Day 1 – Sunday 28th

The day started with Pastor Lyall and John preparing a breakfast of pancakes and eggs, which was complimented with fresh pineapple, grapes, and cantaloupe. After the meal, Norman and Vickie Sutton gave us an orientation on the cultures (50/50 split between Latino and Maya Indian) in San Andres before introducing us to the kids and then releasing us to the medical clinic and the village market.

Stories from interacting with the Hogar de Vida family:

When the team went into the market, some of the kids jumped at the opportunity to tag along with the gringos (aka us). Chuck was very touched by the opportunity to get ice cream with the kids. Yes, ice cream is an universal language that brings a smile to every kid, including the young at heart. The ice cream cart even had the same music as the one that goes up and down our blocks.

Stories from the medical clinic:

The clinic had the opportunity to administer medical care to daily aches and pains to child illness to prenatal care. Santa appreciated being able to connect to the people directly through Spanish. Running the sonogram station, she experienced the joy of a mother and son that soon another baby boy would be joining the family. However, whenever you have opportunity to share lives, you also will experience the hard times too. So, when a scared young girl came in and saw a heartbeat, Santa only observed a small smile appear, which we can only imagine what all was behind that smile. Kim observed the insurmountable need in child illness. This is the season for respiratory viruses. As much as she could administer, she knew only prayer could meet the seen and unseen need. Much like in Luke 5, their faith was the only thing that could bring restoration; not merely for this temporary life but for eternity.

Afternoon:

The team organized the materials for the health/Gospel presentation at a local school tomorrow. Mr Ford would be proud with the assembly line of tooth brushes, soap, tracts, and vitamins. Then, for supper, we had an American-style taco salad. Jared asked Vickie about a Mayan salsa that he had heard of. She said, in fact, Oralia makes the very spicy salsa for her and family daily. Oralia kindly made up a batch for us to have with our taco salad. Everyone, with the exception of Jared, found it quite spicy.

Church services are held Sunday and Thursday evenings. It was an unique opportunity to worship and praise our Father together in many tongues (Spanish, Quiche, and English) much like it will be before God's throne in Heaven. Even though we didn't know the language, we could recognize that they sang many of the songs in praise. Pastor Lyall, Chuck, John, and Jill shared short testimonies on God's faithfulness in our journey to be with them.

We are settled in for the evening so we can be ready for the school adventure. Please pray for the hearts of the children and that they may hear and see the Father's love for them.