Hello everyone! Greetings again from Guatemala! I am so sorry that I have not been in closer contact with ya'll. Life here has been pretty busy, but now I can happily say I have a big chunk of some free time to blog about what all has been going on here in Guatemala! God really is at work here in Guatemala and it is so exciting.
1) Wedding Planning-Marito and I have been planning away! It really is such a blessing because he is so caring and he is really helping me, along with my mom and maid of honors. I am so thankful that God blesses us when we serve.
2) Monthly Sponsors-Marito and I have also been super busy while in the process of finding those family and friends that are willing to become sponsors. I have to pay rent, food, medical expenses, meds, and other stuff that comes up just like the people in the states. Soon college loans will be included into the budget. Praise the Lord I can say I have started this process and God has touched hearts. I continue to pray and ask you to pray with me that people will be receptive and willing as God touches their hearts. God is really good all the time and all the time God is good!
3) THE PRESCHOOL! I just love ministry. It can wear you out, especially when it is a new project. I am so thankful for this opportunity to serve my Savior. So much has gone on here in Guatemala since the last post. God has allowed us to continue serving 14 families/14 students. We are able to reach out to them and show God's love for them. I can honestly say that God has taught me so much in the last few weeks.
One student named Jenifer had stopped coming to school a week or two after I left for the states in May. When I returned, I simply assumed she did not want to come like other students had done. Her mother never called, because they do not have a phone and she is a single mom. A couple days ago she stopped me and my future sister in law in the street and begged us to allow Jenifer to attend school at the preschool again. She explained her story. In the midst of being pregnant, her mother had a serious c-section and was kept at home for awhile. She could not send Jenifer to school. I was so moved and could see something in her eyes. She needed this second chance. It reminded me....don't we all need second chances or maybe even more than that. How many times do we fail someone or even fail God, our mighty creator, when HE loves and is always there for us. I know I fail and through this experience I saw God giving me compassion for those in need. Some times we are too cut and dry....how can we be like that to someone when God opens doors and continually gives us grace?
Another little boy who attends the preschool has had such difficult segment in his life currently. Back in May his father passed away due to cancer. His story simply breaks my heart. I know he misses his daddy. He will now grow up only seeing his father in pictures. The daddy passed away leaving behind an 8 year old boy, David who is 4 years old, and a baby girl close to 5 months. The mother has no way to provide besides raising chickens and turkeys. She cannot leave to go work outside the home with a baby and the daily house chores as well. Today I was so proud of how David had been learning to trace and write more letters on his own after looking at his homework. I ask him what he wanted to color to make him enjoy his homework and his response brought me nothing but tears to my eyes. He wanted to color a rose for his daddy. I just about lost it. I know this is such a struggle for this little guy.
In this country, I see so many people hurting. They hurt physically and sometimes emotionally just as people do all over the world. I have been listening to a song, "God of the City" and it just chokes me up. The words are so moving. God is the God of the city and the people. He is Lord over the nation and the light in the darkness, he is the hope to the hopeless, and the peace to the restless. Only God can make these situations better and only HE can take away their pain. God provides for his children and he is there when we need him. Sometimes we may not realize how important we are to others. Maybe God would use you to touch someone else's life. The compassion that God has renewed in me is what will help me to Love more like Jesus everyday to the Guatemalans I serve.
I hope you are all doing so wonderful and I miss you very much. Please continue to pray for me, my fiance, our families in the states and in Guatemala, the preschool, the preschoolers and their families. Thank you for your prayers. They really mean so much.
Love like Jesus <3
Kara Rene'
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
My Joy comes in the Morning....
Hello everyone! I hope ya'll are doing so wonderful! I am doing pretty good today! I love how I can wake up on a Saturday to the sun shining and a new fresh start. That is something that I have found here each and every day. Regardless of rain or shine tomorrow is a new day, a new and fresh start. Some days seem so challenging and maybe it seems like a break will never come! But the reality is that tomorrow is a brand new day and I can have joy because my Jesus loves me and he will always be there by my side. I am SO thankful for each morning. :)
At the preschool we have been very, very, very busy! With the other students we have begun the process of reading. In spanish we have to teach the young children how read a little differently than children who learn English. The younger children are reviewing and now learning the alphabet. We review numbers and vowels even though most of them have memorized them.
Just last Thursday we had eye check-ups for each child at the church. Most every child had perfect eyes and did so well on there exams. Only one little girl had an infection in her eyes and I am so thankful she had the opportunity to see a doctor. I thought something might be wrong but her eyes were not constantly red. If she had not seen a doctor, I am sure the infection would have become a lot worse. PRAISE THE LORD for open doors. It was almost a $1.50 for each exam and I knew that if the school payed for it, then the parents would take this opportunity! All the parents were happy to know that their children have healthy eyes!
Hopefully I will learn how to put up some pictures very soon! :)
Keep praying if you have been! I really appreciate it!
God is good and HE is at work here in Guatemala! I see in the faces of each child as they come in with a smile and leave waving so energetically, screaming, "SEE YOU TOMORROW TEACHER!" They really love attending school and love learning about numbers, letters, songs, the months, Jesus, and simply soak up all the attention we give them. They are so precious......I am so passionate about sharing the love of Jesus and being his hands and feet...serving. It is so beautiful...
At the preschool we have been very, very, very busy! With the other students we have begun the process of reading. In spanish we have to teach the young children how read a little differently than children who learn English. The younger children are reviewing and now learning the alphabet. We review numbers and vowels even though most of them have memorized them.
Just last Thursday we had eye check-ups for each child at the church. Most every child had perfect eyes and did so well on there exams. Only one little girl had an infection in her eyes and I am so thankful she had the opportunity to see a doctor. I thought something might be wrong but her eyes were not constantly red. If she had not seen a doctor, I am sure the infection would have become a lot worse. PRAISE THE LORD for open doors. It was almost a $1.50 for each exam and I knew that if the school payed for it, then the parents would take this opportunity! All the parents were happy to know that their children have healthy eyes!
Hopefully I will learn how to put up some pictures very soon! :)
Keep praying if you have been! I really appreciate it!
God is good and HE is at work here in Guatemala! I see in the faces of each child as they come in with a smile and leave waving so energetically, screaming, "SEE YOU TOMORROW TEACHER!" They really love attending school and love learning about numbers, letters, songs, the months, Jesus, and simply soak up all the attention we give them. They are so precious......I am so passionate about sharing the love of Jesus and being his hands and feet...serving. It is so beautiful...
This is Marcel and Jostin working on math!!!
Caitlin is so precious!
Marcel and I during centers :)
Abby working on putting numbers in order! She is really smart and laughs so much!
The wooden beads I bought with donation money last December might be their favorite center!
Ps-we had some fireworks on the 4th of july and it was sooooo great!!!! :)
LOVE LIKE JESUS <3
My joy comes in the Morning....
Hello everyone! I hope ya'll are doing so wonderful! I am doing pretty good today! I love how I can wake up on a Saturday to the sun shining and a new fresh start. That is something that I have found here each and every day. Regardless of rain or shine tomorrow is a new day, a new and fresh start. Some days seem so challenging and maybe it seems like a break will never come! But the reality is that tomorrow is a brand new day and I can have joy because my Jesus loves me and he will always be there by my side. I am SO thankful for each morning. :)
At the preschool we have been very, very, very busy! With the other students we have begun the process of reading. In spanish we have to teach the young children how read a little differently than children who learn English. The younger children are reviewing and now learning the alphabet. We review numbers and vowels even though most of them have memorized them.
Just last Thursday we had eye check-ups for each child at the church. Most every child had perfect eyes and did so well on there exams. Only one little girl had an infection in her eyes and I am so thankful she had the opportunity to see a doctor. I thought something might be wrong but her eyes were not constantly red. If she had not seen a doctor, I am sure the infection would have become a lot worse. PRAISE THE LORD for open doors. It was almost a $1.50 for each exam and I knew that if the school payed for it, then the parents would take this opportunity! All the parents were happy to know that their children have healthy eyes!
Hopefully I will learn how to put up some pictures very soon! :)
Keep praying if you have been! I really appreciate it!
God is good and HE is at work here in Guatemala! I see in the faces of each child as they come in with a smile and leave waving so energetically, screaming, "SEE YOU TOMORROW TEACHER!" They really love attending school and love learning about numbers, letters, songs, the months, Jesus, and simply soak up all the attention we give them. They are so precious......I am so passionate about sharing the love of Jesus and being his hands and feet...serving. It is so beautiful...
At the preschool we have been very, very, very busy! With the other students we have begun the process of reading. In spanish we have to teach the young children how read a little differently than children who learn English. The younger children are reviewing and now learning the alphabet. We review numbers and vowels even though most of them have memorized them.
Just last Thursday we had eye check-ups for each child at the church. Most every child had perfect eyes and did so well on there exams. Only one little girl had an infection in her eyes and I am so thankful she had the opportunity to see a doctor. I thought something might be wrong but her eyes were not constantly red. If she had not seen a doctor, I am sure the infection would have become a lot worse. PRAISE THE LORD for open doors. It was almost a $1.50 for each exam and I knew that if the school payed for it, then the parents would take this opportunity! All the parents were happy to know that their children have healthy eyes!
Hopefully I will learn how to put up some pictures very soon! :)
Keep praying if you have been! I really appreciate it!
God is good and HE is at work here in Guatemala! I see in the faces of each child as they come in with a smile and leave waving so energetically, screaming, "SEE YOU TOMORROW TEACHER!" They really love attending school and love learning about numbers, letters, songs, the months, Jesus, and simply soak up all the attention we give them. They are so precious......I am so passionate about sharing the love of Jesus and being his hands and feet...serving. It is so beautiful...
This is Marcel and Jostin working on math!!!
Caitlin is so precious!
Marcel and I during centers :)
Abby working on putting numbers in order! She is really smart and laughs so much!
The wooden beads I bought with donation money last December might be their favorite center!
Ps-we had some fireworks on the 4th of july and it was sooooo great!!!! :)
LOVE LIKE JESUS <3
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