PWM
(Partnership in Women's Ministry)
January 20, 2010
Greetings from Guatemalla and Happy New Year!
We have been busy since our last
update. In December we had a special
Christmas party at the shelter where
every child and Mom received a special
gift. Thanks to donations sent in
designated for Christmas gifts we were
able to purchase something specific that
each child and mom was dreaming of.
We also had a variety of cookies and
treats for everyone to enjoy.
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| We met as a board on New Years Eve receiving news from Pamela (our Executive Director)
that things were not working out with Karla (our House Director). Pamela let Karla go later
that afternoon. Pamela has been working out of the shelter trying to fill the void that Karla
has left until a replacement can be found. |
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Many of us have also been
spending dditional time at
the shelter, allowing Pamela
time to get things done outside
the shelter during the day. We
have used this time without a
house director to get things
organized in the shelter. We
have gone through all the
clothes, all the bedding, set up
more beds in the rooms we
have and feel ready to house
even more women and their
children in the future. |
| Volunteer Susan (center) spends a long day helping to clean and organize the shelter along with Sandra (left) and Olga (right), two ladies staying at the shelter. |
We also took in two new ladies over the past 3 weeks.Sandra came in with bruises all over body. She was |
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so broken it took hersome time before she could allow any of the board members to even speak with her. She was working through so much loss. Her parents both died of cancer within a few months of each other, she is an only child and her partner of three years had beaten her one too many times. She miscarried at 4 months due to one of his beatings. She is pressing charges against him and if everything goes as planned, he will be serving out a six year prison sentence. Sandra and Pamela had to appear before the judge 2+ weeks after her last beating. She had to show him her bruises. As it turns out, the bruises still needed to be seen for her beating to be considered serious. It was.
Olga and her three-year-old daughter arrived one week later. Olga is seven months pregnant. They came in severely malnourished. They were kicked out of their house by her husband at ten o'clock at night, arriving in the shelter at midnight. Olga's parents are also deceased, leaving her destitute. She was having pain in her mouth, so I took her to see Dr. Kadera, who had to remove three of her teeth due to an infection. She had never seen a dentist and we have plans to get her back for some major work after the baby is born. Her daughter also is in need of dental work, but we have decided to wait until Olga is ready togo back. Dr. Kadera gave them both a lesson in brushing their teeth since they had never done it before entering the shelter. |
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In December, Mike, Dr. Eric and a few others visited Madeline, a former resident at El Refugio. They delivered groceries and encouragement while Dr. Estrada provided a medical checkup for mom and baby. Both are doing well! |
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Olga, her daughter and Sandra have each received love unconditionally from Jasmine, and we have been blessed with the smiles they have given in return. |
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We have also learned that Jasmine (our cocker spaniel) is quite the therapy dog. I have been bringing her down to the shelter while we have been reorganizing. |
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Through it all we are so grateful for the opportunity to be Jesus with Hands. Thank you for your continued support to us, our ministry and the lives of hurting women in Guatemala.
Blessings,
Mike and Chris
Website: www.weavinghopeministry.org
Hope Bible Mission
3775 EP True Parkway #103
West Des Moines, IA 50265
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