Our schedule changes when the grandchildren come…..up early and there always seems to be a lot to talk about, for one little boy it just never stops. Marcus turned six on Easter Sunday and having a birthday while in Guatemala required a lot of discussion as to where we should go to eat out and celebrate. A McDonalds kids meal is still the winner at that age, so we enjoyed our time there. Another highlight for the kids was going to the area of Pacaya, to find some small lava rocks for them to take back to show their friends. Since they were here over Easter we again were privileged to be able take them to see the many decorations and celebrations that accompany Holy Week here in Guatemala. The streets are decorated with beautiful creations that resemble carpets (alfombras) made out of dyed sawdust in many bright and different colors. These creations are made by using stencils and are quite beautiful only to be destroyed as the procession travels over them representing Christ’s entry into Jerusalem.
Our team schedule has gotten back into full speed with the completion of a team from North Carolina doing some work at a home that they’ve returned to 3 times now, working on laying pavers for a continuation of a driveway area. Also completed a weeks work on the security wall being constructed around Casa Bernabe with the Tri-City Christian School group from California. These groups add a completely new dimension and growth potential for ORI coming from outside the Lancaster County area. Our hope is that this new exposure will help in the future growth of the organization as the needs of the orphanages continues to expand into many different areas of the childrens lives since it appears that many of the children will be spending most of their growing up years at the orphanage, unless miricles happen quickly with the goverments adoption policys. The wall project is immense! It will circle the perimiter of the homes property, almost 3/4 mile in length. We'll have lots of good help though, with the next 6 or 7 teams working there. In addition to the work on the wall the kids need love, 160+ of them ranging from 4 weeks to 16 years old. Almost forgot the garden work....the weeds just keep growing so we'll be putting an end to their growth also while we're there. 
We need your prayers as we process the remaining months of 2011. Sheryl and I will be returning to the States around the end of the year terminating our time with ORI as directors here in Guatemala. God has given us a wonderful time here working with the orphanages, learning to know the faithful directors of the homes, and building many lasting relationships. One of the most challenging questions directed to me when we made the decision to come to Guatemala was, "Does Orphan Resources have a plan in place now, for the replacement of volunteers when the time comes for your return". That was a good question and we're trusting God that there will be adequate staff to continue providing the food, clothing, and many other donations that are provided each month to over 50 locations by ORI. Our hopes were that in seeing so much need for future expansion and growth that some changes could be made to advance to a new level of perfomance in meeting the needs of the homes but it seems that the time was not now. God is in control and His timing is perfect. Love and Prayers,
Jim and Sheryl Leaman
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