Arrived at home safely!

Hey! Lilly here. Sorry that I haven't been posting lately.... it got really busy (that's my excuse for not taking the time).
Anyways.... We had a fabulous time!

Going back to Wednesday, we started out in the morning with the regular VBS in the morning. That day we did the gospel story, with how we are sinners, we were saved by the blood of Christ, He makes us clean, we grow spiritually, and last of all we get to walk in the streets of gold. While the kids were doing a craft on that I was called away on a translating "mission" from one of our team members who needed help talking to a mother whose kid could not walk. The little girl was about 18 month, and had almost no muscle in her legs and bottom. She could stand, walk or even resist someone pushing up on her legs.

Since Mary- Beth (the team member who pulled my aside) was a OT, she and her husband made a makeshift bucket seat to put the child in. We bought a medium sized plastic bucket, and cut out the bottom. Then we got some rods and put a paint roller on in. We later put some holes in the bucket and slid the rod in which the paint roller inside, so that when we put the child in, the rollers would be by her stomach. It made it so the baby girl, Kimberly, would be safe and it would keep her upright.

While I was explaining all this to the mom, Mary Beth was telling me how the child should sit in it and how long, 3 times a day. We put Kimberly in the seat, and boy! Did she hate that thing! She was screaming and yelling. Mary Beth said it was because Kimberly wasnt used to using her muscles. After we explained this to the mom, I was ready to duck out to go play with the kids, but Mary Beth came up with something else.

Mary Beth turned to me and told me to tell the mom that she was going to put Kimberly on her knees. The roller was just in the right spot so that Kimberly could use that for balance. I was a little confused about this next step because Kimberly couldn't sit without it hurting/working her muscles, why would she be able to kneel? I didn't say anything to Mary Beth (she knew what she was doing) and once again explained to the mom and Grandma what this is doing. Poor, Kimberly hated us. She was screaming and the little baby tears were running down her face.

Just when Kimberly had settled down, but was still on her knees, once again I was ready to go blow bubbles with the kids but.... Mary Beth had another idea. She then showed the mother how to have Kimberly stand, when she could, with the little make shift box as her steady object. Once again, I didn't know why Mary Beth was showing this to them, when the baby girl couldnt even sit without screaming.

Once I had explained everything to the mom and Grandma, we took Kimberly out of the seat and her mom held her. Her crying had stopped but there were the little baby hiccups every once in a while. Mary Beth had was playing around with Kimberly's legs, giving them a little massage when Mary Beth's face lit up. I looked, and Mary Beth pointed at Kimberly's legs. While MB (easier to write) pushed up on Kimberly's legs, Kimberly decided to push back and fight the tension. IT WAS A MIRACLE!!! When Kimberly came in, she couldnt do that. After consulting MB, we figured that there was no way that the little girl to do that with just a little bit of time in the special seat. That was all God right there!
The mom and the Grandma were just delighted. They saw the change in Kimberly and it gave them hope.

The rest of the day, we went back to the orphanage- where we went in the afternoon, and the kids watched a movie. Mary Beth and I went to go the a special needs 12 year old boy who had CP and played with him. That was another highlight!

Later that night, we had a big send off party, where the pastors of the churches we served at came over for dinner. We got to learn a little big more about them and then later the biggest surprise was that they washed our feet. That was a really humbling experience. They wanted to show some gratitude for what we helped them do that week in their churches!

Thursday: So Thursday we changed it up. In the morning we went to Guatemala City and worked at a school called Precious Moments. There were did more bible stories with three different groups. We had a rotation since it would be to much to do 200 kids at one time. It was amazing to see how many kids could fit into a tiny tiny little space. The building was made to be a house, yet they turned hallways and closets into classrooms. Another thing about this school, is that it is in a very dangerous place. A lot of drug dealers and gangs hang around, and they recruit children to be part of their gang. So if you could keep those boys and girls in your prayers that would be great.

After having a great time in Guatemala City, we went to home sweet home (at least for me and mom) ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA!!!! It was so nice to be back home. We checked into the hotel and had the rest of the day to ourselves.

Mom and I went to go walk around town, got some cookies, went shopping and had time just mother- daughter. It was great. The rest of our group went to go shopping and then had dinner at some place... I dont know where they went. Sorry.

Friday: FREE DAY! We could do whatever we wanted. Mom and Amy went to Common Hope (the place dad worked when we lived down there) to talk to a man about helping teachers, help the students. After that most of the group went to the Choco Museo. For those of you who don't speak Spanish, that a chocolate museum. You learn about how chocolate was made in many different times.
While most of the group was there, mom and I went to see her old Spanish teacher, we went shopping and had lunch. Later, we took to other group members (Mary- Beth and her husband Jeff) into what we call the "real market." We did some more shopping.
Later that night, we had a another big send off party at a really good restaurant. It was great to have one last big party before we were home bound.

Saturday: Time to leave... :( Today was sad. We had to leave our beautiful Guate. It was also an early morning. Many of our members were not feeling the best, and some were up all night, so if you would pray that they feel better that would also be great. We didn't have any complications coming home--other than some Guatemalan guy look through my backpack, only to tell me that he thought I was cute. okay then...
Anyways, sorry again that I wasnt very consistent with the blog. SO... im going to go do some homework. Hope you all have a great night!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lil
P.S sorry if there are any mistakes grammar wise or anything like that.... its late. Teens dont do good when its late ;)