Monday night we received a call from our Guatemalan friends that run the childcare/orphan care ministry in Saturno called the Steven House. Our friends begin to share that one of the teachers was sick, and the other had a class on Tuesday to help her to learn more about being a teacher. The husband and wife team that run this ministry both work daily jobs. This meant that Kim and I were being asked to be the substitute teachers for the day.
Going into the Steven House on Tuesday morning, we both knew it could end up to be a very difficult and frustrating day. The main concern for us was the language barrier. The other concern was just the everyday problems that all daycare's face each day. The crying, fighting, biting, messy diapers, etc. that comes with working with 1-6 year old children.
Kim and I both believe Jesus must of been right there beside us. I could almost see him putting his hand on the kids' head and telling them in a gentle voice "all is well". I imagine myself being in these children's shoes. Having these two white people that can't even speak much Spanish teach me in my own country. But... all was well. The day went off with no major problems and only a few minor ones. I wish I had some video of these children as they would hold me around the neck and stare into my eyes with the biggest of smiles upon their faces.
We continue to learn to trust in the Lord. We continue to learn that He is in control. We are to just do whatever He asked us to do, and do it faithfully.
TUESDAY EVENING
Every Tuesday evening around 6:00 pm I go with my dear brother Manuel from the church here in San Pedro Las Huertas to San Cristobal El Bajo for our small group meeting. Manuel's sister has started coming with us on Tuesday evenings as well. We walk up the footpath road and head towards the tiny house on the side of the hill. This home is the home of a wonderful, dear family that allows for their property to be used for the children's breakfast and Bible study on Saturday mornings. The home is a one-room home with the open fire stove right outside the only door. There are four beds inside this one-room home and no more. We take a seat on a bed with many children and their parents doing the same. The owner of the home always gives her guests a drink of atol (warm rice milk) or fresca (a fruit and water mix). Manuel thanks God for the day and opens us in prayer. We then have Bible study with the 3 families that attend, and close in prayer. These are always wonderful meetings and the experience is one that... let's just say you'd have to be there.
I do want to share something about this particular meeting that I feel is important for you to know to pray for the situation. After our Bible time, one of the ladies started crying. She is a single mother of five children. She currently has no home. Her home was washed away one year ago by a mudslide that was produced from the tropical storm Agatha. She and her children currently live with her brother and his family in a one-room home. As she was crying, she was telling of the past 3 days. The past 3 days her and her children had nothing to eat. They only had water. That means her children hadn't eat since we took breakfast up to San Cristobal on Saturday morning. She was telling how she had worked cleaning some clothes for some people, but they didn't pay her. This is very common amongst the Guatemalan people in this area. Through her tears you could see the desperation for her to feed and care for her children. Her five kids are from 2-10 years of age. Manuel, Janet, and myself was able to leave her a few dollars for some food for her family. Kim and I plan to talk with the pastor today about how we can best help this family.
Please continue to pray for the Guatemalan ministry. This is just one of many stories we face each day with the people God has called us to serve.
In Christ,
Danny
This is the youngest of the 5 children mentioned in the story above. His name is Alen.
The is Norma. The single mother of 5 children mentioned in the story above.
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