Francisco cutting hair
Grandma with donated blanket
New stove for poor family
We have officially named the ministry in Guatemala to reflect the work that is being done there. The Guatemalan name for our ministry is Ministerio Comedor y Educacion de Paz, Chiquimula. It means that the ministry is a feeding program and education program with the emphasis on Peace. The name of the Guatemalan church also has the same emphasis. The church's name is Dios es Nuestra Paz (God is our Peace). We are still under WMOTW for tax purposes and for the non-profit status. Continue sending donations to WMOTW. The name Watchmen On the Walls does not translate to a meaningful statement of the ministry in Guatemala.
We are excited about officially becoming a Guatemalan ministry recognized by the government. Our hope is that more Guatemalan's will spearhead this ministry in the years to come.
Ministerio Comedor y Educación de Paz, Chiquimula
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light Isaiah 9:2
March 2008
It's been cold and then hot. I'm just coming out from under walking pneumonia. It's been a long boring time. I'm looking forward to some adventure. (smile)
Aimee has recuperated from her last baby-Nathan and has returned as part time secretary in the mornings. She will help with reports in English, input of information in English and also clean the ministry office. Angel just finished his exams and we are waiting for a good report.
While I was down and out, Francisco and Raquel helped a great deal. Francisco is now full time with the ministry while Raquel continues part time because of her new baby, Deborah, born in February. Francisco was off and running from day one...and I mean running. He has been talking to local merchants to help the ministry financially with monthly or one time support. We already had five faithful commitments of as much as $25 a month to as little as $2 a month. Two dollars buys 2 pounds of chicken or a little over 1 pound of meat. Every little bit helps.
On Francisco's first day he had two more committed donations of $25 a month each! Praise God! He was very pleased with himself for being able to make that contribution. He is now full time salaried as youth pastor along with Raquel. He will also do a lot of running for me that I could not do. As a youth pastors they are responsible for the ministry and games at the comedor, Sunday services with the children, helping with homework and activities. He cuts the boys hair and is teaching the older boys how to cut hair.
Francisco fits a special need in the ministry for a man for the boys. He is planning a sleep over with some of the older boys with fun and games. He is currently still working with the men one Sunday a month sharing the word. During my illness, he preached to the ladies on Sunday while Raquel worked with the children. Raquel also helps in the office keeping the files up to date for the ministry. She also writes letters to local authorities, tutors Angel, helps with presentations and is the teacher for the literacy class.
We are still looking for a pastor who will be able to minister to the whole family and build up the church from members in the poor community who are not attending church. Please pray for guidance in this endeavor.
Heidi, who is in the 7th grade, came by to use Myra’s computer to download some information. We do have internet cafe's and a local library where she could get this information. She said even though she has a computer class for the first time in school, the teacher doesn't come often and she does not understand yet how to use a computer. Myra searched and copied the info for her. It was too much information and not enough time to teach her and also complete the assignment. That's a good example of the need to provide computer classes for the poor while they are still in elementary school. Heidi had never encountered a computer before entering seventh grade and now she has to search for info from the web and is at a loss.
AN UPDATE ON THE BUILDING PROJECT
We now have an estimate of the cost of the building, water and sewer. The dimensions of the building are 19.20 x 9.5 meters one side and 16 x 9.5 meters on the other side. The first level is below ground and will be the comedor for 200 children, Church, kitchen, small bathroom for workers and storage. The cost is $40,000.
The top level will be an office, medical clinic, dental clinic, Susi Saltsman multipurpose room (library, computer lab, afterschool programs, literacy classes, Bible classes, etc,), and living quarters for someone to live there. The cost is $45,000.
We can complete the bottom level and open the comedor and church while we are still building the second level.
The well costs $5,000.00 and the sewer is $3,000.00. Electricity has come to the area recently so we do not have to put in a transformer, praise God. We are asking the mayor to resurface the road near the construction of the building so we can get trucks in and out.
We now have $9,600 saved for the construction. We need $13,000 to begin work. The builder is an excellent Christian man and included in the cost are doors, windows, plumbing and electricity. Please pray about helping us finish this project.
We also welcome groups to come see firsthand what we are doing here. Airfare is very cheap now and the trip with food, hotel and transportation to and from the airport would be as little as $1000 per person including airfare of $500 or less per person. A small group of twelve or less would be good. We ask $100 a person for a donation to the ministry. That should be included in the $1000.
We are all amazed at our all sufficient God. It's been a hard economic down time for so many people in the U.S. and even as we all struggle we are seeing how faithful God is. There are so many examples. We have 39 children who are sponsored this year and one adult. Because of personal economic struggles, a few of the commitments have not been met monthly… BUT GOD is still faithful. Two Guatemalan business men donated over 200 notebooks that we were able to give out to any of the 163 children attending school who needed them. The local elementary schools also gave out some school supplies. A local merchant donated 15 blankets to the ministry. We now have seven Guatemalan's who monthly donate Q25 ($2.00) to Q200 ($25) towards the ministry. We have given out over 800 meals this month. Another stove was donated to a poor family in memory of the late Ed Saltsman. God is truly awesome. There is no downside in Him. He keeps His promises and cares especially for the poor, children, orphans and widows.
I am encouraged that I am in the right line of work and have a great Boss who never cuts my wages but always gives life to His ministry. Thank you all for your love, prayers and support. Have a blessed Easter.
Love, Myra.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Joy in the journey
Good Health
Spiritual growth for my children
Good relations with ministry team
Pastor for the church
$3400.00 to start the construction
More visitors
More monthly support
