Love.....

I just love our new logo for A Heart for Guatemala!!

As I look at it so many thoughts go through my head.

First……..It makes me realize how grateful I am to have the friends and support that I do.   Angela took time out of her day to help us design a logo that was perfect for us. Then she told me that she was excited about what we were doing and wanted to support me in any way she could. Not sure if she realizes how  it was to hear those words from someone who means so much to me.   I also have many friends who are supporting me and have committed to supporting our mission. This makes me smile big!

Second…….I realize that so many people truly care about others. Beth has several friends who will be going to Guatemala this summer.  Her friends and family have sponsored over 40 students. That is HUGE!  What an amazing person to have inspired so many!        I don’t even know where to start when I tell people about her passion and her dreams

I also look at the logo and see the happy children who are so innocent and joyful while holding hands as one. The children in Guatemala do not care about name brands, who has the nicest TV, or even who is the prettiest or most popular. These sweet babies are just happy to get a meal a day. WOW……..Can you imagine if the world we live in didn’t have Facebook, name brands, twitter, or TV????      Something to ponder…..      

A Heart for Guatemala is getting ready for a very busy couple of months preparing for fundraisers at the schools, collecting items to take on our trip, and so much more. I didn’t realize how much work went into non-profit organizations. It has really shown me things from a new light. It takes many hours and a ton of energy to help those who are less fortunate. I struggle to find time in my day between work and school as it is. Now I am fighting to find the time to send out emails, fill out applications to get donations, find a few minutes to call some businesses to ask for donations, or get things ready for the kick off for our “Coins for Kids” fundraisers.   We can’t make our days longer. And I can’t quit school or work because they are both so important to me. I can continue to do my best with the time and resources I have. I pray that our fundraisers are a success, my friends and family help in any way they can (even if its just a dollar or volunteer hours), and we are able to make a big impact while in Guatemala. I saw the quote below from a 10 year old and it made me think……….

To the world....

To the world you may be one person, But to one person you may be the world………

I am over joyed with the amount of friends and family who have asked what they could do to help. So many of you have done so much already.  I appreciate the support you have given me for something that is so important in my heart.  It doesn’t matter if you can only give $1 or $1000,,, but doing anything can make a BIG difference.

Thanks to EVERYONE who has donated to our trip or sponsored a child.

Many friends have asked me how they can help.

You can visit my page directly to donate to the trip at http://myheartsmission.blogspot.com/   or you can donate directly to our new non-profit organization  http://www.aheart4guatemala.org/

Please take the time to read our blogs to learn more about our passion and hearts’ desire……

A Heart for Guatemala (our new non-profit organization) is heavily dependent upon donations from individuals and corporations.  The more we are able to raise, the bigger the difference we can make!

Monetary and Specific Item Donations

Monetary donations allow us to purchase supplies and provide immediate support when needed.   Funds are used to pay for children's and family doctor visits, emergency surgeries, home repairs, disaster relief and prenatal care. 

Besides monetary donations we are in need of:

•    School Supplies

•    New and Used Clothing (for all ages - with the exception of shorts which are not worn in Guatemala)

•    Shoes (new and used)

•    Medical Supplies

•    Hygienic Supplies (toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap) - small sizes work really well!

•    Over the counter medicines and first aid items

•    Blankets and Sheets

•    Towels

•    New and Used Toys (even the McDonald's Happy Meal toys are well loved)

•    School Backpacks

New and Used Sports Equipment

I am very open to ideas of ways to collect these items. Please let me know if your church, business, or school would be willing to help. We can make a bigger difference if we have others who will help us make connections.

Sponsor a Student:

School sponsorship is one way to make a huge and immediate difference in a child's life.  Public education is not free in Guatemala and therefore the majority of indigenous families are faced with the tough choice of sending a child to school or feeding their family.

You can go directly to the website to read the bio’s of the children that do not have a sponsorship yet

http://www.mayanfamilies.org/SponsoraStudent

We cannot wait to share our journey with you so that you can see what we have all done together!!

We must become the change we want to see in the world......      - Ghandi

Thanks to everyone who has taken time out of their day to view my blog and look at these precious little babies. I wanted to post just a few of the little guys that I will get to meet this summer. They are still waiting for sponsors.  Just $16 a month can get them an education, 2 meals a day, clothing and shoes. Can you give up going out to eat just one time a month to help support one of these sweet little guys? These little guys deserve an education and the basic things in life. They don't ask for much and they are so grateful for anything at all.
Thanks again for looking and love to all of you!!!!!

This little cutie is still needing a sponsor this year! You could change this little one's life!!! My friend Beth and I will be there this summer working with these kids. Let's get them all sponsored. The whole year costs less than one grocery trip!

This little dude is seriously adorable! He hopes to go to preschool in Panajachel this year. Did you know that Guatemala has the 4th highest rate of child malnutrition in the world? IN THE WORLD!

We keep the preschools open all year long so kids can get 2 meals a day. Many families go days each month without food. You can sponsor this kiddo and be a part of his life and watch him grow! This isn't like a sponsorship where you send off money and never see what happens. You will hear from him all year long and see pictures all year long as well. You can even come to Guatemala with us to visit him!

$16/month...that's a family trip to McDonald's. For him it's education, 40 meals, shoes, and clothing...and the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty.

Click below to read more


http://www.mayanfamilies.org/sponsorastudent?id=2128

Mayan Families

www.mayanfamilies.org

Mayan Families is a non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible.

Darwin Estuardo will be 5 this May. He is excited to go to preschool as soon as he has a sponsor. He will be attending the preschool in Panajachel where I will be working. $16/month or 52 cents a day for him to get an education, 2 meals a day, clothing and shoes. He is from a very poor family in Panajachel and school will be a life-changer for him.

Click below to learn more.

Mayan Families

www.mayanfamilies.org

Mayan Families is a non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible.

Here's another little dude who has been waiting a LONG time for a sponsor. $16/month. Less than $1 a day for him to get an education, 2 meals a day, clothing, and shoes. That's such a tiny amount to make a huge difference in a little guy's life. Please click below and sponsor him. This summer the volunteer teams will be taking care packages to all the little ones sponsored! xoxo

Mayan Families

www.mayanfamilies.org

Mayan Families is a non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible.

Luis Alexander just turned 4 years old last week. He is from one of the poorest families in Panajachel. His family often goes days each month without food. $16/month or 52 cents a day for him to get an education, 2 meals a day, clothing and shoes. I can't wait to get to Guatemala and hug this little guy like crazy!

Sponsor him and help him break out of extreme poverty. It costs so little to make such a HUGE difference!

Mayan Families

www.mayanfamilies.org

Mayan Families is a non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible.

The beginning......

I'm through accepting limits 'cuz someone says they're so. Some things I cannot change, but 'til I try I'll never know. ~Lyrics from the song Defying Gravity, found in the musical Wicked

And till I try I will never know……...

So these words repeat over and over in my head.  I cannot continue on this journey we call life without knowing what kind of changes I can make.  I refuse to think that one person cannot make a BIG difference.

So I have made a decision. One that is big for me. This summer I will travel to Guatemala to learn more about the culture, the people, and the poverty the Mayan families face.

I will be volunteering to help wherever I am needed. Hopefully I will have improved my Spanish to the extent that I can actually converse with the families rather than needing a translator. My true wish is that I can encourage, motivate, and be a voice for this culture.

I will be staying with my friend Beth who will be there for 6 weeks working with the organization Mayan Families ( http://www.mayanfamilies.org/Home ). Beth has a huge heart and is one of the most passionate people I have ever met. It will Beth’s second year working with this organization. You can read her blog and let her inspire you as well (ourjourneytogive.blogspot.com).

Traci and I have decided to sponsor a couple of kiddos. We will help put them through school, clothe, and feed them. While I am in Guatemala I will get to go to their schools, bring them gifts, and spend time with their families.

Here are some pics of the children that we are sponsoring.  Be prepared though because you might fall in love like we did. 

Meet Ashly and Santiago. Two little darlings that don’t have the opportunities the children here in America have.  They come from very impoverished families and without the help of sponsors and donors they wouldn’t even be able to attend school. I have a hard time understanding a child not having the opportunity to have an education.  But with people who care and can give just a little,,, then possibilities are endless.

It is too early to know exactly what I will be doing but I would like to share my journey with anyone that is interested.

And if you would like to sponsor a little one then visit….Kiddos Waiting for Sponsors       I would make my heart smile BIG!!!!

I will be posting pictures of children that still need sponsors to help spread the word.

So join me on my mission to make a BIG change…..