| Contact Pat |
Email
or call
402.557.0353
(relays toll-free to Guatemala from Nebraska)
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| To make a contribution |
Mail your tax deductible contribution to:
The Josiah Foundation
2112 S. 163rd St.
Omaha, NE 68130
noting "Guatemala Mission" on the memo line.
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| A Reminder from C. S. Lewis |
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Interruptions
"The great thing, if one can, is to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one's 'own,' or 'real' life. The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one's real life-the life God is sending one day by day; what one calls one's 'real life' is a phantom of one's own imagination. This at least is what I see at moments of insight: but it's hard to remember it all the time."
-The Letters of C. S. Lewis to Arthur Greeves (20 December 1943).
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| The Rhythm of Life |
July 24, 2010 |
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Dear Patricia,
Now that I've lived here a month, I'm starting to get questions about what a "normal" day is like in Guatemala.
I came across the above quote from C.S. Lewis yesterday, and it seemed a perfect way to explain my life down here. Each morning I get up, thinking I know what I will do that day. And each day it seems God invites me to more life than I ever would have dreamed was available.
There are some parts of the day that have fallen into a somewhat predictable rhythm; other parts depend on the need at hand. I have to admit that there are things I enjoy doing more than I do others. But I'm learning that often those things I enjoy the least are precisely where I see God work the most!
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| The Regular Beat |
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 At home in Antigua
A normal day here begins with breakfast around 7 am. For those of you who are worried about my nutritional needs, you should know I eat better and healthier here than I ever did in the States.
The morning
When I'm home here in Antigua, I usually spend some time with Jesus after breakfast, and then check my email and sometimes Facebook. I have to admit that I enjoy keeping up with what everyone is doing back in the States.
After getting dressed, I head over to Hermano Pedro, usually walking the 10 blocks to get there. (If it's raining I'll indulge in riding a tuk-tuk.)
 I bring with activities that I hope to do with certain children each day, but these are quickly put aside if a more "urgent" need appears. Usually, this is one of the kids who seems particularly sad or lonely that morning.  In this case we sit and talk, and, if they are small enough for me to carry, we also rock. This can make me feel a little guilty. Did I really come all the way to Guatemala just to sit in a chair and rock a child?
My blog entry about Patita gave me a clear answer to this questions.
 Activities with the kids
I've discovered that an even greater need than communications systems is finding ways for many of the kids to do more than vegetate in their beds or wheelchairs. So the "non-academic" types and I do "chores" together. Stacking cups, sorting silverware, matching socks, etc. seem to be great fun for many of the kids. While not "real" work yet, I look forward to the day some of the kids will bein to help the nurses with folding laundry!
Lunch and Siesta
Most days I help with feeding lunch to the kids. This is one of my favorite parts of the day. I have to admit that it can be challenging to find things to talk about with a non-verbal child who takes 20 minutes to eat a bowl of pureed food. A few days ago, I was "inspired" to start telling Bible stories to the kids at this time. Its fun to see how engaged they become, and even more fun to see some of the nurses and volunteers "eavesdropping" on what I am saying.
About 1 pm the kids are put to bed for a while, and I return home for my lunch (the main meal of the day).
The Afternoon
 At about 4 pm, we begin feeding supper, and changing the kids for bed. Do I change diapers? Yes. I think if any one thing has earned me the respect of the nurses, it's my willingness to help with this task.
Returning Home
I often walk home from the orphanage, usually about 5 o'clock. If I have any shopping to do, I do it on the way. Though I'm usually tired from the day, I find this walk a good time to talk over my day with Jesus. It's also enjoyable to be part of all the other people who are going home at this time of day.
Supper is between 6:30 and 7:00. We eat with the students, and I mostly get to listen to the stories of their day and their studies.
After dinner, the rest of the evening is my own-to journal, read, pray, study (yes, I try to study a little Spanish grammar and vocabulary each day), listen to music, Facebook, or really do whatever I want. I'm finding I'm staying up way too late in the evening, and am trying to develop some kind of discipline in going to sleep at a reasonable hour.
Thanks be to God for giving me this experience.
(To read more details of a "typical day" click here.)
This time of year there seem to be a lot of volunteers both in the morning and in the afternoons. Some come for a single day, but others are here for a week or more. I'm trying to invest some of my time in helping those who are here for a while understand the needs of the kids, and find things to do with them. This isn't as much fun for me as working directly with a child, but, I can either work with one child, or help five volunteers give effective attention to five (or more) children. I try to find time each afternoon to spend an extended period of time with at least one of the kids, though. It's good for them and even better for me!
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| More events this week. . . |
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To find out more about what I've been doing this week, click on any of the topics below to read my blog for that day.
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| What next? |
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Challenging kids
Many of the kids have little or no ability to move their arms and hands in a controlled manner. I'm researching ways to help them do tasks and communicate using assistive devices. This is way out of my comfort zone, and I pick the brains of any and all physical and occupational therapy students who volunteer here.
Improved Feeding Methods
Most of the kids are fed pureed food and drink from a baby bottle. Some need this level of assistance, but I'm finding many kids who can eat just fine (especially finger foods) when we take them to Camperos. It frustrates me that these children are fed "babyfood" because it's more expedient for the staff. It concerns me more that large holes are made in the nipples of the bottles, and some of the kids seem to be "drowning" as they drink. Finally, I have trouble with the fact that many are fed breakfast and even supper lying in their beds.
I'm well aware that these needs exceed my expertise, but I try to model better feeding techniques (such as sitting kids upright to eat and using sippy cups) and hope to learn more about this important area. Again, I know change will come very slowly, but we need to try!
Communication Programs
I've managed to complete initial assessments on about 10 kids, and now that I've gotten a printer, will begin starting formal instruction with a few on using pictures to make requests. I'm especially grateful for my special educator friends (thanks, Donna) who help me out when I'm stuck for an idea on how to reach a child.
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It's a cliche to say that time is flying, but I can hardly believe I've been her a month. I'm still waiting for homesickness to set in, but so far it hasn't. I have to admit, though, that talking to my grandsons on Skype helps alot!
Wishing you all a wonderful week.
Living the journey, (and loving it!)
Pat
a.k.a.Guatemala Grandma
U.S. phone: 402-557-0353
(relays toll free to Guatemala)
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