A Look Back at 2013

I know it's already March, but I feel I owe it to those of you who support this ministry through your prayers and donations to give you an overview of our work this past year.  None of this, of course, would be possible without the power of Our God going before us, and following behind us.  But I am grateful to those of you He has used to enable us to serve the disabled and needy here in Guatemala.

I've broken this down by areas:

Nueva Vida

In January, 2012, I began serving three days a week at Centro Educativo de Nueva Vida (New Life School) in Santa María de Jesús, a small Mayan village on the side of the Agua volcano near Antigua.  Nueva Vida is a Christian school for children with a variety of special needs, founded fifteen years ago by a fellow missionary, Judy Kerschner.

I work with groups of 10-12 students for one to one and one-half hours, three days a week. These are students with significant academic and/or behavior problems, as well as six students who are deaf.  I served 22 students during the 2013 school year.

Teachers at the school have been coming to me with questions and concerns about individual students on a more regular basis.  They have begun borrowing materials from me to use in their classrooms. They also have come to talk about personal concerns as well as ask for prayer.  It has been an honor to be able to pray with these folks. In addition, I have begun doing formal in-service training in coordination with Sandra, our psychologist, and Jennifer, our speech therapist.

Speaking of Sandra and Jennifer, during October and November we worked together to evaluate more than 40 students who wanted to attend Nueva Vida.  We looked for students who for some reason (physical, cognitive, or emotional) would not be successful in a government or other private school.  We accepted 27 of them.

Through the ministry Latin Deaf Services, I am learning  Guatemalan sign language to better serve our deaf students.

Hermano Pedro

During 2013 I worked closely with the administration of Hermano Pedro to facilitate Fidel's transition   to Casa de Esperanza.  With the opening of the home, I have had to limit my service at Hermano Pedro to focus on the needs of the residents in the home and the children in Santa Maria.

Whenever possible, we have tried to include some of the Hermano Pedro residents in activities here at Casa, including Easter, birthdays and Christmas.  

Casa de Esperanza

In January, 2013, Cesar and Fernando, two of Dick's boys from Chimaltenango, moved into Casa to enable them to go to school in Antigua.  Cesar wanted to attend a pre-teacher training program here, and Fernando needed a family atmosphere in which he would be held accountable.  Both of these guys have become like my own.  With the delays in moving Fidel into the house, it was good to have company.

During Holy Week (the last week in March), 2013, when most of the residents at Hermano Pedro return home for a few weeks, Fidel, Moises and Don Antonio came to stay with us.  this was our "dry run" to see if the house really would serve as a home for the disabled, and to discover what, if any, additional training would be needed by the young men who would staff the home.  Our guys were wonderful, and with this experience under our belt, we were ready to approach the administration an Hermano Pedro to begin the transition of Fidel to Casa de Esperanza.

Fidel arriving for the first 

time as the first permanent

resident of Casa de Esperanza

Miguel began working for us July 1, and spent his days with Fidel at Hermano Pedro, learning to care for Fidel's physical needs, and     

providing Fidel the freedom to go into the community as he wished. 

During August, Fidel spent Monday through Friday with us at the 

house, and returned to Hermano Pedro for the weekends.  

Dick holding the legal papers

giving Fidel his independence!

This was a challenging time for all of us, but we were delighted when he moved in permanently, becoming our first resident on August 28.

During the “test week,” it became apparent that with four young men living full-time in the home, I needed help with the household, if I would be able to continue teaching at the school.  In June, in preparation for Fidel’s move into the home, I hired a part-time housekeeper/cook to work mornings while I was at school.  After a number of unsuccessful trials of workers, we are delighted to have Flor Ramirez working for us 20 hours a week.  Flor is married with two children, one of whom has Cerebral Palsy and because of his needs she had not been able to work previously.  This has been a win-win for both of us.

In October, I was approached by Cesar who asked if I would consider accepting a resident from Peten, who had been living with his aging grandmother is severe poverty.  Alberto, age 25, is a young man with brittle bone disease who has never been able to attend school in his area due to his handicap (the schools would not accept him).  With the help of his cousin, he has learned to read and write at do basic math, but wanted to receive a formal education along with a diploma.  After talking in over with our staff, we decided to accept Alberto on a trial basis, and he arrived in late November.

Hope Haven Guatemala

Due to the demands on my time from the house and from school, I have not spent much time working with this ministry.  I have been able to attend about six of their distributions this year, providing communication systems for the children who would benefit from them.  

Hope Haven, through Mark Richard and Ilse Caballeros, has been a great supporter of Casa de Esperanza in offering counsel and support.  They have also lent us their lift vans on occasion so we can take the guys on outings.  They are good friends of our ministry.

Short Term Mission Teams

While it has not been our calling to work with large mission teams, we have been blessed often by teams who come down with other organizations who want to spend a day or two working with us, either at the house or in Santa Maria.  We also often connect with teams which are serving at Hope Haven Guatemala.  Above is a particularly fun group from Louisiana, who knew how to both work and play hard.  

Another such team was a group of Occupational Therapy students from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.  They spent an entire week working with us at the school, and they contributed immeasurably to our program for our students with occupational therapy needs.  I can't wait for them to come back.

In mid-March, I was delighted to spend a day with a team from my home church, Westside Church in Omaha.  They had been down working with Bethel Ministries building houses, distributing food, and giving out wheelchairs.  They spent their last day with us here in Antigua, and, since it was during the height of the procession season here, our options were pretty limited for what to do.  

We did manage a lovely lunch at Cafe Skye after church, and spent the afternoon visiting with the kids a Hermano Pedro.  That night, I was able to share a "tipico" Guatemalan supper with them.  Having them visit was such a blessing.  I got to see old friends and make some new ones.

These teams encourage us greatly, and provide valuable opportunities to connect with others in the US.

We do, however, greatly enjoy hosting individuals, families or small teams who would like to shadow a missionary for a week or two.  These weeks may included projects such as home visits, food delivery, or even house building, but will be part of our regular ministry activities.  We had two such visits this year which were, I think, quite successful.

In February, Alexi Treu and Kathleen McGlynn from Omaha spent ten days with us, working at the school and visiting some of our families near Lake Atitlan.  They accompanied us to a feeding program sponsored by another ministry with which we collaborate.  I think they had a good time.

W

In June Donna Hultman, a vision specialist from Omaha, and Vicki Shurmer, a pharmacist at the Med Center in Omaha, spent two weeks with us, consulting at the school and working with some of our blind students as well as training our speech therapist and myself in techniques specific to the needs of these children.

Village Ministry and Sponsorships

While difficult to travel with my other responsibilities, I find that often the village ministry component is where I feel most like a missionary.

One of the places I don't get to visit as often as I would like is a small community
 outside of the town of Tecpan.  I met Maria, a young widow, on my first team trip
here, and have fallen in love with the women who live in this community.
While not directly related to our ministry to the disabled,
the six widows all living within walking distance of each other
have become very dear to me.

Visiting Jessica who has
successfully returned home
from the malnutrition project

We cannot keep up with everyone who asks us for help, and our ministry limits our assistance to families with a disabled family member.  There is so much need here that otherwise we could dilute ourselves to the point of being ineffective.  Often times, though, we go just to visit, to share Christ's love with the families and receive a large dose of His love in return from them.  These relationships are so important in building the kingdom of God, and often a part of ministry which is overlooked.  I love the way a friend puts it, "We're not interested in filling their bellies while they're on their way to hell."  We want to give that which will last for eternity.

We as missionaries and teams can bring many gifts.  I have learned, however, that the most powerful and most need gift is the gift of ourselves, our time, and our undivided attention.  Material gifts are soon gone, but families remember for years that we cared enough to come, visit, talk and pray with them.  When I need a reminder why I am really here, I go out into the field.  God always shows me "why" right away.

A critical part of our ministry continues to be helping people receive the medical care they often so desperately need.  Most often, this is through the clinics a Hermano Pedro.  We have, this year, also taken a few children to see a neurosurgeon in Guatemala City, and will be following up on Gabriel as we look for surgery for him for his unresolved spina bifida. 

This year we also worked with Alma, a thirteen year old young lady and her family, to help her get surgery from a missionary team which came to San Lucas Toliman to work with our friend, Dr. Will Bogler.  She will need another surgery in early 2014, after which it is hoped that she will be able to walk comfortably for the first time in her life.

We do, however, provide material assistance when we believe God is leading us to do so. Currently we are providing food sponsorship to a ten year old in Santa Rosa who lives with his grandmother and has severe malnutrition.  It is our hope that he will either begin to thrive, or we can convince her to bring him in to the malnutrition project at Hermano Pedro.

We are providing a scholarship for a young man named Gustavo whose father is in a wheelchair after having a stroke in his early forties.  He is unable to work and his wife works as a teach, but is unable to educate all of her children and provide for her family at the same time.

There are many others who have asked for help, and some we would like to help.  At present, though, our budget is stretched to its limit, and we need to maintain what we are doing before taking on any more commitments.  This is, I think, one of the hardest parts of the ministry.  Learning to say, "no," when we see so much need.  I have learned, though, that I must be faithful to do what God calls me, specifically to do.  No more, no less.  I can trust that He has called others to do what I can and should not.

Our Life at New Life

I think that I, hands down, teach some of the cutest and coolest kids in the world (or at least in the two countries in which I've taught!).

Joel and I have gone head to head and toe to toe more than once when he decides he decides it will be his way or the highway.  After finding himself on the highway a few times, he's become quite a compliant student.  This year I'm doing more "formal" evaluations, and have been pleasantly surprised by how much progress he's made.  There's no kid I love more.

Judy, named after Judy Kerschner, the founder and administrator of Nueva Vida, is another favorite.  When she first came to school two years ago, I could not enter her classroom because she would cry and hide in fear of the "gringa."  Now, she runs to my room to work, and never misses a hug.  

Many of our kids do not have apparent handicaps, but struggle with learning even basic concepts.  While the traditional way to teaching in Guatemala is paper and pencil, with a LOT of copying, these students need to use all their senses to learn.  Using activity based learning, concrete objects, and sight words are just some of the techniques we employ to access their learning styles and abilities.  

A few years ago when we started this, the teachers would say, "It's time to go and play with Seño Paty."  Now they are asking to borrow my materials and for suggestions of different ways to teach the kids who don't get it.  These are some of the best teachers I've ever worked with in my career.  They do so much with so few resources, but their creativity and commitment know no bounds.

We are privileged to have Saundra, a licensed school psychologist, working with us on a full-time basis.  She works individually with children and parents as well as runs groups for children.  Her expertise is sorely needed in this town with such high levels of poverty, abuse, violence and alcoholism.  Pray for Sandra as she deals with the most difficult situations we face.

One of our goals this school year was to teach the students to serve each other.  Below, you see a great example of this.  Yamelin, our blind student, is helped to come to my classroom by two of her friends, Macaria and Roxana.  It took a while for her to begin to trust them, but they have been patiently faithful in their desire to help her more more independently around the school building.  It is a blessing to watch them together.

You can see on their faces how proud they are to be serving their friend.

Other Developments in the Casa

Until I sit down to write and review the past few months, it doesn't seem like much is happening.  Maybe because it is all happening too fast.  But, looking through the pictures from the last couple of months, I see where we've grown.

Tony and Alberto in Central Park

Tony has joined our staff and brings his own style to care giving.  While very compassionate and kind, he has a strength and firmness in dealing with certain situations which we have needed.  As hard as it is for me to admit, in this culture a man's voice carries more weight than a woman's and I am grateful to have Tony lend me his voice when needed.  Of all the guys in the house, he does the best job, too, of taking care of me--often offering to wash the nightly dishes if I seem tired or am busy.  He also knows how to cook--a great plus when I'm away from the house evenings or weekends.

Miguel babysitting a friend's son while also caring for our guys

Miguel is our resident funny man, and I never know what will come out of his mouth.  He really wants to go to the University, but realizes he's not yet ready academically.  He spends his Sundays taking classes to prepare him for the entrance examination at the University of San Carlos.  This has been a struggle for him, first to recognize that he was academically lacking, and secondly, to take the initiative to find a way to fix this--all on his own.  I'm so very proud of him, and the example he gives Fidel and Alberto about determination in getting an education.  (With the diploma he has, he could easily get a job, but continues to hold fast to his dream of becoming a psychologist.)  He's also a great barber, and lends his talents to the household.

Miguel cutting Carlitos' hair--and he's not impressed.
Carlitos is the son of our housekeeper, Flor

Miguel wanted to try his hand a cutting women's hair
and offered to cut mine.  The whole time I was saying to myself:
"Relationship over appearance."
It turned out quite well, I think.

Alberto sitting in the doorway before he had his power chair

Alberto now fearlessly ventures out into the community with one of the companion care-givers.  He has taken on some simple household responsibilities, and brings his unique, dry sense of humor to the dinner table.  

Dick supervising Alberto's first venture into Antigua in his power chair

Fidel on Cerro de la Cruz
a high hill overlooking all of Antigua

Fidel has become our resident "callejero" or man of the street.  He even made it up to the top of Cerro de la Cruz, a high hill which overlooks all of Antigua.  (His chair did need a bit of work after this experience.  Thank you, Bethel Ministries for looking after it for us.  He loves to be out at Central Park in the early evening, and, while I have to admit I worry about him after dark, I respect his right to decided to do this.  And I trust our care-givers who go with him.

Carlin is living with us as he studies tourism at Valle Verde, a private school a few blocks away from here.  Both Cesar and Fernando decided to study in Chimaltenango this year, which made room for Carlin.  Carlin is a "big" guy in every way:  

• from his size:he had to wait an extra month to get his uniform shirt because they didn't have one big enough to fit him!

• to his appetite:  I have to admit he eats as much as both Cesar and Fernando did, and that's saying something

• and most importantly, his huge heart:  He has been involved in mission trips within Guatemala and Nicaragua through his church youth group, and I can't help of think of him as a "gentle giant" when I see him caring for Fidel and Alberto.

We have made progress in our spiritual development as a household as well.  When Scott and Linda Hardee were here from Kansas City, they began a weekly Bible Study which we are trying to continue without them.  We are working on a system to be more intentional in praying for our partners, as well as trying to learn the Bible verses recommended weekly by our church family here in Antigua.  Most importantly, however, I find "spiritual topics"  becoming a regular part of our conversations around the table, and I am attempting to teach the guys to resolve conflict using Biblical principles.  (The hardest part of this is that it requires that I use these same principles both within our house and the community.  Quite a challenge sometimes when our cultures conflict!)

We are so grateful for all the ways God has blessed us since we opened as a household a little over a year ago.  Pray we remain faithful to his call on our lives.

Futbol (soccer) and Dessert

On Sunday afternoons the power has been out in Chimaltenango as the electric company does maintenance on some of its transformers.  Usually this is not a problem and people are pretty used to it.  This past Sunday, however, when Barcelona was playing Real Madrid in futbol (soccer to you North Americans) it really cramped the style of some of our guys.

Since we had power here in Antigua, my guys called some of their friends at home in Chimal and invited them to join us for the futbol game.  They happily accepted and were down here in short order.  Fortunately I had made chocolate chip banana bars for dessert today, and Dick supplied the ice cream.  The guys chipped in and bought a variety of chips and a couple bottles of pop, and soon my living room was transformed into a viewing room.

There was too much testosterone in one room for me to handle, so, after serving the dessert, I headed to my room to work on the computer.  I was surprised when Esbin knocked on the door to bring me a big glass of pop.  They didn't want me to feel left out though they couldn't understand why I wouldn't want to be glued to the set with them!

While Fidel doesn't care much about futbol on TV, he loves hanging
out with all the guys

I often joke that I'm the housemother in a Guatemalan frat house, and today really felt like this.  When I dreamed of a house such as Casa de Esperanza, I had hoped for times like these, where friends would come over to just visit the guys and do "guy" stuff with the residents.  I was such a joy to see this happening.

The Scholars of our Casa

This year, it seems at times that we are running a small school in our house, and, to some extent we are.



As you may know, last fall Alberto came to live with us from Peten.  When Dick met him, he had been living in a one room shack, spending all his time in bed because of osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease.  After numerous fractures, he was afraid to go out.  But, more than anything he wanted an education.  He could already read, but wanted a diploma to increase his chances that someday he could get meaningful work and contribute to his family.


Dick had brought him a power chair a couple of years ago, and Cesar had struck up a friendship with Alberto.  Finally, last summer, Cesar and Dick asked if I would consider accepting Alberto to live with us and go to school.  Dick found him a sponsor, and Alberto became our second permanent resident in December.

I began talking to different teachers about Alberto, but none seemed a good fit.  Since he could already read and write, I wanted someone who would work with him at his level, and not make him start everything at first grade.

Once again, God had it all provided.  Reynaldo, the brother of the director of Nueva Vida where I teach 3 days a week, had begun driving some of the teachers to work from their home more than an hour and a half away from Santa Maria.  It just so happened that Rey was a pastor and a licensed teacher.  It just so happened  that he had an interest in learning more about special ed. and wanted to work in my classroom to see what I was doing.  It just so happened that as we talked about the guys at the house, that he said he would be more than happy to come and work with Alberto.  Finally, it just so happened that since he comes from a family of educators (including his father and brother who are directors of adult education programs), he had the right connections to make sure Alberto would receive government credit for his studies. 

I so love it when things just “happen” by the providence and plan of Our Father!

So we began with Rey coming to the house a couple days a week, depending on his and our schedules. (His flexibility is such a plus.)  As he began to know the guys, it became apparent that he was here not just to teach Alberto but to disciple all the guys, residents and assistants.

When he got to know Fidel, he was amazed at his abilities.  He was also concerned that, while Fidel has taken computer classes and excelled, he had stopped his government approved education after primary school.  Without a “titulo” it is very difficult to get office type of jobs, even for able-bodied people.  For Fidel, his lack of a diploma would be more of a handicap than his wheelchair.

Fidel at his graduation last December, when he received
a diploma in graphic design

I had previously talked to Fidel about completing the equivalent of high school, and he wanted nothing to do with it.  Since he is an adult, I dropped it, and prayed that through experience he would come to want to complete his education.

Enter Rey.  Rey pulled no punches with Fidel when he talked to him about studying.  Still Fidel resisted.  I think Rey was frustrated with me for not forcing Fidel to do this, but, he is an adult. One of the reasons we started this house was to give our residents the ability to make decisions for themselves (and accept the consequences).

Here’s where our companion-caregivers, Miguel and Tony, come in.  They both have finished “carerra” and put a large amount of peer pressure on Fidel to complete his.  I stayed out of it, but after a few days, Fidel decided he wanted to give it a try!  This is exactly how I had hoped things such as this would be dealt with when I envisioned the house.  More and more, I can step into the background, and the guys handle even these somewhat “delicate” situations.  As Guatemalans, males, and role models, our staff can give direction in ways that I will never be able to. 

After a number of days of struggle getting the proper paperwork together (paperwork is always a struggle here!), Rey was able to enroll Fidel and he is officially in “primero basico” or seventh grade.
Rey hopes that by modifying the curriculum in three years Alberto will finish grade 6 and Fidel grade 12.  He is being very creative in using educational television and other resources to enrich their paper and pencil activities.

God has greatly blessed us with "Profe Rey."  To enable us to pay him for his time with Fidel, we need to find someone willing to sponsor Fidel's schooling for $50.  If you would like to help Fidel get his diploma, please email me and I'll send you more information on how you can help.