IT'S BEGUN!

This week is the beginning of what we've prepared for during the last few months...the start of our team season. As I probably mentioned before there will be 16 teams coming this year ready to work, enjoy Guatemala, and to bless the children in the homes with their warm arms to wrap around them and some attempts with the Spanish language that always brings laughs from the kids. They're used to that though with us around! The home that we were at this week was overwhelmed at the quality of the work, painting 5 rooms inside and concreting about a 1000sq ft. area for the kids to play, ride bikes on and eventually to play basketball on, as they get older. As I look at our staff functioning, it couldn't be more perfect, as we all work together providing the experience of a lifetime for many that come. I told Sheryl last night that her efforts in getting the activities together for the kids is unprecedented and a real blessing. Things go well when planning is done!

We did have a perfect week of weather, with sunshine every day and temperatures in the 70's. I read this morning that the Northeast US tonight may reach record lows of -30F...don't even want to remember those times. Not too many years ago I would have been spending most of the nights during the cold weather hanging over heat pumps statisfying customers with heating problems. Looking back on that time, I must say that I enjoyed it ....maybe I was crazy, but being a blessing to people is what makes me tick! Even the 15 years of fixing cameras in my earlier years was enjoyable, seeing people thrilled that they would have their camera repaired for the occasion...usually that night! Guess my life is just full of helping people in need.

My parents are coming to GT to visit!! They are in their upper 80's! We will try our best to take care of them and enjoy their time here. They will be traveling with my younger sister and her husband, helping them to navigate through the airports. Leaving out of Washington on Thursday...hoping that the snow wil not be too deep although it doesn't sound good.

Not enough room here for team pictures of the work week so visit our fb page and the ORI fb.

Thanks for your prayers, need them!

Sad Situations

I'll begin todays blog by sharing of two situations that have taken place in orphanages that ORI deliveres food and additional donations to. The first picture is of an adorable little boy that was left abandoned on a church pew and is now placed in an orphanage with caring people to provide a new life...second opportunity

to life. It's hard to imagine that this can take place in our human society, but it does happen even more often than we would think possible. If only there could be a  good program for these children to be adopted by families that want them, to provide for them and to give them an opportunity to be the person that God desires them to be. The second is of an entire family of brothers and sisters that were picked up by the authorities and brought into an orphanage after they were found completely left on their own. The oldest one being 12 years old, taking care of the rest of her siblings...7 of them. Hard to imagine in this situation also that parents of the children allow this to happen. I know both these homes, and the children will be wonderfully cared for, but it again puts additional stress on the homes financially, when they're filled with children and the authorities give additional children to the homes, but no funding to help in these situations. The care givers and directors need our prayers and all the help we can give them as they care for these little ones.



Our week has been a little different around here with both of us fighting colds that we've had since we came back from Florida. Mine just bothered me slightly, but Sheryl had a nasty cough and two weeks later is just now getting over it. Hoping and praying that it will be gone before the first team gets here on Monday. Should be a good week with Jay Hurst, a regular with teams to GT. We'll be working at a home out towards Antigua pouring a concrete pad for basketball and a play area. If the weather is like today we'll be blessed. The last few days we've had cold wind again and it really comes through the windows making everything cold. The other night as I laid in bed I could see the curtains blowing around...with the windows closed. We keep thinking that "today" will be the end of the cold days and that the warmth that we love so much will return. We all look forward to the team season with anticipation of sharing our work and experiences with lots of new friends. The postings on facebook and blogs get filled with cute pictures of the children and the tired looks of team members from their determination to get the job done. That even makes us tired .... they get to go back to their regular schedules but we go through the same thing when the next team comes. Our team schedule is full and will be a busy time for all our staff. Keep us in your prayers for safety throughout our team schedule.

I'll try to keep the news coming but if I'm late on posting...be forgiving!

Love you all, Jim and Sheryl

Back to Work!

We returned from Jacksonville after one week with grandchildren and our family. Had a wonderful time celebrating Jesus' birthday and family time together. The only, not so good thing, is that we both came back with colds. Mine, not more than a pest, but Sheryl has battled an ugly chest cough for most of the week with releif finally coming yesterday and more today. We shouldn't blame it on Florida's cold weather, so I'll just say the draft blowing from the A/C unit on the plane didn't help. We're seeing better temperatures and lots of sunshine now in GT. The daytime temperatures are reaching 75degs. which we whole heartedly welcome. In a joking way I sent an email notice to a friend today saying, 75 deg., sunshine at max! Forecast for the next 8 months, SAME!
This morning as I was reading the news I was attracted to an article that stated, 2000 children in Guatemala died of starvation from January thru October of this past year. Astounding! 52% of the children under the age of 5 suffer from malnutrition. Orphan Resources is helping to feed 4000 children each day of the year. What a blessing it is to be able to do this. A person can only imagine  the possible sittuation of those children if our deliveries were not possible. Thankyou, again and again for your support.

Amazing.....just amazing!

No I'm not talking about the cold weather in Florida, I'm talking about our wonderful family. The hardest decision to make when we were asked to go to Guatemala to work with Orphan Resources was leaving our family behind in Pennsylvania and in Florida. We knew God was calling us though, and with their agreement, we made the decision to go. It has been a wonderful experience and as our children and grandchildren see and learn about our work we are encouraged. As they grow up and realize how blessed they are to be living in America, to have nice homes, loving parents that serve God and then to add onto all that, recieve gifts during Christmas, the visits to Guatemala will make even a greater impact on their lives. As I think about how blessed our children and grandchildren are, I have to think also about how blessed Sheryl and I have been to have a church family, friends, and family that keeps us in their prayers and supports us financially. We have so....much! God help us to see ways to show your love to the needy of the world.

When we go back home later this week we'll only have a few weeks till the team season starts. I have everything in place for the teams through March. It's been a little crazy getting tickets....at the right price! One of the agents mentioned that since the Mexican missions teams have now begun to come to Guatemala,  because of the safety issues in Mexico, the flights are filling up sooner and become more expensive. Hopefully with even higher ticket prices the teams will have life changing experiences and will continue wanting to come back. We'll enjoy our week with family but will be glad to return to Guatemala.

Having fun!
Jim and Sheryl

Somewhat Normal Again!

After our daughter and  family returned to Florida our daily schedule has returned pretty much to what it had been.......busy! We were so blessed to have them here and enjoyed taking them to some of the homes we work with. They blessed a few with donations of paint, rent, and gifts for Christmas. We've been trying to help with the painting at Operation Rescue now while the kids are out of school. I did find out that some of the muscles used in painting the corners where the wall meets the ceiling are muscles that don't get used every day, 'cause the left arm was really tired and stiff. Sheryl had the opportunity to go along with one of the directors of another home to help purchase Christmas gifts for approx. 40 of the older children at the home with the donation  that was given to them. She had a blast, and that should get rid of some of the shopping fever!
Another muscle stretcher was experienced this week when I went golfing at a local country club with a few friends. It was the first time that I had gone since leaving Pa. close to two years ago. Here's the whole story...started with 9,7,9, forget a few in between but had 4 pars to finish out the front nine. A 96! at least it was under 100...was good enough to whip the others I played with. It was a gorgeous day and that also makes it enjoyable.
Sheryl has been baking...baking...and baking some more. It's Christmas and everyone must have cookies, fancy breads and other goodies. I do get to taste, well maybe a few before they're all given away. Sheryl had promised to bake cookies at one of the homes with 8 girls, so on Thursday we went across the city to bake. The oven wasn't quite right but the flavor of the finished product was perfect. The girls enjoyed it, and all of us that went along did too.
For Christmas we will be going to Jacksonville to be with all the grandchildren. Rob and Jenelle have decided again that we could all come there for Christmas. Nate and Angie will be coming down from Pa. for the week and Sheryl and I will fly over to be there also. I wonder who will get the most attention from Grandpa....and Grandma. Following the holidays we will be getting into our team season with the first team arriving Jan 17th. That's always an exciting time to bless the orphanages with teams doing work projects and for us to enjoy lerning to know others that have big hearts for the children of Guatemala. Last night ABC News did a special report on the malnutrition among the children in Guatemala, stating that 50% of the children are under size in stature and under nourished. Our food distribution to the homes definately helps to build strong bones and healthy bodies for the children that receive it. Thanks for your donations that make it possible to continue purchasing the beans, rice, maseca, sugar and milk which we deliver. Pray that the year end giving to ORI will be abundant. We did have to reduce slightly the quantitys that have been given to each home in December due to the lack of funding. They are so dependent upon our food to them and we would even love to increase the number of homes this year since there are always other homes that hear of our donations and would like also to recieve the food donation. It's hard, but at this moment we just have to say no.
Here's the link to the ABC report, click on it.
Link to see ABC News report

A week with family!

It's been a busy week with Jenelle, Rob and the grandchildren here. Emily at 6 years, the oldest of our grandchildren can be a real helper and when their new arrival comes in March I'm sure she will be a little mother herself. She had some practice this week as we visited an orphanage with about 35 kids younger than 2 years old. She loved it as we all did. The younger two just have to stay out of her way! Braelyn helped Sheryl with the dishes a couple times and always wanted to be close to the mixer as the cookies were being baked. Grady.....well he just wanted Grandpa! His mom was ok too, but Sheryl had a tough time that he wasn't really interested in her doing anything with him. Last night Rolando, our GT discipler was here for dinner and Grady wanted to be his best friend. Over Christmas when our entire family is together in Florida we'll see who gets grandpa's attention, Grady or Tristan, they're both my little guys! Rob flew back to Florida this afternoon with the 2 girls but Jenelle stayed for another day and is planning to return early in the morning with Grady. Through the night her stomach started giving her problems and she felt quite miserable. Being 6 month pregnant with a kicking boy under her stomach, I can imagine doesn't feel very good. Pray that through the night everything clears up and she does well traveling home tomorrow. Forgot also that maybe Rob needs prayer with the 2 girls overnight!!
Even last year when Emily was here at 5 years old it was amazing how much she understood why the children were at a home togethe,r and not with their own mommys and daddys. This year the highlight of their visit was handing out homemade cookies to the children. The smiles say everything!

Operation Rescue School Program

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