Day 4

Greetings from Guatemala,

Today, we had a pretty good day at the HIV Orphanage and at the worksite building the home.

 We needed to stop and pick up some pill bags for the medical clinic before dropping the team off at the Orphanage.  We stopped in Sumpango at a local pharmacy store.  As we were leaving and started our U turn on the cobblestone road, the back tire went flat.  We just happened to have a flat tire in front of the tire changing shop, so we paid about $7 US dollars to get our tire changed with the spare.  The spare tire was replaced with a new tire later in the morning.

 The medical clinic had about 60 people needing care today.  The team saw some children from the orphanage, their parents, the nuns and people from the community.  The morning was slow, but in the afternoon is when the bulk of the patients walked in for care.  Danielle entertained the children with bubbles and making some balloon animals.

 The service team was able to finish putting the roof on the new detached kitchen.  The main 2 room home will probably be finished by Friday.  The roof material was from the old house, in which we needed to remove from that house today.  The detached kitchen was completed enough with doors and windows to place 2 bunk beds in this afternoon and dedicate the home.  The pastor from their church led the dedication, prayed over the home and the family.  The family was very excited to receive this miracle, as it was described by the pastor.  They were so grateful to God for sending the team down to Guatemala and having all the financial support to change families living condition.  It was a heartfelt dedication and it was truly a blessing for this widow and her children.  They had been sleeping in a small metal room in 2 beds, now all the family members get their own beds.  The little boy, Louis, who wa about 10, claimed a top bunk and started making his bed as soon as he could.  After the dedication, the sun shown through the clouds and it seemed to be a glimpse of God smiling down on us.

The evening meal was to be a surprise for the HIV Orphans.  They were served their favorite meal, in which they get once a year, the meal was from Pollo Comparo.  The children were electric and couldn't wait to get their food served to them.  Afterwards many of the children got hugs and pictures with the team.

 Tomorrow we leave for R&R, but before we check in to our hotel, we'll visit one more orphanage at Solola.

 Thanks for your continued prayers.

 Dios Bendiga!
 Terry