Today was our day with the babies home, and plans changed througout the day.  We had a wonderful time playing with the babies on the swings, slide, giving airplane rides, and just holding and hugging.  John and Emily went to meet with their lawyer about the impending adoption of Juan Pablo, and they had great news from the Guatemalan government; not such good news from the U.S. Embassy.  We continue to pray for a miracle and a quick resolution for their family.

We met up with some new friends from the States, Karen, Brian, Bob, and Laura.  They took us and the toddlers to Pizza Hut for lunch and playing on the Play Land.  It was a good time with the kids and a good time of fellowship with other believers who are committed to the lives of these orphans.

I learned more about some of the children we spent time with today.  There is a little boy named Jose´and as I was hearing his story, I realized that we had met him in Sergio´s clinic in August.  He has a brain tumor and wasn´t expected to live days after our visit, yet he is improved and receiving loving care by people in this babies´home.  I also heard about Alejandra who is new to the home.  She is 6 years old and recently placed because of repeated, long term sexual abuse.  The younger Alejandra was in the hospital today related to her hydroencephalopathy and spina bifida.  She isn´t expected to live much longer, but I had a great conversation with their caregiver Jenny about the loving care that they can give all these children, even the dying.  It grabbed my attention, too, that I have done some work with death and dying and the effect on children, and maybe there´s an unexpected role to play in offering support to these children with heavy burdens.  There is certainly something painful about hearing these awful stories, but there is something good about how they are here, receiving the love that others may not offer them.

And then there is Christel and Isabel, two beautiful girls who grow in health and happiness.  Christel has a new artificial eye and evidently, she looks at her self in the mirror and says ¨beautiful¨.  Isabel is motoring around like she wasn´t delayed in her walking.  They smile so wide and so often, I can´t help but smile until my own cheeks hurt.  They are all such lovely children of God, and you don´t even notice their superficial imperfections.  They take care of one another and are quick to offer a hug and a kiss.  They are a joy to my heart, and they are the reason I come.

Internet problems abound in Guatemala, so I´m posting from a desktop in the Buckner offices.  No photos today.  Imagine a picture of Christel in my arms with tacky jewelry and a huge smile.  Imagine Estuardo playing hopscotch.  Imagine Daniel sitting on Nate´s lap like he belongs there.  It was a great day.