UPDATE #1

Guatemala, in 3... 2... 1... 

FLIGHTS 

As we're taxiing on the tarmac at the Colorado Springs Airport, the kid behind me asks his brother how high we are. Brother responds, "We're still on the ground, Jeremy." Once the plane finally begins a noisy, shaky takeoff toward Houston, Jeremy asks his brother if we're there yet. No. This might be a long flight for both of us - his because he's anxious and excited to go to Houston and do whatever he's going to do there. I, on the other hand, might have a long flight because I didn't sleep, I'm all alone, and I feel like throwing up from emotion and nerves. Vomitando. Thankfully though, I fell asleep quickly, as did the 250 pound, 65-year-old man sitting next to me in the tiny plane. There was about a half hour left on the flight when we both woke up. I found out that his name was John, he has four grandchildren, and travels very frequently because he trains people on how to install air conditioning appliances. He travels so much, in fact, that he is a member of the President's Club, where he ended up taking me once we reached Houston. The President's Club was very spacious, quiet, and cushiony. It also provided free food and drinks, free WiFi, and very comfortable lighting. Thank you, John, for the sweet hookups. I high-fived myself once he left. From Houston, the flight left at 11:30 and I think there were about four missions teams there. I decided that I'd talk to a few of them, see if they were going to be anywhere close. On the plane a woman from one of the missions teams sat next to me. She is 28 and her name is Diana - not Debbie. She is really a great person - we talked for the entire 2.5 hour plane ride. They're all from Tennessee… once I'm there I will be two hours away. And In January we're going to go to the Passion Conference in Atlanta. Before I left, everyone had me very worried about the airport in Guatemala. They said that people would try to take my luggage, that people would try to abduct me… it was the most simple airport I've ever been to in my life and everyone was really nice. It was so easy that I thought I was doing something wrong. People are so scared of the world - even airports - and I understand that it's dangerous. But if you have your wits about you, constantly stay aware, and understand where to go and what to do, then it's nothing to worry about. Not a thing!

MONICA 

At first I thought I would be just teaching music at Casa Angelina. I guess that God wasn't thinking the same thing (which isn't unusual for Him and me)… under His provision for myself, the orphanage, and a girl named Monica, I was coming at just the right time to do something else. Monica is a 17-year-old who grew up with an undeveloped hip. It was going okay for her until she continued to grow taller and as the rest of her body grew it became almost impossible to walk because of the difference in her legs. Last week she had a hip replacement to fix this problem but when they went in during the operation to screw the hip into her leg they didn't realize how weak her femur had become; the bone cracked vertically. The next day they but a metal casing around her femur and attached the hip. Her recovery jumped from three weeks to three months, which so happens to be how long I'm in Guatemala. While I was on the way to the orphanage from the airport they were on the way from the hospital. And they were 20 minutes behind us. We arrived and as I stepped out of the van I was flooded with memories brought on by the familiar smell of wood and rain. But I had no time to reminisce now - I grabbed my suitcases and carried them upstairs. Unpack, change from boots into cooler shoes, no time to go to the bathroom, move the furniture, clean clean, and there she was. I was becoming a full-time nurse for a complete stranger and there she was in the back of the van screaming in pain. She screamed when they took her out, she screamed while they moved her into a chair to carry her up the steep stairs. She screamed the whole way and while we were getting her into bed, while we were helping her change into different clothes, while we bathed her with washcloths on her bed, while she went to the bathroom in a bedpan, while we changed her again because she didn't make it in the pan… I prayed the whole time. "God, please, PLEASE, give me strength and give her peace. Ease her pain, Father." After a while it got better. We couldn't get her to eat but without food her medicine would make her sick. So we made her eat a Nutrigrain Bar. Then we were able to give her some medicine but it didn't work right away. Her pain must have been incredible because the tears never stopped that night. A woman named Magda stayed with me because it would have been impossible to do alone. We were up five times that night, helping her move to her side, helping her sit, helping her go to the bathroom. I was awake as much as I was asleep that night. The next day I was exhausted. People came in and out pretty frequently to see her and at one point we had so many people around that I was able to sneak away to shower and sleep after that, for about 20 minutes. Monica is really sweet. But everyone's sour side comes out when they're in pain like that. Monica and I can do this. I know it. She will get better - pronto.

SERVICIO UNO: MARIA & ESPERANZA

 At 10:00 I left the Hospitality House (the apartment where Monica and I are living now) and I went downstairs to church. It was then that I realized that since my arrival, this was my first time outside. It was warm and I was grateful to move away from the place. Right underneath the Hospitality House is the Dining Hall. That's where they have church, too. So I went into the Dining Hall and came in contact with the rest of the kids for the first time. They aren't shy; immediately two or three little girls ran up to me and attached themselves to my body. I recognized other immediately. There was Asustena, Byron, Lester, Tito, Abi, Kimberly, Marisa, Abi. But I was looking for one little girl in particular. Maria was two years old when I came in 2010 and I fell in love with her then. She was precious that I wanted to adopt her. I would say "Maria, besame!" and she would kiss my cheek so softly that it made me want to cry. She was older now though - how old? I didn't know. I was looking for her face. It's not like I wouldn't remember it. I went to sit down next to some of the 3, 4, & 5 year olds who were clinging to me. Abi and Blondi both crawled on my lap. Then a little girl with long black hair skipped across my line of vision into the row in front of me and turned around to smile at me. I started crying. Maria. She asked my name and I told her "Me llama, Kellie, Maria!" and she smiled just like she did always. I knew that she wouldn't remember me, but she would always have the most special place in my heart. Bethany Frazer, the pastor at the orphanage, preached about the hope that we have in the cross. "La esperanza de la cruz." She said that even when the storm is raging on the sea and tormenting your mind and your soul and your heart, that if Christ is your anchor nothing can make your boat sink. The waves can be all around and the rain can come pouring down and the wind can be tearing at your clothes and at your boat and everywhere around but with Christ, we have the hope of the cross to keep us afloat. Nothing can make us sink.

THE FRAZERS 

So I take care of Monica from the time when I wake up until lunch is over in the afternoon around 2:30 or 3:00, and I go back to Hospitality House around 6:30 or 7. During this free time for the past two days I have been visiting the Frazers. They're the American family who are the pastors at Casa Angelina. They have three kids named Ethan, India, and Ariana. Their names are Bethany and Andrew. I really like Bethany and I think we'll get along really well. So Sunday and Monday I was there, hanging out with them, drinking tea, making muffins, playing games and just talking. I know that we're going to have a really good time. It's hard, though, too, because I don't want to go there every day - they need family time and I need to branch out as well. It's nice that we all have phones, that way I can just call if I need help or have a question. 

OATMEAL 

I had some strange nightmarish dreams last night. I think just being in a new place and all takes some time to adjust even while I'm asleep. I keep waking up, at 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 AM (only once on account of Monica). The birds here are incessant. They sound like birds but also like squirrels and crickets and car alarms and whistles and some sing melodies like church bells. And it's constant. There' s one that taps on my window. It's not so bad once you get used to it but it can get annoying after not sleeping much. I finally got out of bed at 7:30 and went to help with Monica. For the first time the weather was rather chilly. It was rainy and foggy and I couldn't see past our porch, but every other day it's been 70 degrees and sunny. For breakfast they served eggs and oatmeal with banana slices. It was so delicious, especially because I love oatmeal so much. I felt pretty sick earlier today, but feel a lot better now though after taking a nap this afternoon and relaxing all day. Monica was good today and only had one major breakdown which is a huge improvement. We've been watching movies and now we're watching my favorite - Pride and Prejudice. Or in Spanish: Orgullo y Prejudicio. I still love it and it's good that I've watched it so many times because I can still understand what's going on even though it's in a different language. Besides, it's a good way to learn. 

 So that's all I have as of right now… but expect updates at least once a week. I have so much more to tell you all and once I have the chance to actually take pictures, I'll upload some! I miss you all very much and I really appreciate your prayers and support. I really miss you all and hope to hear from you soon via email, Facebook, Skype, etc. SOY EN GUATEMALA!! Ayayayayyaaay!! :) 

 Love, Kellie