We send you greetings from chilly
Guatemala. This past week we have been experiencing some cooler than what we’re
used to temperatures. I know many of you won’t be feeling all that sorry for us
~ but it is important for you to realize that when our temperatures go into the
50’s at night we are living without furnaces in our homes. Most homes are built
using lamina or concrete making the nights very cold.
This month has been filled with
special moments for those living within El Refugio’s walls. I would like to
begin by sharing the baptisms that took place this month. Some of the women
were interested in understanding baptism better so they all began attending a
baptism class that was held at Fraternidad Cristiana, a Christian mega church in
our area. After attending the 6-week class the five made the decision to be
baptized. It was a blessing for us to see these ladies taking the initiative in
their faith journey.
We also celebrated a few birthdays this month. Emily and Carolina both turned five with the actual birthdays one day apart. Everyone enjoyed the cake. We are finding that the ladies live to celebrate something. Also this month Ana was able to bring her two older daughters to the shelter. They have been living with her first husband’s parents. It has been a blessing to see her spend this time with her girls. The plan is for the girls to return to their grandparent’s house after the 1st of the year. We continue to pray for God’s leading in all of their futures.
Throughout the month we have been
blessed with volunteers: The ladies enjoyed haircuts from a group of students
from a nearby Hair Cutting School. They have also been blessed with the weekly
parenting class that Kim Agrellas teaches. Bill and Teri, a couple from Texas
also visited the shelter this month. Bill used his electrician skills with odd
electrical jobs that needed to be done as well as some special moments with the
kids.
It has been great to watch as the
ladies are learning to “pay if forward.” This month Kimberly volunteered to go
to the Community Center in Mixco to teach a class on baking. She is using the
skills she is learning to be a blessing to others. During Kimberly’s class
Yosselin put her skills to use by holding a couple of sessions on “The Cycle of
Violence” and “What Violence Against Women Can Actually Look Like.”
Through it all we continue to give
thanks for God’s provision, both physically and emotionally, in the lives of
those that we are blessed to be working with.
El Refugio -
PWM
