The beginning of the day was normal, I spent time with each class giving them stickers, taking pictures, sharing a brief verse from the Bible to challenge them, and in some classes playing BINGO. The last class, however, I entered, took a picture and then we were called to an assembly (surprise, surprise).
This assembly, however, was to honor Marie and I for the work we had done in the school. As we waited for it to start, I stood to the side looking at the students I had just invested in for 4 months. I looked down at the two girls embracing my sides and prayed for them. I looked up at the students waiting for the assembly to start and prayed for them. As I considered the impact and work that I had just accomplished, tears started to form in my eyes. A little piece of my heart was going to stay here in Guatemala with these kids.
The assembly started with a brief introduction of Marie and I, the work we had done, and the appreciation the school and the teachers wanted to share with us. The students and teachers then presented us with a gift for our time....typical outfits "trajes." The principal then shared a bit and reassured us that the gifts they gave were only small, but that we would be richly rewarded in heaven.
Marie and I then briefly shared before students from each class gave thanks for us. By the end of this time both Marie and I had tears in our eyes. The students were then released for recess, but many of them chose to come give us a hug. I lost a shoe because of the incredible pressure from the mass of students hugging and pushing.
We then celebrated with a snack of meat, potatoes, tortillas, and cake in the principal's office. We felt like celebrities with all the pictures we took with teachers afterwards. Finally, Marie and I went to the remaining classrooms to say good-bye. And then it was the end of the last school day. A sad time for sure.
Some of our other good-byes included:
-our group of jovenes (youth), which included a lunch, a gift, and many hugs.
- our group of niños, which was a farewell planned by 12-year-olds, included a scavenger hunt, and a bunch of treats (chips, soda, candy, and personal gifts).
-lunch in Antigua with our host family
-praying with our host mom during the mother's day service at church and crying over the experiences and love we had shared
-time with our neighbors eating ice cream and chatting, including pictures and watching the youngest brother sob over our departure
It was sad to say good-bye to a whole family of people who we had grown to love and care for deeply. We will miss this place, but we will keep praying for what the Lord is doing there and anticipate the time when we get to return.
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| Two of my students |
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| The principal and the gifts |
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| Teacher appreciation |
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| Student appreciation |
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| Us and Olga enjoying our "snack" :) |
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| the teachers at Escuela No. 1 |
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| After our lunch in Antigua |
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