Shadow of His Wings

Psalm 17:7-8 

  Show the wonder of your great love, 
you who save by your right hand 
those who take refuge in you from their foes. 
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings

I'll preface this by saying I started this post nearly 3 months ago...

Our last five days in Guatemala were so wonderfully overwhelming I have had a hard time thinking about sitting down and attempting to put it into words.  Let me back up a little bit: My first experience at Shadow was nearly 11 years ago when a friend (Havilah) and I were working on a pilot program for ACSI (The Association of Christian Schools International).  The then director of ACSI Latin America and now full time director at SOHW, Joanne Simpson, introduced us briefly to the orphanage before we headed north to teach English in a small school in Huehuetenango.  That quick visit left a lasting impression on me.  I went back again in 2005 with my college roommate (Julie) to help out for 3 months as weekend/fill in house parents and to teach/tutor in their school.  Larry and I started dating 3 months before I left for that trip.  We like to say that our relationship has its foundation there since he experienced all of the ups and downs of those 12 weeks through countless emails and the few and far between phone calls.  We have wanted to go back together ever since we got married. 

It worked out that we were able to meet up with a team from Vermont that has gone down multiple times in the past.  They are a multigenerational team from two difference churches in Vermont plus two wonderful photographers from South Carolina. They all welcomed us with open arms.  It was such a pleasure to work with and get to know them!  

The orphanage has changed so much over the past 7 years but at the same time is so much the same.  It was wonderful to reconnect with familiar faces and to see the young women that so many of the girls have grown up to be.  It has grown from a home of 21 when I was there to over 70 girls now.  There are even a few boys as they wait for funds to build the boys home. 

We were super excited to be able to go when we did since we were able to help out with the 2012 Quinceañera Party.  For those of you who don't already know, turning 15 is a huge milestone in the life of a young Guatemalan lady. It's a coming of age celebration. It is also a time to honor these young ladies and remind them of their great value that can be easily forgotten when they've been through what so many of these young ladies have been through.  We had actually been invited last year because the twins we sponsor turned 15 last year, but we were unable to go because I was just starting at Stanford.  Because funds are limited at the orphanage they do one huge celebration a year for all of the girls turning 15.  This year there were nine.  We helped set up all of the decorations and tables and did our best to make a fun and memorable party for these girls.  Thank you to each of you who helped make this party possible by sending donations!

We started the day at 4am with the traditional celebratory wake up call to these lovely ladies...nothing like fireworks at 4:30am to say "Happy Birthday"

This year was the first year that the house parents have been in charge of the party.  They did a beautiful job and the multipurpose building was transformed into a beautiful venue.

We were also able to lay sidewalks between the houses so that they have somewhere to walk in rainy season (I quickly learned that I am less than skilled with a pick ax, but sure can drive a wheel barrow...) and were able to help out with a VBS for a church in a neighboring community.  We also were able to spend quite a bit of time with Wendy, Celeste and the rest of the girls.   Wendy and Celeste were new to the orphanage when I was there 6 years ago, it was incredible to connect with them again.  We absolutely loved being there, catching up with old friends, and making new ones.  

 This is the family at Casa Magdalena- The orphanage's transition home for girls who are 17+ and are transitioning into adult life.  It is an incredible home with wonderful, supportive house parents.  The twins (in front of me) will be moving there this summer.  They are incredibly nervous yet excited as it is a big change with a lot more freedom.

It was incredibly hard to leave.  We started planning our next trip before we even left.  Who wants to join us?

If you would like more information about Shadow of His Wings or are interested in sponsoring one of the girls please email me and/or visit their website at http://www.shadowofhiswingsorphanage.org/