So sorry this update is so late, a lot has been going on in this time. I moved out of the home and into a house with an Occupational Therapist who just moved here. We live about a 15 minute walk from the home. I did this so that I have more time for Spanish lessons and other ministry opportunities. I still work in the home three nights a week, and two mornings a week for water therapy for the kids. I have also told the home that if they are short or just need some extra help that I am just a call away. I also still hang out with the kids in the home a few days a week.
Cassidy, an intern who was here for six months left, but will be returning in January to move down here to work with the ministry! And another intern, Andrea left also. It was her second time interning at the same as me as me, and will be returning later this month for a trip.
I am also starting back with helping out at Push the Rock’s after school program in town. There we help the kids with their homework, rocket math, play games, have a bible story and snack, and then an English lesson. I volunteered in the program in May through September of last year. I loved getting to know the kids of the town and work on my spanish with them, and I am very excited to get back involved with that.
This was my first year away from home for Easter, which was hard. My family had always made a way for us to go to an Easter service together, even if we were in three or four different cities. So, this was a time that was especially hard to be away from them. But, Easter here was very interesting. For many weeks before Easter, Antigua got very very busy. Antigua, Guatemala has the second largest holy week celebration in the world. So, tons of tourists flock to that city in this time. There were tons of processions. Processions are similar to parades, but have a more somber mood to them. And they would also make alfombras, carpet like things out of wood chips, flowers, fruit, and many different things. These would lay them in the middle of the streets right before processions, so they can walk over them. They are very very beautiful and intricate. But, then the morning of Easter Sunday everyone goes to the beach . We also had an easter egg hunt with all the kids, which was super fun.
Over this time, Ana left for Canada. She was moved because she is part Canadian, so it was decided that she move to Canada because there was a foster family waiting for her. She spent her first birthday with them, and they seem like a very loving family for her.
One week, Jeremiah and I decided to take two of the girls into Antigua. We took Olympia and Alison to the park and then to taco bell. It was a really fun day to have with them outside of the home.
I am also doing anywhere from four-six hours of spanish lessons a week, plus the time of studying and homework. I am in need of financial support in this area. I want to be doing six hours each week so that I can be learning it quicker. An hour of lessons cost 40q. So for each week it is about 240q a week. So, it will be around 1200q a month. The exchange rate is around 7.5q to $1. So I need around $160 of support solely going to my Spanish lessons. Any amount helps whether that just be $10 or $20 monthly its all going towards purposeful things. The reason I am trying to do as many Spanish lessons as I am is because I have some opportunities for ministry that cannot happen until my Spanish and monthly funding is better.
On May 2, our dear Edy passed away. It was so hard. I knew it was coming, but a part of me believed that he would pull through like he always had. I am so happy that he is finally healed and whole, but man I miss that boy.
I cannot thank everyone enough for all the prayers that have been prayed for me here. I am loving it here, even though some times all I want to do is be with my family in the states. But, I know God has called me here and is going to continue working in me and through me here.
Also, I will be in Alabama from June 11-July 29, so if you are wanting to get together or anything let me know! I would love to! Also, if anyone needs babysitting during that time, please contact me! You can message me on facebook! I am super excited for this because I will get to spend some much needed time with my family and meet my new nephew!
If you are interested in being a one- time or monthly supporter, you can through https://hopeforhome.org/ or you can mail a check to "Hope for Home Ministries" PO box 393 Troy, Ohio 45373. If you do it through the website, you will first press "Donate" at the top of the page. There is a drop down menu under Individual/ Family support that will have my name. The other way is also through Venmo and my name is "Kelsie-wester". Thank you to everyone who is already supporting me whether that be through prayer or monthly funding. I hope to see some of y'all in Alabama when I am there.
Love,
Kelsie Wester
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