaded the pics to the blog. The staff at the hotel was so sweet and really catered to me, asking if I was OK, what could they do for me, as they worked all day long. (they do not stand around and chit chat during the day, but clean and prepare for the evening meal). So, I was in the way of a lady sweeping, so I got up so she could sweep the patio where i was sitting. I saw the lady that owns the hotel. I had previously met her, so I went and began a conversation with her. After talking a few minutes, I realized it was for the purpose of meeting her and talking that the Lord had held me back from the orphanage that day.  She and her husband are also Christians, serving Him. She shared their testamony with me, and also that they do speaking engagements and marriage counselling. I am not sure how our meeting will serve Him, but she told me that she also had other plans that day, but ended up coming to the hotel when she had not planned it.  I believe the Lord will use this connection with her and her husband in the future. I know that i was blessed talking with her, and that my migraine left me as I sat in her precense.

I was able to enjoy Gods beauty and worship Him all day. He refreshed me and filled me with His Holy presence.

Today we went to Antigua to shop. Many beautiful items. Many local people trying to earn money by selling the crafts they make. Some I think were purchased for resale, but many were handmade by the Mayan's that are here. It was a good day of fellowshipping with a couple from PA that are on the team. upon returning to the hotel, we had dinner, had show and tell of the items purchased and then a bible study.

Tomorrow we will return to the Casa Bernabe' to spend the day with the kids. Some of the full time missionaries here will bbq chicken and we will have a picnic with all the children at the orpahange. It will be a day of food and games. 

I will get more pictures tomorrow and also download the pictures from today.

Sunday we will attend a local church and prepare for departure on monday.

I thank you all for your prayers and support.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention this:  with some of the monies I purchased various items for the children, like notebooks , writing paper, pencils, erasers, hair ties, socks, two new pair of little shoes, 1 for boy, 1 for girl, baby wash rags, baby towel, baby powder, and various little items of this nature. it was 3 FULL bags of items.  I sent these with the food deliveries on Wednesday because they were going to a smaller orphanage that had a greater need.  There is cash left over, that will go toward medicines for the different orphanages. Medicines are difficult to come by, so I thought this would be a good use of the monies that you sent with me for them.

Please  be in prayer asking our Lord if I am to return for a longer mission trip and/or return for full time mission work here.  There is a great need for workers, but also for the senders.

May He continue to lead, and bless each of you according to His good and perfect will;

amen,

in Him,

Kim

pictures from Guatemala 8-10-11

video of lady cooking tortillas. she makes 400 daily. the children do not get much meat.

hotel I am staying at

truck loaded with food to be delivered

 daily laundry, many clotheslines

house where lady makes 400 hand made tortilla's daily

lady forming a tortilla to cook

she cooks on this stove. notice fire inside

one of the kids playgrounds

police ahead

one of the roads to an orphanage we delivered food to

a quiet place for caregivers at an orphange

a man weed eating by hand alongside the road

a food market, buy in quantity or individual sale

the dog at Casa Barnabe'

a little girl that was sweet to me today, lots of hugs

children playing

this boy has sticks to guide the tire he is playing with

the boys roll the tire up hill and let it roll down. a game they play. the tires are also used for socker markers

sweet

this little girl was a blessing and full of love, yes, I would bring her home with me.

she enjoyed 'doing' my hair

she put the rubber band in to hold my hair back

now she puts my hair in pony tails

what a smile! so loving

a little boy watching us do my hair. he has been here since 1 day old

children gathering for music activity

music and games.. it was HOT in the sun

the orpahanage's garden. most can not raise a garden because water is so expensive. this orphanage has a well.

notice man in yellow shirt, he is on my team and is weeding the garden. it is a big garden