LOVE, it's a Mission.

Love is a funny thing and it is demonstrated and shared differently depending on what country we are from.  With Valentine's Day this week, or Dia de Carino as they call it here in Guatemala, I felt like it is an appropriate topic.  Carino in Spanish means: affection, dear one, care and caress..... What a beautiful word that expands beyond a wife or boyfriend relationship.  Care for others.....Let's make a difference by caring and showing kindred affection for others. 

My student and I have discussed LOVE multiple times since our arrival a week and half ago; we discussed the need for loving on these amazing children we serve.   We are serving a need, a functional need, and a need that deserves addressing- the achievement of potential and independence through therapy services.  However, one of my more important purposes while we are here is to be a presence of love, to be a source of unconditional joy and love for these sweet, sweet children of our Lord. 

The children we serve have many sad stories; most have been abused both physically and/or sexually, some have lost their parents to extortion and murder, most are seen to have no value or purpose in life, and all are trying to find their value in the people around them.  We all do this I think, try to find our value through what is spoken over us and how we are perceived by our families and communities.  This is not right, we need to be seeking our value through the abundant and generous and gracious Lord.  We are all His creation and loved by Him.  For most of us, this is a hard discipline and we need amazing people in our lives to teach us how to receive love and to love others.  Love prevails, it always does and always will.  GOT Ministries was created to be the people who teach love and joy and acceptance; we can do this through this beautiful thing called occupational therapy.  

We are here, in Guatemala, for these three purposes: TO LOVE THESE CHILDREN, TO SEE THESE CHILDREN THROUGH GOD'S EYES, AND TO BE A POSITIVE, ENCOURAGING, AND EMPOWERING PRESENCE FOR EACH CHILD AND THEIR FAMILIES.  

Thank you for your love for us and your love for those we serve.  We couldn't do this without you! 

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY or FELIZ DIA DE CARINO!!! 

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