Last thursday, we boarded Casa Shalom's big yellow bus with directors Walter and Jenny, their 2 small children, and 35 kids from Casa Shalom - all the kids ages 10 and up. We drove over 5 hours to Cobán, a city in Guatemala's Alta Verapaz district. We got back to Casa Shalom this afternoon. In Cobán, we stayed in a gymnasium that is used for conferences and conventions. Everyone slept in sleeping bags on the concrete floor, and there was no hot water available - but the Casa Shalom kids are troupers! They didn't complain once. They were grateful for a safe place to sleep and for running water! Over the next few days (internet access permitting), we will be posting pictures and video from the trip. We hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed our time with the kids.
Right before we take off on our trip - notice the crowd at the BACK of the bus. Typical teenagers!
Director Walter says a prayer for safety before leaving Casa Shalom.
Not even 10 minutes into the trip and Alfonso and Waltercito were out like a light!
Unloading the bus with all the kids' luggage.
We stayed in a building normally used for church services and conferences - not exactly a 5-star hotel, but the kids were thrilled with the big, open space. As soon as they dropped their bags, they started up a game of soccer.
Videos: The boys played soccer in the afternoons....and unfortunately for us "old folks" who wanted to sleep, well into the nights too!
Early tomorrow morning, we will be leaving on a trip with all of the Casa Shalom kids! The kids' Easter vacation starts this weekend, and to celebrate, we are going on a trip to Coban. Coban, as you can see on the map on the right, is located north of Guatemala City by about 5 hours. We will be taking Casa Shalom's big yellow school bus and will be visiting a nature park called Semuc Champey, as well as several other well-known spots in the area. Please pray for the group's safety as we travel. We will be back late Sunday night - be watching for photos!
On Sunday, we took a small wading pool to the babies' house and let them enjoy some time in the warm, fresh air. Right now, it is summer in Guatemala, and the kids love to spend as much time outside as possible. The pool was met with mixed reactions - Abby wouldn't go near it, Anggie would only stick her feet in and then wanted out right away, and Jorge and Tony took to it like fish! Then Anggie decided she wanted in on the action, and spent the whole time splashing around outside the pool. But by the time pool time was over, she was as wet as the boys! (Don't forget to check out the videos at the bottom).
Abby and Anggie weren't so thrilled by the pool
Jorge and Tony, however, jumped right in!
Anggie tests the waters
By the time it was all over, she looked like she'd jumped in with her clothes on!
Tony shows off his post-pool mohawk.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Today the children of Casa Shalom enjoyed a meal of fried chicken, french fries and coleslaw. In January a donation was received for a new crop of chicks. Last week Josh and the teen boys who work on the chicken farm butchered, plucked and prepared the fully grown chickens and for lunch we had our first meal from them. Several more nice meals will be enjoyed by the children. What a blessing the chicken farm is! Many thanks for the generosity of the peoplewho helped make this happen. Take a look at the pictures of everyone enjoyingtheir meal.
A new tradition is being created at Casa Shalom - Sunday afternoon game-time! Each Sunday afternoon for the past few weeks, the kids of Casa Shalom have gathered outside to play a game, usually soccer (futbol) or kickball. But today, we taught them the art of good, old-fashioned American football! Although most of had never played before and probably won't be going pro any time soon, they had a blast. Enjoy the photos! And try not to laugh at Director Jenny throwing the football with two hands in the video!
