Since our return from visiting in New Jersey, we have been devoting more of our time and focus on working with La Cigarra Music Academy and also attending a weekly Bible Study with our local neighbors.

This has been an uplifting time for all of us as we share in worship, teaching of music in the academy, and wonderful fellowship and discussion with the Bible Study.  We ask for prayers for these ministries as God guides us in this new direction to serve Him and spread His Word to our brothers and sisters in Magdalena Milpas Altas.

We would like to thank Maurice, Chuck, C & C Supply, Word Fellowship Church, and everyone else who contributed instruments and supplies to make this all possible.

Here is a clip of what is happening...

Today we went to visit with the newest member of our family here in Guatemala.  He has not been given a name as of yet, as it is customary to wait to name the baby.

Maria and her other two children have become very dear to us and we have made many memories with them.   We look forward to creating more wonderful memories which will include this new little one.

We have introduced you to Carina and her family a few months ago.  A family of 10 living in a one room house.

A bit more of their story...

They are facing a continued financial battle due to her husbands health and inability to work because of a hernia.  His hernia does not allow him to work his normal physically challenging job and, at times, causes too much pain for him to work at all.  Along with all of the struggles her husband is facing, we are aware of at least one occasion which resulting in his drinking as an escape from his problems.  We do not want to hide this you from this, as it is a reality.  But our focus is to help this family break the cycle which many here face and to help them to take ownership of their own life and come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
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We visited with her last week and expressed a desire to help them, but they also needed to try to help themselves.   Our suggestion was for her to talk with her husband about looking into surgery for his hernia, which here is free, except for some tests and medication afterwards.  We expressed our understanding that he would not be able to work for a short period, but in the long run, we feel this is the start of them getting back on their feet. 

As we requested, Carina spoke with her husband and he has gone for a consultation, x-rays and next, needs to visit with a surgeon, to find out what are his next steps to correcting this problem.  This is just the beginning of the journey of help this family requires, but we feel it is worth our time and effort, and also teaching them some of the responsibilities they need to take for the better of their family.  We have seen Carina's desire to stay in constant communication with us as to what they are doing, and has so far shown us accountability and honesty with the things we have entrusted to her.   We feel these are great qualities and have hope of a better future for this struggling family.

They have a long road ahead of them and we have been able to help them to some degree, but for a couple months after his surgery, they will require more financial help than we can offer.  We are asking for you to partner with us in this journey and need your prayer and/or funds to see this through.  To partner with us on a financial basis, click the donate button below.  You will be directed to our payment center and be able to enter any amount you desire.