March. 31, 2009

 

Weaving Hope Update

 

PWM: This has been a very rewarding couple of months, with, of course, many ups and downs. In February we received word that the Guatemalan government had decided to close its shelters and the related government offices. It was quite a shock for us, since many of the ladies we have received were through Propevi, which is the government Office for Abused Women.

 

In the middle of this trial, Pamela and Karla began communicating with the local authorities in Mixco, the county in which the shelter is located. Because of these many visits to officials on Pamela’s part, we have begun to reap rewards. Since February, we have received four women and seven children. I will be focusing on two of the women in this update.

Vilma came to us five weeks ago. She is eighteen and married. Her mother-in-law, an alcoholic, never approved of her. When her mother-in-law died, the family unjustly blamed Vilma and began to threaten her with bodily harm. Her father has been gone most of her life, and her mother is living and working in California, leaving Vilma alone and destitute. Vilma is doing very well at the shelter and beginning to understand her place in this world. She has been meeting with Nidia, our counselor, and has been a wonderful help to Karla around the house.

 

 

Evelyn arrived four weeks ago. She has an incredible story to share. When she was born, her mother gave her to her father, who in turn gave her to his mother. Evelyn’s grandmother died when she was 12 years old, leaving her very much alone. She married and was pregnant at 16 years of age.

 

 

 

She had three children with her husband, who was a physical and verbal abuser. He died in an accident three years ago. She floated in and out of relationships, leaving her three young children with her mother, who reentered her life a few years ago. She met and married a man who promised to provide for her and her three children. As most stories go, though, all was not right in paradise. She became pregnant and the beatings began. She was hospitalized eight times during her pregnancy after severe beatings. Her husband, as it turns out, is a drug trafficker using a small business to launder his money. After her baby was born, she knew she needed to get out, but with the government offices closed she was unsure of her rights. Leaving her baby in the care of her maids, she removed her three children and went to the family court in Zone 1 seeking help. They sent her to Mixco to the Human Rights Office where they helped her file the correct papers and then, with a police escort, helped her to return to her house to remove the baby as well. Evelyn and her kids have all been receiving counseling and much prayer. It has been an incredible blessing to see the Lord healing these very damaged lives.

A work team for Emmanuel’s Heart arrived last Friday night with four new sewing machines for El Refugio. With the help of Cathy from our Brooklife team, the ladies received their first sewing lesson. It has been a true blessing for me to be able to witness the transformation that is taking place in their lives.

 

 

Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support. You are helping to make a difference in the lives of these hurting people.

 

 

May the Lord bless you,

 

Chris and Mike