Laughter, Love, and Light at the Orphanage

Elaine & Sophia

“Sophia’s parents abandoned her and her sister at the children's hospital when she was one year old. She is now two and is the sweetest little girl. When I first met her, she barely smiled, and always seemed worried and scared. I made it my goal to make her feel loved and make her smile every week. I loved her to pieces. Every day that we would come to the orphanage, she would be in her crib waiting with her arms out for me to pick her up. I would play with her, talk to her and tell her she was beautiful and loved by God. She would cling to me and would never leave my side. I was seriously thinking of adopting her until I found out how intense the adoptive process here in Guatemala is. Every day when I left the orphanage, I would put her back in her crib and she would cling to me  and cry because she knew I was leaving. Slowly as the weeks went by, she would smile more and laugh more. About a month ago, I noticed she was just radiating pure joy— no more sadness (until it was time for me to leave again that is). I was so amazed by the happiness God had given her and the faithful way He brought her through the abandonment of her parents. A couple weeks ago we left the orphanage and again she cried. It hurt to say goodbye and leave her there crying. I didn't know it then but her parents would come back for her the next day and would take her to a village 9 hours away. I was very sad when I found out that I wouldn't see my Sophia anymore, but I am so happy that I was able to love on her and show her the love of God. I will never forget her, and I hope she remembers the silly white girl that loved her.”

-Elaine, PJM Missionary

Pastor Roni & Hugo

“Two children, Quique (8) and Hugo (6), came to the orphanage a couple months ago. They were only there for a short time and have already left the orphanage. While they were there, I played with them many times. I remember one moment with the youngest boy, Hugo. I was playing soccer with the younger kids. They made a line, and they took turns hitting the ball with their heads. When I threw the ball to Hugo, he missed the ball and fell to the ground. I expected him to get upset and cry, but he started to laugh. All the children started to laugh and then I began to laugh. We laughed and laughed, until we fell to the floor. My stomach hurt from laughing so much and tears of laughter fell down my face. I had not laughed like that in a long time and neither had the children. The next time we visited the orphanage, all of the children remembered what happened. For Hugo, it was something unforgettable. Every time he saw me, he said, remember the time when I tried to hit the ball with my head and fell? And we began to laugh again. It’s an experience that is seemingly insignificant, but something that I will never forget and I believe something that Hugo will never forget either. I think that one day, I will see him again and he will say, ‘Do you remember the time I tried to hit the ball with my head, and we will laugh together again.’”

​-Pastor Roni, PJM Director