Progress

We are hard at work this week at the Malnutrition Center.  Today was All Soul’s Day when Guatemalans visit the cemeteries to pay homage to their ancestors.  They decorate the graves with flowers and fly kites in honor of those they have lost.  This morning at the center, the children enjoyed a time of flying kites as well.   One of the great things about returning to the Malnutrition Center is seeing all the remarkable changes that have occurred since my last visit.  Not only with the facility itself, but in the lives of the children and the workers there.  Tanks to the work of a hospital team two weeks ago and the follow up of our team this week, Dahalia can roll over and sit up.  Luis Fernando is standing on his own and has taken a few steps.  Maria Ascension is cooperating with her physical therapy as well and is getting stronger every day.  Billy is walking and happy and participates in activities with the other children to the best of his ability.   Marta who never smiled when I was there last January is so happy now.    The classroom looks like a real school now with the desks and the posters and artwork on the walls.  The garden is growing, and the chickens will be delivered soon.   The workers now have their own room to change and keep their personal items in lockers, and the stage is a wonderful addition which allows for plays and programs to entertain the children.  Most of the walls have been repainted, the plumbing problem under the Canary Room fixed and the playground in the courtyard improved.    The mats that replaced the blankets on the floor are so nice. Wall murals are a beautiful and eye catching additon.  The clothes and supply closets are overflowing and the craft area well stocked.  The new schedule is a great improvement helping to make sure that all the children get the attention and help that they need when teams are working at the center.     Luz is retiring after almost 30 years of work at the center, and a celebration will be held in her honor this week.  The biggest change is probably all the new pictures on the walls as children have left and others come in.  Each child that was there nine months ago has grown so much. The center stays full and yet, there are so many needy children who need the assistance provided there.   God has His Hand on the Malnutrition Center and is using many people to provide the funds, materials and time for all these changes that have taken place.  But, all of these improvements could be temporary if those of us who love the children and the workers at the Malnutrition Center do not continue to support the work done there.  I am amazed at all the progress and praise God for all He is doing for the children of Guatemala through the Malnutrition Center.    But, there is still so much more to be done.