It’s beginning to rain

The rainy season is here and although it’s great for the crops, it makes clothes almost impossible to dry. Thanks to your donated washer and dryers, we will be starting the "Panimaquin Laundromat" next month.

It’s July 2000 - A new lifestyle

The first week of July really changed the lives of Edvy, Bety and their family. After seven faithful years of service for the Lord, they moved into the "pastor‘s home built as a result of the Bob Walker family fund-raising efforts. Before joining GMO, this family lived in a very small room with an open window next to a contaminated stream. Bety cooked on a 2 burner hot plate in an open adobe kitchen. Their outhouse had collapsed during a storm. In contrast, their new home has three bedrooms, the church office, kitchen with stove and refrigerator, bath, and combination living-dining area. Moving day was also the day Bety discovered she was a Guatemalan statistic. April 1999, she had surgery in the family planning center to prevent further pregnancies. She was told that the doctor who operated on her (without anesthetic) had not done the surgery correctly and she was one of 42 women, so far, in Guatemala, who became pregnant before the center discovered he was a "charlatan". I had the privilege of spending the day with Bety as we waited to see this small child on ultrasound.  On a roller coaster of emotion, Bety laughed, cried, then laughed again. By the time she shared the news with Edvy, she was relieved to know the real reason for her nausea!  They will be having their fifth child in February by C Section (all expenses paid). Her last two pregnancies involved serious complications, so keep this sweet family in your prayers. Obviously God has a very special plan for this child!

Precious moments

Joycee Lindstrom was visiting with her husband, Bob and son, Charlie this past week. After teaching our three factory workers how to use a sewing machine, cut out patterns, and sew clothes, she was saying her good-byes. Ana, one of the three began to sob. "I prayed on my knees for more than five years.  I asked God to find easier work for me than working in the fields to help my family. I never dreamed how this could happen in Panimaquin, but I never gave up. Then, one day Trish asked me if I would like to help in the factory. I thought, how difficult that could be. Some of the villagers tell lies about those who work in the project. I asked my husband what to do. He told me whatever I decided was fine. That wasn’t much help, so I decided to ask God. God told me not to be afraid. I was happy just to learn how to make barrettes, I never realized that I would learn to crochet and make beautiful  dresses. I laugh with my co-workers, play with my baby, Emelia, have good food to eat, and my work is easy. Now, I know that God answered my prayer. Don’t think I’m crying, because I’m sad. I’m crying, because God is so good to me.  Thank you for asking me to help."

Growing pains

Three years ago, we began the preschool with 10 students. Soon, we added 10 older children in the afternoons. Now, it is a "happening place"!  We have outgrown our space and are busily re-arranging classrooms to temporarily fill present needs. Each day, 47 students and 16 workers are served vitamins and meals containing total daily nutrition, and maintain daily hygiene with good hand washing and proper dental care.  Our first alumni entered public school this past January. As the teacher described how to hold a pencil, they began printing their names and other words they knew all ready. She was amazed!  We are making a difference in Panimaquin.

We now serve 110 meals/day, and pay 16 workers. Our monthly budget for food and salaries alone is $2400. Our original monthly budget for the first 3 years in Guatemala was $1800.  Although our monthly income rarely covers existing needs, God continues to supply the money needed for this project in numerous ways. We have received two vehicles, a large gift posthumously from a dear friend, and numerous one- time gifts. Each donation coming at a time when funds were very low. Consistently sharing God’s love has changed these villager’s lives. We would like to thank each of you who consistently give monthly gifts. We need others to give on a monthly basis. If you would like to make a difference in Panimaquin, mail your donation to the address at the top of this newsletter. It is tax deductible. Thanks a lot! Then, come see what’s happening in person.

Giving Back

It’s more blessed to give than to receive. Last month, we had the pleasure of piping our pure well water to the public school. This time of year, the community’s water is very low. Thanks to you, Lord, our new well not only supplies us with all the water we need, but enough for the school and anyone else who needs it. A woman known as "the widow" has been against this project from the beginning. The other day, her daughter came to us. After a long pause, she asked, "Will you give me water? I didn’t bring my jugs, because I was afraid you’d turn me away." We explained, we would never turn her away, the water is available for anyone who asks.  For the very first time, our people have uncontaminated water to drink.

My father supplied all my needs

When I was small, my life was secure. My family had plenty, so I was able to go to school, play, and dream about the future.  It’s not like that in Panimaquin. Our families are in survival mode. They have just enough time during the day to gather their fire wood, work in the fields, and prepare their food. The entire family is involved in this hard, repetitious life-style. The homes are drafty. Money is scarce. The profit from cabbage, cauliflower, radishes, carrots, and beets, after expenses, is so low that families often have to borrow money (at 18-35% interest) for seed for the next planting. Our neighbors are hard working farmers, planting on the steep hillsides with hoes. It is backbreaking work, because of lack of education, there is no option.

You have sent us here to make a difference. Bernard has taught the men in the project how to lay block, pour cement, plaster walls, install electric, and plumbing. They are learning how to manage money and how to make wise decisions about their future. Pablo and Factor, both with the project more than two years, used what they have learned to build new structures on their own property. Pablo will have the first indoor kitchen sink in Panimaquin. Factor built his new room with a porch, so he could dry frijoles without moving them in and out with the weather changes. Jesus, Pablo’s wife will have a chimney on her new stove (called a pollo), so her kitchen will not be filled with smoke.  Justo, 56, and very weak is our newest worker. He now works 1/2 days keeping the property clean. Although he was not eating well before, now he eats double portions, when there are extras.  Ilma, Esperanza,Chenta, and Aura, our kitchen workers learned to wash their hands before working and each time they use the latrine,or attend to their baby’s needs, to disinfect all fruits and vegetables, boil water for 10 full minutes, and to save time in preparing food.

Hilda, Iliana, Elsa, and Tina, our classroom workers have learned how to teach dental hygiene and cleanliness to their classes, how to encourage the children with tender words and tender touch. They now understand that children can learn when they are infants. They too have fun with hands on crafts and games they never played when they were small.  Marta, Louisa, and Ana knew how to weave and embroider typical material, but now they can also make barrettes, crochet, sew, and knit.  There is no end to their creativity.  We are a family. Bernard and I share the things we have learned , so that our workers can have an easier, healthier life, and be better role models for their families. Each day presents new opportunities to share the love of Christ in Panimaquin.

Success stories

When Nehemias first came to the preschool, he could not talk.  His family thought he couldn’t learn, so they barely interacted with him. They didn’t know that was wrong.  After one week, I noticed he had filled my lap with blocks. I put my arms around him and gave him a hug. "Good job, Nehemias!" I said. He smiled . He filled my lap daily with blocks after that.  That was just the beginning. Gradually, he began saying one syllable words. Now, two years later. He runs up to us, and tells us everything. He’s a wealth of information!  Factor and his wife Florinda were both raised in very abusive homes. Neither have any natural parenting skills. During each church service, Marcos (about 2) would run continuously in a huge circle around the church. Finally, too exhausted to run, his parents would pick him up from the large puddle he had so generously deposited and carry him home. When Benjamin was old enough to run, he carried on the family tradition.  Now, two years later, Marcos is in the class preparing for first grade in January 2001. He proudly writes his numbers and loves to show you his progress with a big smile. Benjamin is in the baby class and doing great. They both sit still in church now and love to clap to the music. What a difference! These are two success stories of many.

They got the point

One day, during a team meeting, I shared how difficult it is for me to see my children and grandchildren for a few days each year. I explained that they barely know who I am or how I feel, because while they were growing up, I was so busy working outside the home and going to school.  Then, I said, "You are like my second family. One of the women,  Louisa, laughed. "You can’t be my mother, I’m 56." I explained that in the project, my job was to be like their mother. To teach them things for easier lives, to worry about them when they have problems, to pray for them, and to feel responsibility toward them.  A few weeks later, I received gifts from two of them for Mother’s Day. They explained, they gave me the gifts, because I acted like a mother to them. When they handed me the gifts, there were tears in their eyes ——– mine too!

It’s a deal

Each payday, the workers will be able to shop in our new store. What do they buy? Rice, sugar, flour, consommé, salt, hand soap, clorox, powdered soap, tomatoes, onions, squash, and potatoes. Sound like your shopping list? They have their favorite brands too. We buy in bulk and pass the savings on to them. Another way to show the love of God.

For all chicken lovers

For all those who have donated money for the chicken house, we haven’t forgotten you. Bernard bought a book about chickens while we were in the states. He has been studying it. (He’s from Philly, he never knew chickens) While Bob Lindstrom was here, he shared the plans of his father‘s chicken house, which held 200 laying hens. Now, it’s only a matter of time.  When we use eggs, we cook 105 eggs at one serving.  The other day, I was driving up our hill, balancing 6 cartons of eggs on top a box filled with "stuff". I made it as far as the front door, when 3 eggs slipped out of the bottom corner. Chente, our dog, was there in a flash! It will be wonderful to have our own eggs.

Building, always building

After finishing the house for Edvy and Bety, Bernard and his men are now putting the roof on a new, larger room for building supplies. We call it the men’s bodega (storeroom) Once the roof is finished, they will be moving in. That frees the old space for the new Laundromat.