Visit from Mama Juana

We had a great time with my Mom who visited from the 1-19th of September.  Many came to know her as Mama Juana during her time here.  She was able to do many things with us including going to to beach, teaching in the cooking school, sharing in the art school, sharing her testimony with all of our staff, doing some visits and many other things.  It was great to have her here.  Check out some pics from her visit below.

We had a great time together relaxing and enjoying the sun at the beach.  Look at how tall Luke is!!

Mom enjoyed hanging out at the feeding center.  Caleb and Joel like playing with the kids that come.

This is our monthly staff gathering.  Mom shared her testimony and how for 30 years she prayed for one of her son's to carry on the role of her late husband as a missionary in a Spanish speaking country.  Love Guatemala is partially the answer of a long time prayer of her! To God be the Glory!

 She taught the ladies to make chicken enchiladas.  

They gave her this gift!

Trying to balance on her head as the ladies here do.

We were able to visit our friend Cesar with Mom.  Of course he remembered her by name even he hasn't seen her for over 2 years!

We visited with Jaimie and her family.  She is the one I wrote about here that recently lost her mom.

Amelia and Mom.

Amelia and her family with Mom.

We were able to get out one night with Mom by ourselves. 

Thanks Mom!  We hope you return soon!  Love you!

Grieving with Hope

It was a bit of a rough weekend.  I got a text from Carlos Sunday morning early that one of the mom's of one of our art school students had passed away.  This was not just a mom of one of our student's but a friend and a neighbor. Many of you know her and have prayed and supported her and her family over the years. Her name is Albertina. Above you can see a picture of her with 3 of her kids, Cristian, Milton and Yeimy.

She had been sick off and on for many years but yet I was surprised because I did not know that it was at this point.  It is always hard when someone passes away.  It hurts, it sucks and it seems wrong.

My heart aches and I grieve. I grieve for this family that will be without a mom and wife.  I grieve for many who will not have this friend.  I grieve for this culture where this happens way too often because of lack of medical attention, resources and many other reasons.

So we cry and we grieve with this precious kids who are more precious to Jesus.  We pray and walk with them through their pain.  We grieve yet not without hope.  We have hope not because we have all the answers or know how to help this family in this situation.  We don't have hope because we can relieve their pain. We have hope because we know the God of hope that even in the midst of horrible grief and pain can bring hope and joy.  We have hope because of Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross to bring us eternal hope.  That is why we exist, that is the hope we can offer.  This is the hope that will change the world. Give Hope!