Tel. 011-502-293-1832                          Bernard & Trish Cohen         bernardandtrish@hotmail.com

"Mountaintop"

AUGUST  2002

update

       Guatemalan Mission Outreach                 PO Box 542           Indian Rocks Beach, Fl., 33785

A gift from God….

Claudia 22, a single indigenous worker in a small  restaurant in Chimaltenango was expecting her baby anytime.  Five years ago, she did not have funds to properly take care of a child, so she placed her baby boy in a Christian orphanage directed by missionary friends of ours.  Claudia’s economic situation had not changed, but this time, Estela, a friend had been counseling her to give this baby to a Christian couple for adoption.

Two years ago, I had mentioned to Dr. Flor Otzoy, mother of one of our interpreters, that  we were interested in adopting an  indigenous newborn.   Flor promised to contact us first, if she heard of a baby needing adoption.

Late one Tuesday afternoon , I pulled into the post office parking lot in Chimaltenango and  Flor rushed to the car.  She was sealing an envelop destined for our p.o. box.  It said, “I have been calling you since yesterday—–call my office.  It’s urgent!”  Flor excitedly shared that Estela had stopped by her office the day before looking for a Christian couple to adopt Claudia’s baby .  She continued, “If you don’t call me by 9:30 p.m. tonight, I will contact another couple.

Bernard and I had discussed the possibility of adoption many times over the last 3 years.  The evening was filled with other commitments, but at 9:15 p.m. I was finally able to share the story with Bernard.  He called  Flor at 9:30 exactly.  Our answer was yes!

The next day, Bernard met with a Christian lawyer in the capital.  She said,  “It will take 4-5 months for the adoption to be final, but you will have legal custody the day the baby  is born, pending final adoption.”

We took Claudia to an Obstetrician and had an ultrasound done.  The baby was a healthy girl due the early part of August.   Our plan, when Claudia began labor—Estela would call us and we would all meet in the private hospital.

On July 9th, exactly three weeks later, ten minutes after Sarah Catherine was born Estela placed her in Bernard’s arms.  She has been with us ever since.

Strange, but True

A strange thing happens in Guatemala!  During the rainy season, the springs and wells give much less water.  This year, our water flow is very low

For some time Bernard encouraged Inocente to dig a well for his family.  Ilma, his wife has been in charge of our kitchen for 5 years.  Well, Inocente decided to  help Ilma and his family of 9 children, so a few months ago, he had a well dug.  Bernard found the best price for the pump in the capital.  Bernard and our men installed the tubing, the pump, rewired the electric, and will add a shower stall shortly.  Another way to show the love of God in action!  We are excited that Inocente was willing to risk failure to help his family’s situation.  Now, following our example, he is letting us borrow water by the tank full and. also sharing with neighbors in need.

Together at Last

For the first time in Panimaquin,  members of all five Churches are worshipping together!  Each morning at 9:00 a.m. all 18 employees, the smaller children, Bernard and I gather in the sala (large meeting room) of the project to begin our day with devotions and prayer requests.  Bernard, Miriam (our new licensed teacher), and I take turns sharing a short devotion.  Each day one of the other believers prays for prayer needs and gives God praise and glory for who He is.  These devotions encourage unity. 

In time of trouble

In June a baby born with multiple birth defects died at 10 months ( 13 lbs.)  It was the first child of a very young couple who were totally unprepared for this trauma.

Law dictates that a body is buried within 24 hours of death, because there is no embalming in Guatemala.  In our village when anyone dies, the entire village grieves.  The body usually lays covered with a cloth on the table in the room with the family, as each visitor offers money or staples to help with the meal served  to the entire village on the day of the burial.   The men carry the casket on their shoulders down the mountain (3 miles) to the cemetery for burial above ground. 

Just one week later, a truck loaded with cauliflower started for the capital.  That day there was a heavy downpour leaving the road soft and muddy.  The road collapsed and the truck flipped upside down with Marvin, the 17 year old son of the Pastor of the Seventh Day Adventist Church lying dead beneath the load.  We first heard a commotion outside our door.  Bethsaida, the 20 year old sister was hysterically screaming, “My brother is dead!”  Bernard and I rushed to the Isuzu and quickly put Marvin’s family  in.  As we drove toward the scene of the accident, we met the Pastor of the Bethesda Church.  He was dragging his half conscious  19 year old son, Artemio (Marvin’s cousin).  “Please get help for my son, he begged!”   I took Artemio and his family to the hospital down a slippery, muddy road .  Bernard loaded our truck with Marvin’s family and drove to the scene.  David, Marvin’s father was waiting there in shock.  Bernard tried to keep everyone calm. (In our village, mob violence can begin with one careless word).

Finally, Bernard and the men carried Marvin to his house.  There were hours of police reports, finally the justice of the peace came to pronounce the death.    The scene of the entire village jammed into one small room and overflowing into the street was overwhelming.  The cries of the family was heart wrenching!  Bernard met with the family and the brother of the driver (from Xeparquiy —remember there is an ongoing feud between the two villages) who had left to prevent violence.  Bernard made two trips to the village during the night, one for the casket, one for the food.  The entire village was deeply moved by these two deaths.  I will never forget that vacant look of disbelief on the face of Lydia, Marvin’s mother.  Bernard will always hear the desperate cry of David, his father over and over. “Why, why, it didn’t need to happen?”