Gearing up for the year

Wow, it is hard to believe it is already February! We continue to plug away at lots of different ministries, and are constantly amazed at all that God is doing around us! I was able to get out and give several more water filters a couple of weeks ago. We have several more ready to be brought from the States for us, they will come with a team in March. We will continue to reach out to the neighborhood in Zona 3 by the dump. We have also been approached by a new project being started by nationals here called "Abrazando mi Guatemala" (Hugs for my Guatemala). One village they are targeting is San Juan, Sacatepéquez, where there is a huge need for safe drinking water. We hope to be able to help them with some water filters also.

Señora Toribia Jolon and her 2 sons with their water filter

Their 2 room casita is just beyond the black door

Sandi and I have begun teaching English 2 nights a week at the Casa Juvenil with 8 girls between 17 and 26 yrs old. It has been fun. As they realize how difficult it can be to learn another language, they seem to appreciate our struggles to communicate with them in Spanish also!

I have also enlisted a Dentist and an Orthodontist that have expressed a desire to help people with need. The dentist has seen several girls from the casa juvenil and youth from las Aldeas. She has given free initial check-ups, then is giving them some incredibly low prices to do any needed work! The Orthodontist said she would like to provide orthodontic work to at least one patient a year free! I was able to bring her 3 candidates, and she decided to help TWO of them this year! They will be getting braces put on this coming Wednesday! One is 19 yrs old, the other 14.

We are gearing up for two teams coming in March. One from Texas that will work here in the city. Immediately after them follows a group from The INN at Western Washington University in Bellingham! They will work for a week in Huehuetenango. We are also in the middle of the application period for our summer intern program. Applications must be in by March 15, so we are busy these days corresponding with potential interns, answering questions etc.

It is looking to be a full year in 2010. God is moving and we are so blessed to be here being used by Him to serve others.