Family....Easter...Busy Schedule!

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

The Crazyness Begins!

Last Sunday, Sheryl and I returned from Florida after her 3 week stay with Jenelle to help with the chores around the house as Jenelle recovered from a c-section delivery of their 4th child. What a blessing all the children are to us as we see them grow, ask funny questions in their curiosity, and to recieve the warm hugs that Skype can't provide.It was good to take a break from our schedule here and be refreshed for the busy team schedule starting tomorrow.

Here's a quick run down of our up coming schedule, starting tomorrow a group from N.C., then Thursday an overlap of 3 days when a group comes from California, then the day they leave our daughter from State College, Pa comes with her family (3 grandchildren) for a week of pleasure, 3 days later a group from Pa. then a week off before the next group from Canada, 2 weeks off then a group from Ohio, overlap of 2 days and a group from Md. through Childrens Hope Chest, 2 days off then a group from Texas, the day they leave a group frm Pittsburgh, the day they leave a group from Quarryville, Pa, overlap of 1 day with a group from Canada coming, then...1 week off before our last group comes in August...WOW, makes me tired just telling you about it! The good thing about this schedule is that we love to host teams and learn to know Gods volunteers from all over the country. It's always a wonderful experience for them and for our staff also. We'll be mostly working at one location, building an outside perimiter wall for security around the orphanage. The advantage of that is that, week to week the supplies and preperation will be a continuing process rather than moving from one orphanage to another, which takes alot more planning and preparation. Pray for us that as teams travel they will be safe and that while working also,  Gods hand of protection would cover the project and our travels.

Just recieved a call from one of our mighty partners in our work here that his father passed away this morning in Va. so Dennis and Cindy from Vine International will be traveling back for the funeral.....guess what, one of their containers is arriving this week and we'll also find time to unload that for them while they're gone.
It's good I got the painting done before my short visit to Fla. last week or we'd be in trouble finding time for that also.
Continue to pray for our safety, just Friday while the jail located about 5 mile from where we live was transporting gang leaders into the city for a court hearing and the convoy was ambushed during rush hour traffic next to the shopping mall close to our home by two vehicles loaded with 10 gang members trying to rescue their gang leaders. It caused a 5 hour traffic nightmare. 4 of the 10 were captured, no one killed but an innocent woman driving by was wounded along with one of the security guards. In our last staff newsletter we featured the need for prayer and how God has answered many prayers of the staff and directors of the childrens homes in Guatemala. If you have not recieved the newsletter and want to read it, here is the web page link. Move curser to blank space below and click on the link.

Blessings to all of you,  Our prayers are always coming your way also.
Jim and Sheryl Leaman
 http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=iddghscab&v=001lit4Td5f-aXwKsug-MYKR99g5Be2TgfEo2MeU8MstCVittT0FfWTorifFfFviw0aH8UGPZ8CHEWHD3MdFcouGJQ9q3QJVJjVG3XkrqIAXwzeWNZL_g7OUXnSbea38a5Ad5cBceAAz2qmuVlx9Vz5ub8hrSU1r6t6uVQ7TuDCRR0DRxW4j4nLIC7W4qlHJlkAIRwcht49YnmrPud4YROhXZ40zJauAnnEwiRUTII0peR7MjXejP6vYAwy9vDmLmnJs0SYAWjxiWB1CdXcl4-jceDAnBpTjxgyTGRugK3Fj8ndGpjC3JSwiS-dbPwaSYgYiJ6dRDOFI0XCIH3QCLGZ1zZk1TGln4H3&id=preview

Not long yet...running out of food!

Not as bad as the title may suggest but things have surely been different around here for the last....long while! Sheryl went to Florida on the 13th to help with chores, entertainment, and just being grandma to the Stettlers. Jenelle and Rob blessed us with our 7th special grandchild, Joah Rhoads Stettler. I'll be flying over on Tuesday to "help" then we'll both retun on Sunday with memories! We do miss having the children close to us but thanks to the computer technology of today we can see them, hear their laughs and enjoy their smiles. Grandma even blows kisses!

 My week....decided to paint the outside of the house. Wow, didn't know it was such a big job. I think on Friday I was up and down the ladder 50+ times. Down to wet the roller, then up the ladder to roll, over and over again. Almost 20 gallon of wall paint plus about 7 gallon of Drylok to seal the concrete edges on the top of the roof. The guards that watch over the neighborhood adjacent to our house were entertained most of the week. I actually had the guts to ask them how much it would have cost to have a guatemalen do what it was taking me a week.....Q1500, about $200. What would I have done, then? Painting's done and there's still time tomorrow to clean the house. I was kidding around with Sheryl the other night and said that the tile floor has so many dust bunnies and fuzzies on it that it's not even cold to walk on, as it is sometimes....and the grass clippings from going in and out all week are everywhere!! Honey, I'll clean the floors tomorrow! You'll be impressed, maybe!

Beginning April 11th we will be swamped with teams. 3 1/2 months and 11 weeks of teams! One good thing is that most of the teams will be working on the construction of a prefab security wall around Casa Bernabe. The orphanage is located only 10 minutes from our homes, and also within 20 minutes from the "hotel" that the teams will be staying at. Makes for less driving time for all of us. We really do enjoy when teams come, giving us an opportunity to learn to know many who become our friends in ministry. Teams from California, Texas, N.C., Canada, and Pennsylvania. Looking forward to a wonderful time. Also stuck in there between the teams, we'll be honored to have our daughter Angela and her family from State College, Pa here to visit for a week.

Please continue to remember us in your prayers, they are needed, and we are blessed through them.

Jim and Sheryl Leaman

Unusual Weather!

This morning I woke up to the sound of rain dripping off the roof. How unusual...the rainy season is expected to be over in January and the beginning of the next rainy season should not come till May. It does keep the grass green, needing mowed every week, but it does look nice.
Sheryl is in Florida for three weeks helping with the care of Joah, our newest grandson that was born on Saturday 12th, We had not purchased tickets early this time due to the uncertainty of the baby's arrival and our team schedule. It couldn't have worked out better.... team scheduled to leave Monday morning early and Sheryl flew out on Sunday morning the day before. Our team schedule has a 4 week break so I'll be joining her in Florida for about a week, towards the end of the month. During this time off I had plans to paint the outside of our house to freshen it up, but my schedule so far has been filled with meetings and other odds and ends to keep up with, around the house. My diet has changed somewhat but I did find a stash of cookies in the freezer and found that they're just about as good frozen as when they come out of the oven. Last night I even cooked myself some cabbage....not bad with some deer bologna from a hunting friend, that was a pleasant surprise sent down recently.
Our team last week was from Petra Fellowship in New Holland which was made up of 15 ladies from the church. A pleasant surprise came with them as team leader....Randy Weaver our past director who returned to the States one year ago! Our time was wonderful in many ways. The director of the home where the ladies worked was overwhelmed with the quantity of work that got done and the love given to the kids was so special. The ladies sewed 28 special leather/vinyl type crib mattresses, washed windows, painted, and held lots of babies.
The pictures below are from the team week and of our grandson.....you can tell the difference. I hope.

Blessings to all, Jim and Sheryl

We Bless the Children!

Team #3 is about to wrap up their work week and when I think about what they've done here for the home that they worked at this past week.....blessed, blessed, blessed. Last year we started the kitchen project for Vida Ilimitada a home for approx. 25 children and untill now the project has just set with nothing being done. Lack of funds is always the reason. This week we were able to finish the 1st floor concrete roof along with finishing the outside painting of the directors house...3 story high! Thanks for your prayers of safety as the teams work in those conditions high above the ground. Time with the children is always a blessing too. I'm sure the team is as blessed as the children as they do crafts, play soccer and hang out. The big hit this year for the kids is painting small wooden crafts. It's amazing how gifted some of the children are in their creativity. Saturday we visited Casa Shalom and had a pizza party for them, devouring all but 36 ex large pizzas, cake, chips, and lots of drink. Sometimes I wonder where it all goes. a director recently told me about a child that had just come to their home from the city dump because of malnutrition and when they had their first pizza party the young boy had 27 pieces! He didn't know when his next meal would come! The director said "every young boy needs the opportunity to fill up once in his lifetime".
Yesterday was the 2 year anniversary of our coming into Guatemala to serve with ORI. It has been a wonderful experience with many  friends and co-workers walking along side of us on our journey. In the last 10 years ORI has noticeably become a known ministry in Guatemala, developing relationships with many orphanages and partnering with other ministries that care for the children at risk. There is so much needed here and my prayer is that God would continue to bless our work, giving wisdom to those making decisions regarding direction and growth of the ministry. If you're not aware of the overall scope of our work, connect yourself with us at http://www.orphanresources.org/ 
Our week ahead will be preparing for the next team, coming March 7th. Woohoo!...Randy Weaver our past director here will be leading the team of 15 ladies. I think he's really needing to get away from the cold and wants to see us! We may even need to celebrate his arrival with some big fireworks!

Blessings to all, Jim and Sheryl

Ready... Set... GO!

It's Sunday night and what goes through my mind is...are we ready! With another team coming in tomorrow the work week begins. Usually there is a full week to get everything ready but this week was full of other events, but we're ready. We'll be working again at Vida Ilimatada on the new kitchen and bodega being built. We should be able to finish grouting the first floor walls and pour the ceiling that the locals are supposed to have ready for us. We'll be finishing the painting of the outside of the young boys and directors home. Also I'm told that some trees need to be cut down and wood split for the cook since the budget is scraping the bottom. It should be a good week though...cause it's the Lancaster folks that get the job done.
Other events of the week included a visit from a Childrens HopeChest group visiting 7 homes in two days...talk about a busy schedule! Two days filled from early morning into the evening making some very good contacts with directors and the children. Seven men from a bible study that's been together for 16 years in the Colorado Springs area. I belive God will use these men in a mighty way providing for the children of Guatemala. Yesterday the staff of ORI were hosted by the 19 children at LaSenda to a Valentines party in appreciation for the many ways that we have helped them. Had a great time as the kids paired of with us for the event. Brunch, Guatemalen style...2 kinds of black beans, an egg dish, white rice pudding with raisins, torillas, and a fruit yogurt cup.
Had a great donation this week from one of our local stores. $1000 to be used for purchase of anything of our choice from their store. We've decided to buy sugar which we narmally purchase from them each month. With our budget running a little tight, this was the right decision. A few days after the donation we were called and they offered to ORI all the day old bread and pastry 5 days of the week. One day this week it was 26 dozen donuts. What a blessing...to be delivered with other items to the homes we visit every day. God is good!

Have a great week, Jim and Sheryl

Quick Wrap Up of the Week...or weeks!

I guess it's because we've started our busy team season that I just haven't taken time to post for a few weeks...sorry! It's been exciting around here with a team leaving, then a visit from the home office by Rod and Sarah Martin and another board member, then another team. Wow, it just keeps going. This afternoon I go to the airport at 3:00pm then with one traveler from Childrens HopeChest, Sheryl and I go to meet the team that's leaving tomorrow morning, to do the debriefing and thank them for their generous efforts this past week. Then on the return trip through the city we'll stop and pick up 3 more from CHC on an 8:00pm  flight and bring them to our place or Dennys for the night. Then another part of their group arrives at 10:00 so we'll go back to the city to pick them up yet before the night ends. Tomorrow I'll be traveling with the CHC group to see 5 homes then on Tuesday we'll visit 4 to wrap up their stay since they leave on Wednesday. 5 days to catch our breath then a group of 25 come for a week from Pa. for another week of work at Vida Ilimitada. Sheryl and I have been taking care of keeping those that don't work with concrete and construction busy painting. I guess that's our specialty....at least Sheryl can claim the brush washing and cleanup as a specialty. Yesterday we spent most of the day with the team at another home visiting, doing crafts with them and then having a pizza party together with all the staff and kids. 18 Giant pizzas can be eaten pretty fast when the kids haven't had it for close to a year. They even said this time that it's a favorite over Pollo Camperro!! Sheryl then treated them to home made cookies, 5 varietys, which even though their stomachs were full, they had room for one or more.I think the team enjoyed them also!