First day at Casa bernabe

Writing this on Tuesday morning, I can say Monday's first day at the orphanage was very interesting.  Hitting the road for a short 15 minute drive to Casa Bernabe, my first job was clearing the back of the toddlers home of left over chiprock from the new addition they are building and loading it onto a quarter ton truck.  Once done this, I began work on the wall--carrying 40 lb cement blocks to stack close to the next addition.  After lunch (which we brought with us from the mission home) I assisted in building the wall--lifting up the 40 lb cement blocks to be slid down the cement posts.  This task was accomplished when we had finished what was there as they are waiting for cement to dry before anymore can be done.  Plus they are working on having the bottom dug out & more posts put in.  This wall has been ongoing for 6 months with various teams and is so important for Casa Bernabe--not only for the orphanage itself but also that they have a medical centre which is equipped for general medical, pediatrics, psychology--it is very nice and people in Guatemala will benefit from it as well.  Although I didn't spend a lot of time with the children, they were around at lunchtime and also at the end of the day--handing out crafts they had made and very curious about who we are, wanting to play, wanting snacks from us--they love granola bars.  This is a very nice orphanage of 160 children ranging in age 3 months to 18 years.  The one thing they focus on is providing a family home--house parents for the children and that they get to know Jesus.  Casa Bernabe is a faith based home, solely relying on donations and prayer and support from others.  You can tell the children are well cared for and loved.  Now to get on to today's tasks as I must sign off for now & get ready for the day, pack my lunch, eat breakfast and another bus ride to Casa Bernabe.  Today I am going to assist Dennis ORI missionary with deliveries to other orphanages so I am looking forward to this.  Later...