1st Section Finished!

We've had alot of fun this week with the Cornerstone Church from Ohio. Cornerstone is one of the strong supportors of an orphanage that we deliver donations to and as they made their visit there on Thursday afternoon our hearts were moved, theirs as well, as they connected with the children.

Today we'll attend church at Casa de Libertad then take the team again to their "favorite" home for an afternoon of fun with the kids.

We were busy again this week working on the security wall at Casa Bernabe. Wow! can't believe how much the guys completed and enjoyed it as well. It was almost hilarious on Friday evening as we were putting tools away and wraping up the work for the week....the guys said "we just have to come back tomorrow and finish this section before we leave". The first section tying into the neighboring property had all the posts concreted in and only needed the panels installed so they came back Saturday afternoon to "make it complete" before going home! Thanks everyone for your hard work and wonderful attitude. Others on the team painted the inside of Casa Alabanze, one of the younger kids homes which really brightened it up, while others helped with the kitchen duties required to feed 200 people every day. Our work there has really been appreciated by the home, and untill we're finished with the wall project the kids will be almost like family to us. The weather has cooperated in the most part with our project even though we're in the start of the rainy season. Every afternoon there's a chance of rain but we keep praying that it comes in the evening and nights so that we can continue with the wall project.

 Had another one of those "moments" when I thought about the ending of our time in Guatemala....when I purchased the airline tickets for the last team in August. We appreciate your prayers as we contine to make decisions necessary for our return to the States.

Working Together

As I down loaded this picture to my computer this morning I was reminded how true it is that we can't do it alone. First and primary to our help is our Heavenly Father that is always ready if we allow Him to take part in the activity. Second, it's our coworkers that often make the job more pleasant to do as we remind each other of the blessing it will be to the children, the homes director, and to the community that the project is being done for. The most interesting thought I had, was that while the going is easy we also need the companionship and help of one another. These boys were actually going down hill! The rope was attached to keep it under control while the older boy steered it in the right direction. God allows us to go ahead, and if we allow Him to take the rope he helps to control the load and to guide us down the path of life.
This week has been a pleasant change without teams, to finish some of the chores around the house, and to "entertain the guards with my american way". Yesterday I cut back the bushes out front and then when I thought I was finished, decided to pull the large bush out. In Guatemala we use whatever we have available, so as I hooked up the Highlander to the bush with a tie down strap, they just stood there and laughed saying that I needed a camion,"truck". I was hoping that it would work, just to save my face. It did and then the next chore was to cut it up to fit into garbage bags with a machete. I guess my machete techniques aren't quite like the Guatemalens so I got some laughs and plenty of suggestions during that procedure also. We enjoy their friendship and suggestions....they enjoy the goodies from the kitchen. When they heard that we had a fiesta in the afternoon, Maredith's graduation party, their first question was, here or up there meaning the Freeds. When I said neither, they were disappointed. We gave them some of Sheryl's brocolli salad when we came home, and this morning they were already asking for more. We are truly spoiling them.

Love and Prayers,
Jim and Sheryl

Saved by the BACK HOE!

We're back at Casa Bernabe working on the security wall again this week. While we're gone with the team we miss the calls from the grandchildren on Skype....that crazy time change that you Americans use really messes things up. Some how we'll make it up to them on off weeks. It's really been going well with the teams this year. Sheryl's planning, scheduling, and preparation with crafts ect. sure makes a difference and is really appreciated by the homes and teams.One of the major challenges is that since the orphanage has it's own school program at Casa Bernabe with 160+ children there needs to be a good structure with the daily time schedule. Education is so important in the lives of the children at the orphanages. They aren't going anywhere soon is our understanding of the adoption system so many of the homes are gearing up for a lifetime with the children, eventually providing transition homes for the older kids, for them to learn, or begin to learn how to move into a good adult lifestyle with higher education and a job to help pay for their daily needs. My hope is that ORI would not only be able to provide the food needed each month but also be able to help in establishing a skills programs preparing  the kids for their future.

The work on the wall seemed to approach a hurdle that we Americans weren't used to....moving lots of dirt! To really make a nice finished job there was a high road bank that needed to be dug out and moved. We worked at it one day and finally decided that it was too much to shovel and hired a back hoe....woohoo! So we became the PennDot guys holding shovels! For less than $450 it was a blessing, otherwise we'd been at it for a month, I think....for the willing ones.
Along with the wall work this week we had an excellent dentist on the team who has had her own practice for 37 years in Canada doing dental work for the children and staff. She was able to do extractions, fillings, and cleanings for approx. 120 children with her two assistants. Incredible! What a gift to the children.
It's been difficult for Sheryl and I to tell directors, team leaders, and friends that we'll be leaving the end of the year. Continue praying that we will see the WAY that God has for us. We really enjoy Guatemala especially when we hear how cold and rainy it's been in Pa. I told Sheryl and others that we should begin putting $10 a week into a special fund so that when we face the cold winter we'll be able to turn the thermostat up to 78 deg. during the first winter to satisfy our bodies in their adjustment to the climate change. It will be different!

Bless you all,


Jim and Sheryl

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