or shall I say... slumber-parties in latin countries. :)
In the past month I have visited Guatemala for 2 weeks and Honduras for a weekend and then worked and worked. I'm currently in Tyler, TX hanging out with the fam. There are 9 of us staying in a 2 bedroom cabin, and I'm still trying to figure out how that works.
Some highlights I've had though...
We visited an orphanage and they had just killed dinner and hung it on the side of a wall to drain the blood. As we walk by all the kids were petting the dead turkey.
In Honduras I was grabbed by a boy named Christian who even after I reprimanded him walked away very content in his accomplishment.
I saw a baby that looked like he could be mine in Zacapa, Guatemala. Sweet little Xander, I would have taken him home in a minute!
I sang karaoke with some girls from work :) "What's cooler than being cool?"
While in Guate I had the great privilege of staying 3 days after my team left to spend time with our transition home kids (the children we have under Buckner's custody) and it was amazing. I spent the night at the girls transitional home-- we had ice cream, watched movies, danced and took pictures... it was a-mazing to say the least. Earlier that day I had spent time at the transitional mom's home where we had a dance party and then went over to the transitional boys home. I walked into the boys home and they asked me what we were going to do and I quickly let them know they had to entertain me... so we played volleyball with a kickball outside and I taught them how to throw an American football. Then I went with Marcos (the house parent), Edvin and Donaldo to buy them dinner at Pollo Campero. I craved a milkshake and asked the boys if they wanted one too and they quickly smiled and nodded yes, so we got milkshakes but I told them they had to drink them before we got back home cause they other boys weren't getting one and the biggest grin came over both of their faces amidst chocolate and vanilla delight! For the first time, I had a strong desire to live in Guatemala. These kids mean so much to me and after having a day to just hang out and not have to worry about groups or dinners or paying and just have time to really enjoy one another... I loved it. And for one of the first time in 2 years working with Buckner I was really sad to leave. I didn't want to leave. And I missed them every minute of my way home and then for like a week thereafter. Such amazing teenage men and women. I can't wait to see them again. After those 2 days together, I wondered to myself why I hadn't ever done that before and I really appreciated my job. After getting home, I was motivated to work for about 2 days before reality hit and I soon remembered why I get so frustrated. 'Tis life though. There are so many times I find myself wishing U.S. Americans lived more like Latin Americans. Life is so much slower. I'm going to try to run against the current for as long as I can.
This week I helped Nathalie and Andrew pick out wedding invitations!
And me and all my girlfriends from Baylor decided on a weekend to have our reunion!
I've grown to love wii and really want to get one...
J and I have missed each other in Dallas lately, today especially I've missed him and wish he could be here to hang out with my family.
I've decided that when I get a dog I want to name him Howie. I didn't come up with it myself but I really like it!
enjoy the sunshine and take a swim... its the best season for it!
love love love,
Jo
So... this is Mike. he lives at San Gabriel, an orphanage in Guatemala City. He was absolutely hilarious and he really enjoyed wearing my glasses.
Edvin, Celeste and Suzy. These are kids from the Buckner Transitional Homes... 2 of the 8 girls that I had a slumber party with, and Edvin Fernando, one of my favorite boys ever in the whole world. They're each incredible.
guatemala love,
