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!