Girls Home June 1

June 1, 2013
We arose this morn at 6am so we could be on the road by 7. Off we went to the girls orphanage 88 km away about a 3 hour drive. I was on the right bus as ours didnt break down and they had cookies fruit n coffee for us when we arrived.
The rest of the group showed up 1 hr later as their bus had overheated on their way up the mountain roads.
First they showed us the facility where 24 girls 7-17 live, each are wards of the state as circumstances prevent them from going back home. There are 5 sisters whom provide a loving safe home for them. They have 50 chickens 1 pig Solomen and a guard dog named. Captain. The girls were proud of their rooms which were neat as a pin. They also have do do their own laundry by hand. We were then served a delicious meal of chicken, rice n veggies grown in their garden and prepared by the girls. After lunch they had a program with a play and then the older girls danced. Played soccer and visited then. The girls are all so loving and grateful for the support that Chalice provides.
Sister Grettle told us about their daily schedule. Sr's up at 4 am, girls 5, start school 7-12:30 and back for lunch, activities, chapel and to bed by 8:30 , older girls in their rooms and lights out at 10. By the way the Sisters get 1 day a month off.
The girls were all so well behaved and you could feel and see the love between them and the Sisters. Sister Giselle spoke that it was Gods will that these girls were there and they gave them freedom and love.
We had such a great day with the girls even though we could not speak the language it was clear that God's love is alive here in the hearts of the Sisters and girls that live in this home.
Being the one van was broken we had two of the Sisters drive us back to Champerico through torential rain with 1 headlight, we finally got back at 9:30 for supper. Carlos our Chef extraordinar had chicken, rice n vegetables waiting for us.
Sure hope Jack has a nice roast in the oven when I get home. Hasta manana

1. Road to orphanage.
2. Girls orphanage
3. Jocelyns closet - how tidy is that?
4. Girls makeing Rosaries which are sold in their name with the money going into the bank for them so they have some money when they leave.
5. Chapel
6. Mikeal

Friday- May 31st

June 1

Hola, amazing day in Champerico. This morning I did a home visit to Mikeal who a Hardisty family sponsored. He is Mayan and 6 yrs old, he has 7 siblings and Grandma takes care of them while Mama n Papa work in the cane fields. Their home is 1 room with dirt floor, the family speaks Man and being they were new to the program they did not understand and they thought we were coming to take the child back to Canada. The social worker explained no and I told Grandma I could see the love she has for her children and family was important. Mikeal hung on to his Grandma and they were all interested in the pics I had to share. I had brought a little JD tractor and his eyes lit up when he finally got it unwrapped. I don't believe he's ever had a wrapped gift. I was glad I was able to visit him on behalf of his sponsor family. Annette who is also an Alberta girl had a bag of dolls she had knit and ao had gifts fir the other children gathered around.
Then off to the nutrition center where I fed babies and others filled 600 bags to be handed out on Sun at the Feast of Corpus Christi. Lunch n then out to the Building site for Mass and after the kids danced for us and they had a banana eating contest for 4 Moms and a Coke driinking race for 2 Grandmas. 2 sponsor children were there Elder who is ours and Orilia who sponsor family is from Galahad. We were so happy to see each other and they stayed by my side till we left. What can I say a truly amazing day. Off to supper now love u all.




1. Mikeal n familia looking at pics from home.
2. Mikeal

Pics from trip

1. Entrance to retreat house Guatemala City.
2. Retreat house.
3. Main Street Champerico
4. Dining Hall n Kitchen. Mothers making lunch.
5. Lots of laundry when there are 24 babies to care for.

6 days in Guatemala - May 30th

At last Ii have internet on my phone so am gonna give this a try. Words cannot explain the experience of being here. There have been many highs and lows, each moment. Each evening we debrief and have a time where Father Duncan asks us to share where we saw God or perhaps did not see God today. I have seen God's presence in so many ways. Today I visited Stephany our sponsor child; we have sponsored her for 3 yrs and is now 11 yrs old. When we arrived they welcomed us into their home and there beside her bed was a picture of Jack n I. They were all so grateful for our support and proud of Stephany's accomplishments.
We then stopped by another Luis Amigo kitchen across the street from Stephanys home where 70 more children are fed 5 days a week with a lunch program. The kids were excited to see us and I had a pocketful of Canada pins which did not take long to get rid of. The nutrition program is called Chalice Children and many Canadian schoold support this program which supplies milk, vitamins and food to help support the children here and in other sites.
We then went on to se Jennifer whose new sponsor family is from Heisler. Jennifer is 7 and lives with her Mother her 6 yr old brother and 2 year old sister. Her Mother works at the Shrimp factory so was not at home and Stephany was taking care of her little brother n sister. The house was neat and tidy and you could see she siblings looked up to her. The worker took note of the situation and the family will be monitored to make sure Stephany goes to school and her siblimgs are cared for now that she is sponsored.
This afternoon I went to the Nutrition Centre where there are24 babies living until they are healthy enough and their parents are prepared to take them home. The Sisters and staff are so caring and provide nutritious meals, medicine and love. These children are there because they are malnourished and their parents do not have the capacity to care for them at this time. The Sisters are teaching the Parent or Parents how to care fior their children and council them to be loving parents.
The kitchen and dining hall is coming along wonderfully, we hauls rock and sand all day Monday and today they were starting to pour the floor.
It has rained almost every day but this has not dampened the spirits of those involved. I have a great roomate Cathy
and everyone wants to know if we are Sistas.
So much more to write but its been a long day and I am ready to call it a day. Blessings from Guatemala Sharon
1. A dream come true, I get to meet Stephany
2. Jennifer (7) Brother(6) Sister(2)

Ready to go.

Got the car all packed, two huge suitcases teetering around the 50 lb mark and my backpack is by the door. The generosity has been amazing and I am so grateful for all the support. What a difference that will make to the community. Blessings <>< Sharon

Packing

May 19th, gathered the suitcases from the church's today and trying to figure out how it's all gonna fit.