Guatemala round 3!

Wow! God is amazing! I am sitting in bed writing this post from Santiago, Guatemala. It finally dawned on me that I have been blessed with the opportunity to be here at the Children’s home for a third time this past year. Looking  back over the past year has left me in awe. To see how God has changed my heart since my first visit to the home, and to comprehend the amazing opportunity presented before me here has been incredible. I am so in love where God has me and I make new memories daily. These kids have stolen my heart completely, and this home has invited me to do life with them.

I have been in Guatemala a little over a week now, and at the home for a week exactly. Honestly it feels like I never left. I was able to pick up right where I left off four months ago. That’s what I love about coming back, I am welcomed like I never left. There has been many changes to the home, however. Some kids have left, some in other homes, and more have arrived. The home I am in has lost kids but not gained any new ones but both the other homes have gained many new beautiful faces! I got the chance to go to the New Beginnings home and see a few kids I met last time, as well as play with some new kids. It is incredible to see the growth of that home over the past year. When I first came they only had one child, now they have eight and are constantly growing! God is moving in that home.

The home that I am in is great as always! There are four of us interning for the summer, so that is a blessing. Last summer it was just me and my role in the home looked a lot different than it does now. Last summer I mainly watched kids and helped with school, this summer I still watch kids but the schooling has been passed on to my friend Brenda who came with me this summer. It has been so great to get to introduce one of my closest friends to the family that I love. I am so blessed that Brenda gets to spend the summer here. She works all day teaching second grade and helping the four kids in that grade get caught up where they need to be. They need a lot of one on one attention and she is able to give that to them.

Brenda Playing with Martina during break time

As I mentioned my roles within the home are different this time than they were the first two times I came. Every morning I work with Yeni (2) and Martina (19). They are both disabled and need one on one attention. It is challenging but so rewarding. I have no training or prior knowledge on how to work with disabled special needs children but It has been something that has been on my heart since I met these two girls. Yeni is deaf, and can not walk or communicate really. She doesn’t speak and has seizures and some other health issues. Her mobility has been up and down since I met her. Some days she walks okay, some days she doesn’t at all. I have been walking with her for hours each morning trying to get her legs stronger and able to do it alone. I have been doing this for 4 days and I have seen huge improvement! Each morning we walk around the yard. I also have been sitting her on stairs and having her pull up by using only my finger to stabilize her, I have seen this working. It’s a daily struggle, but those little moments when she walks a little further on her own, are moments for celebration! Martina is 19 and is in a wheelchair, doesn’t speak, can’t walk or stand, and doesn’t communicate much. For some reason with me she does. She has been my best friend since last summer. The way I work with her is by just spending time with her. With so many kids to care for its hard for these two to get the one on one attention they need. Martina loves to just sit and listen as I talk. I am currently reading through Romans with her, It has been a blessing. I love working with these two girls every morning. I don’t know what I am doing most times, but I know that God does.

The evenings are pretty chill. Since there are three of us rotating out watching kids in the afternoon, I am able to have free time after lunch most days. Usually my free time is spent with the kids either way, but I can sneak in a nap sometimes ;P

The two sweet Girls I work with 

(There are videos of Jeni walking on facebook you should check it out! ) 

https://www.facebook.com/14heaven11

This morning I was able to take Jeni and Martina to their schooling. It was interesting, I am super excited about getting back home and getting some training on how to better help them! 

My first week here has been incredible! God is so evident in this home and in this country. Being with the family again has reminded me of why I love this place so much! I have gotten to talk to the parents more, work with the children closer, and grow in my relationship with Christ while doing it! I am excited to see what God continues to do this summer! 

Prayer Request

• Yeni and Martina- Continued growth and improvement
• Brenda- Teaching second Grade
• Upcoming Court Hearings
• Wisdom on how to boldly profess the gospel 
• Strength to do all work as unto the Lord
• Deborah's baby that is due in a few weeks! 
• New Childrens home opening in August
• All three homes and the kids/ parents/ interns 
• Wisdom and Direction From God this summer. 

For more updates feel free to add me on Fb or Email me at 

hslaughter@caminoglobal.org

Sweet Monica, This girl has a joy and a smile that is contageous

Juanito is growing up! This boy came last summer
while I was here, His growth is incredible! 

Mr. Issac doing chin ups! 

Brenda and I with sweet Mercy Girl! 

Guatemala Update!

Hello ALL! 

So there has been many questions pertaining to a post I posted on facebook. In this post I stated that some changes about my move to Guatemala has taken place. Well! I am here to answer those questions! 

I guess its really just one question that leads to many more, so instead of explaining to everyone I decided that writing about it would be easiest! 

Q1- What has changed? 

Good of ya'll to ask! 

Originally September was my goal for moving. That has changed to January 2017. 

Q2- Why did you change it?

Many reasons played a factor. 

- God. I realized September was my plan, and God has a different plan. He has brought some changes about in my life and through them I have learned that He is sovereign still. 

- School/work- As many of you know, I graduate in may! 33 days to be exact (not that I am counting) I approached this semester knowing it was going to be tough. I am currently enrolled in 21 hours and am working about 40 hours a week. My life is hectic. Due to trying to graduate and maintain some kind of sanity I have been unable to fundraiser as much as I had hoped. 

- Personal Problems- This has been the toughest season of life for me this semester. I have battled depression, cutting, and many other things. Spiritually and emotionally I do not think I am in a place to move. There are many giants in my life that I am working on facing. I am seeking help and wise council as well as have friends who hold me accountable. I am on the road to healing and freedom but its a road that is a little longer than I hoped. 

Q3- So what now? 

Good question. I am not able to be a normal college graduate and freak out about what is next? 

Recently, as in last week God has placed a wonderful graduation trip on my path. GUATEMALA! This summer my close friend and I are going to Guatemala for a little over a month. I know many people as why visit if im moving? Well. 

1. I get to introduce my friend to the kids who have my heart! :)
2. I feel God is leading me back to remind me why He has placed Guatemala on my heart. 
3. Its a graduation present from my wonderful big brother. 
4. I want the kids to know that I am still planning on living with them. I don't want to change my plans and then they feel I am backing out of the move. 

Yes plans have changed. No I am not, not moving. 

After our June 5th- July 18th trip I am not sure what I will do. I will no longer be a student therefore I will no longer have an apartment on campus. Most likely I am moving home and getting a part time job. 

My full time job will be fund raising. I will speak at churches and to individuals about possible partnering with me in the ministry! So if you know a church or anyone who may be interested feel free to give them my email! 

Hslaughter@caminoglobal.org 

So due to those three aspects my move has changed, but rest assured I am still moving to Guatemala! 

So those are the top three questions I have gotten! Thank you all for following me on this journey! To receive email updates please just email me and say you would like to be added to the list. 

Also if you would like to partner with me in ministry you can donate by going to this site, 

http://www.caminoglobal.org/about/slaughter

PRAYER TIME! 

*Pray for Brenda and I's upcoming summer trip to the home, we will also be helping in a school in the city that Brenda served in during her summer in Guatemala. 

*Pray for upcoming graduation and that I can finish the semester on a good note. 

*Pray for the home! I know they have been going through some changes. 

*Pray that God provides (which I know He will) Financially as I begin to really start fundraising. 


Thank you guys for reading! You rock! 

- God bless <3 
Heaven Slaughter 

Guatemala Round Dos!

Hola Everyone!
For those of you keeping up with my adventures, we left off last time with an update about my summer internship in Guatemala! Well due to the fact that God is amazing, I was able to return to Guatemala for my winter break! I spent three weeks in the home that has captivated my heart. Here are some photos, that I will explain and then give ya'll a little update on my time spent there as well as what is to come!

This was the christmas eve service! I had the great opportunity of spending Christmas in the home. It was incredible! This family loves me so well. The parents had gifts and a stocking for me; as well as some of the kids got me gifts! I was in awe! I did not expect anything, I was just there to serve! They accepted me as family and allowed me to spend such a special time with them.

                

Here are a few photos of the girls having fun and being their silly selves! The top left one is Condi! She is 6 years old and is the mature one of the younger girls! She is so kind and gentle and is a great helping hand!

The top right is Isabella! She is a little ball of energy! She is new to the home, she has been living in the main home for about 5 months now. This little girl never failed to make me smile! She is very energetic and loves to be around people! She stuck to me like glue the whole time I was there.

The bottom photo from left to right is Rosa (7) Condi (6) Isabella (5) and Monica (5). Each one of them has such a unique story. They each speak to my heart in a different way. Rosa is very wise for her age. She is very trusted within the home and is a great helper! Monica is well shes Monica. She is funny even with out trying to be. Sometimes you get lost in conversation with her and just wonder what is running through her mind. She loves to be held and just loves well in general. She stayed close to me the whole time as well.

This time I got really close with two of the older girls. Lucia who is 18 is such a joy. Her story is inspiring, where the Lord has brought her astounds me! She works so well with the kids and is adored by all! Maria who is 17; she is the one with glasses, is a ball of light! I got expecially close to her this time. There wasn't much that we didn't do together. She really opened up to me and became a close friend. Her story left me in tears, but made me joyful to know the Love she has for the Lord.

These two girls bring my heart and life so much happiness! Martina is 18 and Yeni is 2. They are both special needs, and just special in general! To see them laugh brightened my whole day! When I move in September I hope to work full time with these two.

Oh Yeah!
I AM MOVING IN SEPTEMBER!!!! 

For those of you who do not know, I have signed on with Camino Global as a mid term missionary. I have committed to moving for two years to Guatemala. While there I will live in the children's home and serving there. I am super pumped to graduate in may and move! God has called me into full time ministry, and my heart is back in Guatemala!

I will be sharing more information in a post next week so tune in for that! Some exciting things are in store! I can't wait to share with you all!

I will not leave you as orphans;
I will come to you.
            -John 14:18

God Bless <3 

Heaven Slaughter 

From broken and abandoned, to loved and adopted.

The beauty that comes from a surrendered heart leaves me breathless. I saw this beauty for the first time this summer. That love that filled my days with so much joy, is indescribable. For years I fought God when He asked for my heart. I made excuse after excuse as to why I could not give it to Him. He led me to the unknown, into deep waters where I had to choose; Sink, or Surrender. That choice led me into a sea of forgiveness. I finally felt FREE. The chains that bound me were broken. I spent months living in that freedom. My fight became for the Kingdom not control. I begin to love like never before and find joy in the struggle. 

        

I viewed the broken hearts as beautiful jars of clay's awaiting their molding. God opened my eyes to see Love that truly surpasses all brokenness and all fight. My heart began to ache for the lost and beat for the abandoned. I fought to find a smile in midst of heartache. I strived to serve those who had been pushed aside with a Christ like attitude. Struggles came and conflict arose but one common goal surpassed it all. To see the lost get found. 

I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you. -John 14:18

From broken and abandoned to loved and adopted. 

My heart is still broken for the testimonies I heard this summer. Girls raped by their fathers. Children left in hotel rooms. Eight years old's fighting to keep their younger siblings alive. These were common stories spoken by children who have yet to hit their teen years. I learned there is redemption. Yes struggles followed and lasting affects played a part in their lives, but God took them by the hand and led them to a Godly family who would and is fighting for them. Dave and Deborah are young, but so wise. They raise children up to be Godly men and women despite the hand life has dealt them. They give each of their children the opportunity to overcome their past and look foward to a rewarding future. They love so genuinely and give so freely. Their molding is Godly parents and loving servants. 

The smiles, the laughs, the I love you's, and the tears; these are all painted clearly on my heart. The many hugs that were freely given, and the hands that held tightly to mine impacted this once broken heart wondering from the grasp of God. Each time one of the children looked at me and said miss Heaven, I knew what came next would leave me in awe. They loved so purely and beautifully. Despite their past. The tears as I said goodbye have a place in my heart, until I get the hug from hello.Each I love you revealed more of Gods love and each laugh showed the beauty that shone on the cross. Who I once was before Guatemala is not who I am not.

To experience the depth of God's love in a foreign country where I left my heart, has changed me for the better. I learned this summer that God's love for me goes deeper than I ever imagined, and after that; it goes deeper still. This summer I saw God take the broken and abandoned and give them hope in love. 

Please join me in prayer for the Reichard's and their amazing ministry Manos De Compasion. Pray for boldness as the gospel is shared to each kids that they come in care of. Pray for hearts to be healed and love to be shown. 

Please Join me in prayer as I begin the process of returning to Guatemala in June as a permanent live in volunteer for the home. Pray for comfort and peace as the time approaches to leave. Pray for financial provision from God. Pray that I can serve boldly and whole heartily. 

 

 


Don't be afraid to surrender all to God. Nothing compares to the joy and comfort that He provides. He is loving, caring, gentle, and forgiving. He can fix the broken and heal the bruised. He is all powerful and all mighty. Allow Him in and He will send you out!

Here I am. Send me. 

God Bless <3

Heaven Slaughter 

The Love of a broken one.

To love like God loves in the midst of brokenness.. To put all you have aside and serve even when it feels all is lost. That is what I was shown last week. 

Last week was our second and final week of foster care. Foster Care camp is by far my favorite camp that we do during the summer. No longer are we just the background people running the activities, with foster care we are on the front lines. We worship with the kids, dance, do activities and just love on them. So for three days that is what we do. We show love to a lot of kids who have been told their whole life that they are not loved. Not only are we working with the kids but we work with their foster families as well. We show them how awesome they are for loving kids who have never been shown love. For enduring all that these kids bring to the house and treating them as if they are their own. Its safe to say that foster care camp is a weekend full of love and joy. 

Celest.
Vibrant, loving, young, joyful, demanding, courageous, caring, friendly, beautiful. Those are just a few words to describe young Celest. This little girl changed my life. I am not even sure how I met her, all I know is that the whole weekend she was my little sidekick. She showed me what a child like love looked like. Despite everything she had gone through in her short 6 years, despite being taken from here mom just six months ago, despite everything, she was joyful. She loved taking pictures with me and she loved to swim. All weekend I just hung out with her and got to know her. We watched movies, swam, danced, sang, and ate every meal together. Through getting to know Celest I got to know here foster family. They were an older couple who just loved children! I got to share with them my heart and they shared theirs with me. It was hard to say goodbye to Celest and her foster family. I did learn that they actually go to church right next to my college so I am hoping to see them again. 

Jasper, Tyler, and Family
Jasper came up to us one night and asked to play volleyball with the staff. He is a 14 year old who had just been placed with his foster family two months ago. Its safe to say that he was better than most of us at volleyball. While the staff played I sat in the car and got to talk to Jaspers foster mom. She loved him so much! Her heart for the lost was beautiful. All weekend long I got to hang out with her and really get to know her. At the moms breakfast I sat with her and she stared in amazement at mama brown and listing intently to her story. I got to meet her son Tyler. He was mentally handicapped but was so loving towards everyone. It was a true blessing to get to know this beautiful family. 

Those are just a few of the people that God allowed me to meet this past week. It was amazing to see the diversity between the families. I loved seeing the teenagers and how they interacted with the younger kids in the home. Everything about this week was wonderful. God tells us to love His children and this was a weekend where God was present and we were loving His children. They showed me so much love as well. Celest and her family just by being present in my life. Everyone telling us thank you for the hard work we do here. Little babies who hold your hand for 30 minutes. Every part of this weekend was love. 

God's love is unconditional and our love towards His beautiful children should be the same. 

This is my final week at Camp Buckner. Please be in prayer that God just softens my heart and opens my eyes to see His beauty in every situation. 

Also as a side note that deserves jumping up and down over! One of our summer staff members accepted Christ a few days ago!!!!! Be in Prayer for Her as she begins her walk. 

God bless <3

Heaven Slaughter 

Foster Care session 1

The beautiful smiles from Gods children, the high fives, sweet hello and hard goodbye, a simple I love you and your were awesome in the dunking booth. This past week has been a huge blessing. 

        This past week was the first session of Camp Buckner foster camp. Its a two night three day camp where foster families come to just be served and loved for a few days! It's the camp we have been waiting for all summer. I was only able to be part of the camp one of the three days, but that one day was a huge blessing. We were encouraged to really interact with the kids, eat meals with them, swim with them, play with them, dance with them and just love them. That was not a hard task to complete. After breakfast we all ventured off to play with the sweet kids outside of the dining hall. I sat with three children playing in the dirt. One little boy walked up to me and told me he was planting me multiple coconut trees. Seeing the joy these kids have from the simplest things. I gave one little girl a little seed to plant and her face lit up as I sat with her. She loved that I was taking time to get to know here by asking her name and age. I couldn't help but smile when I looked at their lit up faces. After that we all met up and had a pump it up session. We got with the kids and just danced to ridiculous fun songs! One little girl who was around two was standing by herself. She was trying to dance to the song. I go up to dance with her and she lifts her arms for me to pick her up. I pick her up and dance with her to one of the songs. When that song ends and were standing around waiting for the next song she lays her head on my shoulder and just gives me a long hug. For a moment she just stayed there then she went back to dancing with me. 

       That night we had a Buckner state fair for the kids. All of us paired up and came up with one game to do for the kids. For most of them they had never experienced something like this. It was an honor to put the fair on for them. My booth was the dunking booth. I was freezing and wet but seeing how much joy the kids got out of dunking me made it all worth it. They just laughed and their faces lit up every time the water fell on me. I couldn't help but laugh and enjoy it! We also had little prizes or them. Seeing how excited they got for the little toy in a bag was great! Child like joy! One kid told one of our staff members that he had never gotten a prize in his life and that night he got six! How awesome is it that we got to be part of that kids first prize. They were all so joyful and lovable! They wanted nothing more than to hang out with us, and we wanted nothing more than to love on them for a weekend! At the end of the fair we had another dance party. I saw kids who were afraid to dance break out of that shell and just dance in joy. I got to dance with so many beautiful kids who were way better than me! 

In one day God showed me more of His loving character than ever before. 

       The next day we were all sitting at a table eating about to get started on turnover. Most of the families had already left but there were still quite a few left on campus. One family with about five kids came up and said by to all of us. They proceeded to just love on us. They came up and gave us high fives, continually told us hank you and told us they loved us and will miss us. Honestly I could not tell you any of their names, but their words are forever on my heart. One of the girls in the family gave me multiple hugs and told me thank you. All I could say back was "no, thank you" These kids have been through way more than I have in there few short years. They have endured pain that I could not even imagine. Their beauty and their joy is inspiring. They were always smiling and laughing and loving us. 

        I was here to serve these kids. I was here to love on them with a Christ like love. They helped me more than I helped them. I really felt Gods love in their sweet hugs. I saw His light shining through their beautiful smiles and laughs. Its crazy how we go out onto the mission field to serve others, but those we are serving end up stealing our hearts and serving us without even knowing it. These kids draw me closer to God and strive to have a love and heart like they do. 

This week God taught me to love others with the love of a child. They have a genuine love, just like Gods love for us even when we are the least deserving of it. 

God bless <3 

Heaven Slaughter 

Listen my child

The voice of God and the certainty of His calling. In it way it scares me how clearly I heard God speaking to me this past week.

I will not lie and say that this past week has been easy. I have struggled alot. This blog post is not going to be about the camp that was here this past week its going to be more about how God has been speaking this week.

I have struggled. 

Its as simple as that. I have had a hard week and have fallen into things that not of God. One major problem I have had this week is anger and hurt. I have found myself more angry than I have ever been. I have been on edge all week and that has show in my encounters with people. The main reason I have been so angry is that I have began to realize what God's calling on my life is and I have not been seeking after that calling. I have a direction and a drive to follow but I have been letting worldly things get in my way. Through all of that God has really done some work on my heart.

For months now I have felt a calling to home. That is a hard calling for me. I spent 18 years running away from home and from the atmosphere I was in. So for God to tell me to go home, that was hard for me to handle. It took me months to realize that it was Him speaking. This past week I have never heard God speak with such a clear voice to me. Here is what I heard.

Go home my child, and I will provide. 

I feel a calling to go home and work with the youth in my church. After the week we experienced at Seek Week, I really feel called to follow through with them and to just do life with them for a bit. For years I have tired to get away from my house and the abusive atmosphere that surrounded it. When I graduated I got as far away as I could and I spent a year avoiding holidays so I wouldn't have to go home. Now I feel that God has grown me so much and taken away so much fear and hatred to home that its my time to listen to Him and go do ministry within my own family. All of this terrified me. It still does. After my boss told us something in a meeting I knew what I needed to do. Here is what he said. 

"Your dream job will never satisfy you like your calling." 

How true is that? Working here this summer is a dream job of mine. I love working here and getting to do ropes and zipline. I love watching week after week as kids come through and have an unforgettable week. I love being a part of that. I love the beautiful scenery and the never ending Gatorade. I love the friendships I have made. Working here is my dream job. My calling is home. 

I made a commitment. Knowing that I was being called home and staying here made me feel like I was disobeying God. That is what made me most angry. That started showing in how I was treating others. Then I prayed. Why I didn't pray to begin with. I'm not sure, maybe because I am human! I prayed God will show me that He would still be pleased with me even if I stayed here instead of going home. Here is what happened. 

I prayed right before I went to work. I'm not sure what day it was, but I remember I was heading out to the ropes course to do the leap of faith. One of the first groups that came to the ropes course had been at the zip line with me earlier that morning. It was nice to see some familiar faces. That is when God answered my prayers. One of the girls in the group was not feeling well so she was laying down on the bench. When I was done working my element I went and sat next to her just to check on her. She told me she had already been to the nurse and her stomach was hurting to the point she was in tears. To get her mind off the pain I just starting talking to her.  I asked her how she liked camp and what she was learning. I asked if she had learned about Jesus and what He did for us. When she said yes, I asked her to tell me. She did. Then I asked her her favorite verse. She said John 3:16, but she couldn't remember it fully. I knew the verse but instead of just telling her I asked her if she would like for me to read it to her. When she answered yes I grabbed my bible and looked it up. That seemed to calm her down a little. I then asked her if I could pray for her. She said yes. I placed my hand on her stomach and prayed for healing. When I got done she said she began to feel a little better. The pain was bearable now. Shortly after her group got up to leave. I could tell she didn't want to. Honestly I didn't want her to, I could have talked to this sweet girl all day long. She finally stood up and prepared to leave with the group. I said goodbye and turned to get ready for the next group. She then comes up to me and gives me a hug and said "thank you". 

Right then God answered my prayer through this sweet girl. I was at ease. I felt that God would be pleased with me and that He would use me even if I didn't follow His calling home. That one moment made everything worth it. Today as I sat out by the water I was reminded of that moment. Once again Satan was attacking and telling me I was useless. That I didn't belong here and I would never do anything. Than that one encounter with that beautiful child came to mind. The amazing thing is that is just one of the many encounters I have had this summer with children. I know that God has so many more of those encounters in store for me. Especially as we start preparing for the foster kids next week. 

God speaks in the most beautiful ways. This is my dream job. This is my summer mission trip. This is where I belong for this season of my life. God can use me. God will use me. I am on the mission field and I am on the front lines ready to fight for Him and His beautiful children. 

This week God taught me how to listen, but He also taught me how to see every opportunity as a mission.  He taught me to just shut up and not let my emotions get the best of me. He showed me how to love those who hurt me and how to do all I do for Him not for myself. He told me 

Listen my Child. 

Follow God. Lean on Him. Let Him be your strength. Do all work for His glory. 

God bless,

Heaven Slaughter