Friday, July 22, 2011

Reality of Guatemala

     Unfortunately the reality of most of Guatemala does not look as promising as it does to the kids here at Dorie's Promise orphanage.  These precious faces here are because of people investing their time and donations into sponsoring these kids, but the rest of Guatemala doesn't look like this.  
     We spent another amazing day at the dump yesterday.  Like I have said in a previous post, we have a missions group of 20 here this week, so they had lots of donations to give out to the people living in the slums.  They wanted to give these kids a pinata party, so that is what we did.  The people of the slums were so excited for the kids that they blocked off the road so no one would get in the way.  As much fun as it was to see these kids stuff their shirts and pockets with loads of candy, it was even more fun to see these kids engaged in one of our missions group men sharing the gospel and having Joel translate it.  For that many kids and mothers, they all listened so well.  Walking away and watching the kids holding their tracks explaining the gospel and their new Bibles, I knew that God was going to do something in someone's life that day.  We may never know who came closer to the Lord yesterday, but we know that some of those people may have heard of the gift of Christ for the first time that day. 
    Desi and Joel have it set up so that we continue to bring a chicken lunch to the same family each week.  They are trying to pour into this family so much that they may build relationships and continue to share Christ with them each week.  This family takes a small little break of going through their trash in order for us to bring them lunch.  Any time wasted to them is less money they make.  It's still hard to process for me because one day a week of missions groups bringing donations for the people of the dump is not enough.  It is not enough for these people to move out of the slums or to even buy something other than garbage bags to sleep on, but we just continue to pray that these people will find their value in Christ and know that they are loved.  
another picture of the dump from up above....imagine thousands of people working down there for 12 hours a day digging through garbage...
 
34 center from the LA lakers...must've been nervous, I know I could take him...cuz thats how I beat Shaq!!

 (Sorry to those who don't understand!!)

Sitting with the girls who are part of the family we bring lunch to each week

little boy with no shoes...and by the grace of God, our group had a few extra shoes thrown in their donations this week!

I see these two precious girls playing around outside each week...they know no different then to be happy with the lives they're given...they jump around outside in the dirty streets all day long.


the gospel being shared with all these kids after the pinata party...so awesome!

Happy little Alyson sitting inside the house while her mom sorts through trash all day.

Imagine if this was the entrance to your house
      And then tonight...oh how I love precious moments like these....every time I tuck the little 3-4 year old girls in bed, I cry.  I was in there tonight helping them all brush their teeth and get in their beds.  I walk around and every little girl gives me kisses.  And then I try leaving, and each girl says, "mama kaley, mas besas."  (more kisses).  Seriously, if adoptions were open, I would have way too many kids! Bedtime is so special to me because it just reminds me of bedtime at home with my little sisters.  Whenever I'm home, I usually end up snuggling them and falling asleep in their beds.  I wish I could fit in their tiny little bunk beds here and do that with a different one each night! But seriously the only thing that keeps me from going emotionally insane is knowing that Christ has His hand on all the kids here at Dorie's Promise.  These kids are loved, loved, loved by their special mothers, Desi, Joel, and the other staff here.  They are being taught about Christ's love every day here and that is something to praise Jesus about!

XoXo

11 comments:

  1. Precious Kaley,
    To think that God would use the little girl next door, who disliked bugs and anything remotely unclean, to express His love to people in the dumps of Guatemala is...well, just like God! As I read your posts and pray for you and your work in Guatemala, my heart is touched and the tears flow freely, not only by what God is doing through you this summer, but also how He is obviously preparing you and sanctifying you! I pray that in these last few days there, that you will find the time and space to BE STILL and LISTEN to all that God wants you to carry away from this experience and that you will be open to His leading. Love you and interceding for you,
    Laurie

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  2. My sweet sister....

    I love you Kaley ! We made you a welcome home sign. I love you so much. Thank you that you are helping the little orphans and telling them about Jesus!
    When you get home we want to hear your stories about the ids in Guatemala. We miss you and will snuggle with you!

    Love, Kenzie and Kella

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  3. Kaley,

    My heart is heavy for you knowing you will leave the little kids you have gotten so attached to. I know we serve a Mighty God that will go before you as you walk it out. I am so thankful for all that Desi, Joel and everyone else especially those precious special mamas.

    To think of all the kids that got to hear about Jesus yesterday. Wow, that is the best of all. Love how Desi has started the relationship in all these places in order for others to be the hands and feet of Jesus! God is paving the way for all to HEAR!!!!
    WE miss you but so thankful you are being used in this way!
    Much Love, Mom

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  4. God has a plan for each and every one of those little lives...His plan included having you there for this special time. He has blessed your time there so much and I am so thankful those kiddos got to have Mama Kaley with them these last weeks! He will continue to show you how you will be a part of their lives even as you leave them for now. Love you! Ali

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  5. kaley, we are so proud of all you are doing there and know God will show you what and where you should be. your mom and i have agreed that if adoptions would open we would bring 10 home and put bunk beds up stairs! iam excited to see what God has in store for you and pray for you every dayM Stay in Him and you will be fine! love Dad.

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  6. i miss the kids and i cant what to see u soon and hope your having fun and Meiryna hi for me.



    love
    chloe

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  7. It's twenty minutes approaching July 25th, so i thought i could fairly send out the words from the book Jesus Calling...I thought of you as i sat and tried to find something of strength and understanding for all that you are experiencing over there.....
    "As you LISTEN to birds calling to one another, hear also my LOVE call to you. I speak to you continually; through sights, sounds, thoughts, impressions, Scripture. There is no limit to the variety of ways I can communicate with you. Your part is to be ATTENTIVE to My messages, in whatever form they come. When you set out to find ME in a day, you discover that the world is vibrantly ALIVE with my Presence. You can find ME not only in beauty and birdcalls, but also in TRAGEDY and FACES filled with GRIEF. I can take the deepest sorrow and weave it into a pattern for good. Search for me and my messages as you go through this day. you will seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole being."
    We are assured and know that all things work together and are for good to and for those who love God and are called according to HIS design and purpose. Romans 8:28

    SLEEP TIGHT LITTLE KALEY (as i'm sure you always do.....) and continue to relish in the remainder days you have left, but DON'T DISMISS all the WONDERFUL plans he has waiting for you back home. Your greatest gift right now is to become the best little nurse you can be and use your nurturing gifts to those who need you. LIFE IS FULL OF AMAZING THINGS.....SO MUCH IS YET TO COME.

    love you,
    A Amy xoxo

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  8. Kaley,
    I am here at your house working on jewelry for Guatemala. Chloe does not stop laughing what shall i do? How are all the kids? I miss them all and i can't wait for you to come home!! I have taken over your room, hope you don't mind. Your mom thinks i am psycho. Oh well i love my 2nd mom! C u soon. LOVE BROOKLYN

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  9. My heart aches for you as you prepare yourself to leave that precious, needy country you have grown to love....those searching eyes and hearts of Guatemalen people you have been Jesus' hands and feet to, and those wonderful, loving children that you have been "mama Kaley" to all these weeks. Kaley, you have been so faithful in following Christ in this plan for your summer. Your heart has led you there through your sensitivity to Him in your life, and He will be faithful to clearly show you where He needs you to be in the weeks, months, and years ahead. I have no doubt as to whether you will go where He sends you. I pray for His peace to flood your heart and your mind in these next couple days... "Don't worry about anything, instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus....Philipians 4:6,7"" I love you Kaley, and am so proud of you. xoxo Dawn

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  10. O Kaley....my heart is breaking for you as you prepare to come home. I know it will be so hard for you to leave the children and people you have grown to love. I love what God is doing in you and through you! You have truly been His hands and feet to those in Guatemala. Some things are so hard to see and understand, but I know that we serve a mighty God who has not forgotten those in Guatemala. He sent you to love on them for a while! I know He has an amazing plan for you to continue serving those you've fallen in love with. I'll keep praying that He makes that clear to you! You are amazing Kaley and I'm so proud of you and so thankful for all that you, Desi and Joel are able to do for the children and those in the communities. Please hug the babes for me! I miss them too!

    Love you girl, Irene xoxo

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  11. Kaley I heard you are just hours from home and I am sure your heart is so sad and heavy missing your precious kids! I have been praying for you today knowing how hard it will be to enter back into this crazy world we
    Iive in. I am so proud of you and your pure heart in loving and showing those Guatamalans Gods LOVE!!!! Can't wait to see you! love you Aunt Kel xoxo

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