| Contact Pat |
Email
or call
402.557.0353
(relays toll-free to Guatemala from Nebraska)
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| To make a contribution |
Mail your tax deductible contribution to:
The Josiah Foundation
2112 S. 163rd St.
Omaha, NE 68130
noting "Guatemala Mission" on the memo line.
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| On the Road |
July 14, 2010 |
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This week has felt like Omaha has come to Guatemala--maybe because part of it has!
On Wednesay (July 7) I met Melissa and Ryan McCue (from Westside in Omaha) at the airport. They had come down for a week to visit and help wherever they could. And boy, did we put them to work. Melissa's knowledge of Spanish, and Ryan's mechanical skills were a big help this week.
On Friday we met up with a short term mission team from Westside in the Santa Rosa area of Guatemala where they had been building a house for the family of Leslie, one of the girls at Hermano Pedro. Again I got to be with good friends from my home church, and worked along side them Saturday at a wheelchair distribution in La Oratorio.
As much as I love it here in Guatemala, I have to admit that it was good to see the familiar faces of old friends, and have a opportunity to just visit in English for a while.
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| Wheelchair distributions |
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 Chimaltenango, July 8
Dick Rutgers let us tag along with him as he led a wheelchair distribution in Chimal on Thursday. A large team was down from the States, so we didn't have a lot to do, except for Melissa who got to use her Spanish. It was a good introduction, though, for Melissa and Ryan, and prepared them for the next distribution where their skills were sorely needed. (Read more)
El Oratorio, July 10
Today we got to support the Westside team in their wheelchair distribution. Using the home of the mayor, we were able to give out more then 50 chairs to those who could not walk, as well as crutches, canes and walkers to those who only needed assistance. Ryan even got to adapt a specialty chair for a young man who needed more support than an ordinary adult chair would provide. (Read more. . .)
El Salvador, July 13
 We also made a trip to El Salvador to take a wheelchair to a little guy who had been waiting more than a year to receive one. Once again, after some adjustment by Dick and Ryan, Melvin was seated perfectly. It just so happened that we had just the right parts with us to make the needed adjustments. Another Godincidence.
(Read more. . .)
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| Visiting families in Santa Rosa |
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Bayron, Edgar and his family
 Bayron is a ten year old I met about a year and a half ago when Dick took me to see if I could work out a communication system for him. Bayron is deaf, and now is no longer able to attend school because of his handicap. We are hoping to find a private teacher to work individually with him a few hours a week. This family has become very special to us, and Dick hopes Bethel will be able to build them a new home when funds become available. (Read more. . .) We also brought the boys to the hotel with us one night, and we all had a blast. (Read more. . .)
Cruthes, Tutors, and Medical Needs
 We spent Sunday on the road, visiting a variety of families with significant needs. It seemed odd not to be in church, but I realized we were being church when God reminded me of Jesus' words in Matthew 12, when He and the disciples were accused of breaking the Sabbath. I believe today we worshipped "in spirit and in truth." I know we all were aware of God's presence with us as we visited these families. Now Oliver and Miguelito have crutches, Wilmer is once again receiving and education, and Walter will receive a much needed neurological exam. Wherever we went, God was glorified as Dick reminded us all that the thanks and praise was owed to God, not us, as He lets us be His hands and feet . (Read more. . .)
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| Hermano Pedro |
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 Change happens slowly |
| Questions and Comments and "Just for Kids" |
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If you have any questions or comments about my new life in Guatemala, I'd love to hear from you. I'd especially love to answer questions from your children! I'm working on setting up a website "Kids Can Do Missions, Too" and newletter "Just for Kids." If you think your child(ren) would like to receive this, just email me, putting "Just for Kids" in the memo line. I hope to have this going by the beginning of August. |
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I am discovering that the only thing I can expect here is the unexpected. (Thanks, Mark Ellis, for warning me of this!) I am also learning, that the unexpected is okay--it comes from the Father's hands. This may be a journey without a map, but it's destination is sure in Jesus.
Thanks to you all for making this journey with me through your encouragement, prayers, and financial support. You are in my prayers, even as I ask for yours.
Living the journey, (and loving it!)
Pat
a.k.a.Guatemala Grandma
U.S. phone: 402-557-0353
(relays toll free to Guatemala)
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