Monday, July 25, 2011

Just a few yet!

Last night as I was doing a debriefing, Denny was doing an orientation. That only happend twice this year when one team was leaving and another coming with a short overlap. It has been a busy month with teams every day. We'll be ready for a one week break next week then another team to end the ORI schedule followed by a Childrens Hopechest visit....then I think there will be time to relax. Along with the progress on the security wall, we've been doing quite a bit of painting at Casa Bernabe. Sheryl and I try to keep people busy with that while the rest of the guys work on the wall. We've had some really dedicated teams and it's been a pleasure! At Casa Bernabe we feel like we're at home! The kids love when we're there with crafts, and time to play with them. We're at one of the more difficult places with the construction of the wall. It's steep!....with a bank covered with a thin layer of concret to keep the dirt from washing away, so holes need to be cut into the concrete, then the posts set and cemented in before the actual wall pieces can be put in place. Lots of hands make light work! Last week we had a nice dedication service for the construction of  the wall. The team from Friedens Luthern Church from Somerset, Pa was the group that originally initiated the idea of the project when they wanted to do something in memory of one of their faithful members that passed away recently from cancer. His wife was along to help which made it even more special. A plaque will be put up when it's finished remembering Lon and the other teams that made the project possible.
God has been so good, providing some extra room with returning teams to take some luggage of ours along back to the Pa area for us. The Somerset team bought their tickets in February before the new baggage regulations were put into place so they were able to check in two bags each and the team that left this morning had some extra space returning to Quarryville, so we sent some along with them. The house has been a mess in the evenings as we gathered some of the things we wanted to pack and send back. It does seem strange, packing up to return to the States. Our house is for sale and we have a few interested people, so pray that God would bring us a buyer. It's public information now!.....Angela, our daughter in State College is expecting their 4th child in early December...number 8 for grandpa and grandma! That will be a wonderful going home present for us.

Thanks for your prayers as we finish up the year




Jim and Sheryl Leaman

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Expectations...EXCEEDED!

This past week has been one to remember for a long time. Sheryl and I  along with Rolando Monterroso hosted our first Childrens Hopechest Team. Rolando is a 27 year old Guatemalan that I've learn to know, and is now our discipler for the Hope Chest relationship we've begun. His work includes regular visits to the homes that are sponsored by churches in the States, and he also gathers the information to put together a development plan for each home that waits for sponsorship. It has been an interesting learning experience as we all forge ahead into new territory, and then have the opportunity to see the results of what God has brought together this past week. The Cornerstone Presbyterian Church from Maryland chose to sponsor two orphanages in Guatemala and both are homes which ORI has provided food and where all of us have close friendships with the children. The team that came was delivering a message to them..."God wants to lavish them with His love..and they do too!" Through skits, going to the zoo, taking the kids to a soccer game, and many hugs, tears, and special words with them, this was accomplished. Some of the children had never been to the zoo and many of them just wanted to be loved with big hugs and a shoulder to lay their heads on. After the soccor game there was time for Pollo Campero! 9 kids meals and everyone else could order whatever they wanted...43 meals when we were done ordering to be enjoyed. The bus ride back was rather quiet with many of them sleeping.  
One day off and another team arrives tomorrow from Max Lucado's church, Oak Hills in Texas. We'll be working with them on a project at Fundaninos putting stainless steel razor wire on top of the outside wall of the property. 480 meters or 1575 ft to complete the job. I think we can do it! We'll have the medical bag with Denny's sutures close by if needed.
The rainy season sure makes things nice and green, but it creates a mess on some of the dirt roads. On Tuesday the bus got stuck in the mud on our return trip to the hotel....I thought ahead and took some old work shoes along just in case, so I was the one to shovel us out while it was dumping down more rain. Three attempts and we made it! We're hoping that some road repairs will be made soon, to give us a base of stone instead of the slime that's there now. We'll see! Adventures Ahead! Will make good fb postings!

Love and Prayers





Jim and Sheryl Leaman