Saying Goodbye

The heart that God has given to us is truly a beautiful thing. It has the capacity to love very deeply and to give itself away, sometimes without even realizing it. God has created our hearts with the ability to expand to meet the need at hand. When I came on this trip to Bolivia, I knew I would love being here but honestly I really wanted to be back in Zambia. Those plans hadn't worked out and now I'm so grateful that God had a better plan. If you had asked me a few weeks ago if I was ready to be back in the states, I would have said yes!, but not today. Today I had to say goodbye to 34 beautiful, fun, special girls who have stolen my heart. The tears are flowing as I write this because I realize how much I will miss them and how much they have come into my heart. I'm learning more and more how the Lord expands our hearts and gives us the ability to give parts of it away as people touch our lives. Part of my heart is at home in Texas, part in the Middle East, part of it is in Zambia, and now part is in Bolivia. My heart has found so much joy in each of these places as I come to experience new things and meet new people and my heart has ached in everyone of these places as I have had to say goodbye. As I said goodbye to each of the girls today, felt their arms around me, felt their sweet kisses, and saw their tears, my heart broke a little and yet was filled with thankfulness to a Father who cares so deeply for them and isn't going to leave them or forsake them. My heart was also filled with gratefulness for the opportunity to travel to a new places and experience life in a new culture. Today was a holiday called Friendship Day and as the girls went around, naming one friend who meant a lot to them and why, I began to realize what a wonderful "family" God has given these girls in this home. I'm thankful they have a safe place to stay, food to eat, and people who point them to the Lord. Through my tears and aching heart I thank the Lord for these sweet girls and for allowing our paths to run side by side for this month and for the precious memories we all share. I hope, Lord willing, to return someday. Thank you all for your prayers and support while I have been gone. Please continue to keep the girls and those who care for them in your prayers.

Love and blessings from Santa Cruz!

Baking and Trip to the Boys Home

It has been a busy week with the kids heading back to school. Jen and I were put in charge of making the daily snacks for the girls and taking care of the little ones when they get home from school everyday.

Making lunch!

Two of the many batches of cookies we made. 

This Saturday is also the anniversary of one of the boys home so Jen and I took the bus out to the home today to help get things ready for the celebration on Saturday. The bus ride took about an hr and a half but it was so good to get to spend more time with the boys. They are a lot of fun and helped us with some of the decorations for the big event.

On the bus ride!

The boys home is in the country and it's SO beautiful!

The road to the home

Making the banner  

These dudes were making sure we did everything just right lol.

Drawing the boys handprints on the banner

Loved these gorgeous flowers! I told one of the boys how much I liked it and before I knew it he had climbed up the tree and picked some of the petals for me :) 

They are so silly! :) 

I'm so thankful for my time here and looking forward to making the most of the few days I have left! 

Happy Saturday!

Good morning from Bolivia! We have had a full week but lots of fun! On tuesday we celebrated Laura's 7th birthday. The team from the US came and had lunch with the girls and we had ice cream. Also the girls got sand delivered for their volleyball/football field but the little ones liked to make sand castles instead :)

On Thursday we went and met the boys from the other home for lunch at a beautiful garden. It was great to meet them and spend time getting to know them a little.

Yesterday we went on a field trip with the girls, age 13 and up, to some beautiful waterfalls about 2 hrs away from the home. It was a great time of fellowship and fun together! The water was SO cold to this Texas girl :) but the girls loved it and played water football (soccer) and some even jumped off the rocks into the water. 

Next week the girls head back to school and things will become more busy for all of us. It's been great having time with the girls over their break and I'm so thankful for the time God has allowed me to be here. Can't believe I only have a week and a half left. Praying God will use this remaining time for His glory! 

Love and blessings from Santa Cruz, Susanna

A Week at The Girls Home

Its been a full and busy week at the girls home and lots of fun memories have been made. Friendship is this coming Monday so we spent the first part of the week making handmade cards for the girls to give out to their friends.

I got to do chores with the girls a few days which included sorting and washing laundry, hanging out the laundry and watching Ana feel Navidad (the pig who will be Christmas dinner ;) )

We also spent time teaching the girls to crochet so that they can make things to sell in the store at the home and help raise money for support. I love seeing the smiles of satisfaction on their faces as they discover their ability to make something beautiful! As I have been working with the girls, God has taught me a lesson. I learned to crochet when I was about 9 or so and loved spending time making things. It's something I've done from time to time but would never have expected God to use this talent He gave me, in another part of the world. It made me realize that we may learn or experience things that we think are unimportant but with God those things can change a life or bring joy to someone in a way we never would have expected. Never underestimate the power of the Lord in your life to take something small, like crochet, and use it in a larger way than you could have ever expected. "Little is much when God is in it."

Even one of the "guard" dogs got in on the action by snoozing away on our laps while we worked :)

There is a team from the states that came to the girls home on Thursday and Friday to do an eyeglass and dental clinic for the girls. They were so proud of their new sunglasses :)

The verse God gave me this morning as my prayer for my time here in Bolivia is Col 1:9b-12 which says: "...we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patienceawith joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in cthe inheritance of the saints in light."

I pray that God will teach me to walk in a way that is pleasing to Him and in turn I will be able to pour out more love to these girls and show them the saving faith of Christ and draw them nearer to the Father. Here are just a few of the faces that have become so dear to my heart.

Happy 4th!!!

Just wanted to wish everyone back home a Happy 4th of July from Bolivia!!!! I hope you all have a wonderful day with friends and family celebrating our freedom! As you celebrate please pray for the girls at the home today, for freedom for them from past pain and suffering and that they will know how truly beautiful and precious they are to us and to an almighty God! They are His princesses and He has a future and a hope for each of their lives. May satan be bound from them and may they come to live in the freedom of knowing Christ!!