To Love like Jesus....

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'