Canaries!!

Canaries!!
Loving on my Canaries (Fall 2013)

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

School's Out!

Hey guys! So, I know it's been a little while since I've updated my blog...sorry about that! So, here's an update:

Last week was our final week of school before a 3 week break. Amidst our week of exams there were a few end of the year parties and a news crew came in to donate stuffed animals to all of the kids. That was a crazy day, but it was fun! On the last day of school, the students had to clean their desks. Remember in elementary school when they would cover our desks with shaving cream and we would draw in it and make a big mess, but really we were cleaning the desks? Well, this is sorta like that, but they use sandpaper! Since the desks are all wood, they just sand them down to remove the writing and dirt from the desktops. The official school year is now over, so I am on break for 3 weeks before "summer school" begins in November.











During my break from school there are a couple teams from Orphan's Heart coming to work at the malnutrition center, and I am fortunate enough to be able to go out there with them! It has been three long months since I've been there and seen all the nannies and the kids. It was so great to walk through that door again...like coming home! It felt so good to go into the ducks' and squirrels' bedrooms and have them all run up to me yelling "Raquela! Raquela!" Even some of the bunnies and chicks seem to remember me (or at least I'd like to think they do...please don't burst my happy little bubble haha). There are many new dolphins and canaries to love on...and I am so excited to see their brand new room finally!!! It's so amazing and so much better for the babies...I love it! My babies are all growing up so fast! Some have gone home and others have moved up to new groups. They are all so much bigger than they were when I last saw them! Kids who couldn't stand up are walking on their own and some who couldn't sit up without support or crawl are able to sit themselves up and are moving everywhere! I'm so glad that I am able to see them again so soon and see the progress they've made. God is  so good! 

I am so thankful that I get to spend time with all of these precious kids! Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. I love you guys!!

Love Always,
Rachel

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

It's been a whole month already?!

Wow! I can’t believe I’ve been in Guatemala for an entire month! On one hand, it kind of feels like I’ve been here forever, but on the other it feels like I only just got here. Crazy how time works that way, huh?

Anyways, we are wrapping up the school year here. At one school we are giving final exams this week and our last day of school is Friday. At the other school this is review week and final exams are next week. There’s a lot going around here on with the end of the school year arriving: grading notebooks and homework, ensuring everyone has all of their assignments in, reviewing all the material for the final exam, etc. I’ve also got my online course and I’m getting ready to move (I’m moving from the hostel I’ve been in to an apartment this week!), so I’ve been keeping myself pretty busy.

I’ve been attending a church here where I have met some really great people! There is a program there that trains young adults from the United States in ministry and missions that is coming to an end for many of the students I have met. They will be finishing their training this week and then heading to various countries to serve for the next 6 months. There are 18 students who will be spread out across Uganda, Kenya, Cambodia, Costa Rica, and Guatemala. I will be praying for them as they go out to serve the Lord in these countries, and I would like to ask you to lift them up in your prayers as well.

Here are a few other things you can be praying for:
-Pray for the students during this last week or two of school, that they are all prepared for their final exams and are able to focus and do their best in each of their classes
-Pray for all of the teachers as they give the final exams and wrap up the school year
-Pray for the teachers and volunteers that have this month off, that we would all use our time well and that those who are travelling will stay safe and healthy
-Pray for all of the teachers and volunteers as we prepare lessons and workshops for “summer school” that will begin in November
-And pray for me for discernment and direction

Thank you all so much for your continued prayers, love, and support! I am beyond grateful to have such a wonderful support system! You all mean so much to me and I cannot thank you enough J
Love Always,

Rachel