The Guatechic

I am a guatechic. Why? Because, I was born in the capital of Guatemala, Guatemala city. When I was 8 months old when I was adopted by a wonderful young couple, Elam and Doris Stauffer. They were unable to have biological children, so they made the decision to give the gift of adoption to two children from Guatemala, myself and to my younger brother, Louie. For that, I will always be grateful. My life was forever changed.
I was blessed to be adopted into a Christian, missionary home who happened to love Latin America and who spent 20+ years giving their lives to the Latin people. I was raised a third culture kid, having the best of three worlds; the Latin American world, the North American world and the world where only MK's (missionary kids) and TCK's (third culture kids) can fully understand.
Besides living in the US, I have lived in other countries such as Beliz, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Ecuador. I have been privileged to visit about 10 other countries, as well. This would have mostly likely never happened if God hadn't intervened and saved my life. My life has been filled with so much richness because of where I was born and how I was raised.
Today, I have the privilege of continuing the vision and calling passed on by my parents, and ultimately given to me by my Heavenly Father. My husband, DeLynn, myself and our daughter Carmelinda have lived in Costa Rica seven years. We would like to think we will be here the rest of our lives, but only God has the answer to that. For now, we love living in the "land of paradise" living our dream.

Lately, I have felt the need and the eagerness to write about my life. This is mostly for my sake, but for you as my readers, you have the privilege of getting a sneak peak into my life, the Guatemalan chic!