What Will You Do?

  As 2010 ends and 2011 begins, it's a good time to ask ourselves what we can do to make a difference in the life of someone else.  Once way would be to sponsor a child so that they may attend school and have a nourishing meal.   

Did you know that
Guatemala has the fourth highest rate of chronic malnutrition in the world and the highest in the Western Hemisphere.

Approximately 75% of Guatemalans live below the poverty level, which is defined as an income that is not sufficient to purchase a basic basket of goods and basic services.

Approximately 58% of the population have incomes below the extreme poverty line, which is defined as the amount needed to purchase a basic basket of food.

Approximately 50% of Guatemalan children under the age of 5 now suffer from chronic under-nutrition.

In the nation's highlands, where many indigenous people live, 70% of children under age 5 are malnourished.

Only primary school is required by law, so most children do not study past the 6th grade.

The average number of school grades completed for adults is just 4 years... ranked number 88 out of 100 countries. 

Jacqueline, Jefri, Maura, and Reily are waiting for sponsors. Will you make a difference in a life today?

 http://www.hishandsforguatemala.org

Tables and Desks Needed

We will be going to Guatemala in just 26 days, leaving on Sept 2! We'll be taking a team of 26 people to visit our partner in Guatemala, Pastor Merari Rodriguez, and his wife, Lucky.

As previously noted, we will be working on some construction projects as well as child sponsorship.  Generous donations have made it possible for 6 stoves to be built plus another classroom!

Pastor Merari and Lucky have also asked for financial assistance so they can purchase tables and desks for the school in Membrillal as well as the new school they'd like to start in San Lucas.

If you are interested in helping with this need please send an e-mail to info@hishandsforguatemala.org or to jamied@hishandsforguatemala.org.

Please feel free to share this with anyone you think might be interested.  Thank you!

We're heading back to Guatemala!

A group of 5 people will be heading back to San Lucas, Guatemala to work with Pastor Merari Rodriguez and to officially start the His Hands for Guatemala Child Sponsorship Program! We will be traveling down to Guatemala on December 10th and will return on December 14th. Our plan is to gather the necessary information on the first 25 children to be enrolled in the sponsorship program. These children will be the first students of the new Fuente de Esperanza School Project Pastor Merari and his partner, Pastor Mario Mendez, will be starting in the small village of El Membrillal in the mountains outside of Magdelena. We will also be visiting the town of Antigua in anticipation of another project Pastor Merari would like to start there in the future.

We covet your prayers as we make this quick trip and as we work with these children. This will all be new to them and may be a bit intimidating so pray for calm hearts and willing spirits.

We don’t yet know for sure what the sponsorship fee will be for these children but we do know it will be a monthly commitment. We will also be looking for sponsors for the teachers as well as sponsorship for the cost of food for the program. The children and the staff will all get a light breakfast and lunch each school day. The children will also receive basic medical care through the school program. If you are interested in sponsoring a Guatemalan child or any of these other sponsorships, please send us an e-mail so we can keep you informed of the details as they are completed.

Looking forward to what God has in store!
Jamie