We left Nido del Aguila in mid-april to return home to Goldendale. Since then many things have occurred at Nido, particularly in the summer months with several teams coming to serve. You can update at Nido by using the link to their website and reviewing their blog. The good news is that a couple more children left to go to their permanent homes in the US, Linda Marie and Wendy. A couple more of the children have been returned to their mothers. The not so good news is that Lillibet and Carlos have seemingly disapeared in the red tape jungle and that the adoptions of Flory and Jose Pablo are also ensnared in another bureaucratic cycle. The very bad news is that Kenia, who we tried last Spring to get to the US on a Medical visa and who instead was taken from us and placed into another home, has subsequently died. Kenia had several physical problems but it appears that it was the bureaucracy's neglect that ultimately did her in.
Nido is down to thirteen children but we expect to receive more soon as we have passed the inspection and examinations of CNA, the controlling agency for the children. We pray that adoptions open again soon to the US as these children will have so much more opportunity in life there.
The major construction project at Nido del Aguila is the chapel. Progress has been great with the first floor now poured. Although the building will not be completed until next year, our church will start using it this Fall. The chapel, when completed, will also be used as a clinic and possibly, a school.
The school year ends in Guatemala in October and starts again in January. Most families cannot afford to equip and clothe their children for school (uniforms are required) and so the children either do not attend or they do without. The public schools are almost always short of books, materials and supplies. Classes are only half a day as there are not enough schools. Since the public schools can only provide half day classes, the private schools are required to provide only half day classes. Through your generosity, we have provided scholarships of $25/month ($250 total for 10 months) to several children attending the Nuevo Dia' school in Solola'. We have four girls from Nido who attend this school. In all, Nuevo Dia', a Christian primary school, has 57 students. Please pray about helping one of the children in the only sure way to overcome poverty of body, mind and spirit; getting a good education. School starts again in January but we need to know now if you can help with a child's education so that the school can order materials for the child.
La Nina has changed the weather patterns in Guatemala this year. The result is wide spread hunger because of crop failure from drought. Malnutrition has always been a problem but now it is worse as many families face starvation. Last year the local farmers took a serious hit when high winds blew down 25% of their corn crops. This year it is worse. We are enclosing links to recent articles about the growing problem of malnutrition and starvation. Please pray for their relief.
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/09/09/guatemala.calamity/
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200908u/guatemala-hunger
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=32010&Cr=hunger&Cr1=
While we
are home, we work on another ministry, "Chair Corps" for Wheels for the World. We collect wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, etc to be restored and sent with mission teams to third world countries. Through 2008, Wheels for the World has sent 52,342 wheelchairs to 102 countries. It seems like a lot until you realize that there are 15 to 20 million people who need this help. During the last two years, we collected 76 wheelchairs, over 250 walkers, plus canes and crutches. Last Saturday, it all got loaded into a 28' "pup" trailer to be sent to the California Correctional Facility in Taft, CA to be restored. Fed-Ex provides free transportation and the prison inmates provide free labor to restore the equipment. The restored equipment is then sent abroad with a trained short term mission team. Check the link at the top of the page for more information about "Wheels for the World" It is a worthwhile and deserving mission.
It has been great to be home but we do miss Nido del Aguila. We have enjoyed our time with family and friends. We have been able to spend some time at our summer home and at Mt. Rainier. We now have our 15 year old grand daughter Rachael living with us which gives us a completely different perspective on the events around us. Ron is scheduled for minor surgery in October. Beverly's abdominal, back and leg pain has been diagnosed as arising from spinal arthritis. We are confident that our health issues can be resolved before the end of this year. We plan to return to Nido in January, with Rachael. God continues to bless us as we pray He is blessing you.
Ron and Beverly
