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Before this journey is concluded, I need to address where Kristina and Mia were staying. So many people write and ask about how we found a place to foster for so long. We were unbelievable blessed with the hospitality we received. Our friend, originally from Argentina, is a missionary to Guatemala. Most of his staff is from Guatemala and they have joined him in his ministry. One younger couple lived in a small apartment-like house in the region called Mixco, and more specifically Valle De Seville. They are a brilliant young couple and very generous. He is athletic and outgoing and is a great relational person. She is a brilliant marketing expert that gave up a lucrative career in the city to work with this staff. In their home they had a small room with a small bathroom that they opened to Kristina and Mia. For this generosity we are unbelievably grateful. However, after 14 months with no idea when you will be able to go home, a mansion would feel like a prison.
The room in which the girls stayed was about 9’x9’. It was just big enough for a double bed, a portable crib, and a small TV. The walls were cinder block and the floor was ceramic tile. There was no air conditioning and no heater. Both are usually unnecessary due to the temperate climate in Guatemala City and surrounding areas. The room was outside of the main part of the house so there was some privacy which also felt like isolation as well. There was a stairway that led to the roof of the building just outside the room. On this roof, laundry was air dried, Mia played, and many tears were shed.
Mia loved her little home and she loved being so close to her Mommy. Routines became sacred as a means to pass the day. A block away was the bread store where fresh bread was made daily. On the way there was a little Tienda that sold Coca Cola. Kristina and my brother share a passion for this poison (I’m a Cheerwine fan but that’s another story!). Each day, Kristina would look forward to the evening where her and Mia would go out for a walk to get some fresh bread and a Coke. For weeks on end, this would be all of the exposure Mia had to the world. She didn’t care much as just being near her Mommy was enough.
The Mummau Series
1. Choosing To Adopt
2. Why International? Why Guatemala?
3. The Call From Guatemala
4. The Process Begins
5. A Prelude To Mia
6. How Can You “Choose” A Child – Leaving Others Behind?
7. Peer Into The Heart – Journal Entries
8. Meeting Maria – Finding Mia
9. Leaving Our Daughter…is that…no way!
10. Rivers of Waiting
11. Mistakes, Intentions, and Naivety – How Hope Began To Die
12. Alone in Guatemala and Waiting
13. Time Marches On – Goodbye Mia for Now
14. Joyful Gringos in Quetzaltenango
15. Mia Mia
16. Abuela Comes To The Rescue
17. Doctors, Couriers, and Delays
18. Even So, You Won’t Believe This
19. The Summer of Frustration Ends
20. Fall Approaches with Broken Hearts…Teeth
21. 1600 Miles from Tecpan (pt.1)
22. 1600 Miles from Tecpan (pt.2)
23. Kristina Comes Home
24. Mia’s First Steps
25. December’s Momentum
26. An Angel In The Embassy? I
27. An Angel in the Embassy? II
28. A Christmas to Remember…and Forget
29. Daddy’s 2nd Visit
30. Clash at The Embassy
31. We’re In The PGN! OK Let Us Out!
32. Accomodations
33. The Pencil – Never Give Up
34. Exiting the PGN…sort of
35. Exiting the PGN…yet again
36. Daddy Has Enough
37. The Countdown Begins
38. Easter Brings Hope
39. Sit With Me in San Cristobal
40. T-Minus a few things and counting
41. My New Favorite Color
42. Hope Becomes Reality-The Embassy Interview
43. Mia Mummau Goes Home
More blogs about Guatemala Adoption.
