"Today"

Today is a big day back at home, and one I would probably be spending at Davidson College. About four years ago today, I was starting the trip that would totally change my life and I had absolutely no idea. I was leaving for the twenty three day adventure with eighty three strangers that is Teens Westward Bound.

If I could leave and go again today, I would do it in a heartbeat. There are absolutely no words to describe not only the love  I have for Mr. Dennis Deaton and all my counselors, the love for all my fellow campers, or the appreciation for life I got from this trip. There was a song on this trip that we sang so many times around camp fires, I don't ever think I'll forget the words:

"Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine, I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine. A million tomorrows shall all pass away... ere I forget all the joy that is ours, Today."

So heres to wonderful memories, friends that I'll never forget and a appreciation for our amazing country and life itself that I'll hold on to forever. 

After being almost half way done with my Guatemala experience, I realize that this trip is very similar in a lot of ways to Teens Westward Bound. I didn't really want to go on either trip and was more nervous/ sick to my stomach that anything else on the first day. But seeing the way that TWB changed my life gives me hope that this trip will do that too. I have already seen God working in so many ways here, so I'm sure thats the case. 

For example, this weekend I had the opportunity to travel to Antigua. While a lot of the students looked forward to this weekend as a vacation, I was really looking forward to getting to see and work with the God's Child Organization, and of course have a break from the rice and beans :) But getting to see this organization and the things that these people are doing for the children of Guatemala was amazing. It was a beautiful environment and you could feel the love from these children as soon as you walked in the door. The part that got to me the most was when we went to the malnourished babies clinic. As I dressed in scrubs and headed up the stairs there was absolutely nothing that could prepare me for what I was about to see. There were two and three year olds who could neither walk nor talk, there were babies who had limbs that looked like they would crack in half and huge, bloated bellies from the malnutrition. One of the most heartbreaking cases was a little boy who would be a permanent resident in the clinic because when the doctors had tried to return him to his mother, she said that she didn't want him and that she would sell him. He was one of the cutest and sweetest little boys and it absolutely broke my heart. 

These children have so so so many needs here in Guatemala and I feel that there are several ways that we can help. One of the things that they said that they really needed here are clothes. These children are mostly between the ages of newborn- 4 years so if anyone has any clothes they are willing to donate, I would love to start a collection and mail them to the clinic. Please either pass them along to my parents, or I can collect any when I return on July 16th. Even if you are not able to help these children with material needs, please keep them in your prayers. They are amazing kids who got dealt a difficult card and have no choice but to fight through it. 

The story of the men and the starfish was one that came to my head as I walked through the clinic:

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."

While I know there is not any way that I can even begin to help even a fraction of the malnourished children in Guatemala, planting seeds to even make a difference in one childs life is enough motivation for me.