Day Two (January 17)

The travel weariness is beginning to wear off and we are all beginning to acclimate ourselves to our new (for some of us) surroundings. God is good all the time.

I'm proud to announce that we now have a Team Guatemala choir, which performed this morning at Pata Galana and again this evening in Llano Verde. Contact me if you're interested in booking information. Highlights of the service (that I could understand) were Preston giving his inspiring testimony and Steve sharing a good teaching.

After an amazing lunch (all of the meals have fresh fruit), we split into two groups and went to the orphanage and the nutrition center. The Trenarys were drawn to the orphanage. Right after we got off the bus, Ericka, on of the orphans, screamed from her window and ran out to hug her Ricardo.

Shortly after our arrival, I saw Chrys's hat running around on one of the orphans. Ericka then dragged me to the snake slide. After two times down laughing and nearly falling off, I decided I'd stop with just a skinned elbow. Sam, Jim D, Steve, and others played basketball and soccer with the orphans. Margaret followed Sergio around and around the orphanage grounds. Josh met his family's sponsor child, Sandra-ita.

The second team from the Nutrition Center arrived after about an hour. Angie quickly set up shop and turned the niñas into regal princesses with dazzling rings and tiaras. Nicole carried on the theme by coloring with the orphans in princess coloring books. It was difficult to leave the kids even knowing we'd return soon. Ken was the last one on the bus with orphans trailing behind him.

The Nutrition Center group had stories to report about their visit. Jim K did "magic tricks" with all the kids. Angie brought a whole wardrobe for her niño, Rex. They immediately put it on him and he was swimming in them. Katelyn had a "crappy" morning with baby diapers. The baby she was holding left a spillover present on her elbow.

The evening church service was a very emotional one. The music was energetic, the kids danced up by the stage, and a newborn was dedicated. Near the closing, a mother came up to ask for healing of her young son with a brain tumor. The faith of the mother was inspiring.

We walked the streets of Llano Verde after the service. Sarah, Angie and I sat on some steps while the team went in a store to get snacks. A motorcycle scooter rode by and gave the gas right in front of us, and the smoke almost blew us away.

Our day ended with some bakery snacks coming back to the mission house with us. While we were enjoying them, a skunk decided to spray right outside our open window......

We're all anxious to start working. We wish we could be everywhere at once, playing with the orphans, holding the babies at the Nutrition Center, working on the hospital, etc. One day at a time, sweet Jesus.

- Melany