Author Archives: Carroll

Children’s Home Fire

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It stunned many of us to hear about the Children’s Home fire in Guatemala. The tragedy that took the lives of 40 youth with an expected increase due to the severity of the injuries. The reports stated that the kids rebelled against the abuses in this state run Home. Those in-charge of the girls locked them in a dorm room. During the night of March 8, over 50 other kids ran away. Out of desperation, some of the girls decided to set fire to mattresses, but the fire got out of hand and they couldn’t escape because of the locked door.

Hogar Seguro Virgen de la Asunción functioned as a Home for needy children and for teens in conflict with the law.That meant gang members lived with children rescued from abusive situations. What justice is there to mix adolescents involved in criminal activity with youngsters needing a refuge? One count states 785 young people were crammed into a facility established to serve 400. The atrocities at this particular Home didn’t go unnoticed, but nobody took a stand to investigate the allegations of girls being raped, kids starving, lack of sanitation, and physical abuse. All being crammed into a facility for less than half the population. These kids cried out for help and nobody listened until they took extreme measures.

Investigations have brought forth questions as to what really happened. For example, the girls burned wore pajamas leading to the idea they did not intend to runaway so why lock the door? Pray that truth will be revealed and steps of correction can take place.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-39252990?SThisFB

The cry for justice goes forth with the question, “What can we do to help these children?” Shadow of His Wings Orphanage will receive 20. Many of the orphanages in Guatemala are making room for more children. That brings us to another situation. With the influx of kids, the monthly budget increases. For Shadow and 20 more kids, the monthly increase is estimated to be $2,500. Orphanages are like us and depend upon faithful donors. This is one of the biggest ways caring people can help along with prayer. People can donate to individual Homes to curb the rising cost each faces. Those orphanages have sites on internet.

Another option for help is through a ministry called Orphan Resources International. This group of people receive donations and contribute these items to area orphanages. Shadow has received ministry and been blessed by them for fifteen years. Dennis Freed, a member of this group and director of Fundaninos, wrote the following March 10, 2017.

“We currently serve 50 privately run orphanages. Some of those orphanages, already full, will be taking more children in from this government ran home making the need for food and general necessities even higher. We need to raise approx. $25,000 to meet the needs of these children. Please consider giving on our Go fund me account – It is these children’s time to have a second chance, and we want you to be a part of it along with us. These children deserve it. Please consider giving to our budget for the additional children arriving with severe needs to at these orphanages.”

DONATE TODAY:
https://www.gofundme.com/guatemala-orphanage-fire
You can give through our website if you wish to receive a receipt.

http://www.orphanresources.org/ways-to-give
If you cannot give financially, please join us in prayer!

Another option for helping these children is through the sponsorship program. Lives are changed when the children know there are people who care. This opportunity provides direct contact with a child while helping with their needs. We at Shadow hear many testimonies from the children sponsored and the sponsors themselves about the value and blessing for this type of program. Check out the following links for more information.

Sponsorship Info: www.sohwo.org/sponsor-a-child/ or https://www.facebook.com/sohwo

People are taking action to help these children and to make sure history does not repeat itself. Pray for these people that the Lord will fill them with wisdom and guidance. The answers don’t come easy, but I believe what the enemy intended for evil, God will use for a good .

A newsletter from Casa Bernebe, an orphanage close to Hogar Seguro, wrote the following: “In the hours following this tragedy, the Christian Alliance for Orphans in Guatemala released a video via social media, and this resulted in an executive level meeting with the First Lady at the Presidential Palace. Additionally, our own social worker David McCormick was invited to participate in a top-level meeting with the Supreme Court and other directors of government entities to discuss what needs to happen next.”

It’s a matter of team work and we all can have a part in it according to our abilities. Join us in ministry to the neglected and hurting children of Guatemala. Pray that there will never be a need for a Children’s Home fire to get the attention of those who can make a difference.

Spiritual Leaders

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I had my feet up on the couch while eating a sandwich in front of the TV, when the phone rang. After the call, I made a cup of chicken broth, covered it, took it to the car, and prayed all the way to the orphanage. We had an emergency. I entered the bedroom and saw a pale-faced girl with listless, glazed eyes. She had the appearance of one who had died. I kept hearing the word death in my mind, and I knew we needed to get into spiritual warfare.

Within the orphanage, we had a small group of dedicated intercessors, comprised of eight girls and some adults. I asked Gerber and Yonith to call them to the casita. When they joined us, I told them that we as spiritual leaders needed to pray and follow the Lord’s leading. “Elena has some female problems, but there is something deeper going on here. I don’t know what it is, but God can reveal what we need to know.”

Having refused to eat or drink anything, Elena surprised me by emptying the cup of broth. The team prayed aloud over her, and Elena responded with a tight smile. Still hearing the word death in my mind, I asked if anyone had anything from the Lord. Josselin came forward and told Elena that she might not feel important, but she was to all of us. We all nodded, mumbling “amen” as Josselin continued with words of encouragement. Tears dripped down Elena’s cheeks. Josselin moved back to the group and said, “I feel something very strong here.”

“Is it a good strong or a bad strong,” I asked.

“It’s a bad strong,” she replied.

“It’s the spirit of death,” I replied, as I rubbed my hand on Elena’s icy forearm. Her skin felt hot moments before, but it suddenly turned cold like an icicle.

“Josselin, would you lead Elena in prayer and come against this using the authority Jesus gave us? Elena needs to speak against this spirit, commanding it to leave in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Immediate action took place, and I could feel the warmth return into Elena’s limbs.

One of the team said that Elena needed to make a confession, and when she did, she would be healed. The lady didn’t know anything specific, but Elena admitted that she did need to confess something. Wanting to protect her privacy, I suggested she choose someone she trusted, and they talk through this. Surprisingly, she chose me.

“Mama Carroll, I feel like I’m not important to God anymore, so I haven’t been giving Him any attention. I have shut Him out of my life.”

With a swift reply, I explained that the Lord had put her on my heart three weeks ago. “If God didn’t care, why would He put you in my mind so strongly? Elena, where would you be if you weren’t living with us?”

“In the streets.”

“With all the girls who live in the streets, why did God pick you to live with us? His plan for you is a great plan, and you are in training for His purposes.”

We prayed after she confessed her sin and then rejoiced together. “Okay, mi amor, you need to eat and rest so you can go to school tomorrow.”

After saying good-night, this bundle of life bounced up the stairs without any assistance.

With great joy, I thanked the team of prayer warriors for the victory we saw in Elena. We encourage the girls in the orphanage to walk in spiritual leadership, and I saw it happen that night.

Gut-Splitting Laughter

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One day I pondered if laughing hard could be harmful. So many other situations done to extremes are declared hazardous, and my thoughts questioned the possibility of damage done by gut-splitting laughter.

The event that brought this to my attention happened one morning. Focused on the computer in our office, my ears picked up screeching and shouting. Joanne and I looked at each other and simultaneously jumped up. We headed for the kitchen, where the cook and helper prepared all the meals for the children in the orphanage. A great battle unfolded before our eyes.

Elena and Gloria, armed with brooms, charged at a well-fed mouse, who dashed toward some boxed groceries. Heather, an intern, stood guard with a can of Bygon insect spray. The two brooms slapped close to the pursued mouse, until he turned toward the handlers and dove under the stove. Not defensively trained, the ladies screamed and leaped back. I grabbed Elena’s broom and poked it under the stove while Joanne blocked the side. The trapped victim flashed his beady eyes as he climbed the propane hose while being showered with insect spray. In the moments of panic, the jumping critter ran over Heather’s feet. She screamed bloody murder with her feet leaping in the air, and off went the mouse behind the washing machine.

By this time, I gave up the broom and grabbed the counter to keep from falling. In tears and laughter, I hung on as the scenario continued.

Elena attacked one side of the machine while Joanne stabbed in the corner from the other side. Surely this would get that bugger. Where else could he go? The mouse jumped toward Joanne, and she set off a series of screams and leaps that would have put the Ferrari prancing stallions to shame. I lost my grip on the counter and squatted on the floor, roaring hilariously. Meanwhile, the chase continued, but every swat from the wooden weapons missed the creature.

The patio close by had a large opening at the top. A TV antenna hung down to floor level, and this provided a way of escape for Mega Mouse. Gloria took one last swing, spinning herself around but missing the target. The intruder made it to the roof. From my perspective, I saw that critter turn his tail to us, swishing it back and forth saying, “Nanananaana,” before he took off for freedom. We’d been out-maneuvered. The scoreboard read: Ladies 0, Mega Mouse 1.

Everyone collapsed, breathing heavily, and reviewed everything with laughter that shook the metal roof. My insides ached from using every muscle in my abdomen. Did I damage anything? I’d never laughed so hard in my life, and because I ached, I questioned if I overdid it.

Doing an investigation on the internet, I learned that laughter might cause pain in gut-splitting situations, but it is actually an antidote for pain. One writer called it the best medicine. According to Wikipedia, “laughter is a physical reaction in humans, consisting typically of rhythmical, often audible contractions of the diaphragm and other parts of the respiratory system.” On another site, I saw that laughter boosts the immune system, triggers the release of endorphins, and protects the heart. We left that day with healthy bodies after the fight with Mega Mouse.

Dear Readers, how many of you have had a gut-splitting laughter story? I invite you to share it with us. We could all use some good medicine.

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.