Baby Eddy

A cutie!

Baby Eddy was born on September 10th.  Right before he was born we helped his parents build a block room.  They lived in a cornstalk shack and wanted (really needed) a better place for their baby.  We brought Baby Eddy, his dad Eddy, and his mom Miriam, and a few relatives home from the hospital and have kept up with him every since.  Miriam had a c-section, not something you ever want to do in Guatemala, and took awhile to recover.  This little guy has struggled with nursing and gaining weight from the start.  He was born at 6lbs, 5oz and at 6 weeks he weighed 5lbs, 8oz.   He's 10 weeks now and weighs 7lbs,11oz.  He is being seen my Dra. Sara, a local pediatrician, and Lesbia, a local lady who is going to school to finish her nursing degree so she can work with moms and babies.   Lesbia and I are visiting twice a week to weigh him and encourage Miriam with her first baby.  She started supplementing with formula a couple of weeks ago and Eddy is gaining weight!  She's 19 and can't read so Lesbia takes the time to explain things to her - how to care for herself and the baby, nursing, how to mix the formula, etc.  I just hold him and listen to all of the new spanish vocabulary words I am learning relating to babies.  He smiled at me today and it just melted my heart.  He's a sweet baby!

Lesbia and Miriam

A little smile

Jed is 5!

Our last pic together at 4 

On April 9th, Jed turned the big 5 and we can't believe it.  It's good for him to be 5 because there was way too much in that brain of him to stay 4, not to mention all the questions he asks.  I don't know what it is about the 3rd or last child but they are smarter than ones before them.

He LOVES Miss Sylvia and talks to her in Spanish!

These are some pictures from his party at school.  They do preschool parties a little different here.  In the States you can bring in cupcakes and call it a party but here, it has to include invitations,  lots of food, goodie bags AND the kids all bring presents for the birthday child.  It's crazy and I feel bad for the child who had the first party because we didn't send in a present.  The teacher kindly explained the custom to us.  :)

Pancakes and Lice

This is my little 1-year-old friend Esdrys but we call her Essy for short.  She is Vanessa's baby sister and I am taking my turn watching her today because her regular caregiver has company in town and so Vanessa can go to school.

I started my day out wanting to complain about something insignificant.  Then Vanessa knocked on the door and less than 30 seconds later, I got a little perspective.  I am to spend my morning with one of the sweetest babies in the world who has lice in her hair and fleas jumping off her clothes.  As Essy eats pancakes, I comb out the lice and boil water to kill the lice and fleas on her clothes.  My thoughts turn to her mother who is heavily involved in drugs, prostitution and who leaves her 4 children home alone for weeks on end to fend for themselves.  I can't tell you how sad it is and if I let myself go down that road, my heart will be heavy and I will be in a rut for the rest of the day.  Instead, I am thankful that God crossed our (the Steed's and Schmidt's) paths with this family and our families get to love and care for these kids when their mom won't.  None of my silly complaints compare to the problems this precious little girl has.

On a lighter note, I can't help but to feel itchy and would love some more lice kits.  :) 

Miriam and Marco

Last week we celebrated Miriam and Marco's new home.  They are a sweet family and have 2 children (Selvin and Kelly) -  I can't ever get over baby Kelly and her cheeks.

Kelly is a almost as big as her mama

Miriam is Melvin's sister - see Melvin here -  both families live on the same property down the street from us.  (Melvin's new house is in the process of being built and will be done in a couple of weeks).  During the construction of Miriam's house, Marco was there every day working hard.  Normally you don't see the men much but Marco doesn't have work right now.  He could have been out doing all kinds of things but he was right there, with Selvin by his side, doing all he could to help.  I am always touched at the ceremonies because the families get bathed and wear their best clothes and shoes.  Sometimes their best look like rags to us but to them, they are proud.  For Marco it was pants that were too big and a shirt that was worn and thin and too big, worn white sneakers.  He wore the best he had for one of the biggest blessings his family has ever received.  This family doesn't have much.  But it doesn't really matter.  What matters is what our hearts wear and their's were clothed in gratitude to God for His amazing blessing. 

Marco and Selvin helping the crew

New home

Old, tiny corn stalk shack

Their small bed for the four of them to sleep

Old bathroom

Inside their new home with plenty of light

Their new stove and those cheeks again

We Made It A Year!!!

February 4th marked one year of us living in Guatemala.  There were times we didn't think we'd make it but God made a way for us and here we are.  We are not here by our own strength or understanding but by His.  Amen!

It's been an amazing year and one of the hardest, all at the same time.  I know I sound like a broken record but it is hard being away from home.  Guatemala is only a 2 hour plane ride from Miami but some days it feels like we are on the other side of the world and deeply miss the life we had in the States.  This past year we have had an overflow of love poured on us from "home" and it has made all the difference in helping us make this transition.  Not only does God full our hearts but he has used many others to love and encourage us.  We are so thankful for all the love we receive - visitors, cards, e-mails, phone calls, care packages, Christmas gifts, plane tickets, neat kids who ask for donations instead of birthday gifts to help us come home for Christmas, and friends willing to haul stuff here for us when they come to visit. 

    "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."   (NIV)  Romans 3:20-21

That has been our verse throughout our entire journey and life in Guatemala.  In my wildest dreams, I could not imagine how God would get us here and how He has provided all the days since.  I have to confess that after all He has done, situations come up and I still wonder how He will provide.  Back in October, I started thinking ahead to Christmas.  Not long after, we got a couple of e-mails asking what we wanted/needed for Christmas - it was more than we expected or could have imagined.  We wanted to make a trip home at the end of the year but lacked the funds.  In November, we got a call from some friends who told us that for their 10th birthday, instead of getting gifts at their party, they asked people to make a donation toward our travel fund!  I never imagined kids being so crazy.  :)  In December, some friends called to say they had plane tickets for us.  While in the States, most of our expenses were provided for and we were blessed with a van to get around in.  Way beyond what we imagined.

Not only are we blown away at our provision, but for others as well, over and over again.  Last month a team met a woman with a great medical need.  When they came back that day, there was an e-mail waiting from someone, who had no idea of the need,  saying that God told him to donate toward a medical need.  Last year we helped 2 families with food and this year they are covered.  School started in January so a whole other need has come to light for us.  Several kids that we know and love were going to drop out because they couldn't afford it.  From various places, the money has shown up to help them stay in school and a church gave us 2 computers that these kids can use for their homework.  The 12x12 Love Project had a Christmas campaign to raise money for houses. We started out with 9 families, hoped and prayed that they would get homes.  When all was said and done,  23 families with get homes this year.  There are several medical needs that have been provided for .  One of them was Kathy - you can read about her here.  She is doing awesome by the way.  She LOVES Chris.  Last week we went to look at some land with her mom and grandma.  We were walking and she ran up to Chris, grabbed his hand and then looked back at me and gave me a sweet little stare that said "I'm holding his hand."  So I kept my distance and let her have some time with him.  It was cute.  :)

We love the people here and the families we are connected with.  We love being able to love and serve others.  It makes up for all that we miss.  We are thankful to be here and see all that God is doing.  After a great trip to the US, we are ready for another year and all that God has for us.  He's already done come crazy stuff and it's only February.  :)

School Has Started!

La Escuela Ha Comenzado!  For our 3 boys and the rest of the country, school began last week.  The school year runs from January to October in Guatemala.  After homeschooling for a couple of years, we decided that it would be good to put the boys in school here for several reasons - learn Spanish faster, get them out of the house and for them to be/feel more a part of the culture here.  We chose a private school that educates with the intent of it's students going to college in the US.  With one week down, everything is going well.  We have adjusted to getting up at o'dark thirty and out the door by 6:30am.   Jack will do fine and Jon will do better once he learns a little more Spanish to know when he has homework.  Jed liked school the first day and then got over it.  I'm enjoying my newfound freedom too much to give in to his tears so we will persevere a little longer.  :) 

Ready to go!

Jack has ALOT of homework!

Jon wishing he didn't have homework.  :)

 

 

Not only are our boys in school and need lots of help with homework, so do the kids in our families.   Thanks to the folks at Remedy Church in Jacksonville, we have 2 computers set up in our dining room to help.  Marvin, Pamela and Wendy have been over every day to use them.  At first we didn't realize that they really didn't know how to use the computer/internet.  They could search for things but didn't know that when the search results came up, you could click on each site for more information. We had to teach them the basics and how to use wikipedia.  Now they can do most things on their own.  It's little things like this that can make a difference in their success at school.

Wendy doing homework

Vanessa is in School!

Vanessa, Josue and Esau started school last week and we could not be more excited!  They have been set free and finally get to be normal kids for a few hours each day - they are beyond excited and LOVE going to school.  When Gina came to take them to get registered, she said they were jumping up and down on the bed.   Not much has changed at home with their mom but she agreed that they could go to school and a neighbor could watch Essy during the day.  We were wondering if it would actually happen but it did.  When January rolled around, Gina got the kids enrolled, bought school supplies, and ordered uniforms.  Mom did her part at school and has agreed to pay all of the monthly costs.  We need help with shoes, supplies, uniforms and registration totaling $500.  If you would like to help with the education of this family, please e-mail me holly.steed@gmail.com or Gina schmidt.gina.mari@gmail.com

Many of you have been praying for her and this is a huge answer to our prayers - God is good!!  Please continue to pray for things to run smoothly so they can stay in school. 

It's That Time of Year

The holidays are here and I have been thinking alot about what life would be like if we were living in the States right now.  I would be running around like a crazy person getting ready for Christmas: buying gifts for family, teachers, Sunday school teachers, neighbors, friends, etc.  I would have my house all decorated and there would be 5 inflatables in the front yard and icicles lights around the roof.  There would be lots of cookies to make and parties to go to and planning what to eat Christmas day and who to invite over. Somewhere in the mix would be a trip to North Carolina to see family.  It would be a fun time and I would be trying not to get so busy that I forget about what CHRISTmas is all about and to share that with my kids.  My kids, by the way, would be focused on presents and what they hope to get - sharks teeth and Lego sets.

This year is a tad bit different.  I used to have 8-10 plastic totes full of Christmas decorations, now I have 2.  The decorating process took about 20 minutes, not a whole day.  It's the 11th of December and I haven't made one trip to Target and won't (only because they don't have it here and if they did, I couldn't afford it).  I haven't ordered anything online and don't plan to buy any presents - except small gifts for families here.  When I asked Jon what he wanted for Christmas, his reply was a short pause followed by "I don't really need anything, I have enough stuff." Some people reading this just fell out of their chair because that boy ALWAYS wants a Lego set, ALWAYS.  It's amazing what happens to kids when they are removed from marketing media.  You don't want what you don't know exists. We will be going to one party and spending Christmas Eve with the other American families here.  Muy tranquilo - Spanish for very calm.  That's Christmas this year.  The craziest it will get is Christmas Eve when we hand out food baskets and gifts to our Guatemalan families and Christmas day when our team gets to visit 15+ families living in extreme poverty to tell them that they will be getting a new home next year.  It's going to be the best Christmas ever and we can't wait.

There are lots of videos and things going around the internet about how much Americans alone spend on  Christmas.  It's a crazy amount of money.  If just a little bit was given away, the world could be changed.  Really.  Doing all we do at Christmas isn't bad or wrong, but if we would just skip something small and gave that money away, people could eat, kids could have shoes or a warm jacket,  someone could sleep on a bed instead of a dirt floor or a piece of flea infested foam,  and the list goes on.   I live in a place where I see people with extreme needs that could be helped with just a little money.  We also help alot of people with "our" money.  If we can use our little missionary budget to help, so can you.  I think of how we lived in the States and how much we could have helped if only we knew the need.  I want to share the need with everyone I know so you can know it too and help.

How Others Have Helped-

Cruz (boy in the middle) gets help with seizure medication

This family got food and a stove (and a home too)

This family got a home, bathroom, stove and pila

  How You Can Help -

Go to 12X12 Love Project and donate money for a house, food, medicine, beds, stoves, pilas, etc.

Get friends, family or co-workers together to raise money for a new home, etc.

A Christmas Tree

Berta and her beautiful family

How many of you have Christmas trees?  You probably could hardly wait for Thanksgiving so the tree could go up.  I used to be that way but now that I live in Guatemala, I have adapted to the "no one is ever in a hurry to do anything" way of life.  So we waited a couple of more days.  Our last 2 Christmases in the States we decided to put up the old, fake tree we bought when Jack and Jon were little - the one we put up with kid friendly ornaments that they could mess up so the real one would stay nice, and use the money we saved to help a family in need (God started preparing me for Guatemala long before I knew it!)  This year, our dilemma was more about which fake tree we could afford.  They start out at "Is that even a Christmas tree?" and go to "There is no way we could/would pay that much for a plastic tree."  We looked around a bit and decided on one that was only $25 and I wouldn't have to sit on the floor to decorate.  Before we went out to buy the tree,  Mavelyn and Wendy came over.  They saw some of our Christmas decorations and we got to talking about Christmas here vs. the States and what people do etc.  We found out that they have never had a Christmas tree - not even a bush or tree cut from the side of the road.   We weren't completely surprised given that they live in poverty and trees are probably a luxury item for people but it made us a little sad.  Then they asked us if they could come over and help us decorate ours when we got it.  These girls have a hard time asking us to use our bathroom let alone ask us to let them help decorate our tree.  We decided to forget the tree we were going to get and buy one half the price so we could get one for them too.

Jennifer 

Mavelyn, Hamilton & Josemar

We wanted it to be a special time so we made dinner and had pollo frito and papas (fried chicken and french fries) at their request since they don't eat it that often, another luxury.  It was a great time!  I can't tell you how neat it was to watch a 15 year old and her younger siblings decorate a Christmas tree for the first time. The best part was that we didn't tell them about their tree until they were ready to leave.  We gave everyone a wrapped "present" which were the ornaments and lights and let the oldest two girls open the tree.   It was one of those "Wow" moments for each of us.  I know trees aren't that big of a deal but it was a small way for us to brighten the Christmas for a precious family.

P.S.  Mavelyn came over the next day to tell us how much they love the tree and only turn the lights on for a few minutes at night so they don't raise their $5/month electric bill.

Wendy

Carefully opening the paper so not to rip it

Melvin

Close to our house there is a property that has 3 "houses" on it - one for a husband and wife with a young son, one for their daughter and family, and one for the elderly father.  Chris had been there a couple of times to visit the daughter, Miriam, and talk about her house, we even went one time and took a friend visiting from the States.  Chris went again recently to see if she was in need of a new stove and got to talking about her family and her brother, Melvin.  All this time and several visits and we never knew he was there, in the other house with her mom.

Melvin is a 7-year-old but he is the size of a 2-3 year-old.  We are not sure what his disability is.  His mom said he was born normal but later got sick and was never the same.  There isn't much that can be done for him but he is precious.  After meeting Melvin and his mom, Chris remembered her coming to our house several months ago asking for help for her disabled son.  It must have been a crazy moment or day because he completely forgot about it but God didn't.  He has a purpose for us to know about Melvin and now we do.  A few days after meeting him, a group of people, who help and pray for disabled people in our pueblo,  came to our door asking if we would join their group.  They visit the families and pray for them and try to get whatever help they need although there aren't many resources.  We learned that there are 71 disabled people in our community and Melvin is one of them. 

It's funny how sometimes we can miss things that are right infront of us but God can bring them back again.  We are glad he brought Melvin back even though he was right there all along. 

Glendy's Family

So far, the 12x12 Love Project is on house #60 something.  Each family has a story of their plight and it's nothing short of amazing how their lives are changed through a new home.  If you have ever been camping, you might be able to relate.  Imagine going from living in a tent with holes in the seams, during a bad rain storm and it's 52 degrees outside, to a concrete structure that keeps out the wind, rain and the cold.  It's something so simple and doesn't cost much, $3,000, but it makes a HUGE difference in the daily lives of families here.

before

after

The kids I see are what get me every time, especially Glendy.  I wrote about her before and you can read more here.  Not too long ago we celebrated her new home and it is the one that has impacted me the most.  We've gotten to know this family a little more and found out the dad left the mom (Maria) for another women - very common here, and she lives with her parents.  Maria has 3 children - Marvin, Glendy and Francesca.  Francesca is a typical, cute 2 year old, Glendy is the happiest, brightest 6 year old I have ever met and Marvin is quiet and sad.  He is a great, hard working boy but you can tell that something in his spirit is broken.  I am sure it has to do with his dad leaving.  He doesn't like school and loves to work with his Grandpa in the fields.  A few times Chris has asked Marvin to help him with something and he always says yes and you can tell that he loves to have the male attention as any boy would coming from a dad.  He loves his grandpa.  Grandpa Francisco has lived on the land his whole life - 85 years.  They were living in a house that was in pretty bad shape, with no running water and there was junk everywhere on their little piece of land, a few dogs and lots of chickens.  The transformation is one of the most extreme we have seen so far.  Now, their land is clean, has a new pila,  new bathroom with hot water,  new house and gravel to cover the dirt.  No more junk or a house that is falling apart!   We even got the kids some new,warm clothes.  

glendy and grandpa francisco taking old rocks to the revine

grandma and grandpa's new bed

opening the door to their new home

new bed for mom and kids

When we arrived to do the key ceremony, we found the family crammed in their 10x10 kitchen sleeping on the floor.  During the construction process, most families relocate their "home" or stay with other family members but we think this family stayed in their cocina.  We wondered about this but every time Chris would ask, the mom told us they were staying with family.  This wouldn't be too terribly bad but we had rain for almost 10 days straight so I can't even imagine how they did it.   This really broke our hearts but we are thankful that they have a new home with new beds, warm blankets, and no water inside. 

Missing Out

 This was written on Halloween...

Sometimes it's difficult to be here when I know friends/family back home are doing fun things that we would be a part of if we didn't live here.   We miss out on alot and are still in the process of letting go of the life we had.  Today was Halloween and although it is not my favorite holiday, we would have had dinner with friends in our neighborhood and set out for a night of candy - good times.  If today were like any other day, I would have spent it thinking about what we are missing and what we would be doing if we were back in the States.  I'll be honest, these thoughts cross my mind from time to time but today was a little different.  Today was more like "If I had the choice of being back home with my friends and their families, doing the Halloween thing or being here in Guatemala, doing what I did today, which would I choose?" Before I could even finish the question I already knew the answer and without a second thought "Be here."  I wouldn't miss what we did today for all the tea in China or all the Junior Mints I would have eaten out of my kid's candy bag.

Today Chris was on his way back from visiting Caesar when a woman stopped him in the street and asked for a ride to the clinic.  He said yes so she ran to get her child.  Long story short, the day before, the little 3-year-old pulled scalding hot liquid off the stove and suffered 3rd degree burns on 15% of her body.  When she got into the car, she still had on the shirt she was wearing when the accident happened because it was melted into her skin and she was screaming in pain.  It is a very sad and very horrible situation.  The local clinic could not treat her and said she needed to go to a specialty burn center in the city so Chris set out for an hour drive to the city to find the center.  The team at the clinic was able to give her an injection for pain so the ride was long and quiet.  Initially the doctor told the family she would be in the hospital for 2 months but Chris went to see her dad tonight and he said it might only be 3-4 weeks.


Would I trade being back home and having fun with what we did today?  No, not today.  Honestly, I don't know what to do with all the suffering that surrounds us but we are humbled and thankful we get to be here and help.

Needs

People here have many needs.  One of the things we do to help is give out food.  I know what it feels like to be hungry but I have never gone without food one time in my entire life.  Here, it is normal for people to go without food because they have none.  Not just adults but kids too.  I couldn't really imagine a child going without a meal until I moved here and see them everyday.  Recently, we saw a 15-month-old who weighted 13 pounds.  The doctor told mom that the baby needed milk but the family can't afford it.  We meet so many families like this and ones who haven't eaten and don't know where the next meal is coming from.  Or all they have eaten is a couple of tortillas and some beans.  Eating is one thing and nutrition is something completely different.  People in poor villages eat to fill their stomaches, not to nourish their bodies.  This is apparent when we travel to the city where people have more money to eat better and see Guatemalans who are taller than the ones we see here in the villages.  We have seen 18-year-olds who are as tall as my 12-year-old and bottles for babies that are nothing more than water that has been thickened with flour and sugar - something to fill them up so they won't cry but not nourish their brains and bodies.  Formula is expensive as is milk.

corn flour for tortillas

 Our trips to the grocery store always include extra beans, rice, corn flour and other things.  We have a couple of families we help with food every month and always have things on hand to give people who knock on our door.  If we run out of our "stock", we head to our pantry or fridge because there is always food there.  If we give away most of our stuff, we can always go to the store and buy more but alot of people here don't have that ability - the ability to get food whenever we need/want to.   It's something very simple for us but makes a big difference for the people who need it.  When we lived in the States, we could collect food for food banks, give money to feeding centers, etc., but I never actually met the hungry people we were helping.  Here, we meet them and go to their houses.  I see them every time I go outside.

beans, rice, sugar

People also have medical needs.  Today we took a very sick lady to the national hospital.  The care is free but any medication she will need is not.  It's alot for a poor family to pay 200Q ($26US) for  medicine which seems to be the average people ask us for.  How can we say no to a need that some times is a matter of life or death?  Last week our friend, who has a problem with high blood pressure, had a baby.  She was in the hospital and in pretty bad condition but they didn't have the money to buy her medication.  Her husband came to us late in the evening asking for help.  It's hard to imagine but people here die all of the time due to lack of medical care and/or medication.  Things that are easy to treat in the US are death sentences here. 

 If you would like to help people here with food or medical needs, go to the 12X12 Love Project and click on "Get Involved".  There is an option for food baskets or if you would like to give another amount, you can, just put what it is for in the memo.  100% of the money you give will be given to a family in food or medical care.  Pass the info along to friends and family too - there are always people who need food and medicine.  There are sick and hungry people everywhere on this planet, not just Guatemala.  I would encourage everyone to help somewhere because there are people in need everywhere.