More Than We Ever Imagined!

When I posted last I said "8 kids and counting."  Well our count is well above 40 now, and we are not done!  It seems that the more we help, the more we realize how large the need really is. 

When we visited la escuela Sector Sur, one of the poorest schools/areas of Chisec, we were overwhelmed.  The principal had identified 6 kids who would not be attending this year, simply because they couldn't afford to buy the school supplies.  As he shared with us each child's story, our list grew from 6 to 10 to 12!  You see, when a family has 5 school aged kids, but only enough money to buy supplies, shoes and uniform for 2 of them, 3 stay home or go to work shinning shoes or selling candies in the market. 

I cannot explain adequately with words or even photos, the joy on the face of a child who is given the gift of education and opportunity.  Something we, as North Americans, consider a right, is an incredible privilege here.  Without an education, their opportunities for the future are very narrow.  If they are illiterate and only speak K'ek'chi, their world is limited to this area of the country and employment wise, they will never get above the extreme poverty line.  They, like their parents, will not be able to afford to send their children to school, and so the cycle will continue.   

This mom, above, cannot read or write, and wants desperately for a different life for her kids.  She is intelligent enough to know that their future is closely tied to education and she is not too proud to ask for help.  That is where we, and you, come in! 

With the support we have received from those of you who have sent us money, we have been able to round out the supplies we had and stretch the program from our original 25 kids to what will probably become 50.  Thank you! 

Please continue to pray for us as we lay the foundation for this child sponsorship/educational program.  Our prayer is that we will host multiple events for these kids throughout the year, where they will be presented with the Gospel and given the opportunity to not only receive the Lord as their Saviour, but get to know Him as their provider and friend.  This gives me goose bumps!   

8 Kids and Counting!

The last three days have been crazy...amazing, but crazy!  We have been busy going back and forth between the mission site and Chisec, visiting schools and families and delivering shoes and backpacks full of supplies. 
Mission2Guatemala, along with the help of friends and family in Canada and the US, is helping to get kids into school.
To attend school, a child must have shoes and school supplies.  Doesn't sound too tough, does it.  For many families, it is an obstacle too big to overcome.  A pair of shoes, not fancy ones, just plain, costs about Q60 - Q85; the equivalent to two day's pay.  The school supplies are not just for the child, but they also must contribute to the office supplies.  Every child has to bring office folders, photocopy paper, pens, glue sticks, tape, and other items for the classroom and office because the government doesn't provide these things for the schools.  So, an average elementary student might spend between Q100 and Q150 simply to get the year started with supplies.  In other words, it takes about a week's wage to get one child ready to go.  Now multiply this by 4, an average number of school aged children in a family and it is a month's salary if you are working steady. 
Yesterday, as we gave out shoes and supplies to eight kids, I was so thankful for the opportunity to help. Being on the receiving end of the parents' gratitude and thanks was humbling.  Today, I completed another 9 backpacks and will deliver those tomorrow.    
We have identified 27 children from 10 families that we are going to help, many of whom would not be going to school without our assistance.
Monday, a principal brought to our attention a little girl, Linzi, whose mom died three months ago.  She is 9, and has three younger siblings, two of which are school aged.  Her dad is struggling trying to deal with his wife's death, work, and four kids.  As the principal shared her story, Linzi stood looking off in the distance, obviously trying to control her emotions.  When we said we were there to help and Cindy bent down to give her a hug, you could see the relief in her eyes.  She is only 9, and already carrying such a load.
Please pray for us as we continue to work in this way.  We draw quite a bit of attention and we know we simply cannot help everyone, so we need to be sensitive to the Lord's leading and help those He places in our path. 
Blessings,
Karren
PS - I had pictures but our internet has been too slow to upload photos.  Sorry!  I'll try again in a couple of days.