Signing Makes Me Smile

A little over 10 years ago I fell in love with Sign Language. I’d learned little words here and there, and I’d always been fascinated by how I could fingerspell using the alphabet to get away with talking when told to be silent, but in July 2001, I really caught the passion for it. That was the first time I’d ever observed and been taught to use Sign Language in worship. I couldn’t get enough of it. From then on, I was determined to continue studying sign language so that I could also use it in worship one day. And that’s just what I did.

Making due with whatever books I could get my hands on or internet sites I could find, I studied. Eventually the hard work began to pay off. At a youth retreat only a year and a half later, I was given my first opportunity to interpret in sign language. I’ll be honest, that first attempt was pretty terrible. But once I got the nerves out, the other couple sessions I interpreted went much smoother. After that, I just couldn’t get enough.

Throughout the years, I worked with a hearing-impaired 4^th grader as a teacher’s aid in England, interpreted worship music as a part of the Trinity Baptist Church (Germany) praise team, interpreted during Sunday School for a boy with a communication disorder and later a deaf child adopted from Haiti at First Alliance Church in Kentucky, worked with a deaf kindergartner as a student teacher in Kentucky, and did some interpreting for a deaf boy at my “home church” Iglesia Buatista Agape in Illinois. The opportunities to sign came and went, but I enjoyed them all.

Then, I moved to Guatemala. I love Guatemala, and I love Spanish, but I didn’t realize how much I’d miss sign language. Eventually, I began interpreting the worship at church from Spanish to English and then into sign language (after a while this became a quick process I hardly realized I was doing). It was nice to be able to sign during worship again, but it wasn’t the same.

Last May, I attended Iglesia Biblico El Camino for the first time. Unknowingly, I sat in the deaf/signing section. Though I hadn’t intended to sit in that area, God knew just what He was doing in opening up a seat for me there. I was overwhelmed with joy to not only see sign language being used in worship again, but to see such a large group of people worshiping in that way!

After spending the summer in the U.S., I returned to IBEC and jumped right into the sign class that had started just before my summer break. After a few Saturday’s of attending class for 3 hours, rather than the regular 2, I was mostly caught up. Learning Guatemalan sign has been such an adventure. Even after the most frustrating classes, I’ve been so thankful for the opportunity to learn. And every Sunday I am overcome with joy as I join with a group of believers—hearing and not—that share the passion for praising God with their hands. It's a beautiful thing thing to see, and a wonderful experience to share with my sisters and brothers in Christ.

Un Gran Testimonio

For my friends who know Spanish...

Una amiga mía escribió y publicó esta historia en Facebook el lunes. Aunque no la conozcan, los animo leerla. Su actitud a pasar de todo es un gran testimonio. Fue muy impactante para mi, y tal vez será para --ustedes, también.

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Un Asalto Frustrado

Después de un fin de semana más que bendecido, una semana empieza y el inicio es como cualquier otra, buen ánimo, un poco cansada pero optimista por las actividades que vendrán y habrán que superar. Aunque una no quiera a veces los inicios de semana o bien los días se convierten en rutina, y no digo que eso sea malo porque muchas veces se requiere de disciplina para que esa rutina se lleve a cabo. A diferencia de muchos pienso que no todas las rutinas son malas. El diccionario define rutina como un acto repetitivo, como por ejemplo el ejercicio, incluso el vivir puede convertirse en una rutina. Mi día lunes empezó de una manera muy usual, me desperté temprano sin embargo por el frío esperé un rato más en el calor mi cama, realice algunas actividades diarias, pude compartir un tiempo con mi hermana, mis sobrinos, mi abuela y mi mamá y a las 10:30 me despedí de ellos. Cuando salí de casa, mientras caminaba hacia la parada del bus, recuerdo que habían muchos pensamientos en mi mente, como es de costumbre me encanta hacer un mapa mental de las actividades que espero realizar. Pero había algo con lo que no contaba y es que hoy presencié un asalto frustrado, algo que no estaba incluido en mi rutina diaria. Esto fue lo que ocurrió:

Un joven empieza a caminar hacia la puerta del bus y habla al oído del chofer, yo imaginé que tenía algún problema, pero de repente desenfunda un arma y empieza a gritar “todos colaborando con sus celulares o aquí va pasar algo muy feo”. De repente aparece otro joven que empieza a pasar fila por fila pidiendo los celulares, llega a mi lugar e inmediatamente le doy mi teléfono, pongo mis manos en mi rostro, cierro los ojos y solamente escucho todo lo que pasa a mí alrededor. Empiezo a identificar tres voces más, por lo que intuyo que dos jóvenes asaltan la parte de atrás del bus, uno está al lado del chofer amenazando con el arma y el que pasó a pedirme mi celular se dedica a despojar de sus pertenencias a los pasajeros ubicados en la parte delantera del bus. Escucho cosas horribles, amenazas con disparar a la cabeza de un señor, golpes, gritos, palabras obscenas etc., etc., todo era un verdadero caos. Recuerdo pedirle al Señor “por favor que no le hagan daño a ningún pasajero”. Todo esto ocurrió en cuestión de diez minutos o menos. Por fin se bajan del bus, con el preciado botín, las pertenencias de los pasajeros. Abro mis ojos y veo tres niños al frente tan asustados que no hablaban, sus caritas pálidas, señoras llorando y los señores empiezan a comentar que los dejaron sin dinero y uno comenta como lo golpearon. Y pues yo un poco nerviosa, bueno la verdad muy nerviosa, pues fue una experiencia que jamás había vivido y que no se la deseo a nadie.

Me bajo del bus y empiezo a recordar lo sucedido, al principio con mucho enojo, no por lo que robaron sino por las emociones que se manejan en ese momento y además el sentir la impotencia de no poder hacer nada y tan solo ceder a lo que ellos demandan. Pero luego mis pensamientos se vuelven alabanzas para el Señor, porque aún estoy viva, porque tuve la oportunidad de un día más de trabajo, porque ahora estoy compartiendo con ustedes mi anécdota, porque pude regresar a casa y compartir con mi familia nuevamente, porque por la noche pude estar con un amigo y compartir un café, porque también pude compartir con mi hermana por la noche, porque tengo paz, porque pude orar durante el día por estos jóvenes (que es un poco difícil jajaja), porque estoy segura que hay ángeles a mi alrededor, porque estoy a punto de ir a descansar para recibir un nuevo día, porque Dios es fiel, etc, etc, etc.

Entonces entiendo que fue un “asalto frustrado”, lo único que se llevaron fue un celular que tal vez con suerte les den cien quetzales. Pero yo me quedé con lo más grande y preciado que Dios me regala: la vida, su amor, su paz, la oportunidad de tener una relación con él cada día, su presencia, su misericordia (que es nueva cada mañana), su bondad, sus cuidados, sus promesas. Y nuevamente no me queda más que bendecir a esos jóvenes y pedir que el Señor toque sus corazones y le conozcan como su único Señor y Salvador.

Rosi and Esteban Meet Alejandro

Last Saturday I had the privilege of showing my sign teachers (Esteban and Rosi) around New Life Children's Home where I now live. They knew that I was working with a little boy (Alejandro) who is mostly mute, and they had expressed interest in meeting him. So, after our sign class, we drove out to the Home where I was able to introduce them to Alejandro and show them around NLCH. It was a really neat opportunity to get to know Esteban and Rosi better and to gain confidence in my signing abilities. Alejandro also really enjoyed meeting them, though he was a little crazy having new friends around. Below are some pictures from Rosi and Esteban's visit...

Then and Now

This time 4 years ago, I couldn’t stop thinking about my NLCH kids. I’d returned from my summer internship in August, and from that point on, every time I looked at a clock, I’d think of what the kids from the Home and the students from the class I worked with should be doing. It took a long while to realize that not automatically thinking of them when I saw the time, didn’t mean I was forgetting them…so I thought about them and prayed for them constantly. My heart’s biggest desire was to return to NLCH after graduating, I simply had no idea where the funding would come from.

This time 3 years ago, I had just returned from my first visit to NLCH since the internship. I loved every minute I had with the kids and felt immediately at home. I was living in Xela, so I wasn’t actually at the Home, but I was thrilled to be in Guatemala, only 5 or so hours from the kids I loved so much. And though I couldn’t be with my NLCH kids every day, I was settling into life in Xela and falling in love with my first class of first graders.

This time 2 years ago, I was very-well settled into life in Xela. I loved the city and I loved my job, but having just returned from another trip to NLCH over Guatemalan Independence Day, I was wishing I lived closer. Still, I knew the Lord had called me to stay in Xela for another year. Hard as it was, I tried to remain grateful for the 3-day weekends and longer holiday breaks when I could travel to Guatemala City (Villa Nueva, actually) and hang out with my kids. The rest of my friends from school planned trips to the beach, Guatemalan ruins, Belize, El Salvador, Mexico…the trips sounded great, but I wouldn’t have traded that time with my kids (busy and tiresome as those trips were) for anything.

This time 1 year ago, I was struggling with culture shock. Moving to Guatemala City was just what I’d begged the Lord for, but the more I tried to settle in, the more I realized the city was practically a different country when compared to Xela. (Xela did try to separate once and become it’s own country…maybe that has something to do with it…) Work was busy, stressful, tiresome, difficult…and driving…well, that was a pretty stressful challenge, too. I was making it out to NLCH once a week at best. I was frustrated and disappointed that the whole reason I’d moved to Guatemala, and then to the city, was to spend time with my kids, and I was hardly getting to do that at all.

Now, today, I started writing this only as I was waiting on the rain to let up so I could drive home…to NLCH. The Lord has be so faithful and blessed me beyond belief by finally opening the doors for me to live in an apartment at the children’s home. In fact, I now live in the very apartment I stayed in during my first visit back after I'd finished my internship (refer to the above paragraph about this time 3 years ago). I’ve changed grades at school, and I LOVE teaching kindergarten. But even more than that, I love going home to my NLCH kids each day. I love seeing them all out playing as I pull up. I love when they run to the car and offer to help me carry things inside (well, except when they fight to help me…that’s less fun). I love when my sweet little Alejandro who is mostly mute, runs to my car to greet me and immediately starts trying to sign and/or talk to me. I love dropping my things in my house and then going out to play with the kids. And I love that when I’m too exhausted to go out to play, I can relax in my apartment while still listening to (and even watching them) play with one another outside.

I don’t know how I ever lived so far away from these kids. Even just a night away leaves me missing them terribly. These kids (and fellow missionaries at NLCH) make up the best stand-in family I could ever ask for. Every day I find myself overwhelmed gratitude that God chose me to serve Him here, and that he has so graciously opened the door for me to live here at NLCH. Just over 4 years ago, the Lord gave me a promise: "...I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place." (Jer. 29:10) I rejoice in sharing how He has done just that. What a faithful God we serve!

A beautiful rainbow I saw from a rooftop (ok, this was in Xela) a couple weeks ago.

While the NLCH directors were in the States, I got to help with "med call" (giving out meds...and ice...as needed to kids each evening). Here I am with a few of our sick/injured kids from my last night on duty.

My sweet Alejandro who always runs to greet me at my car when I arrive home from school. Alejandro is mostly mute, but I've been working with him on sign language, and he loves it! Even better, he's having fun trying to say the words as he signs them!

5 Day Countdown...

I leave for the U.S. in 5 days! It’s strange to hear others so excited about going “home” for the summer. I remain amazed and overjoyed that God has made Guatemala “home” for me. The only downside to this is that going to the States means leaving home, not going home…and that’s not quite as exciting…Since I leave in 5 days, I’ve decided to make a list of the top 5 things I’m looking forward to in the States and the top 5 things I’ll miss from Guatemala while I’m away.

I’m looking forward to…

1. Spending time with family--NCIS with my papa before bed, Cardinals baseball game with my bro, girl nights with my sis, and lunch dates with my Mum.

2. Visiting with friends--I'm especially excited to see Jenna Klein, my best friend from 6th grade whom I haven't seen since we both lived in England for that one school year.

3. Stores and food places open past 9 PM.

4. My car! I have missed my Hyundai Elantra this year...but mostly, I've missed the sunroof! :)

5. Laura and Jon's wedding--My dear friend and former co-worker and roommate from Xela, Laura, will be marrying another great teacher from IAS, Jon. Not only do they make a cute couple, but their wedding is also going to be a big reunion of former IAS teachers!

I'm going to miss...

1. My kids at NLCH! -- If I were making a list of 50+ things I'd miss this summer, they'd each get listed by name...I love these kids as my best friends, siblings, even some as though they were my own kids. They stole my heart 6 years ago, and it hurts a little more every time I have to leave them.

2. My Family--Hugs, encouragement, wisdom, and prayers from my 2nd mom and dad (Wendy and Kendon), Mamaw and Papaw (Marilyn and Tommy), and all the other missionaries at NLCH (Jodi, Jeff, Staci, Lee, Joy, Jarod).

3. NLCH--It's my favorite place in the whole world...and I've been a lot of places in the world!

4. Corn tortillas and black beans-- Together they make pretty much the best meal ever (especially if you add some cream or maybe an egg) and it can be eaten any time of day!

5. Spanish--It's a beautiful language and I sometimes feel more able to express myself in Spanish than English these days.

2 of the many precious kids that I'll miss this summer--Michy and her "little" sister Gaby.

Celebrating our Miracle

Michy with her sister (Iris) and friends (Sammy, Chicky, Josue) just after opening her gift.
Michy blowing out the candles on her cake. She was excited to share with everyone--in Spanish and English--that she blew them out. I guess it was a big deal that she did it by herself. :)

Monday we celebrated the 4th birthday of our little miracle at NLCH--Michelle (Michy). Michy came to live at NLCH in January 2008. At 8 months old, she weighed just 5 lbs. After a number of doctor visits, feedings every 2 hrs, growth hormone injections, and even testing in the U.S., the cause of Michy's small size was finally discovered--she is a primordial dwarf. I still recall the night I saw pictures of Michy and her siblings posted on Daniel and Kara Harris' blog just after they'd arrived at NLCH. I was overwhelmed with amazement as I marveled the Lord's hand of protection over Michelle's life. According to the info we had at that time, Michelle's mom was an alcoholic and drug addict and gave birth to Michelle at 7 months. Even more unbelievable is that fact that Michelle only weighed 1 lb at birth, and despite the mother's unhealthy state and the severely dangerous and poor location the family lived in, Michelle survived. I recall telling my roommate that night and many nights thereafter as I kept up on Michelle's status that God had big plans for Michelle's life. There was no reason she would still be alive if he didn't.

The more I get to know Michelle, the more certain I am that God does have great plans for her. She may be little (she's weighing in somewhere around 11 lbs these days), but she has a very big personality! She's determined, almost to a fault; her small size won't keep her for doing great things. And as you might expect, she gets LOTS of attention everywhere she goes. I can't wait for the day when she takes that attention and turns it into an opportunity to share of God's great love, faithfulness, and grace. And what great examples the Lord has given her to learn from living with the directors of NLCH, Kendon and Wendy Wheeler!

I feel tremendously blessed to be a part of Michy's life and I can't wait to see where the Lord leads her in the future. Please pray for wisdom for Kendon and Wendy as they raise Michy, and for good health for our little miracle.

Semana Santa Snapshots

I promised more pics from Semana Santa but have been slow to post them...here's a few more that capture a bit of the traditional fun had during this special week at NLCH...
Traditionally we finish the week and our "Holy Week Olympics" with Tug-of-War played in a giant mud pit. It's always lot of fun and a big mess! :) A special thanks to Tommy Todd who dug the pit for us!
Melvin and Alejandro were a bit too small to participate in most the games, but they enjoyed riding around on their bikes while the big kids played the competitive games.
Every year the kids have a sleepover during Semana Santa. This year the little girls had a sleepover at Marilyn and Tommy Todd's apartment. Ashley (an old intern back for a visit) and I were invited to join them for the movies, snacks, and (lack of) sleep. :) I LOVED going to bed thinking in Spanish and waking up to Spanish again. I even dreamed that night that my parents had learned Spanish! This pic was taken just before the girls left in the morning.
Jenifer and me pausing for a picture while at the pool. Jenifer is a sweet young lady going to school to become a doctor. She has become a very good friend of mine and faithfully attends the weekly Bible study I lead with the older girls.
Sammy and Javier having a great time at the new pool we went to this year. We traditionally take the kids to a pool Monday or Tuesday, and then the "Olympics" begin on Wednesday.

Sneak Peak of Semana Santa

I will be blogging and posting pictures soon of all the fun had at New Life Children's Home over Semana Santa. Until I have a little more time to do that though, I thought I'd at least give you a glimpse of the fun with one of my favorite pictures from the week. The pic is of Noah (a 6th grade missionary kid) helping little Michy paint her Easter eggs. It was so sweet to watch! :)

The Joy of Serving

After a long absence due to a long illness and then a bit of busyness, I am back. Rather than ramble about that though, I might as well jump into what I wanted to share...

I was reminded this weekend how sweet it is to serve. I mean, as a missionary and a teacher, I suppose I do a lot of "serving", but I take great joy in serving in ways that are not necessarily the expectation. Yesterday, I was able to do just that.

The Wheeler's (directors at the Children's Home) finally got to move into the new directors house this weekend. They have waited very patiently for the funding and then building of the house, and it's exciting that the time has finally come for them to live in it. Having moved far too many times myself, I know the work it takes, so I offered my help in moving things. Upon arriving at the Home, however, it turned out there was a more pressing need...Orphan Resources was bringing a team in for the day so there was some "hosting" of sorts that needed to be done. As such, I got to hang out with the kids from 10-4 and help the team (h.s. students) with finding things they needed, translating, etc. It was exhausting, but tons of fun.

Once the team left around 4 PM, I was then able to actually help the Wheeler's move a few items, as well as move Michelita's clothes into her new dresser. It was really fun seeing little Michy's excitement when she came in her room and saw her clothes being put away and her toys and bed already moved in. I showed her where all her clothes were and she helped me put away the last few items. :)

In the end, I drove home around 6 PM, a little sore from lifting kids and household goods, exhausted from playing all day in the sun, and filled with joy from a day of serving a family that has blessed me tremendously this year. Couldn't be happier... :)

Sick...

Please forgive the long break in posts. I have been awfully sick over the last couple weeks, and it's been all I could do just to make it through a full day at school. I started on a medicine this week, but it doesn't seem to be doing the trick. Please pray for complete healing. I will catch up on posts as soon as I am well again.

Also, if you receive my monthly newsletters, please excuse that coming late as well. So sorry.