Amigos legos de aqui,
January passed very quickly. Many things occurred here, some good, some not so great.
Starting with a not so great...
Last month we told you about Kenia, our special needs child and asked you to pray for her. We were able to find a couple in the US who would take her and also they lined up medical care for her. When we petitioned the court for a medical visa, they turned us down, took her from us, and placed her in a state run home. Not a good result for Kenia and a lot less than we had hoped for. We ask that you pray Kenia will be moved to a private childrens home that can give her the special care she needs, Hannah's Hope in Guatemala City.
On the bright side, Lupita and Maria Louisa went home with their adoptive parents in the US.
Oscar and Benjamin are close to leaving. Oscar is pictured here "skyping" with his parents in PA. However, the adoptive parents of the twins, Ana Luz and Maria Elizabeth, are now saying they don't want the girls so the twins could be abandoned twice. If the adoption is dropped, the twins will remain in this country. Please pray that the adoptive parents have a change of heart.
Larry and Claire Boggs returned in mid January. We are glad they are back. There is much we can do to help but there is always much that needs their personal attention. We have been able to get out for lunch once since they have returned.


CNA ( the governmental childrens agency) is now accepting applications for private childrens homes. Unfortunately, during 2008 over 80% of the private childrens homes in Guatemala were forced to close because of a lack of children and funds. We intend to persevere. Our application has been submitted and we have been inspected by both PGN and CNA this month. We thought that was unusual as the road is closed and they had to walk a half a mile each way(Our road will be closed for another month). Nevertheless, now Claire and six of our caregivers are now attending a week of "nanny" classes each month for six months in the City in order that they will be certified caregivers. We hope we will be getting more children soon.
School started in mid-January. Our older girls, Onoria and Claudia, along with the twins attend. The twins turn five in April. On their first day, the twins hopped and skipped all the way until we got there. Then they clung to us and did not want us to leave. We left immediately. When we returned to pick them up, they were happy and joyful. All four of the girls enjoy going to school and we enjoy taking them and bringing them home. Neither of us can remember being that happy to go to school. One morning it was so cold you could see your breath which is what the girls are doing in this photo as we walk along
We had three groups come this month, one from Illinois, one from Michigan and the last from Oklahoma. They are a real joy for us to be here and help them make a success of their mission trip. They are great people who all have a heart for serving others and working together. If you have not served with a short term mission team, we asked that you pray about stepping outside your comfort zone and serve others and expand your horizons. We also get visitors who come to help, to take in the beauty of the area and to be with the children. With or without a mission group, you are welcome to visit
We went to the City this week and picked up our passports and our extended visas, good for another 90 days. We plan to return home on April 16. It really is beautiful to serve and to be here.
May God's grace shine upon you. Ron and Beverly