JOURNEY OF THE HEART: CHUK MUK 6TH GRADE GRADUATION

It was such an honor and a pleasure to be able to visit the village of Chuk Muk and attend their sixth grade graduation ceremony! I mean graduating sixth grade in Guatemala is a HUGE accomplishment that all too many children don't get to do. Their school consists of three rooms made completely from tin with dirt floors, so the local museum allowed them to use a room to host the graduation in it. As you walked in there were desk in perfect rows and the floor was covered in pine needles and to the front of the room there hung a huge banner listing all the children's names who were graduating today!! A tiny room held so much excitement as the parents, grandparents, siblings and friends began to file in to see their special child graduate! The host welcomed all the guest and the music began to play as eighteen smiling boys and girls marched into the room and took their places to receive their diplomas! I mean you could feel the excitement and anticipation!! It was incredible!! The host then spoke to the audience about how much of a glorious day this was for the children and such a huge accomplishment. He then asked for a moment of silence and thanks for the opportunity these children have been given. I have to say this was the most heartfelt prayers I have ever witnessed. It was simply breath taking to watch as mothers weeped in pure joy and thankfulness for their children!! Such a blessing it was to be a witness to this!!!

As the ceremony was to begin me and Amy were asked to please come forward and help distribute the diplomas to the children!! What an honor it was to be included in the ceremony! As the names were called and the students came forward I could see the excitement in their eyes as I handed them their diploma. One girl with the biggest smile hugged me so tight when I gave her that piece of paper!! That simple piece of paper means so much to her and I only wish I could make you understand just how HUGE of a deal that is for her and her family!! I mean graduating sixth grade in Guatemala is like one of our children here graduating college!! I congratulate those eighteen students and the families who had to struggle so hard to keep their children in school! This is going to be forever life changing as they all have plans to attend the seventh grade next year:)

Once all the diplomas have been handed out I took family photos of all eighteen graduates and they will each receive a copy. I think it's important for each of them to have something more than a diploma to remember this very special day. I know my mother often looks back at my college photos with joy as I am her only child that accomplished a degree. So I want these children and their mothers to have the same opportunity. Not to mention just having family photo is a huge deal. With all photos taken a celebration meal was given out. We were seated at a special table in the front of the room and served a meal consisting of tortillas, vegetables, beef in a red gravy, rice and a coke. To be served beef is a huge deal because of the level of poverty here chicken is much cheaper so generally is served!! The food was great and the families were even greater!! I walked out of there all smiles and so excited for those kids!! What a honor and pleasure it has been to be in Chuk Muk!!

As I returned to Panajachel I went back to the dental clinic because today the kids from the pre-school in San Antonio Palopo were there to see the dentist!! And in NO way was I going to miss an opportunity to see them!! As I walked in I was greeted by lots of smiling faces and hugs!! Laura spotted me right away and motioned me to come see her. It was so sweet because she was drawing a picture with crayons and wanted to show it to me!! I was so happy that she did that because the once overly shy, distant girl was gone!! Or at least she was gone to me because when Susi tried speaking to her she put her head down and would not respond. For some reason God choose me and Laura's paths to cross and I am so glad He did!! It has been the most incredible experience for me!! I am forever thankful to have met her:)

As I left her coloring I spotted little Brenda Izabel crying so I scooped her up and began to play with her. She was perfectly fine with that and came right to me. As I held her in my arms she laid her head on my shoulder and before I knew it she was fast asleep!! Maybe a half hour later she was still asleep so I sat in a chair with her because she had quite a while to wait for her turn to see the dentist so it was no use in waking her!! I sat and watched as this beautiful little girl I held in my arms slept, falling deeper and deeper into a slumber. Poor little one must have been so tired because eventually she was drooling all over as she slept LOL!! I remained with her in my arms for a little over two hours before I had to wake her to take her meds and to see the dentist. What a total blessing because I haven't been able to hold my girls in six days now!! As she saw the dentist I continued to play with all the kids until they were nearly all gone from the clinic!! I left there all smiles and joined Caroline, Orlando, Susie and Tom for supper!! All I can say is I'm going to bed tonight with a grateful heart!!

The Chuk Muk school. It's completely made out of tin and has dirt floors!

The room in the museum they allowed the school to host graduation in

The 6th grade graduating class of Chuk Muk

One excited graduate!!

Teresa and her daughter who graduated the 6th grade

A moment of silence and thanks!!

This is joy filled praise and prayer for sure. You could just see the emotion on her face as she prayed!

Prayers of joy and thanks

Ely giving her speech

A tight hug from the graduate!!

A very happy and proud graduate!

Two little cuties who attended their sibling's graduation

Ely giving out the graduation gifts

Scott, Amy and Jeanne at the graduation

Enjoying a meal after the graduation ceremony

The wonderful meal they served us at the Chuk Muk 6th grade graduation

I took this right after he finished crying his eyes out!

It was so sweet, this little lady wanted her picture taken with me lol!

Me and a few of the newly graduated 6th grade girls!

Me waiting for the tuk tuk in Chuk Muk

A home in Chuk Muk

This elderly man was washing his feet in the lake

The local kids swimming at the boat launch in Santiago

As I held Brenda Izabel she began to get heavier and heavier until I realized she was out like a light lol!!

She was knocked out in my lap!! I mean the girl was snoring with drool and all LOL!!

A family waiting to see the dentist

This family doesn't have much money but still wanted their children to wear traje. They cut a piece of a sweatshirt to make his little skirt!! He was so adorable in it!