December 30, 2013 Katrina

  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/views.module on line 843.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_plugin_display::options_validate() should be compatible with views_plugin::options_validate(&$form, &$form_state) in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/plugins/views_plugin_display.inc on line 0.
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  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_field_broken::ui_name() should be compatible with views_handler::ui_name($short = false) in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/handlers/views_handler_field.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of content_handler_field::options() should be compatible with views_object::options() in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/cck/includes/views/handlers/content_handler_field.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_sort_broken::ui_name() should be compatible with views_handler::ui_name($short = false) in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/handlers/views_handler_sort.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter::options_validate() should be compatible with views_handler::options_validate($form, &$form_state) in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/handlers/views_handler_filter.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter::options_submit() should be compatible with views_handler::options_submit($form, &$form_state) in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/handlers/views_handler_filter.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter_broken::ui_name() should be compatible with views_handler::ui_name($short = false) in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/handlers/views_handler_filter.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter_boolean_operator::value_validate() should be compatible with views_handler_filter::value_validate($form, &$form_state) in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/handlers/views_handler_filter_boolean_operator.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter_many_to_one::init() should be compatible with views_handler_filter::init(&$view, $options) in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/handlers/views_handler_filter_many_to_one.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_plugin_style_default::options() should be compatible with views_object::options() in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/plugins/views_plugin_style_default.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_plugin_row::options_validate() should be compatible with views_plugin::options_validate(&$form, &$form_state) in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/plugins/views_plugin_row.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_plugin_row::options_submit() should be compatible with views_plugin::options_submit(&$form, &$form_state) in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/plugins/views_plugin_row.inc on line 0.

Today was an incredibly tiring but fulfilling day. After a delicious breakfast, we began the morning activities. The morning schedule was similar to church camp, with the children rotating through English class, music class and outdoor activities. At times it was slightly chaotic, but it was wonderful to see how excited the kids were to have some extra attention and to learn new things.

Following another filling meal we started in on the work project. The work project is refurbishing the desks at the school on the property. The desks had a lot of writing on them as well as scribbles from markers and scratches. Today we worked on sanding down the 176 desks and we will soon be staining the wood, and painting the other surfaces. It was a lot of work, but several of the boys in the orphanage wanted to spend time with us, and helped us out sanding the desks, sweeping the floor, and even helping us mop at the end. They were so enthusiastic and eager to help, with a seemingly endless amount of energy.

The orphanage is high on a hill, and the view here is incredible. We can see Lake Atitlán as well as numerous volcanoes from our dining area. This evening I was able to see a beautiful sunset with a volcano in the background, it was absolutely incredible. The pictures aren't able to do it justice.

So far this trip has been an incredible experience, and I am so happy that I am sharing this experience with other young people in the church. Not only are there 12 Americans participating on this project, but also 3 Guatemalans and an Australian. It has been wonderful getting to know everyone better, making new friends as well as reconnecting with people I met at past church activities. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity connect with other church people to serve the children here.