This month began with the celebration of Deysi’s birthday. Deysi is our House Director in El Refugio. She has been an incredible blessing to all of us. Her desire to love each woman and child that comes through our doors is an inspiration to everyone. Kimberly, who had already planned the birthday dinner wanted to make something special to add to the celebration. Nancy, one of our board members and a volunteer, decided to help by teaching Kimberly how to make an Apple Pie. Another beneficiary of this special day was Rachel who spends her Thursday’s at the shelter teaching English to any and all that are interested. She stayed after class and enjoyed dinner and birthday pie with everyone. She said that every bite was delicious.
|
This month we admitted two more women with their children. Carolina, a woman who suffers from Epilepsy, entered with her 2 year old daughter. Her daughter’s head was covered with lice with an existing fungus that was discovered by Deysi when the lice were removed. Carolina who also had lice is suffering from seizures too numerous to count since entering the shelter, concerning all of us. We have sought medical care for both of them but have not found any solutions regarding her seizures yet.
Vicky entered with her
3-year-old son a few days after Carolina’s arrival. She arrived at our doorstep
with her sister. It turns out that her husband, who is a police officer, has
been in relationships with other women since they married. In retaliation, a
friend of hers mentioned that she was also seeing other people (which was not
true) and it sent him into a rage. He began beating her without mercy in front
of Vicky’s mother. Her mother believes strongly that if she returns to her
community, he will kill her. For
now, she is happy staying in the shelter, though she misses her life and the
job that she had.
Kim, a board member with the
ministry, has begun using her skills to help the mothers in the shelter. She
has started a parenting class that has been a great blessing to all the women,
even those who have no children. Kim is able to use role-play with the moms and
children to help them better understand how best to deal with difficult
situations.
|
During the past month we had
12 inquires regarding entering the shelter and had to turn away five women due
to lack of space. Many times we have been able to house more than five women at
a time, but it always depends on how many children each woman has.
|
 
We are very
thankful for the prayer and financial support so many of you offer. If you are
not yet financially supporting El Refugio or us personally we encourage you to
pray about making a commitment today. We still desire to move the shelter to a
larger facility but we are not able to until more funds are raised. The
headlines continue to confirm how dangerous things are here. Please pray for
our safety as we travel around the Capital.
In
His Service,
Mike
and Chris
|
|
El Refugio -
PWM
