It’s always a good day when I make it out to Fundaninos and today was no exception.  I left with a full heart and loving those kids more than I thought would be possible.  It started with the cutest sight ever on my way there.  I was stopped behind a chicken bus when I saw three kids hop off with their school backpacks.  There was what looked like the older brother (say 7-8 years?) with his two little sisters.  He walked with his arms around them as if he was trying to protect them.  It was so cute I thought my heart would melt right out of my chest! It amazes me how young kids are here when they “grow up” and take care of things. 

When I got to Fundaninos, the peques were the first that I found. Angel had received his growth hormone shot… needless to say that because of said shot he was a little more calm and still for the rest of the time that I was there. 

I finally met Eddie the newest little 4 year old to Fundaninos, who the police found looking for help very beat up.  I’ve hear from several that they have never seen a kid come in as bad of shape as sweet Eddie, but the Lord redeems and rescues and when I met him today Eddie was all giggles.  After he met me, anytime someone else came into the room he would introduce me as if we had been friends forever and no one else knew me…. Sadly for him the other kids didn’t seem to care as they him a look that seemed to say “we’ve known her a lot longer than you” and came to give me a hug and greet me like normal.   

And Emna wanted a picture like normal.  It has been fun to see her grow.  My first time to Fundaninos in 2009 she was so small and barely walking around, now she does what she can to “hang with the big kids.” 

Then when it was time to go I said good-bye and Omar took my keys from my hands, walked me to my car, unlocked it, opened my door and rode with me down to the gate to open it and let me out so I wouldn’t have to do it alone.  What a sweetie! He’ll make a great catch for some lucky lady in about 10 years….

And just because the twins were adopted 2 weeks ago….

On Good Friday my team and I went with our good friends to a nearby town to look at the alfombras (carpets) that were made in the streets.  It’s a tradition here in Guatemala to color sawdust and make gorgeous carpets with beautiful designs in the streets as a symbol of laying out the palm branches for Jesus.  men, women, and children work together to make these alfombras and then the evening of Good Friday there is a processional that starts and ends at the local Catholic church with huge wooden floats that tell the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  There are almost 100 people carrying each large float on their shoulders.  It was a fun, yet sobering experience to take part on Friday and yet my favorite part of the whole weekend was being reminded that the only reason that we celebrate Christ’s death is because of the resurrection.  Jesus was nailed to the cross, dying a horrible death, for my sins and the sins of the world… He was buried, BUT after 3 days, He rose from the dead overcoming death and the grave!  What exciting news!  It brings so much joy to my heart!!

Here are a few pictures.  I hope you enjoy them.

I’ve been reading a book called “The Hole in Our Gospel” by Richard Stearns.  So far I have really enjoyed it and found it to be a sweet reminder and a constant stirring of many of the reasons I first wanted to come to Guatemala.  In the chapter that I am currently reading Stearns quotes a prayer by Bob Pierce, Founder of World Vision. 

“Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.”

I’ve heard this quote before, I’ve even prayed it, but then Stearns expanded on it and it’s really stuck.  He’s talking about how it’s so easy to forget the children in other parts of the world dying, because they aren’t our children or children we know. 

“His prayer was a crying out to God, that God would break his heart yet again and again, because if He didn’t, Bob knew that he could not love somebody else’s kids the way that God did.  No man or woman can unless God breaks that individual’s heart.  Only then can he or show—or we—care as God cares and love as He loves.  That’s why we must pray constantly that God will soften our hearts so we see the world the way He sees it.

I pray that God truly would continue to break my heart for His children.  It’s easy for me to love and break for the children I know, be it in Texas or in Guatemala… at a church or an orphanage, but I want my heart to break really break for them.  To break over the sin that causes pain, the lies that people believe and bondage of fear, insecurity or pride that blind people to the gospel.  If I’m honest, my heart doesn’t break for these things often enough… even living in Guatemala, I can grow numb to the pain and heartache around me.  I pray that I don’t grow numb, that I don’t forget, or become blind to them just because I’m surrounded by it.