Just when you think...

Many of you have met Beatriz whether in person or through stories we have told in the past. If you have visited where she and her family live, you will never forget it. The reason? Because you feel like you are literally in the garbage dump. There is broken glass, cans and old plastic bottles and junk everywhere. Her usually intoxicated father lives under a piece of tin, set at an angle leaving a space just large enough for him to fit. The lot is a long narrow area with a small shanty at the very far end. In the shanty live Beatriz, her two sons and her two daughters, and her husband. That is, until he was shot and murdered last week. We're not sure why, but he is gone, nonetheless.

Just when you think it couldn't get any harder for Beatriz, it does. Her children play in garbage. Her babies learned to walk on a path made of broken glass. It's dirty, disgusting...and oh man, does it smell in the rainy season. I have no idea what they eat. I've never seen a stove or food anywhere. But, while Beatriz has talked from time to time about praying that God would provide food and maybe a larger place for them to live because they are just squeezed into this shanty, she is usually a house visit that we make where WE are the ones prayed for and uplifted by the faith and spirit of this child of God. (She prayed for the people in the United States and the bad economy when last we visited...) I know that Beatriz will turn to the Lord for the strength she needs to face the challenges ahead. Her husband wasn't a very great character, but he did at least provide for the family in some way. But God is the great Provider and we know He will supply all her needs.

For those of you who know Rosa, there is news about her, as well. Kevin began treating Rosa's ridiculously high, over the maximum number on the glucometer blood sugar count (500!) last year. She continues to come to Groundwork every 1-2 weeks to be checked and to receive much needed medication along with lots of hugs and love. When we returned in January, we found out that Rosa was pregnant. Of course, this brings it's own set of challenges for someone with diabetes, so getting her count lowered was even more important. Rosa's husband has a history of abusive behavior and leaves her and her son and daughter frequently, then returns forcefully. It's a pretty tough situation, to say the least. Sadly, Rosa lost her baby in April. Our hearts break for her loss, knowing that God's wisdom is beyond ours and His comfort beyond measure. We are grateful for the time we can spend being His arms of love on Sunday afternoons when she comes.

These are just two of the thousands of mothers in Guatemala that are handling such a difficult life by themselves. They have no support, no government welfare program. They have no family to help out. We just pray that, as a ministry and their brothers and sisters in Christ, we can be available and obedient to God's call to remember them, pray for them, to relieve some of their pain, to share the burden, to feed and clothe. To love.

Marshmallows

Until moving to Guatemala, I had always thought that marshmallows were for eating. There are lots tasty ways I've used them. Melted with some butter and added to Rice Krispies...mmm, Rice Krispie treats! Sprinkle a few on your hot chocolate...that special touch mommy used to add just for fun...but be careful you don't end up with a marshmallow mustache! In the midwest, we've all had tiny marshmallows in red jello, right? Then, almost everyone's favorite...SMORES!! Oh yeah, now we're talkin'!! A little graham cracker action, a nice big square of Hershey's chocolate and an evenly browned roasted marshmallow all squished together...gotta love it!!!

Well, in Guatemala, marshmallows have taken on a whole new form. First of all, they're not white. They come in a lovely array of pastel colors. The unique thing about them is that there is a ring of one color around the outside, with a different color in the center! Now I'm sure that people here must eat these marshmallows, but I've never seen them do it. What I have seen is Marshmallow Art! That's right. People make things out of these cute 2-colored puffs. Last week for his birthday, Kevin received three little marshmallow animals on sticks. And Monday, I received a cute marshmallow flower on a stick from Sandra for Mother's Day. Birthdays and Mother's Day are very important days in Guatemala and marshmallow penguins and bears and flowers are very inexpensive ways to let someone special know that they are loved. But they're so cute you hate to eat them!!