It has certainly been a
very exciting past couple of weeks, as our work is back into full-swing. I have
almost finished with school visits with the parents of the students we have in
the sponsorship program. Each visit has gone very with, with directors and teachers
who are willing to collaborate and work together with us to make sure that each
student and their families are doing their part. We also have a new addition,
his name is Berni. He is 23 years old but never finished school. Through other
sponsors, he had studied for one year to become an electrician, and now works
during the day. He has been eager to study again and finish regular schooling,
and got in touch with me to see if we had the resources to help him. He is one
of our most excited students and will be studying on the weekends. He says that
this is a true answer to prayer and that he knows it is a gift from God.
We also had the
opportunity to host our very first mission team for smallchange4bigchange! It
was a group of 4 that came from Salt Lake City, Utah, where Lisa is from. They are four
Christians who in different stages of life left the Mormon church. Their
stories are fascinating, and each of them has truly come to the realization of
the Truth and of who Christ is. For some of them, they almost or already have
lost their relationships with their family members due to their new beliefs,
but they understand it is for the sake of the Lord. Their faith and strength
was inspiring and it was a huge blessing to have them here with us! They paid
for and installed 3 stoves, and were able to visit Hermano Pedro Orphanage and
take the children out to lunch. They made some real connections with some of the members of these families, and hope to come back to continue that relationship. God moved their hearts this week and they saw
the needs of people here in Guatemala, and want to continue to provide
resources. God is so much bigger than we realize, we forget that everything,
like money, is His in the first place.
Catonsville United Methodist Church (my home church) is planning a trip to work here for a week in March. If you are from that area and interested in this trip, please let me know and I will pass your information along to the team leader. God is good and if it is in His plan, this team will be able to work during that time. Praise Him!
There is something new years that are exciting. I’m sure I said
the same thing last year, but it really is a special time. I’m always ready to
begin again, after so many mistakes and lessons, after so much grace from God. I
like to make new decisions and plans for the year, as well as look back on the
past one and everything that happened. I
truly cannot believe how God has worked, and there is no greater place than
knowing that God has me right where He wants me. He confirms that to me every
day. I am unworthy in every way, especially to be used by Him. It blows my mind
that the Lord takes such good care of me when I don’t go His way. He still
works out my paths. Sometimes my heart wells up with joy and delight when I think about everything He has planned
and what He is doing here!
I could not have had a
better time with my family over the holidays. It was wonderful to not have a
schedule and be able to simply spend time with the ones I love. I love seeing
my niece and nephew and how they’ve changed; my nephew now in kindergarten and
writing letters and my niece using sentences and being able to communicate her
needs; how my brother has new quirks along with the old ones! My sister, Haley,
is almost a teenager but has the most beautiful spirit. Some of my most special
times are when I can sit down with my parents and talk to them face to face,
about everything going on in all of our lives. Without their support, I
wouldn’t have the strength to do this and be away from them. Knowing they are
always there backing up my life choices makes all of the difference. My sister,
Julie, is my best friend. There is no relationship with anyone like I have with
her. When we’re together after so many months of being apart, it’s as though I
had never been away! I love spending time with her husband, who I can safely
say is one of my best friends too. I could go on and on talking about them and
how much they all mean to me. I am so grateful that someone paid for my ticket
home to be with them.
We have had various
donations since the beginning of 2013, and it looks as though it will be enough
for many projects and student sponsorships. Matt comes back today, and we will
have a meeting on Sunday to plan out the work. At this point, there is much to
do and we 3 will be in charge of separate projects. It took a couple days to
get back into the swing of things, but we began this week by visiting some
homes and contacts. The most important for the beginning of this month is making sure all of the students are inscripted in classes and will have uniforms and materials for the beginning of the school year.
Thank you all always
for your support, I will continue to keep you updated on what is happening!
It has certainly been a
very exciting past couple of weeks, as our work is back into full-swing. I have
almost finished with school visits with the parents of the students we have in
the sponsorship program. Each visit has gone very with, with directors and teachers
who are willing to collaborate and work together with us to make sure that each
student and their families are doing their part. We also have a new addition,
his name is Berni. He is 23 years old but never finished school. Through other
sponsors, he had studied for one year to become an electrician, and now works
during the day. He has been eager to study again and finish regular schooling,
and got in touch with me to see if we had the resources to help him. He is one
of our most excited students and will be studying on the weekends. He says that
this is a true answer to prayer and that he knows it is a gift from God. 
