Independence Day

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With it still dark outside, I disengaged my fingers from the ceiling, realizing that my neighbors were just celebrating Independence Day a few days early. Every community celebrates with fireworks, much like we do in the US for the July 4 celebration. Starting around 5:00 a.m., one can hear the booms and pops until 9:00 p.m. A traditional favorite firework consists of a metal tube where a fire bomb is dropped, ignited, and shot upward, creating a huge boom. The dynamite-like blast has sent me straight up from my bed many times, which creates the fingers-in-the-ceiling situation.

To witness the pride these people have for their culture blesses me deeply. Independence Day is officially September 15, and these patriotic people give honor to this significant occasion, the day on which Guatemala won its independence from Spain in 1821. The celebration is not contained in one day but fills a week with activities. Public buildings are draped in blue-and-white bunting, while many of the homes exhibit the national flag. Vehicles, including the tuctucs (taxis), display the flag and other paraphernalia, making a busy street flutter with blue and white.

img_0411Area schools compete against one another for prizes in one of the many parades. The kids from Liberty School get geared up weeks ahead of time and practice their march to the sound of the drums. In years past I have enjoyed watching them from the office window as they made the rounds on the property. When their day comes, they line up on one end of Monjas and march to Central Park, with lines of people watching and cheering. Each town or city has their unique theme and procedure for the march. In Guatemala City, military bands are included with the students.

In the schools and communities, the children and adults wear the traditional clothing of the 1800’s for their time of remembrance. The cultural dances and music of that era encourage many to remember an important time in history. Guatemalans keep it alive in the hearts of the young and old.

Many communities have the annual Antorcha de la Independence (torch run) on September 14. I learned that when Guatemala received its independence, the messengers carrying those words of freedom had to travel at night. They used torches as they made haste across Guatemala.

Our girls felt honored to celebrate with a torch run when we lived in San Cristobal. Because we lived in a guarded area, the run stayed within the boundary for the protection of the children. independencemarch10

Communities work out a plan, and after the torch is lit, the ecstatic bearer and his companions run to the next community, passing the torch between each other. At the designated spot for the next group, it is passed off with much cheering and shouting. That group takes off to their destination for the next torch passing.
I enjoy being in a colorful culture where the past is honored in many ways. The children receive encouragement and opportunity to learn about their heritage. I don’t mind making holes in my ceiling when I see the national pride these people have.

Hairy Spiders

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img_4783One does not have to be in a third-world country to live among the various spider populations. In Guatemala, one often meets up with tarantulas with a leap and a shout. These hairy spiders live everywhere, or at least it seems like it.

I do believe the Theraphosidae family of spiders have received a bad reputation because of the movies depicting them as killers. Truthfully, these timid creatures have venom weaker than a bee’s. I for one am not going to put that to the test, but they are not aggressive beasts.

Several years ago I went to the Animal Kingdom Park at Disney World, and at the entrance stood some young adults holding plastic containers. One could see different kinds of tarantulas, and some of the workers held them in their hands. My insides squirmed as I watched children gently pet the creatures. I realized that if there had been any danger, this would not have been allowed.

Every missionary at Shadow can tell a tarantula story. One fellow, bleary-eyed from an early morning wake-up, looked down at his foot to see an unwanted visitor. Braver than some of us, he grabbed his iPhone to get pictures and put them on Facebook. The Shadow guard disturbed one when he worked up soil around some plants. Before its death, he brought it over to the office for everyone to see. Another missionary found one in front of her house intending to visit inside. She made a quick decision that it would not have entrance. Cyndi Cope has a gift-giving cat, who left her a tarantula where Cyndi would see it. She almost stepped on the hairy creature.

One morning, I took a step into the shower. Seeing a dark spot, I jerked back and took a closer look. Yep, a small tarantula planned to shower with me. My plan for him included his early death.

My curiosity about these creatures took me to the internet, and I discovered some interesting facts.

1. Tarantulas are harmless, docile, and rarely bite people. They are intimidated by the size of people and   will seek a way of escape.

2. They can be as large as a dinner plate or as small as a dime. Any size of this spider can be scary when all their hair makes them seem more significant.

3.  The life span of the female is double that of the males, who can live up to ten years.

4. This arachnid has become a popular pet. Some countries have added them to the menu. (I think I will pass.)

5. They burrow in the ground to make their homes. At night they hunt in trees or on the ground for their food.

6. The parasitic Pepsis wasps are their dreaded enemy.

Hairy spiders are a part of life in Guatemala. Even knowing how harmless they are, I would rather they not live too close to me. My protective instinct would be to kill the small ones and holler for help for anything bigger than a half dollar.

James Project of Latin America

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The day came to pass the baton on to the new administrators of the James Project of Latin America (JPoLA). I felt like I was being caught up in a dream as we moved through the simple ceremony. Our team, the house parents, and the children of the Project knew the Applegates, and they readily accepted them as CEOs. I marveled at the ease everything moved forward.

However, concerns and questions began flying in my mind. I sought the Lord about my future. He had called me to Guatemala, and after fourteen years of ministry, I wondered if I should stay or move elsewhere. When I left Montana to come to Guatemala, I made a permanent move. I closed the door behind me by selling or giving everything away. I had no home. Now I questioned if I should go to another location.

I struggled with my thoughts, waiting for the Lord to show me what my next venture would be. I tried to focus on the idea that I didn’t have to go to the office every day. I could finally live my dream. I could sleep in as long as I wanted, have a leisurely morning, enjoy my coffee, and have a long devotional time—in my pajamas. That’s not what happened. My body wouldn’t cooperate, and I woke up at 5:00 a.m., leaving me with a full day of wondering what to do with myself.

I felt an impression in my spirit that I wasn’t finished in Monjas or at the orphanage yet. People around me stated the hope that I would remain. They felt that the founder still had a significant role to play. I didn’t know what that meant, but I trusted that the Lord would reveal His plan to me soon.

Gradually, I adjusted to the new circumstances of my life and continued living among the people I loved. Opportunities for volunteer work opened up, and I became involved without having to carry the stress of an administrator.

One afternoon, a girl who had lived in the orphanage for ten years came to my house and frantically said, “Mama Carroll, I don’t like who I am, and I want to change. Please help me.”

This request was quite a tall order, but I knew Who would be able to help her with the transformation. I needed to be in tune with the Lord’s leading and draw upon the teaching I received through healing ministry courses. Another door had opened for ministry, and I took her through counseling sessions. I became available for ministry with other girls too.Photo-0038_2

When I reflected how the hand of God had moved to bring together this place of refuge for children and a help for widows, I stood amazed. He entrusted us with a great responsibility for these lives even when we did not know how to accomplish such a task. He gave us what we needed when we needed it. I read the Scriptures and a message stood out to me: “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever: with my mouth [pen] will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations” (Psalm 89:1). Through my experiences, I could share with others how God took a design and turned it into a ministry to help hundreds of hurting children. I began to write a memoir of my involvement in one of God’s grand plans.

God had a plan for me to continue at James Project of Latin America and showed me a path to follow. My heart is full because I am close to my baby and involved in the lives of these precious children.

Shoes of the Directors

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Twelve years of being the directors of James Project of Latin America (JPoLA) had passed when Joanne and I faced a big question. What would we do if we couldn’t stay in Guatemala? Who would fill the shoes of the directors and continue with the plans for the Project? We both had physical issues that made us take a hard look at some future plans. We wanted to be ahead of the game and have lots of time for making such an enormous decision.

We had invested our lives during the past years, and the thought of turning our baby over to someone else was like a mother looking for another family to adopt her child. Letting go would not be easy, but we realistically had to think in terms that someday we needed to pass on the baton. Lord, only you know who would carry the vision in their hearts and love the children as we do. Prepare our minds and hearts for when the time comes to let go.

The fact that we had time to scope out options stood in our favor. The plans included much prayer and time seeking the perfect couple. We had no reason to act immediately and felt comfortable in moving forward slowly. For me, letting go hung out in the future somewhere, but I wanted to be prepared for when the time came.

I started thinking about my reaction when someone did step in to do what I had been doing over the years. Would I feel jealousy, resentment, want control, or would I feel peace and willingly give over the reins? I prayed it would be the latter, and I felt thankful that I had time to sort all of this out before that day came.

Within the first year of discussing various options for our replacement, we landed upon a couple who stood out in compassion, ability, and love for the children. They wanted to serve with the Lord in the JPoLA ministry.

I first met the Applegates at the dedication of the property when they came to Shadow with a short-term mission team. From that time on, they communicated with us and expressed their heart’s desire to do anything they could to help. They came at least once a year and sponsored many children in the orphanage. Standing out as potential leaders, we contacted them with the idea of being our replacements in the administration.

After an explanation of what we expected and an outline of what the duties looked like, we waited in anticipation. Lord, is this the couple you want in the administration of your Project? The Applegates gave a surprising response of, “We thought you’d never ask. We’ve wanted to be a part of this for a long time.” My heart soared.

It took a year for the Applegates to arrive at the Project ready for action. I’ll never forget the mix of emotions I felt when I looked into my empty office and silently said goodbye. It felt even stranger when I looked into my room, and somebody else had taken over. I found the adjustment easier than I had anticipated but did experience days of difficulty. I saw the Applegates in operation and thanked the Lord for picking the perfect couple to fill the shoes of the directors and to oversee the lives of precious children. The Lord had prepared my heart.