Shoes, Socks and Bible Story Books

Writing about this trip is proving to be a little more difficult than usual. I'm not sure if it is because of the exhaustion, both physical and emotional, that came along with it and that is still holding on or if it is because this trip ended up being the complete opposite of what I expected and I can't even begin to think of the words to describe it. This was one of those trial and error trips, as I think all "first" trips are...this being our first large scale distribution trip. Many lessons were learned and I, personally, was wrecked by a number of things that took place during our time last week. You know that I will write about it eventually, but for now I just want to share pictures from the trip starting with our first day in Pueblo Nuevo.

Our first day in Guatemala was spent shopping for supplies, organizing and meeting with Marco and Leddy. We did not go to Pueblo Nuevo until the next day, Tuesday. That day we did what we will do every trip as we try to get to know everyone...we visited families. During that time we distributed tickets that would be used to pick up food bags later in the week. Families with children in the children's ministry received tickets along with families that are not Christians and even some families that are known to practice witchcraft. We also used that time to distribute more vitamins. That afternoon we distributed shoes, socks and Jesus Story books to hundreds of children.

Setting out to visit families and to give information about food bags being distributed later in the week.

Lesson #564 learned this trip: When we move to Pueblo Nuevo, we will be dealing with a rodent problem.

A sweetie waiting for the perfect pair of shoes for her tiny feet.

Way out of order. This was only the beginning of the shoe line. Even more people squeezed into the alley soon after and lined up down the street outside the alley as they waited.

Unpacking the first box of shoes.

(*Thanks to Carolyn for taking so many pictures and allowing me to use them. Pictures with dates on them throughout this trip were taken by her.)

"What Has Been the Highlight So Far?"

While I was talking to Rebecca this evening, she asked a very simple question. "What has been the highlight of the trip so far?" Rarely do I think I make sense while talking about the trip while I am still in Guatemala, especially when I am on the phone with a thousand things on my mind. Fortunately, she is used to my babbling and knows that there is just no way that I can make sense of it all myself right now, let alone pull it together for a phone conversation. But her question hasn't left my mind since. I could not answer it then, but now when I know I should be sleeping, my mind is busy and the answer has become very clear.

What has been the highlight of this trip so far?

Witnessing the answer to prayers play out before my eyes while I stand in awe. Who would have known that money for more food baskets would come at the last minute and from the most unexpected places? Who knew that a guy would decide 5 days before the trip to travel with us, adding a much needed third pair of hands that are much stronger than mine and Carolyn's? Who knew that prayer after prayer would be answered, often at the last minute throughout each day so far and undoubtedly tomorrow? Who knew the answer to all of those questions and so many more? We serve an awesome God!

What has been the highlight?

Standing before women with tears in their eyes because they have just been told that they will be receiving food for their families.

Highlight - Sliding a pair of new socks and shoes onto feet that have been so dirty and cracked because their old shoes basically have no soles.

-Fighting back tears while praising God that the teenage boy in front of me no longer has to worry about the physical pain of being burned with cigarettes and beaten and praying that while the scars will always remain on his skin, that his heart is healed more every day.

-Standing in a crowd of children that will do anything to learn more about Jesus.

-Remembering names and faces in Pueblo Nuevo and being remembered.

-Being strongly convicted and knowing that I have to do something for children that beg and sell on the streets in Antigua and not being sure what to do. So many are abused and must feel so alone and unloved. I took extra Jesus story books out of the box before our distribution of them in Pueblo Nuevo. After 2 days, those copies are floating around Antigua in the hands of children that I pray will learn that they are not alone and they are loved. Squatting down beside a four year old child that is holding her hand out on the street, placing a few Qs and The Jesus Story in it and looking in her eyes while telling her that God loves her...still can't really talk about that particular child without crying.

-Being blessed by those He is blessing.

- Everything.

This trip is proving to be one of those trips that is changing things...changing opinions, changing ideas, changing hearts, changing me.

Our last day in Pueblo Nuevo is tomorrow. I am dreading the good-byes and am having a hard time with the fact that we will not return until April. Four months away from these precious children and families seems like a lifetime to me and I said to Rebecca tonight during my babbling, I am not supposed to do this. I am not supposed to keep leaving this place. And I am not supposed to keep leaving my family in the U.S. to do this. This is always the case, but this trip, more than the other two this year, has confirmed what I have believed all along. We may have been born in the United States and love the U.S. with our entire hearts and we may have to leave a lot behind, but Guatemala is where we belong...this is our home away from Home, at least until He calls us somewhere else. 2010 is going to consist of a few week long mission trips, but it is also going to consist of a lot of listening, a lot of following and resisting the fear and doubts that tend to come when you start giving up more than you are comfortable with. 2010 may just be the year that we learn the answer to the questions...how and when? How do we do this...how do we get there...and when do we move?

Actual trip details and a few pictures coming soon.

A year later...

...I still love this.

McComb Garden Club

The people in my hometown are still at it...working to support the families in Pueblo Nuevo. I am humbled by those that have stepped forward to help.

Most recently, Alana Gabler, one of my childhood friends, let me know that she wanted to be involved with collecting money for food baskets and any type of chicken and/or planting programs that we start in the future. Thanks to Alana and the McComb Garden Club for their contributions which will supply families with food next week. Your donations are appreciated more than you know and your support is such an encouragement to us. Thank you!

Inspired by Students and Teachers

A couple of months ago, we were blessed with hundreds of pairs of new socks that were collected by a school in Summit, Mississippi. I recently learned about a high school senior in Alexandria, Louisiana that is using her senior project as a way to bring warmth to the children of Guatemala by learning to sew. She will be making blankets and clothes for the children and we will be distributing them for her during our summer 2010 trip.

For a couple of months I have known about a class in Trussville, Alabama that was collecting toys for the children of Pueblo Nuevo and Rehoboth. Those toys were picked up by Carolyn (previously known here as C.) this afternoon. I do not have the final count of toys yet, but this first grade class collected A LOT of toys...all brand new or in nearly new condition. As Carolyn called out some of the toys that she was sorting through tonight, I became so impressed by this teacher, her students and their parents. Hot wheels, baby dolls and such are going to mean the world to the children we will see in a few days. Most of the children in Pueblo Nuevo do not have even one toy. Seeing their faces next week is going to blow me away. This class also made cards for the children and we will be distributing them, as well. Thank you to Mrs. Herndon's first grade class at Paine Primary School in Trussville, Alabama.

Mrs. Herndon told one of her friends about us which led to another teacher helping her students reach out to others. Mrs. Ivey's class at Mountain Brook High School in Mountain Brook, Alabama made 60 tie-dyed shirts for children in Guatemala. From what I hear, they are beautiful and I cannot wait to see them! Thank you, Mrs. Ivey and students!

We can work every day of our lives trying to reach those in need in Guatemala and around the world. We can take mission trips, some that are just temporary relief to so far never ending problems, others that impact people and their community long term and for the rest of their lives. We can talk about this to anyone that will listen, though it often goes over their heads because they have never been involved, never thought about being involved and don't care to be involved, but when children begin giving of themselves at an early age, some one's future truly changes. I firmly believe that projects like these are remembered by the students that collected and created these items and those that will receive them for years to come. When children begin to learn about the true needs in the world, a seed is planted that often leads that child to grow up with a servants heart.

I know because it happened to me. I will never forget being a child and volunteering at a nursing home by visiting patients and helping with activities, working with special needs children at summer camp year after year, helping with the local Christmas party for underprivileged children and being a part of the group that created an annual prom for teenagers and adults with special needs. Those are just a few of the things that were the beginning of my learning that giving of oneself is the most rewarding thing a person can do. And I often think back today to the people that led those activities and am so thankful for their leadership and guidance.

So, to Mrs. Herndon and Mrs. Ivy...thank you not only for encouraging your classes to care and support the children of Guatemala, but for also being the planter of a seed that may grow in the hearts of the children you are teaching. Not only are you spreading love and hope to children that are so far away, but because of you, your students are becoming more aware of needs that exist in our world and are more likely to grow up to truly make a difference.

What We're Praying For

I made a promise today that I will stop being shocked when people call me before a mission trip just to ask what they should be praying for/about. It is so touching when my phone rings and a friend is on the other end just because she can't stop thinking about a trip she isn't even going on and wants to know what my thoughts are about it as the time to leave nears. OK...so I have an incredible circle of friends that I truly love. I do not deserve to have them in my life, but I am so thankful that they are here. And I promise....next trip, I will not sound surprised when any of you call to check in before I leave or to find out what you need to be praying for. In fact, if it makes you feel better, I will call YOU next time to fill you in on everything. Deal? :)

Four days until Guatemala. Hmmm....what I am I thinking?

I think that I can't believe the life I am living. I can't believe that this is my third trip to Guatemala this year and my second without Danny and Tommy. I am having a difficult time knowing that I have to leave them again and I think this is going to get harder each time I have to do it. Fortunately, I probably will not make another trip to Guate without them until August 2010 since they will both be with me on the spring trip. I am more fearful about this trip than I have been about any of the others for a number of reasons, though I hate to admit that out loud. But overall I am excited, as usual, and so ready to wrap every child in Pueblo Nuevo and at Rehoboth up in a hug. I dread having to leave them again. Each time will be harder than the last and last time was not at all pretty.

I guess since I've done this for the last two trips, I should continue on the "tradition". Our prayers vary so much from trip to trip. It's awesome to look back and see how He answered them. I am sure this trip will be no different.

We are praying....

-that the rest of our Medrano boxes will be delivered. Some of them have already arrived, but others are missing. They should have all arrived together last week. We need them to arrive by Sunday night so that there will not be any children left out of distributions that begin Monday morning.

-that we will continue to receive donations for food baskets because there can never be enough of this in a country that is experiencing a food crisis and when so many are malnourished.

-for our health and safety as we travel to Guatemala, throughout the week and as we return home on the 18th.

-that we will be able to accomplish all that needs to be done. We are a team of only 3 people. Unfortunately, the Istrouma college ministry was not able to establish a team. Because of the amount of items we have to distribute and the work that has to be done, we need to have a team of about 10 people. Do I believe that 3 people can accomplish this? Yes. Will it be difficult? Yes. But we are praying that this will be the beginning of some of the people of Pueblo Nuevo helping us help them.

-that the love of God will be evident to all and that those in the village that do not know Him may come to know Him.

-that our luggage arrives safely and with us Sunday afternoon. In addition to more toys, shoes and other supplies, I have 300 Spanish Bible story books packed that need to be distributed.

-that the hearts of the people living in Pueblo Nuevo will continue to be softened and that they will continue to welcome us, even though some are unsure of our motives and doubt our reasons for being there. We cannot move foward with some of the projects we know we are being called to do without the support of the majority of the village, so we pray that this trip will be successful in our earning the trust of more people there.

-that, as always, our hearts will be shattered because as long as His heart breaks for His children that are in need, so should ours. We are praying that when we return, we will have an even more energized passion and greater love than we have when we arrive.

-for our partners in Pueblo Nuevo, Marco and Leddy Tulio and at Rehoboth, Victor and Chici Barbella and for Forest and Carol Kendall with Servants 4 Him.

-for our spouses as they support us...that they would find comfort in knowing that the Lord is our greatest protection...and for our children as they miss their moms.

-personally...I injured my shoulder when I was fostering in Antigua and because I refused to spend long periods of time away from Tommy when he came home, I just lived with the pain. It has become unbearable and there is no doubt that surgery is in my near future, but again, I have put it off because I cannot be in a sling during a mission trip. I am praying that I can get through just one more trip...the most challenging trip (physically) without the major pain that I experience most days or causing any more damage.

Gosh....it always sounds like I am asking for so much, but there you have it. Thanks to everyone that is already praying and those that I know will be praying throughout the trip. We continue to be blessed by your prayers, support and encouragement. Much love!!

Bloggy Battle

It's been going on for a while now...this battle in my mind of what to do with this blog. Maintaining a blog for AAB is important to me, so that isn't what this is about. The problem is, I may have a little blog addiction going on. I have 3 blogs, but I only write consistently on this one. One of them is private and I never write on it and the other has only been used once in the last year and a half. But here's the deal. I miss blogging about little family things and really NEED to be doing that because it's kind of like T's baby book...which means that his "book" has a 1 1/2 year blank spot in it. I've made up my mind. While this blog was originally for AAB news, raising awareness about orphans and adoption, etc., we're going to shake it up a bit. There is only so much I can say about Guatemala and such before things get repetitive (don't say anything...I know it already is pretty repetitive at times). Here's the twist...there will still be a lot of stuff here about AAB (it's going to stay primarily AAB/Guate/orphans/etc. related), but since "Wherever He May Lead" is sometimes nowhere but to our yard to play with our almost 3 year old, it's time to add a little of our actual life here.


Because for those of you that do not actually know me, we really do have a life outside of AAB that is often as entertainingly funny (according to some sources) as any King of Queens or Everybody Loves Raymond episode you have ever watched. For instance, what could have pushed my decision over the "oh what to do" stage to "I so have to blog this" stage?


Tommy.


The mall.


And Santa.


Oh. My. WORD!!!


The mall...I despise it. No, really. I will do just about anything to avoid it. And when it's Christmas...well, let me just say that rarely do any of the gifts I purchase come from the mall because unless it's to visit Santa, I won't step foot inside such a mad house.


So, Monday night we took the cheap route and headed to Bass Pro for a free picture with Santa. Tommy was ecstatic. For a child that is super shy when he first meets people and will not even think of letting me walk further than 1/8 inch from him in the presence of a stranger, he certainly has new found love for Santa Claus. It's bordering on obsession, I think...right up there with Jesus and snowmen...his 2 favorite topics. He loved shaking Santa's hand before pictures and went right to him for the big photo op. No smile because he was in absolute shock, but he was happy and made that perfectly clear the rest of the night as he talked non-stop about him. Sadly, the picture was horrible. You get what you pay for, I guess. I wanted to use it for Christmas cards this year, but that wasn't going to happen.


Last year, one of the malls did a free photo. It was adorable! Even though you had buy a package this year to get a free photo, I decided it would be worth it to spend $12 to get a good picture and went out in the cold and rain to, of all places, the mall. There was no wait to see Santa. I could almost hear the angels sing as we walked right up to get our Santa pass and as Tommy RAN up the ramp and all but dove onto Santa's lap, all the while yelling, "San Cause! San Cause!" Still no smiley photo, but trust me, he was happy. Because no one else was at the mall to visit Santa, Tommy spent about 15 minutes playing patty-cake and singing songs with his new best friend. (Big shout-out to the Cortana Santa...that guy rocks!) If he happens to remember this years from now, he will probably say it was the best day of his life. Again, Santa was the main topic of conversation for the rest of the day...and snowmen...and gingerbread houses..and always, Jesus (seriously).

Close your eyes and skip down if you know you are on our Christmas card list. I hate to be a spoiler, but this is the picture that's on them.


We had to brave the mall again today, thanks to Old Navy's shortage of toddler coats and because I refuse to miss the Festival of Lights this Friday night even if that does mean I have to walk into one of my nightmares since it's going to be cold enough for a "wintry mix" that night and Tommy has finally outgrown the coat that he has worn for the last 2 years. We went to JCPenney (I call it Penney's, OK...that's what it will be referred to from now on). On our way in to Penney's, we had to pass Santa. So far so good...Tommy was busy being a social dragonfly (Danny refuses to let me call him a social butterfly) waving and saying, "Hey...HEY!!" to everyone that we passed. We grabbed a coat that is a size too big and not at all cute and headed to check out. From the register, he could hear the familiar sound of bells..the bells Santa let him play with yesterday. Head turning, arms flapping, spinning on his heels ensued and I barely grabbed my receipt in time to grab his hand before he took off. Yelling started. "Hey San Cause! Hey! San Cause! I love it now!!" (Don't ask me...he adds "now" to everything now.) I bent down and explained that we had to hurry to pick his daddy up from the doctor and we couldn't take another picture with Santa because we already had one.


You see where this is going, don't you?


Santa was all alone again today and obviously enjoying himself as he stood there drinking a bottled water and chatting it up with the girl that is in charge of taking photos. Tommy was holding my hand and seemed to understand that we were not going to talk to Santa today and he sweetly waved to him as we passed by. But my boy is a little prankster. Just when I thought we had escaped without drama, Tommy yanked his little hand out of mine, ducked behind me and faster than ever began running away from me, up the ramp to Santa, yelling at the old guy the entire time. All I saw was a bottled water almost hitting my kid in the head as Santa tried his best not to spit out what he just put in his mouth because he was laughing so hard. Tommy got to his feet and froze...he just stood there looking up at him as I ran up the ramp to get him. It was all very dramatic and "you just had to be there" funny. I grabbed his hand and told him we had to go. "No." "Tommy, let's go." "No!" I scooped him up and he proceeded to have the biggest fit ever! Oh, it was a lovely sight. Again I was thinking (because honestly, I know I'm not the only one that has ever had this thought)...white woman in the mall, brown kid having a fit....obviously out of control....I could almost see security running over after getting a call about a kidnapping suspect at the Santa center. And there I was...in my mall nightmare. So I put him down, while holding on to him, and told him if he did not stop acting that way, he was going to time out (yes, in the mall). He calmed down immediately and then, repeated the same thing...took off, running to Santa, almost knocking down a woman that was in his way, laughing as if this were hysterical. Don't tell him, but it was pretty funny. So I ran back up the ramp, turned him around in mid-run, scooped him up and quickly exited the mall. Crazy kid! I adore him!!


There you have it...my reason for deciding to blog personal stuff here sometimes. See, outside of what I've always written before, there is life here. And I could not be more thankful for it!