Hey friends! Sorry for the delayed update, it has been a busy time. On Friday I wrapped up language school and moved back to the Children’s Home in Villa Nueva and it feels so good to be here. I feel like I am right where I need to be. I came back Friday afternoon after class. There was a team here already so I jumped in with them and started to get to know the kids and try to remember all 5o+ names =). It was a great weekend and Monday started off my first “real day”.
In the morning I met with a lady named Sylvia she is on staff full time here and is a Guatemalan social worker. In the mornings I am going to be helping her. Yesterday was just an introduction type day but she said she was thankful for extra hands because the past weekend she had been working all day and night trying to make sure she had the perfect argument as to why two of our boys Kevin and Melvin needed to stay at the home. To give a little background Kevin is 5 and Melvin just turned 3. Kevin’s mom was born to a 16 yr old girl and shortly after Melvin was born their mom abandoned them with their grandma. She was already caring for other grandchildren and could not handle 2 more. She then brought them to our home. That was almost 2 years ago. Kevin has always been fearful of being separated from his brother Melvin and with no family members asking for them or anything, they were told that they were home and that wouldn’t happen. Kevin is very protective of Melvin and such a sweet brother with a big smile and heart to match. Joy taught 3 yr old Marvin how to say I love you in English and it melts your heart when he tells you. Anyway I asked if going to the judge today meant there was a chance they would not come back, and was told that there is always a chance but no one ever knows. I got the impression that it could happen but probably not.
So I went on with the day. Mondays will be spent grocery shopping for the whole home (that is a lot of food!). It was a good time and I got to know Staci and Joy better and get to see more of Villa Nueva and Guatemala City. When we got back to the home we found out that in fact the judge decided to send Kevin and Melvin to live with an uncle who happened to show up to the hearing and did not even ask for them. The boys did not even have a chance to come get their things and say goodbye, they had to leave right after the hearing with their uncle. I later found out that Guatemala is trying to shutdown all Children’s Homes. So no matter how poor or abusive a family member might be, if there is a living one, than chances are the judge will rule in favor of the kids moving in with the family member. Honduras has apparently shut down all children’s homes within 24 hours forcing them to move in with whatever situation they were pulled out of. It is so infuriating, how about the government spend more time tracking down the 98% criminals of murder who go without a conviction and less time taking away children from a place that they are not only happy in but thriving.
Betty the boy’s house mom and Sylvia need special prayer as well as all the other kids and staff members. 3 more of our kids go to a judge today as well. I’m believing that our God is big enough to keep his hand in all these situations and protect them. Today we were also told that we will not be able to appeal to get the boys back. Please pray that they are safe and have this overwhelming peace in their hearts that can only come from God. I’m praying fervently for their return, and for all the other kids to remain here. Please join us all in this prayer.
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless.” Isaiah 1:17
I have some pictures from language school of my teacher and family and more updates but for now I just beg that you all take a second and pray specifically for Kevin and Melvin. Thank you.
Love You all.
