So I thought maybe I could write about my next mission trip to Guatemala. It is coming up next month. 13 of us are leaving on the 8th of November to work at "our" orphanage in Zacapa. Our church goes there three times a year to help out with whatever they need. This will be my third time to go. I'm already working myself up and I still have a month to go! I don't sleep very well before I go, but usually that doesn't start until the week before. I hope I can get settled back down soon, or I will be worthless once we do finally get there.
So, this orphanage is only one of very few government-run orphanages in Guatemala. There are also several private orphanages there, but the government ones are not funded as well and have to rely on volunteers and outside help to get a lot of their needs met. It is meant to be a transitional home, but since adoptions in Guatemala have been virtually halted, many of the children have been there for quite a while. When we first started going, the conditions there were deplorable. Windows had been broken out and the glass was lying all over the ground. There were feces smeared all over the walls. The toilets did not work. The entire campus was just plain run down. Water and electricity is very limited. We went to work and got a lot of the surface work taken care of-cleaned up all the glass, painted everything, lots of general maintenance work. We also installed a water filtration system so that the children could have clean water.
The best part of the trip is actually getting to love on all of the kids. They are so hungry for adult attention. When we first arrive on campus and the kids catch sight of us, there is literally a stampede to get to us. Lots of smiles and hugs for everyone. We get to spend a whole week there. From morning until about 5:00pm.
OK, so I said that I was going to write about my NEXT trip. See how excited I am?
We had our first meeting last night. Our main project for this trip will be to get our well up and running. The city had cut funding again and is not providing running water into the orphanage. We raised funds to have a well dug. Now we need to get the pump in. They also want us to do some more painting and drop one of the ceiling down. Since they don't have air conditioning, dropping the ceiling keeps the room a little cooler. We also will come up with activities to do with the kids. We usually divide the kids into groups have have rotations: ESL class, sports camp, VBS, Crafts. One of the orchestra members and I thought we might see if we can come up with a plan to take musical instruments. Maybe teach a little recorder. I think that would be awesome.
Our November trip usually involves leaving clothing for the caregivers to give as Christmas gifts. This year, someone donated a huge crate of school uniforms. WOO HOO!! Lots of jumpers, skirts, polo shirts, shorts and Khakis. That opens up funds that we normally would have spent on the clothing. God is good!!
So current preparation goals: collect toothbrushes, toothpaste, and deodorant. See if I can come up with a good deal on some t-shirts for a craft project (dual purpose-right?) Gather or make a variety of musical instruments-recorders, sand blocks, rhythm sticks, etc. More time spent on the Rosetta Stone. Lots of prayer.
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