The orphanage is officially named "Centro Nutricional y hogar para Ninas San Francisco de Asis". The home is for ninas becasue once boys get to 5 or 6 there is a separate home for them in Guatemala City. Some St. Ann Missionaries relate best to the babies and some to the toddlers. I relate better to the older ones, probably becasue I speak Spanish and enjoy engaging them in conversation.

In the foreground are Milbia (native attirve) and Jaidi (pink). One of the nineras, Clara (native attire) - a special friend at the gate is standing next to her mother.
Below is my son James with our sponsored child, Ilsida.
Maria Lucrecia is pictured here with one of the younger children.

Each of the older girls at the home has a terrible story. They are beautiful and gentle and loving. They care for the young. On the outside, with no one to love and protect them they have suffered greatly.

Several of the girls at 10 or 11 were returned to family and the stories are bad. The family of one of our favorites sold her clothing so they could get on with alcohol binging. Another was found on the street beginning to drink. Her mother, a prostitute, was with her sharing the alcohol. Yet another was taken away by older siblings only to be raped by them.
We're trying to give kids achance to be kids, an education, a chance to be adults and exposure to the awsome power found to this day in the love of Jesus Christ.