I'm Liv'n in an Orphanage!

Wow, it's been an incredible adventure and we've only just arrived. Things are great with my family in San Juan. Our school for the orphans started last week. Everyday I wake up at 6am as the orphans begin trickling in our front door. I leave at 8am for school, which is ony a couple streets down from my house, and I arrive back home around 12. The moment I open my door I have 26 kids run and greet me with hugs and kisses. This starts the long routine of trying to pry them from as I walk with two on each leg and one in each arm. It truly is a site to see. It's not often you find a routine your used to here but, this one is mine. These kids live in poverty stricken areas with either a relative, or one parent. We feed, teach, and play with the kids until they are picked up at 6pm. I can't tell you how much I enjoy my family and having a orphanage right in my house.

It's so funny because the kids just cannot understand that I don't speak spanish. They can't comprehend why I can't understand them or talk clearly back to them. They treat me like I am a kid in an adults body. It reminds me of that movie, I am Sam or Jack. They all hold my hand and take me everywhere. They fight to care of me. It truly is one of the sweetest and funniest things I have ever experienced!

Yesterday, I finished washing the kid's dishes and I saw some little girls playing with some popcylce sticks so I started to play with them and pretend to give them makeovers with the sticks. They loved it! They were all crowding around to get thier hair brushed, makeup put on, and nails done, all with a popcycle stick. Then they sat me down and decided to give me one. For the next twenty minutes I had 20 little hands all my face. They were brushing my hair, painting my nails, fighting for my face, and one little girl who kept poking me in the eye with the popcycle stick. She didn't exactly understand how to use the stick. As if there is a certain way.

Lastly, they told me to open my mouth so they could brush my teeth. Oh yeah, I know what you're thinking, me too. But, I reluctantly opened wide not knowing where the sticks had been or what kind of germs where on them. Thankfully, that process wasn't that painful. By the end I had a face full of splinters, hair that looked like I stuck my finger in a socket, and the best part, I turned around and saw a little nino "boy" shoving all the sticks in his underwear! Needless to say, I quickly ran grabbed my tooth brush and began one of the longest teeth cleanings of my life.

Well, that is just a brief summary of what life is like in my house. Thank you for all of your prayers. You can't imagine how much I rely on them. I could not be here if it weren't for everyone of you. Please never underestimate the power of each prayer. God is really giving us incredible opportunities to share the gospel. Pray for our teachers, families, friends we have made in the city, and just our love for one another. Please check soon for my next Blog about my experience at the active volcano. CRAZY! Oh, and please pray for us this weekend. This Saturday we are going to rent motorcycles for a day and travel around Guatemala. I have never driven a motorcycle so I am a little nervous, but someone told me it's just like riding a bike just a little fast so I think I got it. Just pray! WEll I love you so much, and Juli Dees it was so good to hear from you!

I Made It!!!!

Well, sorry this has taken a while but as you can imagine it has been really crazy! We arrived safely to Guatemala last Friday, and as we were getting our luggage, I was talking and goofing off and then I realize that everyone had thier luggage already and the baggage claim was empty. At first I was a little frantic as I tried to use the little spanish I knew to tell the Airpot employee my luggage is not here. Then it was as if a peace came over me and I was just reminded who was really in control. I am so greatful for that moment of fear and peace that came form the Lord and set the pace for this journey.

After leaving the airport, we had no idea who we were stayng with, or how we were getting there so it was a little exciting and scary! Thankfully we spoted our guy with a little sign among what seemed like hundreds of other pèople yelling at us and holding up signs, yeah it was fun.When we arrived we were immediatly seperated from each other and put with our families. My family is so Awesome! We were all saying how it is so funny how our families match us perfectly. God definitely ordained who we would be living with.

Im my family I have a little sister who is 13, a younger brother who is 9, and two parents. I have so much fun talking with my little sister, Liz. She is a typical teenage girl. She reminds me of Kaylie, excpet she hugs me everywhere I go and holds my hand. My little brother Oto is sooooo fun! I love coming home from school and playing with him. He is such a little boy, always wanting to play around. He cheats at every game though! My mom, Rosa, is so funny, and let´s just say an extravert, which is unccomon for women around here. My dad, Cecilio, is gone working alot as a gardner.After dinner my family and I will turn up the music, dance, and sing and play games, oh we eat at 8 or 9 if i am lucky! My family is very loud, you can hear us down the street. My freinds laughed as they met my family and said i fit in perfectly with them. God is good!

My family, like just about everybody here, is Catholic. I have been able to share alot with them, although we cannot go deep in converstaions yet, due to my lack of spanish but God is really working through all of us among our families. We were all encouraged to spend time getting involved in volunteer work somewhere and of course my first thought was where´s the orphange. I have asked around to many people and the only orphanges are far from San Juan, which is where I live. I was begining to be really bumbed and just began praying about it.

Well, Yesterday at breakfast my mom told me she is a teacher also, and she teaches at her house. Then I realized why our house was painted bright pink and yellow with pictues of whinnie the pooh and little ninos everywhere. Then she explained she teaches orphans. They come to her housre at 6am and she feeds them and teaches them and then they leave at 2pm. When I told my team they couldn´t belive it, becuase they knew how much i was really bumbed out about not finding an orphanage to work in. God truly ordained where I am living. The school starts on thursday and I will wake up at 5 and help till I leave for school at 8 then when I return at 12 and help till the leave at 2pm. I am so excited!
Well i have to go but i will blog again soo because so much more has happened! Luv you guys!