Greetings from Guatemala!

 

It is good to be back in Guatemala. I was missing all of the children from Steps of Hope and it helps to be with them while I'm still thinking of my family! Things are slowing down for the year. The students have already been on vacation from public school for about a month now and don't return until January, so they are really mentally on vacation! We have been doing some review of what each student has been studying in English classes but mostly games and even a movie (on a DVD player that was donated from someone at CUMC!) There will be no official classes until January but we will still be open as many of them still come.
There will be two students (apart from those with sponsorships) who will be receiving school supplies because they are now registered for the first time to begin in public school in January! They have not been able to in the past because of lack of funds.
I cannot express how incredible it was being able to talk with everyone face to face because it makes me feel like everyone has more of a personal connection to Steps of Hope. And I thank each one of you who are supporting in so many ways, I can never thank you enough.

The Beauty of Fall

 

Happy Fall! I am home and it is by far one of my favorite seasons. I think I write that every time it is the fall or winter, because it is the truth. I'm home and am enchanted by the cold and the leaves; even the Christmas music and lights that have begun to make it feel like the most magical time of the year. There is so much peace in my heart.

I went to church this morning and saw so many faces that I love to see when I am home, and am now here watching a Christmas movie with my sister with a fire in the fireplace. As much as Guatemala and it's people have my heart and it feels like home, there are no replacing moments, places, and people like this.

I am fortunate to have Jesica at Steps of Hope to run classes and the office as I am gone. I don't know what I would have done without her! I had a meeting with the Director of another school that is for students with special needs before I left. Her students have more severe disabilities and many needs. Many families go to her for help and with the desire for the students to study at her school. At this moment, they are essentially full and some of the students (for various reasons) don't qualify. So I made referral documents so those families can come to SOH for tutoring help. Some of the student in need of help have failed due to one class, many times math, and have to repeat the school year. It is my hope that those parents will come and register their children to be part of the tutoring program, where we will work with them one-on-one to meet all of their specific needs. Please pray during these months that the Lord will send the families our direction.

I hope to see all of you when I am here, but if I do not please know how much I appreciate your encouragement and support, always.

Graduation 2015

These are the two students who graduated from Basico, what is the equivalent of Middle School and are continuing their education in Diversificado, High School. It is very exciting and I am so proud of the hard work. This is all thanks to Catonsville United Methodist Church, whose support of these students in the two and three years they have had sponsorships have made this possible! You all should be proud as well!

 Samuel, sponsored by Tim and Linda Pyle and the CUMC evening service.

Melisa, sponsored by the CUMC bible study group.

They will both be registering in High Schools in Antigua, and I am certain God has plans for the next for years of these students. Pray that they will continue in their education but also continue to know who the Lord is in their lives.

New Teachers, New Classes

It is a privilege to have Ana and Jesica as the new teachers at Steps of Hope! Ana has added a new tutoring class. Jesica as also added a tutoring class and weekend English classes for those who cannot study during the weekday. She has also been added full-time to help in the office, and is starting her own side program called Without Borders to work with the elderly in the community. I feel very blessed that God has provided these two women to be part of the project! 

 

Ana with her new students.

 

 

 

Nancy, one of the students whose education is solely coming from the project, as she is not studying in public school. 

 

Jesica preparing for her English classes. She planned her own curriculum!

 

 

SOH Library Center

Welcome to the Steps of Hope Library Center! The students have a chance to come for free play and use the center to spend time with their friends and family members. 

 

 

 

First Weeks of Classes

Enjoy the photos of the first 3 weeks of classes! There are English classes from students ranging from 8-9, 10-13, and youth. There is also the tutoring program for the students who are ages 4-10. Many of them (those little ones from the tutoring classes) are not in school, and are simply learning the basics-letters and numbers. Some of their parents simply aren't sending them to school.  These students have grabbed my heart and I thank God for this opportunity to be working with these beautiful children.

 

 The tree being painted is for the library room that is in progress, a room for free learning time with books, games, puzzles, and toys.

 

The English class ages 8-9. 

 

A few of the English students ages 10-13.

 

The older English students doing groupwork.

 Tutoring with the little ones!

 

 Enjoying some free time.

Registration

The Steps of Hope project has finally begun registering students! The more the community finds out about
the project, the more they stop by for information. I am collecting student information and school schedules to put together my own schedule for the students. I am now advertising for English classes, but have come across some children that could benefit from Spanish and Math tutoring...some students who are older and are just now learning to read and write. I fall in love with the community more and more each time I am there, and with the people. Guatemala has such beautiful people. The house has now been painted, thanks to the owner and his family, and looks fresh. 

I wanted to thank the CUMC Vacation Bible School program for this year for choosing Steps of Hope as one of their projects! They raised money each day of the week. I am so grateful. Thank you!