Such a mixed bag, life on this earth, isn't it? There are times, here in Guatemala, that you don't even want to open the bag for fear of "what else could possibly happen to the people here?"
Some of the challenges thus far in 2010:
Julián's uncle and four others were murdered while sitting outside talking in front of a tienda (little store).
Someone next door to Ruth's house, the same block as the above, was murdered the following week.
Carmen, our friend on crutches, was hit by a motorcycle while begging on a busy street corner, and now, the latest news was that she was missing and her family couldn't find her.
Ruth's brother was recently given the ultimatum that "either you pay me Q1000 or you're dead" (about $127, which is not much by our standards, but a huge amount here). As Oscar told us, "We know our people, and they will do to you what they say they will do."
Our friend, Rosa, lost her baby this past week. She was anywhere between 28-33 weeks into her pregnancy (the doctors couldn't agree). She'd been in and out of the hospital since January. One day she realized that the baby was no longer moving. It was a girl. This is the second baby Rosa has lost in the past year, well into the pregnancies. Rosa also deals with off the charts high glucose levels, so is slowly losing her eyesight. Her daughter, Vilma, 13, and her son, Pedro, 14, are more the caretakers of the three of them than their mom is able to be. Pedro works in the dump instead of going to school. He'd be in the 7th grade.
Pretty sobering stuff. But thank God, there are celebrations as well as challenges!
Ruth's brother is still alive. Our last team did some "high powered" bold praying that this enemy would only see God's army surrounding Ruth's brother and their family and run. We thank God for His protection thusfar.
We have already had two unbelievable teams serving with Groundwork Guatemala. The hands willing to do whatever they're called to do. The hearts filled with compassion. The lives changed forever because of what God has already revealed to these first twenty-three servants in 2010.
43!!!!!!!!! For-ty-three!!!!! That's how many children for whom God has provided sponsors! We're just overwhelmed with how He continually surprises us and provides for the kids here. This year we have children receiving scholarships, not only in Guatemala City, but in Amatitlán, and Buena Vista, as well.
As Sandra and Kevin eat tamales with one of the Amatitlán City Council members, they come to realize that we've been watched! But in a good way, leading to a meeting with the City Council and Mayor. Groundwork Guatemala was offered "whatever you need" to do ministry in Amatitlán. How about some land? How about a building? Tell us what you need! We were given the use of a building for the Colorado medical team...complete with two bathrooms that actually worked!! Woohooo!!! Unfortunately, we had to turn it down beyond that because it's too small for our weekly ministry activities... but then again...
Maybe that's not so unfortunate!! While the attendance in the "El Rincón" location (out in the boonies) has remained pretty stable, the Thursday activities in Gonzalez park would blow the roof off, if there was one!! Holy guacamole! Tons of kids. Tons of adults. What a hoot as God is glorified and people's lives are filled with the Holy Spirit!
This celebration part could go on and on...Ruth is in nursing school, Oscar is taking classes to gain entry into the University, Sandra is taking classes at the University for accounting and auditing, Julián's squirt, Jehisy, just turned one (he'd be happy to show you pictures!), Manuel's kids are growing and they all continue to be such a great example of a Christian family. We have fourteen more teams coming in 2010 and seven on the calendar for 2011! This is turning out to be about three blogs' worth, we have been blessed so richly!!!
But I would like to end by telling you about our visit with Rosa on Monday morning. Julián, Manuel, Sandra, Kevin and I went to, well, just tell Rosa how sorry we are that she was feeling such pain and to check on her ongoing health issues. Not knowing enough Spanish, I did the "hold you in my arms and let you cry" part, which I have learned is fine, just fine...because the Guatemalans are the ones who can share the comfort and encouragement of God's Word best with their people. Sandra's words stuck with me the most this week. She told Rosa that when you don't understand why things happen and you are feeling alone and weak, don't just reach out for God. Grab hold of Him and hang on tightly. We may know that you're going through a difficult time, but God knows exactly how you feel and He will hold you and care for you and take that pain away like no one else can.
So, is there someone at work, in your family, church or neighborhood that's hurting? Find them. Hold them. Tell them that God knows their name and He knows how they feel. And HE can take their pain away in the middle of the challenges. Now, that's something to celebrate!!
