(Click on any picture to enlarge)

This week the I went to Jalapa with the Bethel crew and a teem that is here from Canada. One of the things that we did was build a house for a widow and her children. As it turned out a good part of the work involved tearing down their old home, moving their belongings (most of which they had collected from the garbage dump that is near their home) and leveling the land so that we could put up the new house.

Jason with some of the kids

Since Jason will not be starting school until next week we took him along with us as well. Thanks to many of you that contacted me this week not only will Jason be able to go to the Christian school that Cesar and Fernando are attending but some of other kids in my neighborhood that were in need of sponsors are also getting some financial support for their schooling.

More of the kids that stole our harts.

Since we had such a large teem some of the group brought clothing and water filters to some of the other needy families in the area. I went along to a few of the homes and was able to share with some of the families that the filters that we were giving out would help to supply water that would temporarily satisfy their thirst but that we were there representing the One that could supply their spiritual thirst forever.

On Wednesday we took a day off from house building
to do a wheelchair distribution.

It feels good to know that over 31 kids and 15 adults now have wheelchairs.

But it feels even better knowing that 15 people gave their harts to Jesus.

Jason holding one of the little ones that received a wheelchair.

Some of the kids from Canada that were on the teem.

A few more of the
wheelchair recipients.

Jason and I had to leave a day early so that we could get him enrolled into school so I was not there to get any pictures of the completed house. It is my understanding though that it has bunk beds, a wood burning cook stove, and a water filter.

One not so pleasant surprise when I got back home was to discover that the pump that supplies to this end of town has quit working. The good news is that I have a 300 gallon water tank on the top of my house for emergencies like this. However I left a key with the kids so that they could use the shower while I was gone. I am still trying to figure out how many kids it takes to use 300 gallons of water in 3 days but not a drop was left in the tank when I got back home. Fortunately there is a business that has it's own well and delivers water just across the street from me and by 6:00 PM I had water. Unfortunately one of the kids some how managed to burn out my electric widow maker shower head so it took me another 2 hours to locate and install a new one.

Since we managed to get back home early enough on Thursday to get Jason registered for school and I dfinally got that much needed shower, I decided to help out at a Hope Haven wheelchair distribution in Antigua on Friday. Pat Duff and Esbin (who had no school??) accompanied me. Esbin and I kept busy fitting kids into wheelchairs while Pat split up her time interpreting for me and making communication booklets for some of the kids.



I know that I have written in the past about parents who want nothing to do with a child simply because he or she has some type of disability but over the years we are meeting more and more families that show a lot of love to a disabled child. Today we met a family that not only accepted their little girl who was both physically and mentally disabled but they considered her a gift from God and a real blessing. Papa especially seemed to radiate when ever he was near his precious little girl. Was he praying that she would some day be heeled? Certainly! but whether that would be in this life or once she got to heaven this man and his wife had an unconditional love for their little girl that I have not seen in many parents. They were a real inspiration to all of us.

By the way, Pat has posted several journals in the last few days. I hate to swipe everything that she writes so instead I will leave you THIS LINK to Pat's Journal.

The rest of the teem got back from Jalapa last night. I did not get a chance to get any pictures of the completed house from them yet, but will try to post some soon.


This morning we all went to Hermano Pedro and spent a few hours loving on the kids.

Most of my kids have a youth group activity in Antigua this afternoon and evening so that is why I finally found some time to get caught up with this journal. I have to go and pick them up from Antigua at 8:30 Oh no! That reminds me I left my car at the car wash over 4 hours ago and promised to pick it up an hour later. It is now 6:30 and they normally close at 6:00 PM.

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

(Click on any picture to enlarge)

Dave has offered to write the journals for March 16 & 17.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Dave wrote:

Dick, Jason, and I met Pastor Mike, Steve, Giovanni, and Antonio (all from Iglesia Caminos) at the church at 11 a.m. to head out to Rabinal to hike into the hills to deliver 25 Sawyer water filters to 25 families there who had received other filters about 3 years ago, which were due to be replaced. First we stopped at El Mastil (the local Home Depot) to buy 30 plastic pails. The owner there is a Christian, and he gave us a good deal.

Dick, Jason and I had to stop in Guatemala City to pick up Jason's belongings at the men's shelter where Jason had been staying, before Dick picked him up a few days earlier. The director there had taken Jason in, and had also taken Jason to a church near there, which Jason enjoyed very much. I will let Dick fill in more on Jason, and how God has brought Jason back to him.
Dick wrote:

I have tried several times to write an update on Jason explaining exactly what went on during the two months that he was missing. After much thought and prayer I have decided that it is enough to say that he is back at home and doing fine. He did not join any gangs so he has nothing to fear there. Fact is I can see that God was directing and protecting him the entire time that he was missing and I now see a young man who although he has been through a lot has also grown in his walk with Jesus. Although Jason has missed the first 6 weeks of the school year he is still hopeful that he can get back into school right away. I am seriously thinking of trying to get him into the Christian School here in Chimaltenango that Cesar and Fernando attend however to do so he would need a sponsor. Seldom do I mention the need for money in my Journals but having just spent the last 3 days with Jason I feel that a Christian education for this young man would be the investment of a life time.

Update, Sunday, March 20, 2011

Praise God, Jason now has a sponsor! I wish to thank all of the people that have written me saying that they were praying for Jason and also those that offered to help out financially with getting him back into School. If any of you feel led to sponsor another child CLICK HERE to go to Bethel's web page that tells you about some of the kids that are still in need of sponsors.

Yours in Christ: Dick

Dave wrote:

We met back up with our fellow travelers on the other side of Guate, (Guate - Canadian word for Guatemala City) and headed for a Saritas restaurant towards Salamas. We had a late lunch, And I could tell as soon as we sat down, this was a great bunch of men - lots of good-natured ribbing and jokes all around. I definitely knew this was going to be good for Jason, especially. After arriving in Rabinal, where we stayed for the night, the Caminos guys tried to introduce me to gringas, a meat and pineapple concoction folded in a tortilla. I politely begged off, and had a Snickers instead !

Dave

Thursday, March 17, 2011

We had to meet our rented mules @ 8 a.m., so we got up at 6:30a.m., had brekky, (Brekky is evidently the Canadian word for Breakfast. Dick) and drove to our take-off point. Dick had said it was quite a hike, and I thought the mules were for us! Nope.
The first 100 ft. showed us a kind of a trip it was going to be, as we had to cross a river by stepping on stones ( more on that later ). That was actually the easy part!

After the river crossing, we STARTED to climb up a path inundated with rocks , mud, and switchbacks. We soon lost sight of Dick,the dad,and son (who were up ahead looking after the mules) very soon. (Not to brag or anything but, Dave failed to mention that other than the son, dad, the mules and myself, were all older than the rest of the crew who all arrived nearly an hour later. Dick)Dave wrote:

After about 1.5.-2 hrs., we caught up with Dick and found him sipping a juice, and chatting up a storm (Ha!) with the ladies gathered at the Centro Clinica. (I must admit it was a bit funny sitting there for an hour with nothing to say. I guess next time I will either have to find an interpreter that can keep up with me or take a book along so that I can study Spanish while I am waiting for the rest of the crew. Dick)

This clinic served 2 pueblos (if you can call them that as the casas are spread all over the hills here)

The ladies had even brought their old bucket and filters, thinking they had to exchange them - this was not the case.

After Dick (with Antonio translating) told the mostly ladies gathered there about these Sawyer filters, and how they could quench your immediate thirst, Mike spoke on how Jesus gives us living water , for eternity. We then made up the filters, showed them all how to clean them, and put a New Testament in every pail.


Mike had mentioned earlier in the trip how Satan had tried to stop him, and possibly others from coming. I had dithered about coming.


I decided to come,seeing as I go home next Tuesday, and this would be a way to end my time here. How right I was.

THANKS DICK FOR ANOTHER CRAPPY TRIP !

Thank you, God for leading me here.............

Blessings,...............
Dave..............

Thank you Dave,
Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Jason is alive!

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

James 5:16 b (New Living Translation)

I know that I posted the verse above just last night but after what just happened I feel that it bears repeating. Last night I asked for prayer for Jason who has been missing for nearly 2 months. In last night's journal I also said that I feared that he was dead. It looks like your prayers are stronger than my fears because today I received a phone call from a Guatemalan pastor that works with street kids in Guatemala City telling me that he has been working with Jason. Facts are still sketchy but it sounds like even though Jason gave him my phone number Jason does not want to make contact with his own family. I contacted Jason's parents though and they were very relieved just knowing that their son is alive. The pastor that called me promised to call me back later tonight with more details and is going to see if Jason will talk to me and hopefully to his parents. Please pray that this family can be reunited. If Jason has joined a gang it my be difficult and even life threatening for him to return to his home if he leaves the gang so please continue to pray.

Update, 9:00 PM

Jason's parents showed up at my door as I was about to send this out. With the help of 2 of my other boys, Esbin and Calin who served as translators we were able to visit for nearly and hour and then we phoned the pastor that called me this morning. He has talked to Jason and Jason is now willing to meet with me and at least talk to his parents. His father can not get off from work but tomorrow Jason's mom, Calin and I will drive into Guatemala City to meet with the pastor and Jason. Please pray that Jason can iron out any differences that he has with his parents and that he returns home with us.

Update, Friday, March 18 2011

Dick wrote:

I have tried several times to write an update on Jason explaining exactly what went on during the two months that he was missing. After much thought and prayer I have decided that it is enough to say that he is back at home and doing fine. He did not join any gangs so he has nothing to fear there. Fact is you can see that God was directing and protecting him the entire time that he was missing and I now see a young man who although he has been through a lot has also grown in his walk with Jesus. Although Jason has missed the first 6 weeks of the school year he is still hopeful that he can get back into school right away. I am seriously thinking of trying to get him into the Christian School here in Chimaltenango that Cesar and Fernando attend however to do so he would need a sponsor. Seldom do I mention the need for money in my Journals but having just spent the last 3 days with Jason I feel that a Christian education for this young man would be the investment of a life time.

Update, Sunday, March 20, 2011

Praise God, Jason now has a sponsor! I wish to thank all of the people that have written me saying that they were praying for Jason and also those that offered to help out financially with getting him back into School.

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Journal, Sunday, March 7 - Sunday, March 13, 2011

Your life will be measured, not by the amount of money or power or fame you gain,

but by the way you allow God to touch others through you.

Another week has slipped by and I have found that I have not done any journaling. Usually Pat has baled me out on occasions like this by letting me publish some of her journals. However this week has been a busy one for her as well because she has been in the process of moving into a house that is located just across the street from where she had been staying. After church on Sunday 8 of my kids and I helped her move the bulk of her stuff but it is taking her a while to get everything unpacked and organized.

Monday was spent at Hermano Pedro with a group that was here from the States. I had met with them on Sunday night and shared a bit about Hermano Pedro and all of them seemed really eager to meet the kids. Fact is when I told them that Monday is the day that they do pool therapy with the kids all of them said that they would love to get into the pool and help out with a few of the kids if that were possibles. Unfortunately when we showed up Monday morning the weather was a bit cooler than usual so there was no pool therapy. This however did not seem to dampen the spirits of this group of mostly teens and after I gave them a tour of the orphanage they quickly went to work on loving on the kids. Since this group was rather large we decided not to take any kids out to lunch but I checked out about 8 of them so that we could take them to the park in the afternoon. Unfortunately just as we were about the take the kids to the park one of the doctors looked up at the sky which was partly overcast and decided that it was to cold for the children to go to the park. I did not have a thermometer with me but it had to be in the upper seventies. The group was a bit disappointed but they rallied and did well with the kids.

On Tuesday and Wednesday the weather was about the same but the Doctor was in a better mood so with the help of Dave, a few of his friends, and Miguel we managed to take a few of the orphanage kids out to lunch.

I spent Thursday and Friday at a wheelchair distribution that
...took place at Hope Haven's wheelchair factory in Antigua.

Most of the workers at Hope Haven's Factory

are themselves in wheelchairs and they take a lot of

pride in reaching out to their fellow Guatemalans.

Calin had no school on Friday so he came along...........

and helped out at the wheelchair distribution.............

I have been fighting a head cold for the past week so I decided to stay mostly at home and take it easy on Saturday.

I can't exactly explain how you can take it easy when there are

10 to 12 kids with you in a 3 room house but at least I tried.

The kids that could not fit in my house played out in the yard.

On Sunday 8 of my kids and I went to church

and then out to lunch then we went to a

soccer game that some of the boys played in.

People to pray for.

Pastor Bill is now at home after undergoing 9 hours of surgery. They were not able to reach the aneurysm that is in his brain but he is doing fairly well. Bill is doing quite well but will have to take it easy for at lest several months. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. I visited with him and Barb over the phone a few days ago and found that Bill has defiantly not lost his sense of hummer.

It has now been nearly 2 months ago that Jason mysteriously disappeared. No one has seen him and I fear that he is no longer alive.

Esben and Elder are 2 of the boys that spend most of their time at my place. Their mom lives only a few blocks away but wants nothing to do with them or their 15 year old sister Olga. Olga use to come over at times and would often come along to church with us. Recently Olga ran away from the home that her and the boys now stay at and for a while no one knew where she was. It has now been discovered that Olga is living with the 18 year old father of the baby that she is will be having.

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

James 5:16 b (New Living Translation)

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick