A Day in the Life of Holly

Who can resist this face :) I arrive at the center, bring my "stuff" into the office and then pop in to check in on the children. They are sitting down for breakfast and my presense disrupts that quickly, little warm bodies come flying at me to give me a hug and Good Morning kiss. They wait to, if I forget someone they will stand there until all have been greeted. Try to re-gain order for our staff :) Once all the children are seated and breakfast is ready we say grace. All children fold their hands and shut their eyes I peek my eyes open to make sure everyone is following the instructions, I see several squinting so that their eyes are closed but they still can see. I wonder, how much of this will they remember when they are 18, 19, 20, when the hard choices in life they'll have to face come their way. Will they remember the gringo's and Guatemalas alike that made every effort to show them Christs love. I pray this is the case. We thank GOD for providing the center, the food, the staff, the families that bring them each day and everyday they pray for their sponsors in the USA as we tell them their sponsors are doing the same thing for them. We pray God will bless their time at home, weekends can be tough, 2 days without the routine they have grown to cherish and love. 2 days without balanced meals or anything to do but cause trouble. Definately pray for these babies as they go home. I have to keep reminding myself they are not mine, but all GODS children. The feeding frenzy begins, toddlers being served first today was pancakes with honey which is a GREAT treat. They cannot master cutting the pancakes so they still need help with that. They are also all served mush made with vitamin enriched milk, so before they can have more pancakes they must drink all the mush. They are quick to get it over with. A line quickly forms again at the kitchen door for 2nds. This sight makes my heart burst. I thank GOD that these children for 2 meals a day can have 2nds if they so desire. I thank GOD and my eyes fill with tears because he has provided for these children in ways we could not imagine. Noone leaves the table hungry. The babies even eat more than I can imagine, the spoon does not get to their mouth quickly enough. I love to feed the babies. Esp the underweight ones, I see each bite helping out their little bodies that have never had enought before. Because even their breastfeeding mothers are underweight. Now is cleanup time as the children go upstairs for some play time and to brush their teeth. It's amazing to see their progress even in that area, brushing their teeth when they first started was new, they needed help with each step and now each child knows exactly what to do. I'm in my office now, catching up on emails. Will post about the rest of the day later.

Dear Family and Friends,
What an adventure it has been. I was thinking about what I wanted to focus on for this news letter and I realized I really wanted to show what God has been doing at La Sagrada Familia and in me.
Two weeks ago we started a family bible study at the center. Ana’s mom is leading it and we at most expected 5 mothers to attend. 15 attended! The response has been amazing. This is the first time a lot of these women have been reached. They have a past of being written off because of their social status, marital status etc. They requested that the study be weekly! They keep giving reports. One mother said that as she brings her son to the center or goes to pick him up she can feel God’s presence. Another said this is the first time she has felt this and she knows its God because it feels so good. I have said before sitting in my office I can feel God’s presence so I know what these women are talking about! We really thought that it would be an issue getting mothers to trust we truly wanted to help and to serve them, we were wrong, we serve a mighty God. We decided that the bible study would be from 4:30 to 6:00 and that is just not long enough. It was gone way over both times, they want to share, they finally feel safe it’s so amazing to be a part of this. Some of the fathers are now requesting a fathers group, so this coming Saturday we will have the first men’s session, this is an amazing response from the community! I love how God knew zone 5 needed this center; he knew when it was needed, where it was needed and who exactly to place there for staff etc.
I have wondered what God’s primary use for me at the center is. I know now, sure I may do the accounting assist with shopping and diaper changes and bottle feedings. God is LOVE and he wants me to show these children and mothers love. Forget language barriers, I don’t think the children even realize I speak another language. Along with the mothers feeling safe, the children also feel safe. We started doing Morning Prayer requests with them, I never dreamed of the prayer requests we’d get from such young children. They have been through so much and experienced so much. Several have requested opportunities to talk to Ana and I, I feel like a proud Mom. My heart is bursting with Love and my Cup Runneth over.
Thursday the man who made an initial food donation to the center returned with his girlfriend. They want to help, they said they cannot let others from the US come down here to help and just sit back and watch. These are people who are not rich, they work hard for their money and they are listening to God’s voice and saying “Yes”. Mothers will bring in bread, enough for that day, it’s all they can afford, but they want to give back. Another mother offered to assist those that want to go to church, she committed to helping them get there, when asked if she knew what a big commitment that was she said, “Yes, and I’m getting goose bumps right now talking about it.” God was speaking to her and she said “Yes”. She also told of us two boys at her daughter’s school that go all day without food. We said to bring them by and we’d see what we could do. She came back with them and their teacher. As the teacher was telling us their story, one of the boys started to cry. He said it made is so sad to hear his story. He also said his teacher told him we would be nice and we were and that Ana even gave him a hug. A 9 year old boy that needed food and to be shown love, God keeps sending them to the center. I have learned we cannot limit who God wants us to reach/help., even if we have reached our maximum number of children at the center for now, as LLI as a group makes sure the ship is well run, we have in no way shape or form reached the maximum number of those that need their earthly and spiritual needs met. God keeps showing me there are no limits.

Much Love and God’s Blessings!
Holly

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Psalm 32:8