Day #1

This morning we started with a tour of Hope of Life to see all the changes that have been made just within the last 6 months. We visited the elderly home and stopped by Kelly's house, where the special needs children live.  Here we got to see how all the kids have grown and changed so much, like Louis! He is 5 years old and loves the girls! He was handing out lots of hugs and smiles!

Louis giving Brooke his best smile

Who can resist a hug from him

From there we went by Hope of Life's hospital to see all the rescue babies. This has been a stop that a few of us have been looking forward to for different reasons. One being that my son River had his heart stolen in June by a little boy there named Hermino! He has been so excited about getting to see him again. He told me, "Mom, it would be the best Christmas present ever if I could just see him again!" He bought him a little stuffed reindeer from Lifeway and couldn't wait to give it to him! It was the absolute sweetest thing to watch them meet again!

River and Hermino

Another excitement we anticipated was getting to see baby Christopher! He is a baby that was found the day we got to Guatemala this past June. He is special to us because a couple of good friends of ours, Billy and Dianna Brooks, were with us and decided to sponsor him! Christopher had been left at the dump in a box. When Billy and Dianna saw him their hearts were broken and moved at the same time to help bring hope, joy, and life to this precious baby by sponsoring him the rest of his life. Now each time they return they will get to spend one on one time with him! Since they were unable to join us this trip,  they sent him Christmas gifts to enjoy! We were thrilled to be able to deliver these goodies and provide them with updated pictures on their sweet little Christopher!

Christopher

Once we left the hospital, we went to the orphanage to visit with the kids.  While we were there,  we had the opportunity to help prepare one of the family style homes for a dedication service that will be held tomorrow.  We painted, cleaned windows, moved furniture, and made beds.  While we were making those beds, I just found myself praying for the precious little souls that would crawl in those beds to sleep each night. 

One of the bunk beds in the new home 

It was so good to see the kids from the orphanage! There were several who remembered us and that really makes me feel like relationships are truly being formed. 

Derrick made Diego a cross necklace!

He was so proud of it!

She wanted to make her own! 

He had lots of interested little visitors 

These two sat with us on the way to church 

our last trip 

Brooke with sweet Maria Baylene

I think he remembered Brenna 

We ended our day by preparing 618 food bags at the warehouse on the grounds of Hope of Life.  We will soon be able to distribute these bags in the name of Jesus to a nearby village, where hundreds of hungry families will be fed once more.  I pray that as each bag reaches the hand of those in need, they will realize the One who provides their true needs. 

Food bags 

I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve with my family, this includes Ms.Kara Taylor, because she is just like family to all of us! I pray that God will use us to spread his Word and his love to the people of Guatemala.