Greetings from Guatemala,

So we are into the summer here with a bang. Working with the kids and keeping them busy is a big task but we have come up with lots of jobs. I have been working in the shop with the kids and it has been great. We have been working on a bunch of small jobs. Just this week we made arrows for the kids BMX track and they all were very happy. We made ramps and well one kid had a little run in with the ground but he is doing very well. Also I have been taking more time to do devotionals and one-on-ones with them. It has been fun and a blessing to share and encourage with all the kids. Just last week I pulled out one of the kids we have been having problems with just to have a nice little chat. He loved it, I ushally am just yelling at him and so I wanted to make some time just to talk and encourage. God did some amazing things through that. He is doing much better but it is a process with these kids, more so with the ones from broken and abusive homes.

Last week we went to court, which isn’t an easy thing here. It is a all day process and sometimes nothing happens. It takes about a hour and a half to get there and then you never know when you will get done. On this specific trip we went with 2 kids and came back with three. Our new little angel is Kevin and he is about 6 months old. I will include a picture of him. We were suppose to get him a month a go but the mother in the hallway grabbed Kevin while saying goodbye and ran. She had him for another month when we showed up again and them taking advantage that we were there they asked if we would take him. So we did. About 10 minutes after receiving him the social worker in Casa Esperanza (who was with me) noticed he had a dirty diaper. So she began to change him. It was shocking when she got the diaper off. He had such a bad rash because he was never changed, so bad 2 layers of his skin had fallen off. I was hurt just seeing it, if that had been me I wouldn’t move for a month. Also he had bruises up his back and on his bum. In one area we could count four fingers. He was one who needed to be rescued, and we didn’t know how bad it really was until after. Thank God he is now with us and he is recovering slowly. He still has the rash, and the bruises a week after but at least it won't happen to him again! The kids in the home are glad to have another little brother. I will include the picture of him sleeping in my arms at the courthouse.

Onto my next cool story.

On the way back from the operation we got a flat tire on a dangerous road. It was night time and there was no one in sight, so I began changing the tire with the head lights on. It didn’t take me long and the tire was changed. I jumped into the car and.... and....it wouldn't start. The battery had lost too much charge as I was changing the tire. It was a standard so I tried to push it and start it but I had no luck. Finally we had to call for help. We made it back safely and we had a great day. Angela is doing much better now too. It was a fun experience.

Also a special note all of the kids in Casa Esperanza passed this year. Some had a harder time than others but it is the first time that they all passed. Glory to God! We are now planning a special activity for them.

Kendy, Waldy and Edwin all passed also and are now in computer school for the next two months. It is a course that they are taking of 4 hours a week. But I believe it is going to help them greatly in the future. Thank you for helping pay for this, they are very grateful.

This is the summer here so we have lots of work and we have to maintain all the kids busy. There is a saying “laziness is the devils workshop”. I have purchased some wood and I am going to be starting a few new projects.

God is doing great things here in Guatemala. Thank you for being a part of it.

Blessings,
Anthony

PS Click here for new pictures