Casa Guatemala Orphanage Visit

We have had the wonderful opportunity to experience the hard way so many children live, in poverty and without parents who love and care for them. One of the most special things was, just shortly after we arrived at Casa Guatemala, a cute little girl came up to me, sat so close to me and was so interested in my braces and earrings. She touched them with unique intrest. Next thing, she asked me my name in spanish, which I knew, and sure enough she spread the news around and so many others came to me and touched my teeth! There was a nature walk that we went along with and interacted with the children. It was amazing how so many longed to hold our hands and be close to us. Jessica, a sweet little girl gave me and mom each a picked hibiscus flower, and me a vine sort of thing for a bracelet. After having lunch, we participated in some activities. My mom tried to teach the lap sit to a group of the small kiddos with a girl interpreting. The first time it didn't quite work out well... A few boys were trying do do cart wheels (that honestly were not very good), and mom and Ryker were telling me to do one so I did a one handed one, only to make them try even harder. After a few hours of playing in the hot sun and watching a football (soccer to us) tournament in a village nearby, we headed out to the water to take a cooling swim with the kids. As we were dipping into the water we heard a howl from a howler monkey and spied our first pair of them in Guatemala. I have to say, it was kinda sad leaving them after the long day of being with them. 

~Adilyn