Lazaro and Glendy far right with Bernard and Trish in front of part of our new play yard for the small children in the project. Some of our 4-6 year olds and some of our after school class and Iliana (second from the left) one of our teacher aides who is starting her 5th year.. When we first came to Panimaquin, the children started first grade at age 7 with no knowledge of numbers, colors, or how to follow simple directions. This week Iliana’s son Erick started 2nd grade. He is six and has been part of our project for 4 years.
We proudly attended the 9th grade graduation of Bety, who worked with us 3 ½ years. She has gone each Saturday morning for 3 years to further her education. GMO continues to pay her tuition as she begins 10th grade this Saturday.
Dalila ,17 has attended and helped in the Project for 3 years. She too continues her education on Saturdays. She enters 9th grade this week. She also graduated from a 3 month course for Nurses Aide. After her graduation in Jan, she was hired by a missionary friend of ours to work in her ministry to wheelchair bound and disabled children/adults in Chimaltenango( town where we go to shop and do email). She started 1/20/04. She works 96 hours on and 96 hours off giving meds, physical therapy, and just providing lots of love. We are very proud of Dalila.
Trish prays for safety, guidance, and blessings for Blanca, Loida, and Silvia three alumnae of the Project. These 3 and Marina began 7th grade at the bottom of the hill in Itzapa on the 20th. They will be staying in their uncle’s homes M-F and returning to the village for the weekends. Loida has been in the project 6 years, Blanca and Silvia 4 years. Their fathers came to thank us for the nutrition, education, and Godly training they received in our project and asked us to pray a blessing over the girls. Bernard counseled the girls about the dangers they may face as innocent girls coming from a very protected environment. He also told them as Christians they represented the Lord , their families, and our Project in their new school. As Bernard prayed over each girl, then their fathers the presence of the Lord was powerful. It doesn’t get much better than this!
We met Mindy and John in the supermarket. They were in the process of adopting Eliseo (Elisha) the baby in blue. They both were in tears from the stress of waiting since April 2003 for the final signatures. We told them to call if there were more problems and we would do whatever it took to help. Adoptions are very stressful and it is very scary to be in a foreign country and not speak the language, we have been in both situations. They have spent the last two very emotional weeks with us in Panimaquin. After many delays, lies, and threats the adoption is final. Mindy told the Lord, "There is absolutely nothing left to do, but have faith in you, Lord." as we all entered a private room in a small hotel in the capital to show the baby to his birth mother(holding him).
For days, Mindy and John had cried as they received one disappointing call after another. We were told the mother wanted the baby back. This photo was the end of the most beautiful scene you could imagine as the birth mother explained that she could not keep the baby, because she is too poor. She then knelt and prayed, "Father, you know my heart- how I have suffered to give away this baby that I love. You know I just wanted to hold and kiss him one more time. Please bless him and his new parents." Well! Everyone cried as the room was filled with the Spirit of God. Later that evening, we were celebrating in a restaurant. The waitor, Moises (Moses) a bi- vocational pastor laid hands on Eliseo and said, "You are going to be a pastor." God, you are faithful and your mercy is new every morning.
Christmas eve we visited each family in the project. Here, Marta(in charge of our factory) is preparing the traditional tamales in her kitchen.
Linda Brown (from our home church) was really touched by all the children. She is sitting with Elena holding her new sister Glendy and Daniel,her big brother. Daniel was the first student in the Project 7 years ago. Pablo, his father who works with Bernard started the church in his home. While here, Linda took photos and video for the project. This was her second trip to Guatemala.
John Hilbert, GMO’s administrative assistant, visited with Linda Brown over Thanksgiving holiday. John and Linda were here for the Women’s Retreat attended by 113 from the village. They also helped with preparations for all the Christmas events. John charmed all the children, they are still asking about him. It was great that John finally got to see the ministry he so efficiently represents in the States! Come back soon!
Pastor Bud and Pam Gressett from Houston area came for their second visit to Panimaquin. We met and worked with them on a short mission trip when we were working alongside Dr. Hermann Alb 9 years ago. This year they came after our hectic Christmas festivities to take us on vacation. Susan Schoff’s (right) husband was to accompany them on this trip, but died suddenly age 54 with this fall’s severe strain of flu following a few days of extremely high fever and coma. Susan ministered to us in a powerful way during our week together. Her courage is remarkable. Please pray for a solution to the insurmountable hospital and doctor bills incurred during David’s brain surgery and short ICU stay.
Josh Woehr, on leave from the Green Berets (left) wanted to experience a typical work day of a Guatema lan man. Vito and his three oldest sons and Josh worked in the fields all day under the hot son harvesting their corn crop. Marta, reheated tamales from Christmas day for their lunch under a makeshift plastic tent to protect the four smaller children from the sun. Josh was with us for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. He was a blessing!