HCLC Update from Guatemala #2 Jun 10
Randy Stauner
Tuesday in Guatemala was filled with the opportunity to serve the
children and the adults. We began with devotions in our residence and
then held service at the mission with the emphasis on John 10, Verses
14 thru 16. We being the Lord's flock and relating to one of our
purposes here to bring God's flock to Him. Then we toured the mission
and met the teachers who help the children when they arrive after
school.
After the service we went to the squatter's area to present our puppet
show to tell the story of Ruth as the children gathered at the corner
of the street. We also applied religious transfers (body art) to their
hands. The children seemed to thoroughly enjoy our attention to them.
This area is not easy to describe. It is row upon row of shanties made
of corrugated metal and any other thing they can find in the dump to
build a place to live. The squatters eke out their living scavenging
in the city dump.
Following our sharing with the children we visited an elderly lady and
her husband in their home. The living conditions are difficult to
describe. This lady asked us to pray for her children, in particular a
son with a drug problem. Another lady, who was her sister, was in need
of surgery but was unable to afford the operation. We all joined in
prayer and tried our best to lighten their load, encouraging them to
continue to love and believe in Him and that God is with her and her
family. This gracious lady then asked if she could pray for us which
was very touching.
The second house we visited was in even more deplorable condition with
a dirt floor and chickens walking around. The mother of the house had
health problems and her daughter, who was there, was expecting her 4th
child. To serve these poorest of the poor in Guatemala brings home to
us how blessed we are and encourages us to help those in need.
We left the squatter's area and went back to the mission for a lunch
of chili and tortillas.
After lunch we went back to the squatter's area to serve food to the
people. The process is to wash the hands of each person who comes to
eat and then give them a bowl of food and a drink. For many this is
their only meal of the day. It is a ritual that they have come to
expect in order to be fed.
We returned to the mission to find all the children who come to
reinforce their education and to receive the word of God. They were
full of energy and were hugging and jumping on us seeking attention,
which we were happy to provide. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more, us
or the children. Later we gave an English lesson to the 5th and 6th
grade children.
We used words written is Spanish on a card followed by the English
word. When we thought they new the words we held a competition
splitting the group in half and having them give the English word as
we held up the Spanish word. It was a joy to see the reaction of these
most precious children.
Today was filled with many rewards for us as we shared our love with
our sisters and brothers.
We returned to our abode for dinner and devotions, again planning for tomorrow