It’s update time in one of the areas of our ministry: Pamela Leon was officially hired as the Executive Director for PWM (Partnership in Women’s Ministry) an association based here in Guatemala in the middle of May. Shortly after Pamela came on board, Karla Bonilla was hired to be the House Director. God has blessed us with two very amazing women who love the Lord and desire to love and comfort those in need. Karla, who also came out of an abusive situation has three children: Marissa, Ferdinan, and Alberto.

El Refugio, (The Refuge) officially opened it’s doors for ministry on June 1st, and our first client arrived two days later. Eunice and her three children, (Brian, Jasmine and Christian) were welcomed into the shelter with loving arms. Eunice has experienced abuse on almost every level for over the past six years. She shared that she felt isolated with nowhere to turn until her sister told her about us. After speaking with Pamela and filling out the paperwork (“a denuncio”) she moved in with her children. We provided them with material things: beds, clothes and food, as well as medical care, counseling and prayer times. Eunice and her children stayed with us for three weeks. Pamela went by bus with them last Friday to Solola (approximately 3 hours by bus) where her parents and siblings live. Initially Eunice’s mother felt her decision to move home was wrong, but Pamela spent time explaining Eunices’ story and before Pamela left the family and neighbors were behind Eunice’s presence there, vowing to protect her and the children.

Over the past few nights we have received two more women with their children. Maria and her son Melvin (3 years old) came through police intervention. Maria has physical bruising on her face from her last confrontation with her husband. Maria’s story is challenging in that she grew up in a small pueblo where she never learned to read or write. Karla has encouraged her that she can still learn, but at this time all she wants is to feel safe for a while and than move back near her parents with her son.

On the other hand, Myrna and her daughter Darlene (2 years old) received her nursing degree, married and her husband forbid her from working in her field. Using his control over her to keep her under his thumb, using verbal and physical abuse to keep her in line. She has worked as a maid for the past three years. The abuse she received was so extreme that she has sought refuge, fearing that since her husband knows where her parents live that it wouldn’t be hard for him to find her if she returned there. On a very positive note, Myrna surrendered her life to Jesus Christ that night after a time of sharing with Karla. Karla was deeply touched by Myrna’s testimony and her openness to seek a Savior.

One of our saddest stories was the arrival of two nuns at the door of El Refugio. They had heard what we are doing and wanted to know if we could help them. They had a ten year old girl at their shelter (a shelter for children with HIV) who was pregnant from her father. A priest in the girl’s pueblo in the north removed her from her house. Since her mother wouldn’t press charges against her husband, the girl wouldn’t either. With no legal representation because she is a minor, the necessary documents could not be filed and we could not except her into the shelter. We are in the final stages of our paperwork for the association and cannot risk doing anything that might bring things to a stop.

We have had a few other ladies who came in for one night and decided that they weren’t prepared to make the changes necessary to move forward.

El Refugio also had its Inauguration on June 6th. It was well attended by Guatemalans as well as Missionaries. It was a wonderful night of prayer, fellowship and networking. We believe the Lord has some wonderful plans for this shelter and for all involved with our vision.

We are in need of partners in this new area of our ministry. Please pray about the possibility of supporting the shelter with a one time gift or monthly giving as well as putting the shelter on your prayer list.

Blessings,

Chris