Hola from Guiamaca

Hi Everyone!
I´m really glad I get to update my blog so soon. It is hard to believe that I have already been living in Honduras for one week. At the same time, it feels like I have been here forever. I had a short break after lunch with the kids so a few of us volunteers are sitting in  an internet cafe in Guiamaca. My time here so far has been incredible. I´m not sure yet really how to describe it. The days are long and filled with lots of work but they are so fulfilling. For the first couple of days, I was working all day with the toddlers and babies. Changing diapers, playing, feeding etc. On Monday, all of the volunteers were assigned to a specific house that we´ll be working with daily. I´m with the little girls. They range from ages 5 to 11 and I am already so in love with them. We also do a lot of other jobs..basically whatever needs to get done. I am living in a female volunteer house. There are 11 of us right now. Everyone is really great and we have a lot of fun. For all of my old roommates, it reminds me so much of 418. Needless to say, I feel right at home.

By far, my favorite experience so far at the orphanage has been going to church. The kids, staff, and volunteers have church Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. I can´t explain how amazing it is to worship God with hundreds of orphans and the people giving their lives to serve them. Last night, we were singing a song in English (some are in English and some Spanish). The presence of God was so tangible as we all sang `You are my freedom, Jesus you´re the reason I´m kneeling again at your throne. Where would I be without you here in my life?´ Since being here I have found out that very few of the children here are actually orphans. They are all here by court order, meaning they have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. It amazes me that the kids can still smile, laugh, and be open to love after the horrors they´ve lived through. You wouldn´t believe some of their stories. It is even more amazing, though, that they have ended up in a place where they are loved and where they hear the Gospel. When we were singing that song, the kids were not going through motions. They were crying out to the God they know and love. As it says in Psalms, though their parents have forsaken them, God has taken them up. I am so thankful that I get to be among them and I am learning so much from them already. I wish I could share more with you but I´m going to have to leave. Thank you so much for your prayers. The Lord is so good and is teaching me so much. I hope you are all well.
Lots of love!

It's Almost Time!

I'm leaving for Honduras. In 5 days.

Through some unexpected changes of plans and heart during my last semester of college, God has set me on an adventure to follow him somewhere that I never would have imagined. I'm traveling to Guaimaca, Honduras to work at Orphanage Emmanuel. Emmanuel is home to almost 500 orphans. The staff and volunteers at this beautiful place are committed to loving and caring for children that might otherwise be forgotten and cast aside. As these kids are being cared for, they are taught about Jesus and his incredible love for them. I am so excited to get to be a part of what the Lord is doing at Emmanuel. I know he has a lot to show and teach me and I get to love and serve his sweet children while he's doing that! My heart breaks over the fact that each child at Emmanuel has suffered abuse, abandonment, or death of their parents. I am so thankful, though, that they have a place like Emmanuel to be cared for.

Honestly, I have no idea what to expect. I don't know specifics of what I'll be doing or anyone at the orphanage and I speak only a small amount of Spanish. I do know, though, that on Thursday I'll be getting on a plane and arriving at Emmanuel. While these unknowns can definitely cause some nervousness, I know that my steps are directed by a loving God. Psalm 48:14 is really reassuring. "For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end." I can't wait to see what's in store for me and I hope to be able to keep you updated. I'm not sure how much access I'll have to the internet but I promise I'll try my best.

Please pray for Orphanage Emmanuel. Pray for the kids, the staff, and the volunteers. Please pray for me as I am there volunteering for the next 4 months, as well. Friends and family, you are amazing. Thank you for being so incredibly supportive of me! Hopefully I will be able to post an update relatively soon.