the irony of humility

    a view from the main building at casa bernabe

this week, things at casa bernabe went from an extremely slow pace and open schedule to a sudden, though not wholly unexpected, 12 hour work day. On Monday night of this week, after the rest of our team arrived, we finally picked our homes for the summer (there are 8 homes here in total, divided by age and gender).

My only thoughts prior to coming here about where I wanted to be placed was that I did not work with babies. Selfishly in the back of my mind I had been thinking, "I'm not going all the way to Guatemala for a whole summer just to hold babies." However, the irony of that thought is that I have also been praying daily for several months that God would teach me humility, and show me how to serve without seeking praise or thanks in the act. So, long story short I certainly did not come to Guatemala just to hold babies. I came to serve in humility, without trying to draw attention to the supposedly good and sacrificial things I do.

And truthfully, I cannot think of these children so lightly. They have suffered malnourishment, abuse, neglect, and I cannot justify such a selfish attitude in myself when I could be caring for a baby who has spent the first 14 months of his life strapped to a bed, leaving him paralyzed, blind, and deaf. And what a joy it is to see him defy the doctor's diagnosis of his condition as his arms and legs begin to move and I see his eyes begin to follow me around the room. It may not be a glamorous job, or one that you would want to tell home about, but that is not what this is about.  And while it has been a hard adjustment, I am sure that it is where God wants me and I can find peace in that.

A few more pictures in closing from a trip that a few of us took on Wednesday to Antigua to visit with a couple who runs a small out-of-home ministry to the local kids and young adults. I'm really hoping we get to go back there again soon!