Friday, December 19, 2008
Just a few pictures...
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...and an honest plea
Since I'm not using my computer, I'm only uploading a few pictures. On Tuesday and Wednesday we visited five different villages doing the same Christmas program, which consisted of singing a few children's songs in Spanish, a few Christmas songs (in Spanish, like "Hoy es Navidad") doing a drama called "The Happy King" (or El Rey Feliz), having students recite memory verses, and then distributing the Christmas gifts. There were so so many precious kids. Some were dirty, some were dressed up, some would smile and hug and bless us, and others would be timid and shy.
Especially look in the photo album for pictures of Kellye and I with our sponsor family, the Salvador Puacs. When we were here two years ago, we decided we wanted to give a monthly donation to sponsor a child, and looking through pictures of possible kids, we recognized Octavio. We learned he had three siblings, and so we decided to sponsor the whole family. They live in Santo Domingo, which is about 3 1/2 hours from Guatemala City, which meant we didn't get to visit the last time we were here. However, this trip, we were in their village. I spotted Octavio just before we started the Christmas program, and we were able to talk with him and his brother, Jose Angel. Then after the program we went to their house and talked with their mom and dad and step-sister, Maria. We gave them some food and a few simple gifts, and then played frisbee together. As we were playing in their little dirt yard, Beth (one of the missionaries) spoke with the dad about his faith. He said he didn't go to church, but when she asked, he agreed to praying to receive Jesus as his savior. Kellye initiated the prayer, and the dad was very responsive. I've seen a few pictures of him before, and he was never smiling. But after we prayed, he seemed to laugh and have a lighter spirit. We spoke with the pastor of the church which is literally just across the street, and he said he would follow up and get them a Bible as soon as possible. It was a really special moment for Kellye and I, and for the family.
Before we left, I told the family what was on my heart - that Kellye and I both have lots of family in Ohio, brothers and sisters, their spouses, our parents, and many others we love and care about. Family is very important to us and we treasure our family. But our family in Santo Doming - the Salvador Puacs - have become close to my heart as well, and I treasure them as family as well. We keep their pictures on our refrigerator, in my journal, and I think about them a lot. The kids are growing up, the family is changing with a new marriage and the older kids going off to work, but I still think of them as close family. I think about the next life when we will be able to play and talk and live together like family again. I consider it a huge privilege to sponsor this family, to be able to send money every month, gifts and pictures every now and then, and even the great privilege of being able to visit. It was an honor to see them.
As I've talked with Roger and Beth, I've learned that people from the States sponsoring children is one of their biggest sources of income and really keeps the programs here going. $20-$25 a month is paid to support a child, and really it pays for almost 3 children to eat 3 meals a week, be enrolled in the feeding program where they receive weekly training and care from the staff, as well as the yearly special programs like what we have done this week. Sponsoring a child is truly a blessing, a privilege, an honor, and something practical that you can do to make a difference in the lives of these kids. Hearts for Heaven has three solid feeding programs, which each feed over a hundred kids a week, and they are always looking to start more.
If you don't already sponsor a child, or would like to sponsor another, take a look at their website, or send me an email, and make a small commitment that will make a huge difference. And who knows, maybe someday you and I can come back down to Guatemala and hang out with your sponsor kids. And then I know for sure, someday, we'll all get to hang out together and look back at the difference a few dollars made in this life.
...and an honest plea
Since I'm not using my computer, I'm only uploading a few pictures. On Tuesday and Wednesday we visited five different villages doing the same Christmas program, which consisted of singing a few children's songs in Spanish, a few Christmas songs (in Spanish, like "Hoy es Navidad") doing a drama called "The Happy King" (or El Rey Feliz), having students recite memory verses, and then distributing the Christmas gifts. There were so so many precious kids. Some were dirty, some were dressed up, some would smile and hug and bless us, and others would be timid and shy.
Especially look in the photo album for pictures of Kellye and I with our sponsor family, the Salvador Puacs. When we were here two years ago, we decided we wanted to give a monthly donation to sponsor a child, and looking through pictures of possible kids, we recognized Octavio. We learned he had three siblings, and so we decided to sponsor the whole family. They live in Santo Domingo, which is about 3 1/2 hours from Guatemala City, which meant we didn't get to visit the last time we were here. However, this trip, we were in their village. I spotted Octavio just before we started the Christmas program, and we were able to talk with him and his brother, Jose Angel. Then after the program we went to their house and talked with their mom and dad and step-sister, Maria. We gave them some food and a few simple gifts, and then played frisbee together. As we were playing in their little dirt yard, Beth (one of the missionaries) spoke with the dad about his faith. He said he didn't go to church, but when she asked, he agreed to praying to receive Jesus as his savior. Kellye initiated the prayer, and the dad was very responsive. I've seen a few pictures of him before, and he was never smiling. But after we prayed, he seemed to laugh and have a lighter spirit. We spoke with the pastor of the church which is literally just across the street, and he said he would follow up and get them a Bible as soon as possible. It was a really special moment for Kellye and I, and for the family.
Before we left, I told the family what was on my heart - that Kellye and I both have lots of family in Ohio, brothers and sisters, their spouses, our parents, and many others we love and care about. Family is very important to us and we treasure our family. But our family in Santo Doming - the Salvador Puacs - have become close to my heart as well, and I treasure them as family as well. We keep their pictures on our refrigerator, in my journal, and I think about them a lot. The kids are growing up, the family is changing with a new marriage and the older kids going off to work, but I still think of them as close family. I think about the next life when we will be able to play and talk and live together like family again. I consider it a huge privilege to sponsor this family, to be able to send money every month, gifts and pictures every now and then, and even the great privilege of being able to visit. It was an honor to see them.
As I've talked with Roger and Beth, I've learned that people from the States sponsoring children is one of their biggest sources of income and really keeps the programs here going. $20-$25 a month is paid to support a child, and really it pays for almost 3 children to eat 3 meals a week, be enrolled in the feeding program where they receive weekly training and care from the staff, as well as the yearly special programs like what we have done this week. Sponsoring a child is truly a blessing, a privilege, an honor, and something practical that you can do to make a difference in the lives of these kids. Hearts for Heaven has three solid feeding programs, which each feed over a hundred kids a week, and they are always looking to start more.
If you don't already sponsor a child, or would like to sponsor another, take a look at their website, or send me an email, and make a small commitment that will make a huge difference. And who knows, maybe someday you and I can come back down to Guatemala and hang out with your sponsor kids. And then I know for sure, someday, we'll all get to hang out together and look back at the difference a few dollars made in this life.
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