This week has started out really busy for us as we've started doing more ministry. On Tuesday, we took a 45 minute boat ride to a little village called, Yelapa. You can only access it by boat. We went with a member of the church we have been attending, named Randy who was a former pastor for 28 years. He and his wife now run a feeding program for school children at 4 different schools during the week. All the schools are in areas that can only be reached by boat. He got the idea from a program in Guatemala in which a survey was taken that proved that given atleast 2 well-rounded meals per week, a child's nutrition and overall wellness increases. Needless to say, Randy feeds twice a week at each school.
Top: This is a picture of the "water taxi" that took us to Yelapa. They travel really close to shore and the waves were especially big that day and no life vests. Mom, I remembered to "look out" so I wouldn't get sea sick!
Middle: The ladies prepare the food at the school and serve it there. These are some of the kids who have just gotten out of class to come and eat their meal
Bottom: Some anxious and excited kids that are ready to eat and still have enough time to play before class starts again. They bring their own plate a cup each day.
Today we worked out at the dump for Pan de Vida with Dennis and Faye. It was amazing how many kids remembered us from being there only once before. Lucky for us, there were more volunteers there today, so instead of having a group of 8 or so at a time, we had 3-4. The kids are SO SMART! They remember information so well. Jaquelyn had a breakthrough this week in her behavior and discipline. She was anxious to color while the rest of the group was working on reading and English. We told her that Leslie would get her some crayons if she would wait a minute to receive them. As Leslie was looking for the crayons, she ran over instead of waiting. As we are trying to teach her focus, Leslie told her that she wouldn't get the crayons unless she sat still and payed attention for five minutes. Well, five minutes went by and she did GREAT! She got her crayons and was being really good about sharing pages from her coloring book with the other kids. Later, we made sure to tell her that she did a really good job of paying attention and being respectful of the other kids. Way to go Jaquelyn!
Middle: The ladies prepare the food at the school and serve it there. These are some of the kids who have just gotten out of class to come and eat their meal
Bottom: Some anxious and excited kids that are ready to eat and still have enough time to play before class starts again. They bring their own plate a cup each day.
Today we worked out at the dump for Pan de Vida with Dennis and Faye. It was amazing how many kids remembered us from being there only once before. Lucky for us, there were more volunteers there today, so instead of having a group of 8 or so at a time, we had 3-4. The kids are SO SMART! They remember information so well. Jaquelyn had a breakthrough this week in her behavior and discipline. She was anxious to color while the rest of the group was working on reading and English. We told her that Leslie would get her some crayons if she would wait a minute to receive them. As Leslie was looking for the crayons, she ran over instead of waiting. As we are trying to teach her focus, Leslie told her that she wouldn't get the crayons unless she sat still and payed attention for five minutes. Well, five minutes went by and she did GREAT! She got her crayons and was being really good about sharing pages from her coloring book with the other kids. Later, we made sure to tell her that she did a really good job of paying attention and being respectful of the other kids. Way to go Jaquelyn!
Top: These are two little girls from Leslie's group. The one on the left remembered her from last time, her name is Pearla. The one on the right was new today. Aren't they sweet!
Middle: This is one of the HUGE garbage mounds in which the parents of these kids "work." The picture just doesn't do it justice. You can't see them, but there are actually people in there sifting through to find things to sell, including recyclables, and looking for things to make their houses more "sturdy."
Bottom: Joel is working hard with his kids coloring and teaching English. Sometimes it's hard with our group because they are the 4 and 5 year olds that may or may not know how to count, say the alphabet, or say colors in their own language yet.
God is really shaping our hearts to love these kids. Most of them come from a horrific home life, full of abuse, neglect, assault...anything bad you can imagine. Pan de Vida offers consistency, a good meal, and lots of care and education. This mission is such a blessing for those kids, and truly the volunteers that work there...we fell blessed to be a small part!
Middle: This is one of the HUGE garbage mounds in which the parents of these kids "work." The picture just doesn't do it justice. You can't see them, but there are actually people in there sifting through to find things to sell, including recyclables, and looking for things to make their houses more "sturdy."
Bottom: Joel is working hard with his kids coloring and teaching English. Sometimes it's hard with our group because they are the 4 and 5 year olds that may or may not know how to count, say the alphabet, or say colors in their own language yet.
God is really shaping our hearts to love these kids. Most of them come from a horrific home life, full of abuse, neglect, assault...anything bad you can imagine. Pan de Vida offers consistency, a good meal, and lots of care and education. This mission is such a blessing for those kids, and truly the volunteers that work there...we fell blessed to be a small part!
The rest of this week will consist of Joel helping to replace the roof of the pastor's house out at the dump. He will be working along side a mission team from Colorado that is here for the week. Leslie will finish out the week at the school. On Sunday, Joel will have an opportunity to help lead worship at church as they don't have anyone to consistently play guitar...He is excited for the opportunity!
As time goes by, Leslie really has a vision to start working with Randy for 2 days a week (probably Tues. and Thurs.) to be kind of a "school nurse" out at the schools he feeds kids at. The rest of the week (Wed. and Fri.) will be spent out at the dump at Pan de Vida. We are thinking of every-other Saturday out there too. Joel really has a heart to use his muscles. He sees himself doing physical labor-type jobs often, continuing to help at the school, and plans on being Leslie's "nurse's aid" once a week as she goes out with Randy. Who knows...God has the ability to change the plans of man and so we are willing to submit to whatever he has for us. We know that as long as we have a willingness and a heart to serve, God will bless that by giving us the opportunities to do so.
Sorry it took so long to post this last blog...we will work on our consistency! We love you guys and appreciate you checking in!
The Kellners
3 comments:
Hey guys! I am impressed with how much you have accomplished already. It absolutely breaks my heart to think about those darling children living in such conditions...But it brings tears to my eyes to know that so many people have dedicated their time and in some cases their lives to see to their well being. I am excited for Leslie to be the "school nurse" and for Joel to be able to lead worship. I know that you were really looking forward to the ministry aspect of your trip. We miss you! May God continue to smile down on you and may you continue to be a light.
Love,
Melissa
Such a treat to get such full posts from y'all! Thank you for letting us enjoy your (and others') Kingdom work.
Having spent some time in Guatemala, I was immediately drawn to the boat and the feeding practice - I remember how powerful it was in the lives of the Guatemalans and am excited to see that it's happening where you are also.
We will continue to pray for God's favor and clear, direct activity in all He has you doing.
Thanks again for these great, full updates!!
David Malouf
(from Brooklake)
Children:
Just finished my medical treatments and rushed home to greet Andrea and Jesse who have come over to visit with the parents; probably play a rousing game of pinochle too. We having the standard Friday night pizza feast.
Andrea has been checking on your blogsite, but Jesse, heretofore, had not. I sat him down and he was fascinated by the pics and prose.
So let me see, you are off the island twice a week, and out to the dump to teach at the school mission there too. Yes, Joel is not afraid of hard work. That is one of his virtues. And I'm sure there is plenty of physical labor to do. That seems to be a huge part of any mission work, fixing the homes, shacks, schools, and churchs, before you can work with their religious needs.
It is incredible to see those little faces and to try and imagine what their actual lives are like. Your mother and I are so very proud of your efforts.
I wish there had been some prior planning on your part as to your transportation needs. Maybe next time you can buy on old truck in Arizona, New Mexico, or Texas, and drive it down to your mission work. Then sell it when it is time to come home. It would have helped with carrying all your boxes too. Perhaps the idea of a "scooter" could be helpful, but then you would have to use the back way up your hill right? It is a shame that that expense stuck up on you, like so many others.
We are very pleased to hear about Joel leading the worship at your new church, and his guitar playing will stir them up. Leslie is using her Nursing skills, and that is terrific too. Leslie, have you checked into any American clinics to see if part-time work is available? Your mother says you would need a work visa. Is that hard to get? Was this expected?
Keep posting those pics! We love them.
Hugs: Glenn & Melva
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