Pizza= God’s Love (by Nate)

Today we had another great day with the children.  For more stories about the birthday party for Estuardo and our pathetic attempts at smashing a piñata at Elisa Martinez, be sure to read Jody, Scot, and Shawn’s blogs.

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If you would have asked me a year ago, “What do orphans need?” I probably would have said, “A loving family.” That hasn’t changed, but what if you can’t give them a loving family? At least not right a way?

How about friends from another country who travel a long way to throw them a party? I think this is something orphans need. Crazy people to think of them, bring them gifts, and spend time with them, showing them love.

Today we bought 25 large pizzas and delivered them to the boys at Eliza Martinez in Guatemala City. There was much anticipation to this shindig, but I really wasn’t expecting it to mean all that much to them. I should know better, these are some kids who really know how to enjoy a moment. 

Each kid got three pieces of pizza, provided by their Foreign eXchange “Amigos” in Indiana. You know it’s a big deal to them when they have one bite of pizza left and they wrap it up in a napkin, stuff it into an already full pocket, and think of enjoying it later.

Several of the boys came up to us afterward to express their gratitude, some speaking in broken English. Others grabbed a translator to communicate, “Thank you for thinking of us. Not many people do.”

At eXchange, Scot sometimes talks about “thin places”–those times when God feels especially close. We had one of those moments today during the pizza party. Jody started refilling the boy’s drink classes, and we decided to  join her. It was such a pleasure, a privilege really, to be able to serve drinks to those boys. It was what Jesus would have done.

Provision: Part III (Nate)

In continuation of a theme that seems to be woven into our experiences lately, I thought it would be good to show more of God’s provision for His work through us.

Just before our June trip to Guatemala, a Sunday School class (The Black Sheep) from the morning service at Maryland gave us some cash to use to buy watches. They knew we were going to need some extra supplies, because every time we’ve gone down there has been more kids than we were previously told. The week before our trip, we ended up buying about 45 extra watches after we got an expanded list of kids we would be visiting. The money from The Black Sheep was enough for us to absorb the extra cost of gifts less than a week before we left! Perfect timing.

Talk about a crazy time of year, the week before our trip was our anniversary and Rachael’s birthday. Apparently we were supposed to enjoy these occasions, because we went out to eat for Rachael’s birthday and were surprised when the waitress returned to the table at the end of the meal empty-handed, saying that someone else had taken care of the bill. That’s the kind of church we go to where someone else will see a young couple and pick up the tab for their meal! As if that wasn’t enough, for our anniversary Rachael got to come along with me on an overnight work trip where everything was taken care of for us. Happy 4^th Anniversary to us!

We can travel light.  Really we can.  We can fit all of the things we need for a week in one suitcase (with room to spare, if we’re lucky), which means we can take three other suitcases (and two carry-ons) full of things to give away.  Of course, the airline likes to charge for these extra bags. Fortunately, we were told by Jody, our friend in charge of all-things-service at eXchange, that there was some leftover baggage money from the last time we asked people to sponsor bags, so the extra baggage fees were taken care of.

Finally, we had planned to nest all our baggage on the way home from Guatemala so we wouldn’t have to pay extra baggage fees for the now empty bags. But we were short one huge duffel bag. We asked Rachael’s parents to consider getting her a bag for her birthday.  A day or two after we asked, a co-worker of Rachael’s mom happened to ask her (Becky/Rachael’s mom) if we needed any more luggage.  She had a large bag sitting under her bed that she wasn’t using.  The duffel bag she gave us is approximately twice my size with nice wheels to make heavy luggage almost manageable in a crowded airport. I don’t know how we could have managed without it. 

Each of these stories are neat in and of themselves. But, when we look at them all together, we are blown away by how great God has been to us and how faithful He has been in providing for our needs.  Thanks to all of you who have been and continue to be a part of God’s blessing and provision in our ministry and our lives!

‘Tis the Garage-Sale Season (by Rachael)

It’s that time of the year again! The time of year when I drag Nate out of bed on a perfectly good Saturday morning to  comb through other people’s trash on the off-chance we’ll find something we wouldn’t pay one dollar for but, hey, if you drop price to 50 cents, then you’ve got yourself a deal.  I justify this mild obsession by telling myself (and my groggy husband) that it’s “for the kids.”  Let’s face it–garage sales might not be the best place to go if you’re looking for underwear or lipstick, but kids’ clothes?  That’s a different story. They’re practically brand new!  Actually, sometimes they are brand new.  The tags are still attached to prove it.

A few people (well, just two actually) have asked me about the sizes of the kids at the babies’ home.  I decided it couldn’t hurt to post the kids’ sizes online in case anyone else out there  1.) gets a kick out of scouting garage sales for good deals or 2.) knows some kiddos who grow faster than their clothes can wear out. 

So, the next time you stop by a garage sale and see a cute, size 4, Dora the Explorer shirt that you only wish your 7-year-old daughter (granddaughter, niece, neighbor, or dog) could wear, go ahead and plunk down those two quarters.  After all, it’s for the kids.

The Chicas

Guatemala City has a fairly mild climate. Winter weather there is comparable to our spring and fall weather. 

Alejandra (age 6)—sizes 8-10

Cristel (age 4)—size 5

Isabel (age 5)—sizes 5-6

Mili—sizes 3T/4T

Vicki—size 3T

Celeste—2T

Michelle—2T

The Niños

Jeans.  They always need jeans. I would love to take down a pair for each of the babies.  Actually, I would love to take a pair of jeans to each of the boys at San Gabriel and Elisa Martinez, but sizing and luggage space are two hurdles I’ve yet to overcome.

Jose (age 9)—sizes 10-12 (pant size-9)

Estuardo (age 8)—sizes 9-10 (pant size-8)

Daniel (age 7)—sizes 6-7 (pant size-5 or 6)

Juan Pablo (age 6)—size 8 (pant size 6 or 7)

Marvin (age 2)—size 3T

Josecito (age 1)—size 2T