Not Someday.... Today!

Dear Friends,

Will we hear His voice today; will we look for the wonderful things He is doing? Will our hearts be filled with gratitude that we get to be a part of this, His work?

Psalm 95:7 "For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care. Today, if only we would hear His voice."

I understand that there are things that will happen later in God's timing. But I also cannot shake that His word says that today is the day of salvation!

There is much He wants us to do today, and we must not turn aside and let the opportunities pass us by.

There are those that Jesus has called the least of these, and if we reach out to help them it is giving to Jesus. “The King will answer and say to them, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it for Me.’”

Matthew 25:40

Today we may be faced with overwhelming odds, but I know that change starts when we make that decision to help the one.

I have often thought about the person that led Billy Graham to the Lord. The one who made such a difference for so many around the world. I believe that there are many such cases where one changes the lives of many.

Juan Carlos was sixteen when we met him. His family was struggling financially, because his father had tuberculosis and could no longer work. Juan was in 9th grade and dreamed of being able to finish high school and study for a career to work with computers, but with only the income from his mother selling tortillas, his parents couldn’t afford his education.

Thanks to his sponsor, Juan was able to continue studying and recently graduated with a degree in computer science! His father didn’t live to see him graduate, but his mother was so proud to see him walking down to receive his diploma!

There are so many life stories like Juan’s. We are so grateful for the sponsors who have stepped forward to help the 200+ students we aid monthly. Although the actual tuition to attend school here in Guatemala is not very high, the students are also required to wear uniforms, including black shoes and a separate gym set. They must buy their supplies and backpacks, pay for internet usage, and participate in various activities throughout the year that do have a cost. If they do not, they lose points towards their grade. There is even a fee to help with the cost of simple things like toilet paper! All this adds up to an impossibility for a single mom or families with very low incomes and multiple children. Some can manage the first few years, but when getting to secondary school it is rare indeed that a family could break free from the cycle of poverty that holds them back. With two thirds of the overall population of Guatemala earning less than US $2 per day, poverty affects indigenous people living in rural regions of the country disproportionately: 80 percent of them experience deprivation in multiple aspects of their lives, including food security, basic shelter, health and education. Elementary school takes $25 a month to cover expenses, while secondary school - where they also graduate with a degree in the career of their choice - has a cost of $50 monthly.

It is with your generosity that lives can be changed, and not only their lives, but for their future families, and even whole communities here in Guatemala.

Speaking of communities, we are excited with the construction of a new tutoring center in the mountain village of Xepac last week!

We have four centers in different places. These teachers aid in understanding homework, give additional tutoring reinforcement, attend teachers' meetings, and provide individual attention to children struggling to advance in their education. We also provide internet which is often required to complete assignments in the older grades. Many parents are illiterate and unable to help with their children’s schoolwork, and this was causing many children to fail. We are happy to say that with the help of the tutors, there is much improvement.

Thank you for considering the need as this new school term starts. We have many students still waiting for sponsorship. Please consider sponsoring. Also, please spread the word to friends and family who might be in a position to help. For more information:http:// www.bethelministriesinternational.com/education-opportunities/

With much appreciation,

Chhris, Donna, and the Bethel team