Police Partnership

At a time when there is much discussion over the role of law enforcement in the United States and the integrity of those who serve, I have felt God strongly calling us to support those who work in the National Police of Guatemala.  The needs of the community here in Guatemala, and the inability of the police to meet these needs, has forged a strong friendship that began years ago.

Our relationship with them began when a little girl with Down syndrome showed up alone at our house a couple of nights in a row.  I got to experience with them the frustrations of a broken Child Protective Service system, and their pain at having to return this girl to her neglecting family.  This was a glimpse into the hearts of some of these men who serve in a police department known for its corruption.

As we talked, I was able to ask them about their lives with God.  Some were Christ followers who told me how hard it is to live as a Christian while serving in the National Police.  Others were interested in Jesus as a concept, but were confused as to what it meant to follow Jesus as a disciple and not just a fan.  I didn't meet any, however, who were resistant or disinterested.
That surprised me.

When one commander stopped by to get some information from me, I asked how I could pray for him.  He asked for prayer to be a man of integrity when he was often not able to feed his own family because they police do not always receive their pay (this has gotten better since then) and have to pay their "expenses" (these include the gas for their patrol truck, its maintenance and repairs, its tires.  After getting to know more officers, I have learned that they even need to buy their own bullets, as well as their guns, uniforms, protective vests, and hand cuffs. This still is true and leaves me speechless.)  I had intended to remember him when I normally prayed, but he insisted that I pray with him right then and there.  This began a tradition of some officers coming to me for prayer.

Since I have moved back to San Pedro, which is right next to the substation of the police for our area, I am finding that a couple of patrols will stop in to check on me, visit and ask for prayer.  There is always a cup of coffee and some cookies waiting for them.  I have gotten used to them taking off their equipment and laying their weapons on my dining room table.  This shocked me at first, but they tell me how good it is to relax for a few minutes in a "safe place." While I sometimes feel my alone time is interrupted, I see this as a new ministry God is giving me.

Two days ago, my friends Carlos and Maynor stopped in for their coffee break.  As we talked, they shared that Carlos' family had a medical emergency, and they had both sent all their pocket money to his family who live about 90 minutes from here.  This meant that they had not eaten all day.  They did not share this asking for money, but only to share their struggles with a friend who cared.

As God would have it, I had just made a batch of chicken fajitas, and had a lot of leftovers, and was able to give them a late supper.  They kept telling me I didn't need to feed them, but if anyone knows what I learned from my Polish grandma, no one goes hungry if they come to my house!

Before they left, we prayed for them, and especially for the situation in Carlos' family.  There, in my living room, I witnessed a strong, macho police officer break into tears.  Carlos then proceeded to tell me how they had written out tickets for over $40 in fines that day, and what a temptation it had been to ask for a bribe instead of doing their job.  He said that he felt like God had seen their moral struggle , and provided them with supper and support so they would know He is with them.  What a honor to watch God work in the lives of these men.

Our police are also very short handed since a number of them are hospitalized with the Corona virus. A friends's husband who serves as an officer in Guatemala City spent over 6 weeks in the temporary hospital in the city.  He was finally discharged and returned to work the following day!

A whole substation near us is under quarantine since some of the officers tested positive for COVID.  This means 15 men are living together in barracks, and are not being paid since they are not working. No workman's comp here, though they undoubtedly contracted the virus while on duty.  We are helping to provide food for them through our friends at our substation.

While I have always respected the work the police do, I never imagined I would become their confidant and prayer warrior.  I wish I could say they always make good decisions and treat citizens with respect, but I know this is not true.  However, God has not called me to judge them but love them, and hopefully the power of His love will help them be better men and women and public servants.

Helping the Hungry

We began giving out food to the hungry is a "small" way, focusing on the 100 seniors adults in the breakfast program in Santa Lucia, where our woman's home and our tutoring center are located. A home church felt led to donate to our ministry and we decided to use their resources in this way rather than saving it for future needs.  We worked through the social service office there, and we were able to personally deliver the food bags to each person with the help of the Women's Office, under whom we work.  

Our food staging area,
a.k.a. the guest bedroom in my home.

Food bags waiting to go out

Then the staff working in our homes began taking food to those in their home towns who they knew were hungry.  

Little did I know that was only the beginning. Supporters sent in special donations and we prayerfully decided as a local ministry team, how we would use these special donations.  

People who need food are placing white flags outside their homes.  Some are standing on street corners with flags, begging for food.  In one afternoon we gave out over 15 bags.  We have learned, though, that this is not the best way to help, since some are exploiting the system and selling the food they have received, or are paid to stand on the street and beg, and then turning the food over to their "employers" who would in turn sell it.  I still, though, carry food with me when I travel because I can't pass by some who are frail and elderly and not help.

Gradually, people started coming to my door asking for food.  We began giving what we had.  After one afternoon in which I gave out 27 bags of food in an hour and a half, it became apparent we needed a more structured approach.  We started "sign ups" and people were assigned days and times to come for their food.  These people are our neighbors, and we could not turn them away when we had the means to help them.

This last week has been the most intense yet, and I have to admit the most tiring.  In 8 days we have given out over 350 food bags to residents of our town, but because of the large amount of need, most of these only contained about 5 # of beans and rice and a bag of enriched hot drink.  These bags cost us about $10 each.  We did this entire distribution from the door of my house, if you can imagine with the help of the residents of our men's home and their staff.

I can hardly get my head around the idea that in 8 days we spent over $3500 on this project, but God has provided and we will give as long as possible.  Going forward, we have decided to only continue to give only to the elderly, 65 years old,  on a bi-weekly basis unless we receive a special large donation to once again bless our town.  We identified these elderly through our large distribution and have invited them to come every other Saturday for a food bag, as long as we have funds to do so.  You cannot imagine their gratitude and the tears that come when we tell them we are giving them food to remind them that God sees their need.  Humbling beyond words. 

We are also working the the sub-mayor in a village near here which is part of Antigua.  His area has not received any help from the city, and he knows his people well and they have been in desperate need.  

Here Oscar and Officer Cifuentes are bringing diapers
we have donated to a home for the elderly because
Oscar had heard they had none.

Though the police are in short supply these days, they have been serving as our go between with this public official, taking out bags of food to those in need at night after our 6 pm curfew.  To do so during the day is too difficult, since they are instantly swarmed by people asking for food, some of who undoubtedly need it but others who do not and just see an opportunity to get something for nothing.  Working with the sub-mayor has been very helpful in this regard.  They are concerned that I believe they are actually taking the food to people who need it, so each night they go out they send me pictures or video of each stop they make, as well as calling me on the phone when some of the recipients want to thank me personally.  

We send out about 20 bags each week with our police friends, and these folks receive a bit more, including salt, oatmeal, sugar, soup mix, pasta and oil.  Still not a lot but the basics of food here.  These run about $15 a bag, since prices here have shot up considerably since this started.

Just yesterday I went with Doña Betty, the cook at our men's home, and Rosey, who is married to one of our caregivers, to a Colonia far behind one of the towns near here.  I didn't even know this place existed until Betty told me about it.

We are so grateful to everyone who has made these food distributions possible through your generous donations.  If you have thought that your $10 or $25 couldn't do much to help, you now know that it will help feed a family for at least a week.  It does matter, and like with the fishes and the loaves, God multiplies what we have.  I have yet to run out of food when there is a need, though sometimes we get down to the last bag of beans before more come in.

If you feel God is leading you to help feed our friends here in Guatemala, you can donate through our website, or send a check to Reason to Hope, Inc., P.O.Box 284, Elkhorn, NE 68022.  Your donations is tax-deductible, and will go straight to us in Guatemala.  

But what can I do?

During these times of uncertainty, God is calling us to stand firm on His promises, and respond as those who love our neighbors as ourselves. Hard to do when facing the great unknown, but, really, each day we face the unknown, only this pandemic has caused us to realize how little control we really do have over our future. Today is not any different than 45 days ago when things felt normal. We cannot add a minute to our lives by our worry, so let's focus on what we can do.
If you are fortunate enough to have resources, share them. Just that. I would encourage you not to respond out of fear of not having enough. Enough for most of us in the US is way more than what we need. (I say this because I have realized how much I live like I did in the US, and have more than what I need.) God promises us our daily bread, but I have been living on cake and ice cream. I have made some changes and encourage you to consider how He might be asking you to change your lifestyle.
I know many of you are financially challenged at this time, and wondering what you can do to help others when you are struggling to care for yourselves. First, I would encourage you to ask God for direction.

Do what you can to help those around you who are struggling. If God brings someone to you, respond. He knows your needs as well as theirs.

But I caution you not to fall into the trap of thinking only about material help. Emotional support and encouragement cost nothing and are vital at this time. Look for the positive in what is happening around you, and share this with others. Let your social media posts glorify God and what He is doing, rather than predict doom. Nothing is changed by social media venting, and much damage can be done both to yourself and others. Be careful.

Take a minute to thank the person at the cash register for coming to work. If you have contact with "front line" workers, tell them they are appreciated. Look for how others are kind to you and thank them. Write notes or emails of encouragement to those who God places on your mind.

And, above all else, cover these things in prayer. Let it be said after this that those who follow Christ have brought Him honor and glory in these times. Others have before us, and let us honor them by doing the same.

Praying for your missionaries

Matthew

If you have been following my posts on Matthew through Facebook, not much of this is new, but there are a few added details.

 This is Matthew a 20 month old who is our newest and youngest client at our center in Santo Tomas.

Matthew arrived with a variety of needs, including cerebral palsy and crossed eyes.  Born prematurely along with his brother, Jeremy (yes, the family likes North American names!), his family reports that his problems really began after he suffered respiratory arrest when he was 3 months old.  As is typical here, it is impossible to get medical records, but, whatever the cause he has significant developmental delays.

I love this picture which shows the close bond
between Matthew and his mom.

Though his mom only has a sixth grade education, she has diligently searched for help for her son.  Through the internet she has found exercises to do to help strength his muscles and stimulate his mind.  Everywhere she looked for help she was turned away.  Then she heard about our program through the city hall in Santa Lucia and was the first to see me when we opened our doors for the new year.

Our first step was to send him to Hermano Pedro to see a pediatrician and be evaluated for possible eye surgery.  This had been recommended to the family in the past, but at the cost of over $1000 was far beyond their means.  After receiving my referral, Mom and Grandma had Matthew at the doors of the clinic at 5 a.m. to make sure he could get in to see a pediatrician.

At the time we had no idea how important this connection with a doctor would be (more on that later).  The pediatrician did in fact recommend he see a neurologist at the hospital, as well as one of the ophthalmologists who would be coming down with a surgical team.  

Matthew, Jeremy, and their older sister Karen

I began working with Matthew at his home a couple of afternoons each week, since it is nearly impossible for his mom to wrangle him, his twin brother and his 7 year old sister Karen for the 3 km trip to the center in Santo Tomas.  He loved these sessions.

The whole family gets involved in Matthew's education

One of Matthew's needs was a wheelchair, since his size was making it harder and harder for his tiny mom to carry him. 

In his typical manner, Dick Rutgers was right on top of this request, and only a few days later, he and Bryan joined me in measuring Matthew for a chair.  Dick thought he had the perfect chair for Matthew in the warehouse, and the next week we were back at the house, fitting Matthew with his new wheels.

Matthew wanted to make sure Dick adjusted the
chair "just right" so decided to help him out.

The following week, Matthew saw the neurologist and was scheduled for an EEG and also a hearing test.  Matthew does not speak or imitate sounds, and mom rightly has been concerned about his hearing.

Before he could even be seen for the EEG, Matthew had the first of what would be a series of seizures.  This is where God's Providence in having us already connected with a pediatrician and neurologist was so very important.  While I don't quite understand the diagnosis of "structural epilepsy," and while no one can explain why his seizures only started now, we are grateful for these connections to help his family manage this new challenge.

As is often the case, it took a bit of trial and error, but Matthew is now on medication which is controlling his seizures.  These medications, however, make it hard for him to sleep, and he is unusually irritable.  This has been so challenging for the family, but they are hanging in there.  Just yesterday the doctor prescribed something to help him relax and hopefully the whole family will get some sleep soon.

So for now, our infant stimulation is on hold while we resolve his medical issues, though we continue to visit the family a few times a week and are in frequent phone contact.  

In the midst of all this, Karen started first grade
and we made sure she felt special with a
bright new backpack.

Eye surgery is in the distant future since his seizures need to be under control before he can undergo anesthesia.  We are praying, too, that we can find the trigger which started the seizures, but we may never know.

Please keep this family in your prayers, as well as the doctors and those working with him.  These kind of medical issues are never easy, but for me, watching Matthew and his family face this has been especially hard.  

These parents are amazingly dedicated to Matthew's care, as well as the well-being of their other two children.  They appreciate every small thing that is done for them, and, except for asking me to work with Matthew, expect nothing of us but our friendship and encouragement.  

We have chosen to help with Matthew's medical needs as much as we can.  If you would like to make a contribution to Matthew's medical care, you can donate through our Reason to Hope website, or send a check to the address on our donation page.  Please note that the donation is for Matthew's care, and we'll make sure it is directed appropriately.