This morning, at 8:30am, we loaded up for the 1 hour drive to Panquix (Pahn-keesh) - a remote mountain village of 100 people.
As we drove it got hotter and dryer. The people of Panquix were displaced during the civil war, because the government wanted to build a hydro-electric dam right in the valley where they were living.
This was only 20 years ago. Villages that refused to move were masacred (Rio Negro Masacre). Unfortunately, they were not moved to lush, fertile land, like they were used to - the government placed them where no one else wanted to be. The landscape is beautiful, but harsh; the climate dry and hot.
There is no evangelical work in this community and we had the opportunity to tag along with Cross Commission Ministry - the ministry that Arryn works with - to spend the morning in Panquix. Arryn was in charge of the children's program,, so we planned crafts, stories, songs and games. Hector was the story teller - he is so good at telling stories.
Our verse was Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord! We talked to kids about how much the Lord loves them. That He knows all about them and all about Panquix.
While we kept the kids entertained, the parents were being given water filters and taught how and why to use them. In these rural areas, water born ameabas cause a lot of health issues and a simple water filter can save a life. These particular filers were provided by a few high school guys from the US. As their senior project, they raised money and then came down to Guatemala to give out the filters. Those they didn't give away, they left behind with Cross Commission to give out.
After, every family received their filter, we fed them a lunch of juice, mangos and tostadas.
It was so much fun to see the little ones with their eyes so big and wide, eating up their treats for the day! It was wonderful.
It was also great to share this with Arryn and Hector. God has given them a heart for the people and a love for children. We don't know what the furture holds for them, but we know God has a plan to use the gifts He has deposited in them for His glory. That is pretty exciting!
This morning, at 8:30am, we loaded up for the 1 hour drive to Panquix (Pahn-keesh) - a remote mountain village of 100 people. 
As we drove it got hotter and dryer. The people of Panquix were displaced during the civil war, because the government wanted to build a hydro-electric dam right in the valley where they were living. 
This was only 20 years ago. Villages that refused to move were masacred (Rio Negro Masacre). Unfortunately, they were not moved to lush, fertile land, like they were used to - the government placed them where no one else wanted to be. The landscape is beautiful, but harsh; the climate dry and hot.
There is no evangelical work in this community and we had the opportunity to tag along with Cross Commission Ministry - the ministry that Arryn works with - to spend the morning in Panquix. Arryn was in charge of the children's program,, so we planned crafts, stories, songs and games. Hector was the story teller - he is so good at telling stories. 
Our verse was Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord! We talked to kids about how much the Lord loves them. That He knows all about them and all about Panquix. 
While we kept the kids entertained, the parents were being given water filters and taught how and why to use them. In these rural areas, water born ameabas cause a lot of health issues and a simple water filter can save a life. These particular filers were provided by a few high school guys from the US. As their senior project, they raised money and then came down to Guatemala to give out the filters. Those they didn't give away, they left behind with Cross Commission to give out. 
After, every family received their filter, we fed them a lunch of juice, mangos and tostadas.
It was so much fun to see the little ones with their eyes so big and wide, eating up their treats for the day! It was wonderful. 
It was also great to share this with Arryn and Hector. God has given them a heart for the people and a love for children. We don't know what the furture holds for them, but we know God has a plan to use the gifts He has deposited in them for His glory. That is pretty exciting! 
Awesome update!!
ReplyDeleteHector Davide? Sorry if I spelled it incorrectly! He he working with you now? Please tell him I said hello.. Not that he would remember me..