JOURNEY OF THE HEART: RETURNING TO SAN ANTONIO PALOPO

The long awaited day is finally here!! I will be returning to San Antonio Palopo to love the kids who have simply stole my heart. Even more exciting than that I know I will get to see my dear, sweet Laura again!! I couldn't finish breakfast soon enough and get to the office to meet the rest of the team! I was woke up all smiles and the wait was getting to me. I was like a kid who just came down the stairs to find the goodies Santa has left behind only to be told I had to wait to unwrap them:) In the mean time I walked over to the dental clinic to take a peek in and play with the kiddos who were waiting to be seen. There I was joined by several others who wanted to take the trip with me today, I mean the more the merrier right? It was so great to watch as Scott blew bubbles to entertain the children who squealed in delight each time!! It was a fun way to pass the time!!

Finally the truck arrived and when all piled in only to be told we had even more people who would like to come along!! So we swung by the office and picked them up barely squeezing all of us with me riding on top of the truck cab!! Yep you read the right I road up there the entire ride which was over an hour. I mean come on what else was I suppose to do? We couldn't simply leave anyone behind right? It truly was the best seat in the house because I was able to snap some very interesting photos from up there lol!! As we neared San Antonio Palopo my heart grew happier and the anticipation grew stronger!! And finally we had arrived and was parked. I truly think I ran to the pre-school because I seem to have left the others behind. The smile on my face was HUGE as I walked in and was greeted by all those sweet, smiling faces!! It was an even better feeling than I had imagined!! I was even more excited when I heard some of them call my name!! Yep they remembered me!! How awesome was that??? I got lots of smiles and hugs and even a few kisses!! I was truly in heaven and couldn't imagine it being any better. Well that is until it was time for the second set of kids to come in!!

That's where I was finally able to lay eyes on my dear, sweet Laura again!! I sat and gazed at her in sheer shock and awe!! What's this new look about her? Something was completely different!!! That broken smile and look of hardship was gone!! She was smiling and looked so full of life!! My heart couldn't have been any happier than it was at that very moment!! I don't think I have ever been so happy to see a child smile as I was right then and there!! She smiled at me and hugged me and it's like we never missed a beat!! This was my blessing!! The blessing God sent me to Guatemala to receive!! He showed me first hand how He entrusted me with one of His children by allowing me to meet her and fall in love with her enough to strive to find help for her!! My prayers were answered!! She received her surgery and was now a new and improved child!! She now smiles and has even cut her bangs, no longer being ashamed of her eye!! WOW what a blessing I have received!! Thank God for showing me how to love and be loved by someone who has nothing to give but that love!! I am simply overwhelmed with joy tonight!! If not another good thing happens on this trip this was enough to make it a grand adventure!! However I know God is not done with me nor this family!! He has bigger and greater plans for our future!! I just believe this with all my heart. I may not be able to do everything for her that needs to be done but I will not stop until I find all the help I can for this loving family!! They're still one of the at risk families because they lack money to buy food so they really could use a monthly food sponsor so please consider being a donor even if it's simply for a month!! Your help would be appreciated!!

So Laura is only one of the many children I share a love for in San Antonio Palopo. There's another handsome little man that steals my heart with each of his smiles!! Little Marvin!! He's got to be one of the happiest little boys I have ever met because he's always smiling and so full of life!! He's always wanting his photo taken and will call me by name only to give me a beautiful smile when I look to him! On my last trip to Panajachel the pediatrician suggested his left eye be patched to strengthen the right eye to correct it, but who ever knew that would be the least of his eye problem!! On this visit I learned he has a condition in his right eye that cannot be treating with anything else other than surgery. His eye lashes are growing inward causing his eye to constantly be itchy and irritated!! Man I know what it's like when I get a single eyelash in my eye and how horrible it feels!! But, I cannot even imagine having all of them rubbing my eye all day, every day!! Unfortunately there is not enough money in the medical funds to have him treated so he will need a sponsor to help fund the surgery. Can you be that sponsor? Can you contribute something, even if it's simply a dollar to have little Marvin's surgery completed? I mean this surgery is his only solution to his discomfort!! My goal is to raise $1,000 to go to the eye surgery so can you please consider helping with this? If each of us donates something and encourages a friend to do the same this goal will be reached in no time!! I know together we can make a HUGE difference for him!! Thanks so much in advance for considering this!!!

All the other children in San Antonio Palopo seem to have the same struggles for food as they always have. The food crisis in this areas is very severe so they're on the top of my list of villages who will receive food baskets on my next trip in December. So please if any of these situations tug at your heart consider helping!! Even the smallest contribution will make the biggest difference in some one's life!! I'm going to be happier tonight that I have been in a very long time because God has blessed me beyond belief today!! I am blessed to have been able to love these children and receive their love in return:)

Eddy

I asked the security guard if I could take his photo and he so kindly allowed me even though the rest of my crew thought I was insane!! And look he even gave me a little grin lol!!

Waiting to see the dentist!!

Isen't he just a cutie??

Yep I rode up here all the way from Panajachel to San Antonio Palopo lol!

Road to San Antonio Palopo

Building a fire on the road side to mold the pipes in

Melting the pipe to mold it for fitting!!

Me and Lucrecia

Me and Marvin the great:)

Dum dums were a hit, although one of the kiddos asked if I had any caramel candy like I gave them the last time LOL!! Funny the things they remembered about me!

One of the homes that remains buried in San Antonio Palopo since Tropical Storm Agatha ravaged the area months ago!

This is what the landslide area looks like today in one part of San Antonio Palopo. I was simply amazed compared to what it looked like before I left!

The memorial at the unmarked grave still remains in San Antonio Palopo

A mixture of orange slices, candy, water, and candles at the memorial site

My little ham, Marvin!!

A closer look at Marvin's eye. His eye lashes are growing inward instead of on the outside so he will need surgery!! I'm looking for anyone who would be interested in helping cover the expenses to have him seen by an eye doctor!! His eye is always so irritated and I know he must feel misreable!!