www.manoconmano.org
September 2004
Page 4
Upon return, Memo took a week-long Spanish class, and Susan initiated the
search for a serviceable pick-up truck for use in the village ministry. With
God’s help, and some generous help from supporters, we purchased a 1993
Toyota pickup-up with only 176,000 miles on it. Our mechanic assures us that
it still has plenty of life left in it, and already it has hauled Susan and
Ester to the clinic in San Rafael along with many rides for villagers. Sara
Victoria was taken to the hospital in Antigua in the truck. Lorenzo and his
family ride weekly to church in the back of the pickup. Others from the villages
are taken to the hospital for evaluations and treatment. Someday we hope to
be hauling food to Yalu for the feeding program in this truck. It is definitely
a blessing and extensively a part of God’s outreach to the people of
Guatemala.
On August 23, Memo resumed teaching classes at CAG and is currently teaching
four different subjects as well as coaching the middle school girls’
basketball team. Susan has returned to staffing the clinic of Hands of Hope
and seeing many patients each week. Some have the flu; others have broken
limbs, diabetes and even cancer. The ones with more serious illnesses are
referred to hospitals and physicians for treatment. All are cared for with
the love of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Current plans for us include the search for usable land to start a feeding
program and house a church, as well as starting a boys’ care group at
CAG. We take Irma, our friend from the girls’ home to the orthodontist
every month (her tooth is descending!), and hopefully treatment will begin
soon on Mauricio Canel’s deformed leg. Unfortunately, there is always
more to do than time or energy allow, but we hope—and pray—that
we can be part of God’s love for the people of Guatemala.
Lorenzo and family with Memo at the zoo after church
Back to School in Guatemala
Christian Academy of Guatemala (CAG) resumed its school year on August 23.
Over 230 students dragged themselves out of bed and back into the classroom,
much to the delight of their parents. The Guatemalan school year runs from
January to the end of October,
back to top
however CAG follows a traditional US school calendar.
Kathryn Briggs, Jeff McArthur, Sarah Hong
In the picture above are three senior students at CAG. On the left is Kathryn
Briggs, whose father and mother came to Guatemala ten years ago as a dentist
and dental hygienist. However, God began to show them that many more people
could be reached through feeding programs for children. Today they oversee
four feeding programs that include over 500 children. Hundreds of Guatemalan
children know the love of Jesus for them through the ministry of Roger and
Beth Briggs.
In the middle is Jeff McArthur. Jeff's parents are translators with VINE.
They have been able to translate parts of the Bible and evangelistic videos
into a dialect of the extremely difficult Kaqchikel Mayan language. Through
the tedious work of the McArthurs, thousands of native Mayan Guatemalans will
have the chance to learn of Jesus' love through videos and other easily understood
media.
On the right is a Korean student, Sarah Hong. Sarah's family is one of many
Koreans who have migrated to Guatemala to establish businesses. Looking for
a good education, many Koreans send their children to CAG. While attending
CAG, many of these children accept Christ, and fathers, mothers and other
family members also come into contact with the Christian faith. Sarah's father
leads a Bible study for members of the Korean community.
Were it not for the faculty and staff of CAG, the parents of Kathryn, Jeff
and Sarah, as well as many missionary parents, would not be able to do the
ministries that are so important in Guatemala. In addition, over 25% of the
students at CAG will return to the mission field to minister in ways their
parents would never be able to. Are missionary schools in the mission field
a real "ministry?" Just ask the Guatemalan children who received a hot meal
today through the Briggs' feeding program or the Koreans who attended the
Hong's Bible study. Thank you for your support that allows Memo to be part
of CAG's ministry to those who minister.
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year. For email updates: write to suejjones@aol.com