Friday, September 30, 2011

Freedom to Spoil Children!



















Spoiling the kids was not hard to do as Sheryl and I helped to care for the children at an Orphanage out near Lake Atitlan last week. Manos de Compasion is a wonderful home of 16 children living with a young couple that has two of their own children under 2 years. Their hands are truely filled to overflowing and they needed a break so the Freed family, a single guy and Sheryl and I took over the responsibilities while they went to the beach. Two of the little guys, Issac and Josue became my buddies quickly, even would cry when I disappeared. For Sheryl, Minor was a little guy that didn't want anyone nor was he happy about anything! Sheryl seem to attach to him which made the atmosphere in the house a lot better. We're still thanking the Lord for the generator that was there to give light. Workers were cutting trees down and dropped one of the large trees on the power lines snapping a pole on Friday morning when we arrived. The power company was gracious to come on Saturday evening before dark to restore power. Don't know what we would have done for 3 days without any electricity. Sunday afternoon we left the home and went to Santa Catarina Palopo, one of the small villages that surround the Lake for a short time of relaxation. Rolando, a friend and partner in the work with Childrens HopeChest stayed with us and arranged for a pleasant time with one of his friends that does boat trips on the lake. We had a beautiful day and a wonderful time stopping in at San Juan, then to San Pedro, then to a nice restaurant overlooking the lake. A stroll among the shops in Pana Monday evening then we finished with a "tuk tuk" ride back to our hotel in Santa Cantarina.


It's still the rainy season! We now have a day or two, if we're lucky without rain, then it rains again and can it ever rain! It's not unusual to get 3 inches in an hour or two. Some of the villages have had mud slides and families have lost their lives. It's been an interesting month of earthquake tremors also. A few weeks ago we had 3 fairly large tremors from 4.2-5.8 in the area south of us which did some major damage to the adobe homes in the poorer villages. I saw this morning that 700 properties were being bulldozed down because they are unsafe  to live in. It's still not determined if, or who will give them any help. I have not, and probably never will get used to the tremors....they come by surprise and we never know how big or damaging they will be. We continue to put our trust in God!
When we have opportunity were trying to get out to some of the homes that Sheryl and I have  closer relationships with to say our goodbyes and to share cookies with them. We will definately miss the children, their smiles, hugs and comments. My time recently has been quite busy helping to get the necessary information needed, along with Rolando, to set up an Association here in Guatemala for Children's HopeChest. They have partnered with ORI for the last year as I helped them to begin their ministry to the children in GT, but now with myself leaviing they see that it's necessary to form their own legal status to continue. I feel honored also to be asked to serve as a board member of the new organization. As our time with ORI comes to a close, I wondered how we would be able to continue our relationship with many of the directors and homes that we have come to admire and love. We'll be coming back occasionally for board  meetings and when we're here, we'll continue to connect with those we love. It's amazing how God works!
It's a buyers market for homes in the States right now....but we're still looking for the right place with just under 7 weeks till we return. Continue to pray that we will find the right place, soon!

Love you all,
Jim and Sheryl Leaman