I am now finishing my first 6 months at Rehoboth Children's Home. When I started I didn't really know what was in store for me. To be honest, I thought it would be like a fun summer camp all the time. It seemed that way at first. I would play with the kids and have fun and thought I was very blessed to be doing this work.
I still feel (and AM) very blessed but things have been very different these past 6 months. At first I was just hanging out with the kids. I was helping with chores and doing a few things like starting the blog for the home and making a facebook page. Just little fluff things. I wasn't directly responsible for anyone or anything and I was just fine with that!
After a couple of months I was asked to take over as the second house parent to cover for days off. Uh oh! Responsibility! I was resistant, but only in my mind. I had committed myself to be under Chici and Victor for 2 years to learn all about running a home. To me, that didn't include being a house parent. Embarrassing to admit, but true. I thought that I would stick it out for a month or so and then they would bring in someone else to take over.
That didn't happen and I can now truly say that I am happy I did it. That I am still doing it. I had a really rough time for several weeks. The kids were testing me. I went from a fun visitor to being an authority figure and really, who likes authority?!? They tested me and tried me and had me running out back to cry several times. I went home mad at everyone often. I had no idea it would be that difficult for me. And I was going home at night and had my weekends off!
I have experience with kids. I baby-sat them. I taught hundreds how to swim. I worked with them in the hospital. I had best friends with kids (that I spent a LOT of time with). So I thought I could handle them. And I couldn't. All my previous experience was with a small, "controlled" group of kids. This was 14 boys all at once and me trying to control a situation in a language I don't have a complete grasp of. Especially when I am angry or trying to get kids to obey me!
After a couple of months (maybe less, I don't remember) I went to Chici and asked flat out if she thought I was cut out for this job. She said she didn't know. She wanted me to give it another month and we would see.
To be honest, I have no idea when that month was up. We didn't have to talk about it again. I started praying daily for patience and wisdom. I started controlling small situations better. I was giving out more punishments. I started to get to know them and their different personalities. And they all have very different personalities. And things started to get better. I wasn't going home angry and frustrated. I wasn't crying. The kids were obeying. And I still enjoyed being with them.
I am so glad we are at this point now. This is not to say everything is perfect. I still have "off" days. But I can truly say I love all of them. There is not one child that I think "I wish he wasn't here" or "things would be easier without this child". God has given me such an incredible love for these kiddos. I am happy to be a part of their family.
Any visitor that is a volunteer or going to be working with the kids has to be called "brother" or "sister" (insert name) or "uncle" or "aunt". Most of the kids started calling me Tia Naomi (Aunt Naomi) right away but there were several that didn't. For them, it was a title to be earned. Though I don't remember the time frame I remember each moment when I realized certain kids had made the switch from Sister Naomi to Aunt Naomi. I had earned respect and a family tie in their minds. This makes it special for me. Now only the 18 and 19 year olds call me Sister Naomi. That is okay with me. I can't be an auntie to a 19 year old! Wasn't I just 19 a few years ago??
I love how the older ones joke around while we are doing dishes. I love how they share their Game-boys with me and sit next to me to cheer me on and how they want me to play soccer with them even though I am terrible at it! I love how the medium boys "hate" kisses and yet, if I haven't kissed them yet that day the say "you can't kiss me" and run away saying they don't want one and they hate them. Aren't they just asking for it?? I love how they want to play games with me. I love how the little ones just want to be held by me. How they want me to watch every movement they make. I love how they all like to check on what month is their month to visit my house for the evening. And then try to argue the order when they think their month is too far away.
Being a house-parent and being so involved in their lives has given me so much more than I could have known when I was hiding behind the pila to cry. I am still learning administrative stuff too. But I see know how it is all related.
I thought it was funny. I was dreading summer vacation a bit. I wondered what we would do with all that time on our hands!! Would they be bored and restless? Would there just be too many kids for me there all day? After 2 weeks I can tell you. I love having them home! Things are more relaxed. There are still scheduled activities and chores but we can play and too be honest, that is my favorite thing to do. I even like it when I am working on the computer and they detour past me just to say hi, to see what I am doing, to tell me I haven't kissed them yet that day, or just to stand next to me.
I guess I can't fully express all that I have in my heart right now. I may have even gone on too long anyway. I just now know how it feels to have kids truly love you. Even when I yell at them, or punish them, they still know I love them and they still keep coming back for more of that love. And like I tell them, nothing they do will change my love for them. But sometimes I think they want to test that! :)
I have truly found my place here in Guatemala. When we have teams they come and they play with the kids and then go home. They think they have had a great time with my kids. But they don't know the half of it. I'm the one they call auntie. I'm the one they tattle to. I'm the one that holds the little ones when they are hurt. I'm the one they joke around with and want to tell stories to. I'm the one who is so blessed to be a part of their family. I don't miss home anymore. Although I would love to have more visitors! ;)
Well, that is it. I am done with the mushy stuff for tonight. I keep tearing up thinking of all the great things that these kids do and how fantastic they are to me. So goodnight all. Sleep well and know that I am very, very happy. :)
