GRADUATION TIME!

It is that time of year again for graduations here in Guatemala!

Every year we get invited to quite a few graduations and at many I am asked to be "Dad".

This year we had some very special graduations.

It began earlier this year as I have already reported with our daughter Felicita graduating from Berea College, and then following that with our youngest daughter, Maria, graduating from High School!

Duguer graduating 

Now is the Guatemala season and we were so happy to watch Duguer graduate! 

Duguer is the middle son of Ernesto & Susana that live with us! 

We are very proud of Duguer and excited for him to continue on in básicos next year.

Sharol graduating básicos

 Another graduation was for Sharol Escobar. Sharol has been one of our dearest youth involved with our youth groups from the beginning.

Sharol was graduating from básicos and I am so very proud of her for working hard to finish!

While at her graduation I was surprised when they called her name to be asked up on stage for the photo with the parents! I hadn't been informed beforehand, but I had arrived a little bit late so that is why!

Susana with her family

 Another graduation we were so proud to attend was for our Susana! 

Susana is 33 and graduated from 6th grade! Many adults that grow up out in rural areas, especially women, never finish the basic education. Most are either never sent to school, or pulled out at an early age to work in the home etc. Susana has wanted for years to complete the basic education, so when her kids were big enough for her to leave some evenings and weekends, she enrolled in a course for adults to complete the basic education requirements.

Susana with extended family & friends

 It was not easy for Susana, with a family and job, and even with lots of homework, she stuck with it and successfully completed the program!

Many of her extended family and many friends came to honor her at her graduation!

We love you and are so very proud of you Susana!

Rony presenting a diploma to Andrew

 Another graduation we were asked to attend was for Colegio Evangélico Génesis, in Puerto San José on the Pacific coast of Guatemala.

This is a school we have helped for several years and become very close to Rony Montepeque, the Director, and his family.

We even placed an intern, Andrew, with them for a month.

Edwin graduating básicos

 Andrew did some help around the school, painting and repairing desks etc.

So, at the graduation they even presented Andrew with a diploma for his help!

We also were there to see Edwin graduate, he is the kid that saved some friends of ours from drowning in the ocean several years ago. He had not been in school for over a year at the time, so after he saved some of the Conner family, they and some of their supporters have put Edwin through school and we were able to watch him graduate!

Colegio Evangélico Génesis 2013 Básico graduates!

There were also a couple of graduations I was invited to that I was unable to attend, and a couple that I did not go to the ceremony but was able to go to a celebration dinner.

I think I am done with graduations now for 2013!

Congratulations to all of the graduates! 

We are proud of you!

May God bless you for your accomplishments and continue to lead and guide you to the next goal ahead of you!

OFFY

Just a quick update on Offy.

Since the last report we have just been waiting on a few more tests to be done.

The doctors are wanting to try to build her defenses up a little more so she and Wendy can go home to Chiantla, Huehuetenango for a while.

Offy has had some problems with her heart the past few weeks with her pressure going up and down and her heart beating too fast or slow. They also are saying there is some air in her heart?

Anyway, they were hoping to have been able to go home a couple of weeks ago but are still here.

Today they received back word that her heart situation seems improved and she will have another test tomorrow and tentatively will be able to go home on Thursday afternoon or Friday morning.

We will take them in our car so they don't have to go by bus because that would still be hard on Offy's condition. It will be about 5 hours by car, more by bus.

So, please keep praying for Wendy and Offy.

Wendy continues expressing her gratitude for all the prayers and knows God is listening.

Thank you.

Pray for Offy

We have an update to share with you about Offy.

My last few updates were optimistic after the last surgery although we had not heard what the 'mysterious' mancha, or stain, was. 

We have spent a fair amount of time with Wendy and Offy over the past several weeks and Offy seemed to be regaining some strength and energy. 

Last Sunday we spent the day together and Wendy told me that the results from the biopsy had finally come in but she didn't know what they were yet. The doctors were to meet the first part of this week and then they would meet with Wendy and let her know what was the deal.

Wendy & Offy

Wendy called me this evening and let me know that the 'mancha' is more cancer.

At this point there is no new plan. The doctor said to pray to God because it doesn't look like there is more the doctors can do.

They plan to finish the round of medicine she is in this week, then do some blood work perhaps Thursday. 

There is a possibility that if she is strong enough they may make a trip home to Chiantla, Huehuetenango after that. 

There is a possibility they may decide to do another biopsy to confirm, but that is just a possibility at this point.

Please, please pray for Wendy & Offy. I hate cancer. 

Wendy is leaning on the Lord, giving Him praise and accepting that He is in control and His timing is perfect.

Please keep them lifted before the throne and ask for strength for us that we also could help comfort Wendy and that we may be available to help as needed.

As for God, his way is perfect;

the word of the Lord is flawless.

He is a shield

for all who take refuge in him.

                                         Psalm 18:30

More on Offy!

We have some really exciting news to share about Offy!

As of the last tests and reports, they could not find the tumor, so our hope is that it is gone!

Offy still has a little swelling on her brain from the surgery a couple of weeks ago and we should know more soon, as she is having some additional tests done today and tomorrow.

However, I can report that Offy has a lot of her energy back and certainly has a good appetite!

Ready to go to church!

We had Offy and Wendy spend the week-end in our home with us, to give them a little break and relax away from their accustomed surroundings at Kairos house. We had fun playing games and watching movies.

Sunday they went to our church with us, then out for tacos with several of our youth like always, then they stayed for the youth group gathering at our house in the afternoon.

But the big news, during church we sent Offy in with the children for their children's church and near the end of the service, Marleny, the pastors wife who helps with the kids came over to us and asked Wendy if Offy had ever accepted the Lord. Wendy told her no. Marleny then told us that when they were talking about Jesus in the class Offy said she wanted to pray to him and she then prayed to accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior! 

They have asked us to bring Wendy and Offy back to church next week so we can give her a little something to commemorate the occasion!

So, join with us in praising God for His amazing way of orchestrating things to draw Offy to himself!

Offy update 3

Received word from Wendy that Offy's tests yesterday came back mostly okay.

There is still some swelling on her brain and they are giving her some new medicines to try and relieve the swelling.

She will return for more tests next Friday to see if the swelling has gone down.

Good news is Offy is eating well and got up today and wanted to play!

That's our Offy!

Please keep Offy and Wendy in your prayers, and that the swelling will go away and for healing.

Praise God that they have Kairos house and some good doctors looking over them

Offy Update 2

Sandi & I went and visited with Wendy and Offy this afternoon and were greatly encouraged!

They were sent back to casa Kairos this afternoon.

So, basically the 'tests' she had on Monday when she didn't wake up was actually a procedure where they opened the top of her skull! They wanted to see if the tumor was still there and there was an additional 'stain' or 'mark' they didn't know what was causing it and were hoping it wasn't another tumor.

Anyway, they did not find any tumor! 

Wendy & Offy

I never really learned what they said about the 'stain'.

In addition, after she woke up yesterday morning the doctors wanted to send her to another lab for some tests to see why she had convulsions and what damage may have been done.

They found some swelling of her brain, although not excessive and are treating with medicine. They now believe the convulsions were caused by the anesthesia. 

She is a pretty wiped out little girl, and Wendy also. Wendy hasn't had much sleep for a few days having to be with Offy round the clock. They should be able to rest for a couple days as long as Offy doesn't develop headaches or any other symptoms that would require returning to the hospital immediately. 

They will go back to the lab on Friday and check on the brain swelling.

This is all good news, but please keep praying for them. 

Pray for healing and that the swelling goes down.

Pray that no more complications would come up.

Pray they both could rest and be refreshed and restrengthened.

Wendy is overwhelmed to hear how many are praying and is praising God for all of you with a heart overflowing with gratitude.

Thank you.

OFFY Update

Thank you all for your prayers and please keep praying for little Offy.

I just received a call from Wendy, Offy's mom, to tell me that Offy began waking up last night around 11 PM. This morning she is alert, and talking normally and is eating well!

Gracias a Dios!

OFFY

They are taking her to some other clinics in another part of the city this morning to run some more tests to try and know why she had convulsions yesterday and to see if it caused any damage.

Then they need to decide the next step whether to continue with plans for surgery to remove the tumor, or to wait more.

Wendy expressed her deep deep gratitude to all for your prayers and love.

Please continue praying for Wendy and Offy.

OFFY - Prayer Request

I have a very urgent prayer request, please pray for Offy and her mom Wendy as you read this.

I have included a few pictures from a day we spent at the zoo with them last month.

Offy is 6 yrs. old and we have known her for 3 years now. Offy and her mom Wendy are from Chiantla in Huehuetenango. Three years ago Offy was diagnosed with cancer and they have lived at Casa Kairos pretty much for the past three years while she has undergone treatment at the public Roosevelt Hospital here in Guatemala City.

Offy & Maria

There have been many ups and downs over the past three years, times where she hasn't been doing well and it didn't look good, then times where she has rebounded and has gotten much better.

Through it all, we have been amazed by her mom Wendy. Whether Offy is not doing well, or is doing very well, Wendy is always positive and trusting in God to carry them both through anything. Wendy also is there at Kairos helping all of the other parents with their kids, being positive and sharing her trust and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Offy riding while Wendy walks!

 Offy had been doing better lately enough so that the doctors were planning to do a surgery on her head this week to hopefully remove the rest of a tumor there. Wendy had told me she would greatly appreciate our accompanying her during the surgery. We have been waiting word when they had an opening to do it.

A couple of hours ago Wendy called me and was pretty upset, and told me that they had gone to the hospital this morning at 7 AM for a test needed before they could do the surgery. They put Offy under and as of 5:30 PM she had still not woken up. Wendy is obviously very worried.

Always smiling is Offy

 The Doctors are concerned and said she had a convulsion during the test and that may be the cause for not waking up. They are now administering medicine to her in hopes she will wake up. We are still awaiting word. There is a possibility now if she wakes up that they may go ahead with the surgery tonight.

Offy, Maria and Wendy

Offy is an amazing little girl, normally full of energy and always in charge! Talks non-stop and always has a smile on her face. We have grown close to Wendy & Offy over the past three years and humbly ask for your prayers for them now.

Please pray that the Lord's will be done and for strength, comfort and peace for Wendy. 

Pray for strength for Offy, that her little body can stand up to what is being done to her and pray the Lord would touch her if He desires and heal her.

Pray that Offy would wake up and not have more damage from whatever is happening to her now.

Pray that she will wake up and that they will be able to continue with plans to remove the tumor sometime soon, hopefully this week, and that would also go well.

Pray for wisdom and skill for the doctors attending to Offy, that operating rooms, equipment, medicines and whatever is needed would be available when needed.

Pray for the financial needs to be met, it is the public hospital but there are always some costs incurred.

Pray for those that work at Kairos and are closest to them for strength and courage as they minister to all the folks there.

Pray that we will be able to provide Wendy and Offy the comfort and assistance they need from us.

On behalf of Wendy, Offy, those at Kairos and ourselves, thank you with all of our hearts.

May the Lord bless you richly for your prayers.

SURPRISE!

So, where was I last week?

Most everyone knows that life in Guatemala can tend to be somewhat random, and I seem to fit into that fairly easily, but last week was extra random, even for me.

Okay, back up to the beginning. Late July Sandi, Maria & I flew to Dallas with our summer interns for a week in Texas. Then, I returned home to Guatemala and Sandi traveled with Maria to Washington to help her get settled into her new life there where she will begin college next month. They were staying with our daughter Kimberly and her husband Sergey.

Needless to say, it was awfully quiet here at home without them, and knowing Maria wouldn't be coming back made me miss her even more.

Then Thursday the 8th I received word that our son Jacob was, unexpectedly, flying up from San Diego to spend a few days with them Thursday and Friday I received a couple of messages that worried me a little bit, and Saturday morning I had a little bit of a meltdown, missing my kids, feeling like I had been an absent father for too long. I took a long walk to pray and think, and felt I needed to be with them. 

Then I had to go in the afternoon to Antigua to pick up a friend, Seth Thomas.

Seth had been studying Spanish for the week in Antigua and was returning home (to Bellingham) on Sunday, so was going to stay with me Saturday and I would take him to the airport Sunday morning.

I took Luis and David with me to get Seth, and then driving home with Seth in the car I shared with him how I was feeling and he asked "what can you do about it?" I said, ""well, I could get on a plane and go."

He said, "why don't you?"

We got back to the house, talked it over some more then took David home and visited with several of our youth at the children's home for awhile.

Finally, just before dinner we looked on the internet and I found a ticket on the same flights as Seth had, and I bought it! How much was it at the last minute? Let's just say PRICELESS.

Jacob, Sandi, Mike, Maria & Kimberly - 12-August-2013
Bellingham Bay

Then, as is life here, we ended up having 7 people for dinner unexpectedly which was great to keep my mind off of things.

Sunday morning I spent a few hours making sure some details were covered for me to be gone, a couple of errands, notified some people and then spent 5 minutes packing and we left for the airport!

After a delay in Houston we arrived in Seattle at almost 11 PM. Seth had his car at the airport and he gave me a ride to Kimberly's house in Ferndale where we arrived at 1 AM!

Did I mention I arrived unannounced? They had no clue.

I rang the doorbell and knocked. Rang some more....more....more.

Finally Sergey opened the door, thankfully without a gun, looking a little stunned.

I asked to come in, Kimberly was at the top of the stairs and was just a tad bit surprised

okay maybe SHOCKED is a better word

Maria came upstairs and then they woke up Sandi and Jacob

 and we talked until 3 AM!

Monday was a wonderful day just hanging out all together.

Jacob left Tuesday and we spent the rest of the week helping Maria a little to get some things done.

The only thing missing was Felicita, it just wasn't complete but 3 of the 4 were there and we had visited Felicita in May when she graduated from college.

I returned home Friday night arriving Saturday.

Never done a last minute trip of this magnitude before, but I must say what a blessing it was!

My soul was refreshed and comforted more than I could have imagined.

I am now back home, and it is still waaaaay too quiet without Maria, but I am at peace knowing she is going to be okay. I feel so blessed to have spent time with Jacob, and Kimber and Sergey. To see their new home and feel so proud of them for their marriage and all they have done in just a few years.

Thanks God....you're awesome!

C B C 2 0 1 3

We did so much the past 10 days I'm not sure how to keep this reasonably short...well, there will be lots of pics to look at!

June 28th a team of 19 from CBC in Baton Rouge, LA arrived. Now, CBC does not really stand for "Crazy Bunch o' Christians", but it is actually "Community Bible Church"! A church that has quickly become like family for us!

We started with an orientation time then on Saturday we did a short tour of the city, dump, cemetery, etc. before heading to Las Aldeas Children's home for a fun filled afternoon.

Ms. Liz sharing a devotional with some of the Tia's

 Las Aldeas is where a team from CBC worked primarily last year. This year we were just there for an afternoon but had a great time. We had a large turnout of kids and most of the Tia's (house moms) also came to the activity.

Ms. Liz had a great devotional to share with the Tia's, to encourage them to continue their selfless service to the kids even when they don't receive much recognition for it. They also has some nice gifts for the Tia's.

Playing with some kids at Las Aldeas

 We broke the kids up into groups and had games, a bible story with some testimonies, and a great craft for them! Even the Tia's wanted to do the craft project!

Even the Tia's wanted to do the craft project!

 Sunday we let them share our 'typical' Sunday. We gathered several of our youth we take to church with us each week, put them on the bus with the team and headed to our church "Iglesia Cristiana ´Heme Aquí Señor'".

The church service started a little after 10AM and ended about 1:15PM although I would have enjoyed more! We worshiped in song for about 2 hours! The group led us in several songs also. The pastor interviewed some of the youth from the team, then we had a guest preacher who was bi-lingual and preached in both English and Spanish so the team could enjoy it!

Games to combine the team and our youth group in our yard

 After church finally ended we went out for tacos! No...not Taco Bell, but real tacos from a little taco stand!

(little secret, we take our youth there for lunch almost every Sunday, we kinda like it)

After tacos, we went to our house for our weekly youth group meeting. More youth came and combined we must have had about 40 people!

Games that got both groups interacting together!

 We started outside with some games that really got the two groups to mix and interact in spite of some language barriers. Plus the games were a lot of fun!

Then we went inside and had some songs and then a couple of youth from our group gave testimonies, and a few of our CBC youth also gave testimonies!

Worshiping and sharing testimonies together

 Monday morning before heading to the coast and Puerto San José for several days we made a stop at Casita Benjamín. The Casita is a day care / preschool located a couple of blocks from the largest land-fill dump in Central America. We have 3 interns serving there for a month or more and introduced the team to them to learn more about the ministry at Casita Benjamín.

A visit to Casita Benjamín

 We left Casita Benjamín and loaded the team back on the bus and headed for Puerto San José! It is about 1 1/2 hours to the Puerto. We had snacks and some lively entertainment on the bus!

 Ms. Tiffany dancing on the bus!

 We arrived to a great lunch waiting for us at the home of Rony y Duña Montepequez where we would stay while in Puerto San José. We went to the school, Colegio Evangélico Génesis, where we would work.

The team jumped in and started painting lots and lots of desks!

Painting LOTS of desks at Colegio Evangélico Génesis

 They also painted lots of steel that will be used for the roof being put up over the roof top patio.

They also painted some interior walls of the school. Tuesday morning the team led a devotion for the students of the school. They led some singing, gave testimonies, shared their "human video" (a drama of the life and death of Jesus Christ) Pastor Josh had a message and they gave each student a beautiful cross necklace the team made. They did all of this twice, to two groups of about 120 each!

Maria painting steel for the roof (and herself)

 We had a surprise for them and took them to a finca not too far away and let them all have the chance to ride a horse for a little while!

An afternoon trip for some horseback riding!

 Wednesday brought some surprises also! Mr. Stephen Punkay arrived from Baton Rouge in the afternoon, unknown by all except for Pastor Josh and myself! His daughter Rachel had no clue her dad was coming. The team thought they were stopping for a break with bread and cokes when Mr. Stephen brought out the bread!

A mid-week surprise for Rachel and the rest of the team too!

 Mr. Stephen also brought some sad news for the team. A young woman that had been part of the church growing up and even served a short time as church secretary before moving away had tragically died a few days before. Many of the team had known her and been friends with her. We had a very moving time of prayer and worship after sharing the news and talking about it as a team.

Later in the evening, I had previously rented the local fútbol (soccer) field for an hour starting at 10PM. Most of the team decided to go get their emotions etc out with a little physical activity. It was perfect. Mid game the heavens opened up and poured down rain! It rained so hard it was difficult to see across the field, and these are small  fields. What a blast they had! A perfect release for all of the pent up emotions. The Lord is good.

Nothing quite like a game of fútbol in a torrential rainstorm!

 4th of July.

What better way to start the 4th of July than with a lot of FIRECRACKERS!

Then at Breakfast Mr. Eddie gave a short talk on what made our country great and what it will take to keep it great.

Then, we went to the beach! Beautiful black sand beaches with 4 volcanoes visible inland!

You can't work at the coast without visiting the black sand beach!

 We made the drive back to Guatemala City after lunch and then in the evening we visited Casa Kairos.

Casa Kairos, or Kairos House, is a home a few blocks from the largest public hospital and they house primarily children undergoing treatment for cancer, and their families that are with them. These are all poor people from far away that need to stay near the hospital for treatments and cannot be at home and work etc.

We shared about how the Lord started the ministry and how it operates. Then we had a time of worship with Nate leading, heard some testimonies from a couple of moms at Kairos, and a couple of the team. Then we had a sweet time of prayer with folks at Kairos. Amazing place.

Nate led some worship at Casa Kairos

 Friday was our day for "cultural experience" (aka sightseeing)! We stopped at Cerro de la Cruz, overlooking La Antigua, Guatemala. Then we went into Antigua for most of the day, exploring, shopping etc. Later in the afternoon we stopped at San Francisco, a catholic church still in use with the ruins of a monastery alongside of it.

A trip to La Antigua is a must

 Saturday we took the bus back over to Casa Kairos, picked up several kids and moms, and then we all went to the ZOO! It is a beautiful zoo and the weather was great. We split into groups with some of the Kairos kids and wandered around the zoo. Then we all had lunch together there before exploring more of the zoo!

An outing to the ZOO with some kids from Casa Kairos

 At least for most of a day, these kids and moms were able to forget their troubles and worries for a little while and really enjoy a day. Several moms remarked they had never been to a zoo before. 

Truly was a blessed day.

The kids adored Ms. Liz

 Then we got to share our wonderful church with the team a second time!

Incredible time of worship and the team also sang for the church.

Then Rachel and Cecile sang a duet that captivated our church! After they finished our Pastor asked them both to tell the church their complete names, then said he asked so that when they record CDs we can say that they sang in our church before!

Rachel & Cecile absolutely AMAZED our church!

 The team also performed the drama again for our church and it was fantastic.

Pastor Josh led  our church for Santa Cena (Communion) and 4 of the young people of the team served the bread and cup to the congregation.

We were so impressed with the preparation and leadership of this team. The young people were great, boldly sharing their testimonies, smiles and joy with all they came into contact with. Leading worship and loving on people!

Very impacting drama of Christ's life and death

 After church we went out for Pupusas! Traditional Salvadoran food. Then we went back to our house where the team watched a documentary called Reparando about some of the recent history of Guatemala to understand better the root of many problems we face here today.

After the film we walked down to show the team La Luz Brilla, our home for señoritas making the transition from institutional living (orphanages, children's homes) to living independently.

We followed that with a great dinner at our house to thank the team and share our gratitude for the way this team encouraged us, and blessed us.

Lots of great food all week, here we're having pupusas

We had a very special time at the guest house to wrap up the trip with the "Web of Encouragement". It was a very special time with very special people.

Thank you CBC for sharing these folks with us, for making us really truly feel a part of your family.

We love you guys and are already counting the months until you return!

EXCURSIÓN FAMILIAR 2013

Sunday, June 23 was the day for our annual Excursión Familiar with families from the neighborhood around Casita Benjamín in Zona 3 alongside the largest land fill dump in Central America.

This event has become a much anticipated outing with people asking for months if we will be doing it again this year!

For most of these families it is the only family outing they will have, not being able to afford to take a trip out of the city with lunch etc.

We arrived to a crowd waiting to board the buses!

 Like each year families sign up to reserve a spot, and if there is a dad or male figure in the family, he must attend. Most of these kids come from single parent homes (sometimes it is an aunt, or grandma) and most have experienced and witnessed abuse, either spouse or child abuse or both. These neighborhoods are some of the poorest, most densely populated in the city, filled with gangs, crime and violence. 

The social breakdown of the family is the norm here, and we hope to gradually, one person at a time, begin to turn things around here. 

It is a huge task, but we have a God that is more than capable!

One of the two buses filled to capacity!

 Just like most of the youth we have been working with, it begins with learning about unconditional love.

Most all of these people, adults and children, only know a world of conditional love. But to truly understand grace, and believe the security of salvation, you must believe in unconditional love.

So, we want to love these people, not just with words, but in action, in life. 

Our hope is that they will be able to see God through our love, because...

We love because He first loved us.

Some of our servant team starting the children's program

So, we arrived with our servant team and two large buses to Casita Benjamín at a little after 8 AM.

When we pulled up out front there were already over 100 people waiting!

By the time we loaded all of the food and supplies for lunch, and 3 huge piñatas, we had the buses filled to the max with 160 people! 

We gave a quick explanation of the program, said a prayer in each bus, and we were off!

Good turnout of men hearing the Gospel!

 After just over an hour on the road we arrived at ´Finca El Edén´! 

It truly makes you feel what the garden of Eden may have been like! 

Finca El Edén is located near Escuintla, Guatemala, part way down to the coastal plain where it is warmer than in the capital. We had the entire park reserved just for us and includes a river running through it, trails through the lush tropical forest, pools, basketball court, soccer field, covered patios and a beautiful outdoor kitchen!

Large group of women also!

 When we arrived we took a few minutes to unload the buses and get organized.

We then broke everyone up into three groups, men, women and children.

The men found a small patio under the trees to sit in a circle and hear about the hope that we can all have in Christ. 

We had a good sized group of men, about 20, and a few were gang members.

Preparing lunch for 160 people!

 The women formed an even larger group and found a spot near the pool in the shade. There were many women sitting above the group on the upper patio.

Emily & Lauren making Guacamole

We gathered all of the children in one of the covered patios for a fantastic program just for them!

 As the groups were all getting started, three of our interns that joined us, Emily, Lauren and Robert, began helping Isabel, Ana and Loyda from Casita Benjamín in the kitchen to prepare the lunch for all 160 people!

A puppet show for the kids!

 The kids program began with some songs with movements etc to get them all involved. Several of our youth helped Jassiel, a student at SETECA with the program!

After some songs and games etc, it was time for a puppet show!

Jassiel is part of a wonderful group of puppeteers at SETECA and brought a puppet stage and a few puppets.

The kids were mesmerized by the puppets!

They have some great skits with the puppets that explain the Gospel!

The kids were mesmerized by the show, it was amazing to see that many kids all staying quiet and intently following every word!

Explaining the Gospel with puppets!

 The kids program was a huge hit, keeping their attention long after the men and women had finished their group times! 

The men´s group also went twice as long as originally planned with a lot of interaction and questions, concluding with a beautiful time of group prayer.

The men closing their time with group prayer

 After the group time there was still plenty of free time before lunch to enjoy the pools, river and play areas!

It was so much fun to watch families spending time together, relaxing, laughing and just, for a few hours, free of concerns.

Many took advantage of the pools to cool off!

 I felt like I was constantly on the run all day with people asking questions or needing something, seemed like almost every minute we were hearing "hermano Mike, what do we do about?..."or hermano Mike, where are the baños?" "hermano Mike this" , "hermano Mike that" 

Some of our hijitas on the way to play in the river

 However, Sandi and I still managed to spend about 20-30 minutes with some of our special youth wading in and splashing around the river! What a sweet special time that was for me!

Then we were being called that lunch was ready!

Time for lunch!

 And what a lunch! 

Carne asada with chirmol, rice, frijoles, tortillas, guacamole, watermelon and fresh made pineapple juice!

The line snaked all around but we got everyone through with out problems, except for running out of plates just before the end....but those who went through first were finishing so we were able to wash their plates and continue without interruption!

Everyone enjoyed the excellent lunch!

There were tables and chairs for everyone spread out among three patios.

Some of our servant team

 We had a little more free time after lunch and then....RAIN! Good tropical downpour for about 30 minutes or so.

The rain very nicely waited until after lunch to begin

 While it was raining we strung a rope under one of the covered patios, filled the three huge piñatas with candies and had a very typical piñata whacking!

We had a piñata for niñas (girls), another for niños (boys) and finally one for the adults!

It´s hard to maintain order when there are piñatas, they love their piñatas! The adults get right in there fighting the kids for the candies!

One of the three huge piñatas!

After the piñatas everyone helped getting everything loaded back on the two buses and we headed back to the city.

Two buses filled with tired and very contented people!

We received some wonderful thank yous from some very appreciative people.

I believe God touched many folks this day, the people all felt genuinely loved.

Big thank you to our servant team, our youth that helped, and to all of you that prayed for us and this event and those that have helped provide the funds to be able to do this.

I know God was smiling, He was glorified throughout the day!

A GREAT GREAT DAY!

EL DÍA FUE LO MÁXIMO!

GRADES

Just another little example of life for us here.

The school system here is a little different, for instance a typical student will have 12 - 16 different classes each semester! And, both at mid-semester and the end of the semester they give out grades.

Any classes that they receive below 60% in they need to "recover". This involves paying an extra fee and receiving a lot of  extra homework and then taking another exam. So...obviously, they try to pass all of their classes.

Now, about receiving their grades.

This requires their parent, or guardian, to go to the school on the designated morning between 8 and noon, then wait your turn, sign for the grades, have them explained to you and meet with teachers if needed.

I am blessed to be the "encargado" (person responsible) for two students!

Erika Canil, one of our señoritas in La Luz Brilla, and also Luis Canil, Erika's brother who is living with us.

Erika & Luis

Last Friday just happened to be the day to receive grades for both of them! This is the first time we had to do both on the same day.

So, Friday morning early we went to Campo Nissi, the school where Luis is attending, and we took Susana with us because her son Nestor is in the same class as Luis.

Being early we didn't have to wait too long, and had his grades explained to us by one teacher. Then we met with another teacher for a few minutes to hear about his behavior etc (not too bad). Then we met with his math teacher (he has 3 different math related classes) because the math is difficult in this school and Luis struggles with it. So we arranged for Luis to take additional reinforcement classes on Saturdays in Math.

Overall his grades are very good other than the math! We are very pleased as it is a very demanding school, he has 15 classes, and he is starting new after having missed a full year of school!

Then after leaving Luis' school we drove to Erika's school, Colegio Mixto Belén, which is in another part of town.

Erika also has 15 classes and on her last report passed them all!

After a short wait and signing for her grades we received another great report! They show her as dropping one class but it should be corrected, she had a 92 at mid-point and now has a 50. She has done all the homework and her test was okay, so something got recorded wrong. But...overall she still has an 82 for her 15 classes!

We are very proud of both Erika and Luis, they are doing very well with the opportunity they are being given to study!