Adventure

They were only suppose to wade in the water and not get their clothes wet but hey that is pretty impossible for these kids. Especially on a HOT, hot, day!

One of our workers Pamela decided we would venture to her house to go the the creek and play and in the water and look for mangos. The kids absolutely loved it. The kids cut up all of the mangos and it made for a good afternoon snack.

Doris, she got so excited while playing she just sat in the middle of the water

Everyone getting wet

Josue and I

Reina trying not to get her shorts wet

Daniela and Maryuri

Using the tree as a balancing beam

Potty training

We are working on getting Josue potty trained
We have already potty trained four kids here at Casa. It is so nice when we do not have to use diapers, saves lots of money. Right now we have been using cloth diapers. Thanks to the ladies at Borger for making them!

Chickens

The kids all lined up looking at the chickens

Brayan

The chickens

Ana, Denis, and Linda working at putting dry pine needles in to make their nests

We will soon have some fresh eggs here at Casa. Marc came home last night bringing home 30 chickens and one rooster. Well as soon as all of the kids found out this morning where looking out the windows and were ready to go out side. Soon enough once morning chores got finished we all went outside to see the chickens. We got food, water, and dry pine needles gathered up for them. The kids are all so excited about having our own eggs. Although I do not know a single thing about raising chickens. So any advice?!?!

Visit to Nicaragua

Spent the past week in Nicaragua with Dorian's family.

Looking how deep the well was, Dorian even put me to work pulling the water. Tough work!

Our little cart that we loaded 4 buckets up on to take water the the house. I think Dorian took close to 10 trips.

The well

Our nephew, Manuel pulling the bucket up with the water

One of Dorian's sisters has a shoe making business in their house in Managua. They make black dress shoes and then sell them to the local market in Managua.

I love him!!!

Last week Dorian and I made a trip to Nicaragua to work in the church in Chichigalpa and visit with his family. It was good to beable to go see his family. We had made a quick weekend trip back in November but had not been to there to stay with his mom in over a year so it was a long over due trip. Dorians mom and nephews loved having us there and we enjoyed being there with them.
Although I was reminded once again how blessed I really am and how those around me live.
The heat was unbearable at times it stayed about 100 and didn't seem to cool down at night. It was so dry and dusty that every you walked the dust stuck to you and it quickly looked like you had not taken a shower in a day or so. We also had water problems. For two days we did not have water so we went to a nearby well and hauled water to the house. Then when we did get water it came at midnight and Dorian and his mom was up two different nights filling all of the barrels and buckets with water til 2am. When the water does come you have to take advantage of it you never know when it will come again. To say the least it was an interesting trip. Just being honest it was hard for me to enjoy it at times because I am so set in my comforts. I thought here in Honduras I had given up so many comforts to be here but then going to Nic was humbling and reminded me once again how blessed I really am.
Soccer is not such a big sport in Nicaragua. Everyone there plays baseball. Our nephew had a game on Saturday and was so happy for us to be able to be there and see him play. I do not think anyone usually gets to see him play.

March 2010

March 2010

Dorian and I started off the month of March by celebrating our 2nd anniversary. We are so blessed by God to send us each other! As we were getting ready to leave for a night away, Dorian torn some ligaments in his ankle/heel playing soccer. He went to the Dr. where he had a cast put on and he decided it was best we did not go away for the night. He is doing well with it but frustrated at times as he can not drive any of the standard cars here right now or go visiting the people in the community. It seems to be healing but he needs to take care of it and let it heal well. Another good start of the month was having two baptisms in the first week of March.
We have worked on some schedule changes and I am now getting off work at 5 almost every evening. It is so wonderful to have some time off for myself and to be with Dorian and church opportunities. This has been a huge change for the better for me and Dorian.

The heat here has been much hotter than usual and very, very dry. No rain during March. With it being very dry we continue to have dry spells here at Casa. The children took naps on the cold tile floors many days just to cool off from the heat. Even when it is hot here in Santa Ana, it usually cools off during the night but this year, it is even making sleeping difficult. Not only are we having problems with the heat and water but with the electricity. We have spent a good part of the month with out electricity. It is a good reminder of how those around us live daily without water and electric. We are blessed beyond belief, sometimes I need that gentle reminder when I forget.
Once the children are home from school, most of the remainder of the day is taken up with completing homework assignments. Some of the homework is easy but the children do not want to do it. There is always at least one who struggles with it until supper. One has to remember that these children have many wounds and they are not your average well adjusted children. We try very hard to give individualized assistance with each one, but sometimes that leaves us feeling frustrated. Pray that we will have the patience and love they need.
Holy week was the last week in March and everything closed down and there was no school all week for the children. We started Holy week off by going with the church to the beach. Taking all of the kids to the beach is an experience in its self but the kids loved every minute of the beach. Thursday, Friday and Saturday we had limited staff working due to holy week. It is hard for any employees to have reliable transportation during holy week. Terri has to do a lot of transportation for the staff during these days.

Holy week reminds me of when I first came here to Honduras. Five years ago I traveled for the first time to this foreign country on a mission trip during Holy Week. Little did I know 5 years later that this is where I would be. It captured my heart and has yet to let go. God continues to amaze me in what He has in store for me and Dorian!

Continue to pray for our ministries.

Blessings~

Dorian and Karen Guido

thanks Brian

Thanks

Ana

Cindy

Rosy

Antonio

Doris

Katy

Josue

Cloth diapers!

Reina

Mayuri

Nohemy

Thanks for all of the goodies the ladies sent from Borger, TX

Heat

nap time in the shade

It has gotten hot here in the last month or so and I am guessing it is just going to get hotter. It is usually 5 to 10 degrees hotter inside the house. So being outside and in the cool breeze is a much better option. Here in Santa Ana there is usually always a cool breeze! :)

Saturday for naps Sandra had the kids sleep outside!

Not too sure any of them slept but they enjoyed the nice cool breeze!

Oranges and Mandarin Oranges

For the past month the kids have been climbing the the trees about two times a week to get all of the oranges and tangerines down. The ladies are sure to make juice for the kids. They almost all have too much acid to eat by themselves, but sure enough the kids still eat them. We usually do not let them climb trees either so they love this as an excuse to get to climb all over the trees.

Nohemy playing in the tree

Here is two of the many buckets of Oranges and mandarin oranges the kids picked. The kids cut them all open and squeeze all of the juice out and we freeze the juice until we are ready to use it.

Beach

Josue
Our trip Sunday to the beach was a long day but the kids loved every minute of being at the beach. It was not too enjoyable for me as it is stressful to keep track of the kids, but the important part is that they enjoyed the beach!
I could tell so many stories about the day but as for now I will just leave you with pictures from the beach.

Sisi

The bus ride......the bus ride is only half the adventure!

Brayan

Katy, Rosy and Cindy

Daniela with Rony

Doris loved every minute of the beach. Although I think she rolled around in the sand more than than she got wet!

Josue loved the sand

Pamela, Josue, and Siomara

Lunch.....fried fish

Richard eatting his fish, bones and all

Brayan

Brayan was so proud of himself as he got to play on the soccer team at school Friday. They played against the another local schooll. Juan Lindo vs. Jose Cecillo del Valle. Jose Cecillo del Valle won! Brayan was so proud that they won. After school we picked them straight up to go to visitation so he was so proud that he got to show off his uniform to his mom.

He sure is one good soccer player and just a good kid all around!
I love watching Brayan grow and mature and to see the change taking place in him. I am excited to see the leader in Brayan and the plans God has in store to use him.

ready or not here we come......

We are headed to the beach tomorrow with all of the kids. The church every year does a beach trip to help raise money for special projects. This year all of the money will be going to the youth group for a youth rally that is taking place June 12th here in Santa Ana/Ojojona. The youth is working hard to get everything ready and are excited for what God has in store for this first youth rally. Please keep the youth and the youth rally in your prayers as they prepare.
As for the beach, the kids are more than ready and excited to go. Us adults are not too sure about all of this. This is the third year we have went with the kids. They absolutely LOVE IT!!! It makes for along day in the HOT, HOT sun, but the kids do not mind. Last year we had quite an experience in the bus on the way home. Who knows what is in store for us this year. Please keep us in your prayers!
I will be sure to update everyone of our beach trip and with lots of photos when we get back.
As for now here is a picture for last year at the beach!

Josue

Josue got his first hair cut this week. He was so proud of his hair cut. He was sure to show it off to everyone once we got to the house. He is growing up and looking like a big boy!

Reina!!!

Happy Happy Birthday Reina! Today Reina turned 1o years old! Every time someone asked her how old she was today she would respond with two years old. She was getting ten and two confused!!! :)

Feb. 2010

February 2010

School began for the year in mid February. For the most part, the children are very excited to be back in classes. It is a relief to get the children back in classes but school also brings it's own stress. Helping them with homework daily, and studying and going to meetings consumes our time. All of our children are attending school this year except for Josue. We have Pamela, Doris, and Brayan entering fifth grade. Reina is repeating 1st grade as we do not feel that she is ready to move on to 2nd grade. Antonio is in 4th grade. Sisi is also repeating 1st grade because she still needs to learn to read. She is already making leaps and bounds this year. Katy is in 1st grade. Jackson and Cindy are in 3rd grade. Daniela, Fernando, Jose and Ana are in 2nd grade.

Doris has even started school this year. She has never attended school before. She was ecstatic to be able to go to school this year with all of the other kids. She is in 5th grade with Pamela and Brayan. Where she receives classes at Teleton they suggested that we put her in the public school system this year. Even though she is unable to do a lot of things. It isn't important that she does the work but that she associates with people her own age. So far she is doing well and loves it!!!! Please keep Doris in your prayers as this is a HUGE change for her.

Maryuri and Nohemy are in Kinder. They go to classes in the afternoon 1:30-4:30. This year we are working with a new kinder. We are letting them use one of the classrooms of the church . This is a program under the secretary of education and mostly it is to help those who are very poor and can not afford all of the school fees and supplies. The kids do not have to go in uniforms and they do not ask for a school supply list. So it is a wonderful thing to so many who do not have the means to send their child to school. Until we offered the church classroom they were meeting in a very small house and were each bringing their chair from home. This is a great opportunity this year as the kinder uses one of the classrooms as an outreach to more people in the community.

Please pray for each and everyone of the children as they start a new school year.
Especially pray for Cindy as the teacher is already having lots and lots of problems with her not wanting to work or listen.

Jackson is also having a hard time with stealing. Please continue to pray for him as we work with him and that we will have the wisdom as to know how to handle the stealing.

Small group bible studies have started in two homes here in Santa Ana. Dorian continues to study with those who want to learn more. The people attending these studies are not those who worship with us in Santa Ana. We ended our month by welcoming a new sister in Christ as Dorian baptized Tatiana.

Please continue to take us before our Father and ask that we continue to find new ways to serve.

Reina

Every week the kids all have chores they are to do here in the house to help out. Each week the chore chart changes and they get a new chore for the week.
Well last week Reina and Fernando were on dish duty. Which was quite the week of rewashing the dishes with the two of them. Usually one would wash in the AM and the other would dry and vice versa in the evening.
Well Friday night was Reina's turn in the kitchen washing the dishes after supper. Dilma was busy working on homework with some of the kids and Pamela was busy listening to music and coloring with the rest in the playroom. I was trying to talk with one of the kids who was not wanting to listen.
As me and Dilma look up we see Reina laughing and giggling and washing away. We go into the kitchen to find out both drains had been clogged up with food so the water was overflowing onto the floor. Better yet she had the facuet on and water continues to fill the sinks as it flows onto the floor. A waterfall is coming from the sinks and the floor and quickly becoming a pool of water and Reina laughs and giggles and continues washing the dishes in the dirty clogged up water!
Dilma turned off the water and started dishing out water as I a began sticking my hands down in the water and fish out the food that was clogging the drains. We slowly but surely got everything cleaned up. I was sure not to leave the kitchen until Reina was done washing the dished this time!
Never a dull moment with a house full of kiddos!!!

Baptism

I have mentioned recently how in the last month small group studies have started with people here in the community.
Every Monday night in the Cucuy development their is one in Denis's house.
Last night I was settling the kids down for a movie when Dorian called and said bring the camera and a towel their is someone who wants to get baptized. I ran to get the camera and towel and told the kids to turn off the TV and lets to go see a baptism.
A young man named Carlos has come to the bible study and said he wanted to change his life and that he wanted things to be different. He was in a gang and had committed many crimes. He said you don't understand what I have done God will not accept me. He was showed several scriptures and told him that God forgives he just needed to hand his life over to God. He said he was afraid and did not want to live with satan. He wanted to be free from the sin in his life and start over again.
He said we would probably not see him again because he needed to get out of the country because it was too dangerous for him to be here. So please say a prayer for Carlos as he struggles to find his new life and leave the past behind.
Praise God for hearts being changed and lives being given to God!!!!