Dena's Heart for Guatemala
With 2015 quickly coming to an end, a review in retrospect provides a multitude of reasons to be thankful. We never cease to be amazed at the faithfulness of our God in all ways, great and small. Even when we miss the mark or fall short, He shows Himself faithful. What an incredible privilege it is to know, to love and to serve an awesome God.
Home of Life in San Andres, Guatemala is a special, sanctified place because the Spirit of God lives and moves here. We acknowledge our dependence on Him as daily we seek His presence. Children and youth are in the heart of God, and Home of Life is a place where each one is loved, accepted and cared for as Christ-like character is formed in them. The caregiver job description of loving, caring, providing and forming carries with it incredible responsibility and opportunity that cannot be accomplished by one individual. A team effort is required to produce a successful outcome. We are blessed and grateful that such a team facilitates that quality of life every day at Home of Life.
This year we have increased our staff to comply with the recommendations from the government authorities and to provide a greater quality of care. Sebastian and Oralia continue as directors and provide excellent paternal and maternal role models. A passion for each life, together with Spirit-led discernment, creates the kind of anointed spiritual covering where not much gets by them. Luis focuses on tutoring, helping with school projects and homework. His gifts of creativity are on display on bedroom walls and in projects to make the home look more beautiful. He also manages the cash box required for weekly shopping. Marisol, new this year, is studying social work, and assists Oralia by accompanying her to in-service meetings with the government. She communicates with the government entity that supervises the Home when needed and shines in giving physical therapy for the ones that have special needs. Rubidia and her kitchen help provide great meals. Lita focuses on the cleaning of the home and then joins in the daily routine of making tortillas, which are the essence of the Guatemalan diet. Thirty people sharing together at any given time around the table provide a real sense of family unity. The meal time is especially meaningful since the pace of life is slower here, allowing more time for sharing and fellowship.
To provide quality care and prevent burn-out of direct care givers, we instituted a two-shifts-per-day work schedule beginning in August. God provided quality people to join the excellent staff already in place to form a well-functioning team. Amalia, Olga, Juana, and Manuela make up the core of direct care givers and are doing a great job. It's so good to see them get involved in the children's play time or other activities as opposed to just watching from the sidelines.
Norman and Vickie continue to do an excellent job with hosting teams and are vital in Life Plan. Norman's exceptional creative abilities benefit the ministry in many and varied ways. Vickie is involved in baking and cooking and keeps track of all the spending and earning of each teen. She is teaching them how to spend, save, plan ahead and tithe; very needed life skills. This year the children were provided opportunities to learn carpentry, sewing, cooking, baking, how to raise chickens and other agricultural skills.
Amilcar is president of the board and legal representative. He is a pillar in the community and very active in the local church.
All the children have their responsibilities, and, together with the adults, constitute a smooth functioning family unit. A great sense of peace pervades the Home, and even when difficult situations and circumstances happen as part of life, everyone is learning daily to look to JESUS as their source of help and comfort.
Dena
