Little Victories

In the last few months I've had the opportunity to nanny for a family with four children. Every day is a new adventure, but I'd like to share one story in particular. The youngest little girl is two and when I first started watching her, she was not fond of me. Tears would ensue as soon as mom walked out the door. She wouldn't even let me touch her so an older sibling ended up having to sooth her every time. Well after about a month, I walked into the kitchen and no one was in sight then all of a sudden I hear little footsteps. I turn around and across the room, there she is freshly awaken from a morning nap. I open my arms and say "Hi, come here sweet girl" and that's when it happened. Her face lit up and she ran into my open arms with the purest of laughs. I had won her over. She finally accepted me.

It's these little victories that mean the most to me and I think it's because they remind me of Jesus. I imagine my joy in those moments, and then I realize how that won't even compare to the joy that God has when He looks at His children. He brings us little victories all the time, but all to often we are caught up in our busy lives and we don't even notice. Ever since my acceptance into the world of the little girl mentioned above, I've thought more about the little victories from God. Included in that list is life-long friends that I've made in the last two years, two completely funded trips to Guatemala with a third on the way,  and of course the ability to know the wonderful family that I nanny for. While that might not seem like a much, they are the day to day thoughts that instantly bring a smile to my face and a prayer to my Maker. He has made all these things possible and all I can do is thank Him with the gifts and talents He has given me. Therefore I will rejoice in the little victories!

Hola Flor

Hola Flor. She is nine years old and has the most beautiful face. In fact several women in Guatemala ‘claim’ to be her mother simply because of her beauty. They are not her mother, however, because she is an orphan at Fundaninos. When I really met Flor on my second trip, she was always buzzing with life. Her and three other girls of the same age did everything together. If I saw her, I saw them all which I loved because it reminded me of my family back home. These girls are each other’s sisters. They look out for one another. During my time with Flor, we would throw a ball, do cartwheels, and jump on the trampoline. At one point, I was struggling trying to speak basic Spanish to her and she stops me to say “You can speak English.” What?! She’s understood me this whole time and just watched me fall on my face trying to talk to her. Needless to say we both got a good laugh out of that one and from that point on our conversations became a lot smoother. Yet, every time I tried to get her to practice her English she became quite shy, her little head would drop down and her eyes would look up at me and my heart melted. She’s smart but doesn’t like to flaunt it. She’s kind but doesn’t beg for recognition. She is just a nine year old girl with a servant’s heart for Jesus.

Meet Javier

Meet Javier. He is five years old and because of nerve damage at birth his right hand and foot are slightly deformed. Halfway through my first trip to Guatemala, I fell in love with this little boy. On my second trip, the deal in my heart was sealed. Every time he saw me his eyes lit up and let me tell you he has beautiful little eyes. He would grab my hand and away we would run to the trampoline. Now at this point you might be thinking ‘He runs? With a deformed foot?’ Javier’s handicap has not stopped him from anything! He runs and jumps and does wrestling moves just as well if not better than the other boys his age. At one point in the week I stood watching him play with his friends and thought, “Lord you are so good. He is fully able to just be a little kid because You have placed him in this orphanage where he is cared for and where his peers accept him.” On this last night of my second trip, the staff and kids threw us a good-bye party, complete with performances and a dance party. Well by this time Javier and I were tight and he would not let me put him down the entire time. If I was sitting he was on my lap; if I was standing he was on my hip or my shoulders. As you probably know, five year old boys are not the lightest of beings, but I didn’t care. I would’ve held him in my arms, listening to him laugh all night long. My sweet Javier, oh how I miss him.

Gratitude and Appreciation

Dear friends,


As I sit down to write this letter, I don’t even know where to begin. My second trip to Guatemala was definitely better than the first, which also meant that it was much harder for me to leave. Before I go any further I would like to just say thank you. In the weeks leading up to this trip, the Lord really showed me what it meant to trust Him through my finances. Three weeks before our departure date, I barely had half of the money required, yet God is faithful and day after day more money showed up until I was fully funded. He worked out all of that through my supporters, through you. For that I am extremely grateful.

Once we arrived in Guatemala, our team bonded almost instantly which is proof that God was the main orchestrator throughout this trip. Being a smaller team of only eight people, we were able to do things such as build a shelter for an outdoor tortilla oven and organize donated goods. But more importantly, we were able to play soccer and dodge ball, sing and play guitar, jump on trampolines, and have a dance party all with the kids. It is in these times where my heart warmed. I could tell you individual story after story of my time spent with these kids, but the overall theme that the Lord revealed to me that week was the importance of continued relationship. As soon as I stepped off the van, a few of the kids remembered me from March. When I was leaving, several of them asked when I would be back. They might be children, but they remember and they care. Growing up in an orphanage, they are used to people abandoning them, parents, friends, and caregivers. Their only stable presence is Jesus and while that is sweet and wonderful, that is also why I believe He has placed the desire in my heart to return. I do not want to be another face that they never see again. We are called to be in relationship with others and for me that includes my friends in Guatemala.

With that said, I am now prayerfully considering an internship at Fundaninos for 2 months next summer. As much as this excites me, it also produces a bit of unease as there are more unknowns than certainties involved. Soon I will begin meeting with the Missions Coordinator at Redeemer Church to walk through the details of this adventure. And so, once again I ask for your prayers. You have supported me thus far, and I cannot continue on my own. The Lord is my guide and my strength, but I also need prayer from my community.

In an effort not to write a novel, I will keep this letter short. However; if you would like to continue to be updated or hear specific stories from my trips, you can view my blog at fosteringthespirit.blogspot.com. And once again, I say thank you for all your help.

In Christ,

Samantha Dunn