Locked out

After too much time, we are finally able o get back on our blog! Keep watching for news, updates and pictures! We want to catch up!!

Blessings!!

I thought we were immune.

Living in a dangerous country, we are constantly reminding our children to watch their personal space. We are constantly making sure bags are under seats or not seen in the car. We are always double checking to see if the doors are locked. Not living scared, just living smart. You never know who is watching you or looking in your car when you are in the store. It’s the way it is here in Guatemala. It makes you suspicious of people yes, but it makes you more dependent on God!

Immune? What does that have to do with this you are wondering? Today, almost 26 months of living here in this beautiful country it happened. I ran into the store quickly to pick up a few things for dinner then I was heading to a coffee shop to poach internet because the internet at our house has been down for a few days. Sip some coffee enjoy a little time to myself up at the coffee shop. Probably see a friend or two come in and visit for a few minutes. Catch up on Facebook, (you know I have a new nephew I need to see pictures of everyday)!! Check my never ending e-mail. You know the story, right? I called Phil to make sure he was OK with me going, he gave me the run down, told me where to sit, told me to keep my eye open for anything, told me to make sure the projector was out of the bag before I left “just in case something happens they will only get the computer and not the other things we keep in the bag” I finished picking up the few groceries I needed. I stood in line longer than I was in the store shopping. And, while I was standing there, I thought, deep in my heart something is going to happen today. Odd I thought, and pushed it aside, flipped my engagement ring around on my finger so that the diamonds were no longer visible. I checked out, chatted with that cashier for a minute found my keys grabbed my bags and left. I decided that I would make a call while I was walking to the car to have some security of talking to someone if “something” were to happen. I walked to the car, passed the guards with the guns in the parking lot, smiled and said bye. Opened my car and noticed the computer was MISSING! I was talking to Abby and I don’t know if I was calm or not at first. I think I was calm for the first moment then started shaking. I hung up and called Phil and told him. The passenger door was slightly ajar I opened and reclosed it while on the phone with Phil. Not sure what to do, I just started driving away, who do I talk to? As I was leaving the garage I handed my parking ticket to the security guard at the entrance, and break down…explaining that my computer was just stolen, what do I do? He called another security guard who came to talk with me, and he called another security guard. I get out of the car and walk around to the passenger door and see the lock has been "popped", the door is now dented as well. My heart sinks. I look at the guard and tell him, there were NO CARS parked around me. Where were the guards in the parking lot? His response to me, “the security isn’t very good here” I wanted to say “Thanks Captain Obvious” but, I didn’t. After giving the information to the guard with shaking knees and hands that can barely turn the key, I head home. 

Tears of frustration, tears of invasion, tears of relief, tears of joy. Wait, what? Yes, Joy…

As I was driving home talking to Phil replaying the scenario I thought to myself whoever did this could have been waiting for me in the parking lot, they weren’t. Whoever did this could have done this while I was getting in the car and much worse could have happened, whoever did this has our computer that we use for everything our taxes were just done on that computer. And so much personal stuff, but we have a password. Hopefully that will keep it somewhat protected. Phil’s reassuring words to me as we were hanging up the phone  “It’s just a computer, you are ok!” and for that I am thankful.

We have been called to serve this country, and for a moment I thought about how ungrateful these people are, but they don’t know who we are, what we are doing here. I am called to love them not judge them, I am called to serve them not ask for justice. I am called to be the hands and feet of Christ. Knowing that we are doing what God wants us to do, knowing that we are right where God wants us makes it a little easier for me to say “yeah, my car was broken into and the computer was stolen.” Will I triple check to see if doors are locked tonight? YES! But, knowing I am right in the center of His Will makes it easier for me not to lock myself up in the house but, know that God is protecting me, my husband and family. Just a little computer but such a BIG lesson!

As I write this, I never had my coffee up at the coffee shop, I was never able to check my e-mails that are adding up, I was never able to see pictures of my new nephew. But, that is ok!

Yo estoy bien!! Gracias A Dios!

abandoned...

Matochos, a little village on a mountain close to the neighboring the El Salvador border. It's hot, it's dry, it's dirty. There is litter all up and down the side of the one lane road going up the mountain. Steep inclines make your stomach lurch as you pass through the hair-pin turns. It's poor village, with lots of children. In that village AMG has a center. I am not sure the exact number of children who attend there. This is not your typical school, most schools we visit, the children run to you, jump in your arms and hug on you all day. They want to touch your white skin, or feel your hair that is a different color than they have. They stare into your blue eyes, amazed. Here, they stood back, played but didn't get too close to us. Didn't ask to be picked up or hugged. They watched us, pointed and played with us but away from us.

Just as curios as they are with us, we are with them. What is your name, how old are you, do you live close to school, how many people live in your house, does your Mom live with you, your Dad live with you, who takes care of you, are you loved, are you cared for...yes, we have questions too. All too often the children tell us that they don't know their Dad. They live with their Mom, and their Tia (aunt) or their Abuela (grandmother)with primos (cousins) this is typical. No Dad, no grandfather, once and a while a father figure may come around but he isn't there all the time.

      These are not my words but words that were shared with me. They will not be exactly as the first story was told, but I will do my best to retell it. 

 Yesterday we met a little boy Fernando, he is 6 years old I believe. These typical questions were asked and he answered not even timidly but, openly. It is a way of life, they know no other way. Except his case is different. His Mom left him. I don't know how old he was when she left, I do know that he lives with his aunt and cousins, his Dad works in the city which is 2 hours away on a good day with your own car. Not stopping every 100 feet to pick up or drop off a new passenger. I have no idea how long it takes when you are on a bus. But, it is not 2 hours. His Dad has been in the big city for a month now and will come home next week. Then leave again, not spending Christmas with his family, because he needs to provide for them. His Aunt works as well, leaving the 12 year old cousin in charge of Fernando and a 2 month old baby all day. When asked how he feels about this situation, little Fernando said he feels "abandoned". What 6 year old child knows that word, knows how to use that word, and feels the pain of that word? This little one does and so many others do as well. It's sad, it's heartbreaking. Knowing that there are children living in villages all over this country who have stories so similar to this. Knowing that this is just simply a way of life for these poor people, for these poor children.

So thankful for the centers that AMG sponsored children can attend. They are loved on, cared for, fed and taught. With Christ's love being the center of all their teaching. Would you prayerfully consider helping a child like Fernando attend a school? Please follow this link and make a difference today.