Remember The Lord Your God...

Remember The Lord Your God... because He will remember you.   Those were the words Pastor Mario spoke to David's family.  He then quoted Deuteronomy 8:18...

"But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today".

We celebrated David and Roselia's home.  This was one of those special ones where the story might sound far fetched unless you were on the ground here to witness it.  We didn't even realize all that happened until we heard the whole story at the key ceremony.  

David came to us in need of a home years ago.  He has a small plot of land but no means to build a home for his wife and four daughters. They were living with a relative at the time.  Fast forward to the Sunday before Thanksgiving, when the Stevens family was visiting us from Indiana.  Chris and the family were on the way back from Buena Vista.  (We had one more house to build before the end of the year and Chris needed to decide between 2 families, David's being one of them). They were on their way to see the other family so Chris could get a feel of which one to do next.  As they were getting ready to round a corner, Chris saw David and Roselia walking toward them in the street.  This, in and of itself, is a miracle because Chris usually drives past people we know on the street and never "sees" them and we had not seen this family in 2-3 months.  He stopped and discovered that they were out looking for wood to build a shack on their land which was nearby.  The family member told them they had to leave so they were essentially homeless at that point.  We knew immediately that they would get the next home and our friends visiting knew this was the family they wanted to sponsor a home for.  Pretty neat story but that's just our side of it.  For David, he learned on Saturday that they would have to leave and find another place to live. They prayed and asked for God to provide a place for them and Mario suggested they build a little shack on their land - they were praying for God to provide what they needed to build the shack - wood or cornstalk.  That night, David had a dream that he was out cutting wood from trees.  They got up Sunday morning and went out looking for pieces of wood to buy from people near their land. On the way they passed a little church so they stood outside and sang songs for a few minutes, worshipping God and praying for His provision.  As they walked away from the church, they met Chris in the street.  

The key ceremony was one of those moments where we could feel the presence of God and the communion between Him, David and Roselia and their family.  It was a special moment.  

In the midst of their need, they stopped to sing praises to their Lord.  Chances are, had they not sang, they would not have seen Chris and he would have gone to the other family and decided to build that house first.  

Education Project Video

In case you haven't seen it here is a short thank you video for everyone that helped with the education project back in October & November.  In the last few weeks the Children here began their school year. The project supplied several families with whom we are working school uniforms & supplies.  It's hard to believe these are the things that keep kids from going to school here!  We hope you enjoy the video.

Haide

Haide

Haide's family has a 12x12 home, that's how we know them.  They live way down the bottom of a hill in Buena Vista.  When visiting them last year in February, Haide had quit school which only started in January.  She was 11 at the time and was frustrated from kids making fun of her but that's all we got.  Gladys (her mom) told us they needed supplies and uniforms. They got some help with all that and Haide went back.  In September we visited them again to let them know we were going to ask people in the US to help with school supplies the next year and see if they would need help again (we knew they would).  This time we learned that Haide will be going into the 5th grade but......she can't read.  Of course this was one of those God appointed moments where we knew we had to help this girl with school.  Otherwise, she doesn't stand a chance at having a better life.  We left that day wondering how she was going to get help and praying that she would.  There is no way she would get any help from the school there.  How is this going to happen?  

Some time passes, our school supply/uniform fundraiser in the States was truly blessed and many kids were going to get help with school.  We asked the family that sponsored Haide's home to sponsor  their supplies/uniforms, we never mentioned the reading issue.  Not only did they send money for the supplies, they sent 3 times what we needed!  This will give Haide the opportunity to go to a small private school here in Magdalena to get the help she needs with reading.  

The school is called Colegio de Memorial Norma De Monroy.  We took Haide, her mom and baby brother there yesterday to get registered.  I could tell she was nervous.  What I thought would be a short registration process turned out to be a longer talk.  The Director came out to see Haide and took her back to a room to see if she really could read (I don't think she believed her) and how much.  While she was there, the assistant asked Gladys if they ever hit Haide or if she is punished for not reading.  She asked if she hugs her kids and loves on them.  Is their home a happy environment - some really blunt questions.  When the Director returned with Haide, some more personal things came out and the questions got more blunt.  It was a little awkward and there were tears but we left knowing this school would be a good place for a young girl who is timid and feels bad about herself for not being able to read.  Turns out, she's 12 and doesn't even know her letters....and she was going to 5th grade.  

Talking with the Assistant Director

The verse for this story is the same as many others:

Ephesians 3:20

20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Amen!

In getting an education, the odds are stacked against kids in Buena Vista. There are kids who graduate from 6th grade who can't read and write.  It's baffling to us but there is hope for them!  
Educate BV  is there and doing incredible things to help the students further their education and helping the community.  Check out their website. The Schmidt's and Harman's are doing great things for Buena Vista!  

The Pig Family

The family with the pig

In a place where it seems everyone's name is Carlos, Jose, Maria, Sandra, Perez, Lopez, Hernandez, or Valesquez, etc., it's difficult to remember the names of people.  We visited a couple of families recently  and later I asked Chris about a certain one.  He didn't know who I was talking about and I didn't know their names so I said "The family with the pig living in their house....the pig family". From here on out, they will be known to us as such.  We also have "The Tree House Family" because they live a little ways out of town, up on the side of the mountain, in the woods.  Being there reminded us of being up in a tree house.  There was "The Plastic House Family" because they lived in a home made of plastic.  Sometimes the reference is funny and sometimes not.

This couple, Paulina and Casimiro,  live in a home/area with one of their sons, their daughter and grandson. They sleep on their only bed and Paulina and Casimiro sleep on the floor.  This is one of the roughest homes we have seen - made out of sheets of lamina with gaps at the top where the cold air blows in and probably rain too, dirt floors and of course, the pig right in their cooking area with a few chickens.  Do you know how dirty pigs are?  If not, check out Google because if I go into those details I would be talking inappropriately and I tell my boys not to do that.  It's disgusting, not to mention a health hazard. He's not their only hazard though.  There are the elements they are exposed to and they cook over an open fire on the floor.  Just from meeting this couple, you can tell life has been hard for them and they struggle to get by.  They have a son and his family who live next to them in a small, two-room concrete house.  We have seen this before - kids and their families live "inside" while the older parents basically live "outside".

pila where they wash

the pig 

their stove

where they sleep

their son, daughter and grandchildren

their granddaughter 

guys from Church on the Way bringing food

great guys from Church on the Way

Difficult story but it has a happy ending....they are getting a new home - thank you Church on the Way.  Can't wait to post the update!  The gift giving season is upon us and this family will receive one that will change the way they live and put a little hope in their hearts.

School is Out!

We've whined and complained for 10 months, but now it's time for a little break - school is out.    Woohoo - we could not be happier!  Jed had a little Prekindergarten program and Jack had a fancy graduation.  Nothing special for Jon other than pure joy.  Here are some pictures....

So excited to be going to our little brothers program

A little toy soldier

The paparazzi of parents

Very proud of our boy!

Jack's cupcake was the only one with blond hair :)  

A Wedding for Miriam

The Tulio Family

We've met many couples who live together and are not married.  In spanish, they refer to each other as "spouse" but we've learned that it doesn't necessarily mean they are "casado" or married - they are "unidos" which means together.  They love each other, are committed to each other, have kids together but never had the wedding.  In asking a few questions, the answer is always the same - they didn't have money for a wedding.  No surprise for people who live in poverty.  Here, weddings are a big deal and expensive. You have to feed and entertain LOTS of people.   The same goes for funerals.  The moment someone dies, the family starts buying food to prepare for all the people who will come to pay their respects - it can be over 100 people.  There is no option.  They will borrow themselves into great debt for a lost loved one.  I'm sure some will do the same for a wedding but not the ones we know.

The happy couple

Marco and Miriam met in their youth group at church.  One day there was a picnic at a park.  They got to talking and here we are, 10 years later. They have lived together for 8 years and have two precious kids - Selvin 7 and Kelly 1.  We met them because they received a 12x12 house - read about it here.  A few weeks ago, we had some friends in town.  We went over to visit and got to talking. They told us about their upcoming wedding at their church. Every 2 - 3 years, the church puts on a wedding for couples who want to get married but don't have the money.  They provide all the food, music, cake, ceremony, etc.  The whole church helps out to make it a special day.  As Miriam was sharing, she told us that they were going to wear their regular clothes, nothing fancy.  Now, if you haven't read about their house yet, they are POOR.  They barely have money to eat and sometimes don't even have that.  We asked them what they needed and they said "nothing" - they never want to ask us for anything and rarely do.  They feel that we have blessed them so much with their house that they do no want to take advantage.  It was like pulling teeth out of a bear to get them to let us help pay for the cake, punch and flowers - at this point we didn't know the event was for 500 people! so we only helped with flowers and part of the cake.  As we were leaving, we were all thinking the same thing - we have to get them proper clothes for the wedding.

At the paca - we found the dress! 

A few days later, we headed to the paca (used clothes market) in Antigua.  If we were in the US, we would have gone to a place like David's Bridal to shop but "Dorothy, we aren't in Kansas anymore."  So where do we go?  The paca.  This is the place that stuff  Goodwill can't/won't sell goes to die.  There are different vendors set up who have tables with piles of clothes to pick through, some have things hanging up and sometimes there are piles of stuff on the ground.  Nothing is in order according to size, etc.  It was a small task to try and find all the clothing this family needed but after a few trips, we got it all - dresses, shoes, shirts, pants, jackets, ties, right down to little tights for baby Kelly. 

Natalia (Miriam's mom), Kelly, Selvin, Marco, Miriam

The wedding was lovely and the church was so kind in hosting this event.  There were 3 other couples who got married that day as well.  The mayor came and preformed a civil ceremony first followed by a church ceremony and then a big reception.  I've said this before and you will hear it again and again,  it really is a privilege for us to be part of all what  God is doing here.  I don't know how Miriam felt about what she would wear to her wedding or even if she prayed for God to provide something nice but He did.  God has used us and a few of our friends many times to help this family with food, medicine, clothes and now their wedding.  It's not us, it's Him and it's an honor to be His hands and feet. 

Baby Kelly 

Guatemala Education Project

After living here a little while and thinking in terms of what makes a "long term impact" in helping to break the cycle of poverty, we believe education is one of the keys.  If a child can go to school, learn to read and write, and further his/her education by learning specific skills and a trade, their chances of getting a job that pays a good wage greatly increases.  If having a job that can support a person or a family - a house, food, medicine, clothes, schooling, etc.,  then the chances of that person/family living in poverty greatly decreases.  We know countless single moms who can't read or write and countless people who have never gone past the 6th grade, some of those can't read and write either.  How do they support themselves and their families?  They have jobs that pay minimum wage working in fields and tiendas but they struggle and therefore live in extreme poverty.  We've asked ourselves, what can we do and the most logical answer would be to give those people a better job.  But what is necessary for a better job?  An education.  

Here in Guatemala, primaria (elementary school) is free for students to attend. However, students may only attend if they can provide the required supplies and uniforms. The cost of those things is approximately $90 US Dollars. That amount of money is as much as one family might earn in one month here. Many families make much less money than that. Multiply that by 2 or 3 or 4 schoolchildren in a family and it is easy to see why so many kids do not get the most basic education. 

Last month we started an education project that we are VERY excited about. We know so many kids and families here in Magdalena who can't always afford food and who often have their kids work to help support the family. We help these families as much as we can, but now we are helping the kids specifically. We have been working with some folks at Journey Church in Jacksonville to get these kids' school expenses sponsored, giving them an opportunity for an education. It has only been a couple of weeks, but people in the States have already poured so much love and support on these kids! We are thrilled and we are basking in God's goodness.  

Unfortunately it seems we have hit a little bit of a bump.  Getting an education is a challenge but for a couple little guys we know, the challenge is greater.

Meet Kevin and Selvin......

 Kevin 11 and is in 2nd grade. Most 2nd graders are about 7 years old. Kevin isn't like most 2nd graders, though. He dropped out of school this year because he can't read. Last week we took him to a tutor. She said he was "slow" and needs a lot of help - extra time doing assignments, more explanations, help with reading, etc. She recommended he go to a smaller school that could give him more attention. The only problem is that there is no smaller public school. There is no help for him at public school. The only schooling option he has right now is private school. 

Selvin is 7 and is going to be in 1st grade. He has never been to school before. We just saw Selvin and his family last week, all dressed up. They were headed to enroll Selvin in a small, private school in a nearby town because he is "especial". We had no idea Selvin was in need of a special education! What we do know is his family was going there because they heard it was free and it seemed like their only option for an education for their son. But, the school they were going to visit is only free for students who live in that area, which would not include Selvin. 

Both of these families are poor, poor and barely have food to eat and sometimes, even as I'm writing this, not even that. I have given both families food this week. Private school is not an option or even a possibility for these families. 

But I really can't accept that school is over for Kevin and that Selvin will never start. Both of these boys just got a pass to go work in the fields for the rest of their lives and are destined for a life in poverty.  However, God put our family here for many reasons and these boys are two of them.  

There is a small, private school here that's great (affiliated with a group in the US) and takes all kids. ALL kids! This is really the only option that Kevin and Selvin have, but the tuition is around $30/month per child plus supplies and uniforms. After they have been in the school for 6 months, students are put on a waiting list to be sponsored by people in the US. Even after they are sponsored their families are still responsible for 1/2 the tuition- $15/month. It is my understanding that once they are in the school and they get sponsored through the organization, they are set for however long they stay in school, even through basico (middle school). But right now we are just praying that God would make a way for them to be enrolled at the school. We are trusting that He will work out the details. The tuition would be $300 for this year for each boy. School starts in January.

I know it's a lot but it's not too much for God. 

Selvin's family

Kevin's family