Mayan Life - Jeremiah 29:11

Her name  is Isabel, she is a mother of five children; all of these children born as a result of different instances in which she was raped- this man still lives next door to her. She lives with and cares for her father, her mother who has MS, and her three sons. Her two daughters married, one of them had two children and decided she didn’t want them anymore; Isabel now cares for her two grandchildren as well. Isabel needs a home, away from the man that raped her, where she can cook and care for her family. Her current house and living conditions are terrible.  As she is caring for this large family, she isn’t able to work and cannot consistently bring in money to build a new home.

Teresa (pictured on left) married a man who she thought loved her, she bore him a child and he left her and wanted nothing to do with their sweet little boy, Hector Freddy. Hector was born with a cleft pallet. Teresa’s husband came back after a while and said he was back to stay; she bore him another child and he left again, and has not returned. Teresa, now has two children and a blind mother that she cares for. We went and visited the family today, and discovered that Hector now has worms and they are in major need of simple household items.

It is families and people like these that the Porch (Porch De Salomon- organization I am volunteering with) generously pours their blessings on and help in anyway they can. They build homes or help find places for people to live, they provide food, medicine, and clothing, they help them to find a way to support their family by creating jobs or supplying the necessary tools to start a business. They provide love, encouragement, and support. The love of Jesus out pours from these people, and I am so blessed to be working along side them.

Because of the work the Porch and supporters are doing, Isabel is getting a new home, a home of her own, free of charge. Earlier this week as we were pouring the concrete roof on her house, I got to meet sweet Isabel and her grand daughter, Raquel. They are so incredibly thankful and excited for their new home (Isabel and team pictured below on the newly poured concrete roof of her home, more pictures to come from the dedication of the home on October 7th.)

Teresa is now part of the Porch’s program, which means they pay her monthly rent and bring her food. The Porch provided the necessary means to give Hector Freddy surgery for his cleft pallet and he has recovered well. Because of the blessings the Lord has provided, we are able to give them medicine to cure the worms, soap to keep clean, pots and pans to cook food, and blankets to keep warm. (Teresa’s house is pictured below.)

                         

As we visit these families, I can’t help but to think how blessed I am and how much I want to help these people. It breaks my heart to see the poverty in their lives. I think about the men in these stories, that have given a terrible picture of what a father is. I am so thankful that our real Father would never treat us that way, but loves us unconditionally, and has adopted us into a family that will be perfect (Romans 8:15, Eph.1:5.) I remind myself, this is only temporary, one day we will live with our real Father that is full of love, patience, grace, mercy, and kindness.

My first week in Guatemala has been wonderful! I love the team here and am so excited to build a relationship with each of them. The city of Panajachel is full of beauty, in the mountains, lake, and volcanoes- in the beautiful colors of the Mayan dresses and art, in the language that is so special to my heart, and in the people who have so little yet are full.

Panajachel is a wonderful place to be, the Lord has heard my prayers and has set me in a new place where he is going to use me to further His kingdom and serve those in need.  Although I have left the comfort of a place I know well, God has graciously provided comfort in a great place to live, skills and talents that are a contribution to the team here (Spanish skills, playing piano in our weekly church service, able body with working hands and feet,) a great community to serve alongside of, and time – time to get in the Word and spend more time focused on learning about Him.

I am here! And I am where I belong for now, God is good, always.