Hola from Guatemala! Week Two (Entry Two)

Hello everyone!

The Guatemalan team of interns has been very busy, yet we still remain in awe of our wonderful God and His mighty works. It's been so encouraging to hear how God is working through each of us and through the children that we encounter.

Over the weekend, we visited a transitional home in Guatemala City and an orphanage in Antigua. The transitional home has girls from the ages of 14 to 22. The girls are in finishing school and starting their careers. We took the girls to see "Super Man." They loved the movie, and it was a great time to get to know the girls better. It was very encouraging to hear the girls' stories. We asked the girls how their life has changed since they first came to the Buckner Transitional Home. One of the girls started crying and told us that since she came there, she realized that she has a future and can achieve her dreams. We shared testimonies with the girls, and they shared their hearts and personal stories.

On Saturday, we drove to Antigua, which used to be the capital city of Guatemala. The city is so beautiful!!! Ancient churches and buildings abound along the cobblestone roads. When we first arrived, we visited Manchen (a girls orphanage). We sang songs with the kids and told stories. We had so much fun hanging out with the kids and playing with them. Several of the girls know how to knit and sew. I thought it was interesting watching the young girls knit purses together. After having lunch at Mono Loco ("Crazy Monkey"), we went shopping at the (very popular) market in Antigua. We had so much fun bargaining with the vendors. We bought skirts, purses, blankets, and more. The market is filled with brightly colored, handmade items. It's a matter of finding what you want and then bargaining to get the best price. My skirt started at 90 Qs (about 12 US dollars), and we bargained until the price was 50 Qs (only $6!!!). Its fun bargaining, yet very tiring!!!

On Sunday, we drove about 6 hours west of Guatemala to Xela ("Shay-la"). We drove over and around many mountains (including the highest point in Guatemala). It was such a beautiful ride through the mountains. This week, we are with a team from Puyallup, Washington (High Pointe Community Church). We walk to the orphanage each day (it's about a half mile each way). There are about 70 children at the orphanage....from infants to orphans in their 20s who have special needs. We meet for devotional at 8:30 and then walk to the orphanage. The boys are with us in the morning and the girls in the afternoon (they are at school during the other part of the day). We are doing a wide variety of things at the orphanage. Each child is seen by the doctor (from the High Pointe team). The doctor and assistants also give each child lice treatment and foot treatment. All of the children get a new pair of clothes, new pajamas, new socks, and new underwear. The kids were so excited trying on their new clothes. I was again reminded of life as an orphan when I found out that each kid may only have 3 pairs of clothes at any time. Wow, we have so much to be thankful for...especially the things we take for granted each day. The children also participate in VBS stories, crafts, and songs. All of the children are going to a dentist this week for a cleaning and checkup. Several of the men have already spent many hours this week fixing toliets, rewiring lights, changing hinges, and many other much needed repairs. It has been so easy for us to see how the whole body of Christ pulls together. We each are talented in different ways and make an incredible team when we combine all that we have.

Please continue to pray for us...several team members have been sick these past couple of days. Pray that we will be healthy and will be filled with energy and excitement each day. Pray that the children will see Jesus in us and that we will see the children through Jesus' eyes. Pray that we will be a positive witness to the caregivers and will continue to encourage them.

We will travel back to Guatemala City on Saturday night....pictures coming soon!!!! (as soon as we get back to the Buckner House). Thanks for checking in and thanks for your prayers and encouragement!!!!!

For His Kids,
Sheena (or "Chee-na" as the kids here refer to me as) :)