We Will Rise

On Saturday we had the great privilege here at My Special Treasure to have a new team come and visit. My friends from the church near Antigua, where my Spanish teacher goes, came and ministered to us. First we went to the local dump in Chimaltenango, where many of the children from the school where I teach English work. And then they spent the afternoon here with the girls.
At the dump we played games, made balloon animals, and sang songs with the children. They brought a snack for everyone and a truck load of clothing and bags of food for every family. Most importantly, we shared the Word of God and the love of Jesus.
For me, it was a double blessing to go. It was an opportunity to meet the families of my students and visit with them. However, it was heartbreaking to see my students, these young boys, working in the dump. My heart fills with pride when I think about each one of them and the obstacles that right now they are overcoming through the power of Jesus Christ. I noticed something in the eyes of these boys as well. Hope. They have a hope for the future. A future that will change their lives, the lives of their families, and Lord willing, their city. Our prayer, as teachers of these kids and as Christians on their side, is that their hope would be set upon the Savior Jesus Christ. For in Him, all things are possible. And He has great things planned for them.

I met Jessica, older sister of some of my students. We talked about the things we like to do. She likes to read and write. She is 15 and works in the dump. She no longer goes to school, but hopes to study next year. She told me that she did not know where she would go when she died. I asked her if she wanted me to tell her how she could know for sure that she could be with Jesus in Heaven when she died. She said yes. I shared with her verses explaining that we are sinners, and that we must confess our sins and place our faith in Jesus as our Savior and Lord. That He suffered the punishment for our sins on the cross, as our holy sacrifice. Because of the great love of God He sent His only Son, when we were still sinners and enemies of Him. Afterward I prayed for Jessica, for her family, her job, her future, and that she would trust in the Lord all the days of her life.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  1 John 1:9

"And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."  John 17:3

First Visit

 On August 1st I went to visit Yolanda.  For over a year we only knew each other through letters and pictures. Yolanda lives with her mom, two brothers, and little sister. Her mom works hard to provide for her children. For work she makes traditional Guatemalan clothing by hand and also cleans laundry. In their home they have  two beds and a dresser. Yolanda loved showing me all her paintings and drawings. She is very talented. For a gift she drew me a beautiful picture of flowers.

El primer de agosto fui a visitar a Yolanda. Por mas que un año solo nos conocimos a través de cartas y fotos. Yolanda vive con su mama, dos hermanitos y la hermanita. Su mama trabaja duro haciendo ropa tradicional de Guatemala y lava ropa tambien. En su casa hay dos camas y su vestidor. Yolanda le encanto enseñarme sus dibujos. Ella es muy talentosa. Me regalo un dibujo bonito de flores.

 She was excited to show me her grandmother's garden. "Let me show you my favorite flower, the one I wrote you about," she told me. She talked about her school and the Compassion project. She enjoys soccer and drawing the most. She helps her mom cook and care for her siblings. Yolanda's dad passed away about 5 years ago. Only Yolanda and her grandmother go to church. After visiting in her home, we all went to lunch.

Ella estaba emocionada para mostrarme el jardín de su abuela. "Te voy a enseñar mi flor favorita, la que te escribí sobre," me dijo. Me hablaba sobre su escuela y el proyecto de Compassion Internacional. Ella le gusta jugar futbol y dibujar los mas. Ella ayuda a su mama cocinar y cuidar a sus hermanos. Su papa se murio hace 5 años. Solo ella y su abuela van a la iglesia. Despues de visitar en su casa, fuimos a almorzar.

This is her little sister, Gladis. She is 3 years old. I think she liked her ring pop. She was premature when she was born and was malnourished and not growing. After visiting the doctor and having a better diet, she is doing much better. Praise the Lord!

Ella es su hermanita se llama Gladis. Tiene 3 años. Pienso que le gusto su dulce. Ella estaba prematura cuando nacio, y estaba desnutrida no crecia mucho. Despues de visitar al doctor y tener una mejor dieta, ella esta mejor! Gloria a Dios!

"Defend the poor and fatherless;
 Do justice to the afflicted and needy." Psalm 82:3

"Defiendan la causa del huérfano y del desvalido;
al pobre y al oprimido háganles justicia." Salmo 82:3

Eternal Reminder

This is my first blog post.  Ever.  I am no 'writer.'  And I don't expect acclamations for well-written posts.  I was never fond of writing.  But in the last few years, I have enjoyed expressing myself through written word.  I want to share stories of the people I meet here in Guatemala.  And through their stories, you will see the hand of God in their lives, and it is my prayer that it all amounts to the glory of His great name.  

Today I went to the funeral of a woman named Victoria.  She was forty-four years old when she passed away Sunday evening.  I didn't know her.  I only knew her as the mom of one of my students from The Ravine School.  His name is Selvin who, now at age 13, is an orphan.  The youngest of the 7 children is 6 years old. An older brother, age 18, studied last year in The Ravine School.  But when his mom got sick with cancer, he had to stop studying to work more hours in the local dump, collecting and scavenging anything he could sell. Selvin and another brother also work at the dump to help provide for their family.

I have not been to many funerals.  And this was my first one in Guatemala.  We went to the family's home which was packed with people wall to wall. In the front of the room was the casket, the only light was provided by two candles.  Before entering in, all I could hear were the wails and cries of the daughter, ¨Mamita! Mamita!¨  One by one we went to console family members.  I watched Selvin's teacher go and comfort him.  She lost her husband in a car accident one week ago.  Both of them share the same sufferings right now and can understand the pain of the other.

¨Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God....it is for your consolation and salvation...¨ 2 Corinthians 1:3.4

I have heard many notable characteristics of Victoria.  hard-working. caring. joyful. A good mother who loved her children.  Her name fit her well- Hercilia Victoria. Delicate and kind and victorious conqueror.  Amidst the struggles of this life, she lived well, knowing Who her hope was.  In the Lord Jesus Christ we are all conquerors of death and sin.  Because He has already conquered death and sin.  The punishment for our sins, Jesus took on the cross. And he rose victorious! 

We all know life is short, let´s not waste it.  May we live for the Lord today, by loving him and loving others.

¨....Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.¨ Philippians 1:20-21