The day before the royal visit, the presidential security team came from Guatemala City with their dogs. This activity had the kids’ attention, and they watched every movement of the dogs and the officers. The security team went into every room of every building on the property. I didn’t know what they were looking for, and I didn’t ask any questions. The officer in charge gave us a rundown of their expectations of us. We needed to honor immediately any request for unlocking or opening any rooms or items. Nobody was allowed on the property except those of us listed on a document held by the security team. I worried about the Guatemalan custom of inviting family and friends to special occasions. Thankfully, Joanne addressed the situation and told our people that this would not be allowed for Wendy Berger’s visit. We declared to the head officer that we would follow everything to the letter.
The next day, we anxiously awaited for Wendy Berger’s arrival, and I think everyone’s stomach was tied in knots. Would I remember what I needed to say? Lord, help us do all of this right and enjoy a great experience.
“Here come the cars!” our guard shouted as he opened the gate.
All thirteen SUVs entered through our gate and drove to the canopy we had set up for our guests. Joanne, our social worker, and I received the smiling First Lady. She conveyed a message of humility with her softly spoken words of greeting. My heart raced, because I knew she would watch all of us closely, and I wanted her to be impressed by our children.
While standing in the shade of the canopy, more introductions were made with the houseparents and staff. Then Joanne presented our vision for our organization and the plans we desired for the children. One of our girls gave a welcome and shared her testimony about her life at Shadow. Next, the girls demonstrated their gymnastic abilities by doing a presentation from a previous “state” competition. Lord, let these children see that they are so important that the wife of the president has come to see them. I prayed that the kids would know the value that others see in them.
After the program, we were granted permission to take pictures. We also had enough time for the First Lady to mingle among the girls. She and her two companions moved from one girl to another, showing a warm interest that made all of the girls stand taller. Many girls had the opportunity to share their testimonies, their plans for their education, and their honest thoughts about the orphanage. I proudly watched them visit, with their heads up and eyes bright, as they confided in her.
The one and a half hours with the First Lady went by too quickly, but the impressions she left with all of us will remain in our hearts forever. Everyone will remember the day the president’s wife visited Shadow of His Wings Orphanage.