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.