Contact

I just wanted to send out the news that I will not be using this blog page, or a blog. If you are still keeping updated with what is going on here in Guatemala and do not have Facebook, please email me at girlofgod08@verizon.net for updates and photos. God bless you all!

CUMC Mission Team 2016

Tomorrow evening Steps of Hope receives its first mission team from Catonsville United Methodist Church! They will be here for one week and everyone is very excited to meet them. Please pray for safety, good weather, and for the Lord to be present the whole time.

Josue

Josue, on the right, showed up with his Mother, who is completely blind, to the school. Neither he, nor his cousin (on left) are studying but would like to be. So they are now part of the tutoring program. They are about 9 years old and do not know how to read or write. Josue's Father was murdered a few months ago. A story came out in the community of a group of people and child who were murdered because they were stealing crops at night. His Father was one of those men. I don't know of all of the details, but both children are very sweet and gentle spirited. Please pray for them and healing that they or their families might need. My heart breaks for this boy, and his cousin. There is something special about them, and I do hope they continue with Steps of Hope.

 

Beginning of Classes 2016

Classes have begun at Steps of Hope. There are many returning students as well as new. English continues with a mix of review for the students who are coming back, and the new ones so they can catch up! Ana continues with her groups of younger children, and Lester has been a blessing as he is tutoring some students in higher level math!

There has also been an addition of students who have come for tutoring from the Special Education School, called Nueva Vida. There have also been English classes added for those students as well, who may have a disability of struggle with learning. They are such beautiful students, and I am pleased to have them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Bittersweet Goodbye

It is a bittersweet time as Jesica, who has worked with me since August, is leaving to take a new job as Director of the Women's Office at the municipality! It is a wonderful opportunity, and she will do very well and is excited to make changes.


As God always has a plan, Lester, Jesica's brother will take over some of her classes and will begin new tutoring higher level math. Please pray for these transitions, and classes as they have begun this week! More photos to come!

School Supplies 2016

These are the students who are sponsored in their classes and are getting ready to begin the 2016 school year! Pray God's provision over each one of them as they begin.

 

 

Samuel said that he is ready to start this school year in his new school.

 

 

Fernando is Samuel's brother. His Mom explained that he was beginning in a new school also, in what is called Primero Basico (like middle school) and wasn't going to be able to go because she could not afford his supplies. He is a very polite and hard working student.

 

 

David has grown in the past few months! He is also excited to begin his school year.

 

 

Melisa is well known at CUMC for her kind spirit and determination. She is also extremely intelligent. Melisa's Mom has been sick for the past few months and through prayers and the support of CUMC through Doctor's visits and medicine, she is doing much better.

 

 

Maria and Daniel are from Steps of Hope in Santa Maria. Maria took 10 days of classes in 2015 but had to drop out. So this is their first year going to school! Pray that these school supplies encourage them in their classes and that they enjoy learning and their parents are encouraged to send them each day.

Steps of Hope Christmas Celebration

On Saturday, we celebrated Christmas at the SOH Center. The children wanted to do a pageant, and The Grinch was chosen. (Which was quite entertaining, I must say!) The children (and Ana and Jesica) worked so hard to memorize the lines, put together the costumes and set, and rehearse. After there was time for ponche, which is a typical hot fruit drink, and snacks with the families of the students who participated and families of the project. There was no better way to finish the 2015 school year!