Guatemala

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I dont really know how to start out this post because there is just so much to say, so I think I will just copy and paste our thank you letter. It pretty much sums it all up.

How do we begin to tell our story? How do we use the right words to explain the immense joy, and at the same time, the deep sorrow that we felt in a mere eight days in this third world country? I have been thinking about this question since the first day that we arrived in Rio Hondo. So much happened on the first and second day, that I quickly began to wonder how we would squeeze so much into one letter. I know that the words we use will not fully describe what we saw or how we felt, but I hope that this letter will give you a brief glimpse into the mighty things that God is doing in this tiny town of Rio Hondo, Guatemala.
































Almost one year ago exactly, Julio, the missionary that we support in Rio Hondo, let us know about the plans that he had for our village. He wanted to start an Awanas group for all of the kids. He wanted a place where kids could come and learn Bible verses and learn about Jesus and His love for them. He wanted to create a place of joy and learning. One year ago, he pleaded with us to support him financially and spiritually on this endeavor.
































Well, we can both say, without a doubt, that we have never seen so much happen in one year. The first day of our trip started out on the farm where Julio has started the Awanas program. We were greeted by over fifty-five students (ages 5-16) wearing their Awanas t-shirts and proudly spouting off the many Bible verses that they knew. We were entertained with songs and dances about green frogs meeting in the cold river and telling other frogs about Jesus. (Don’t ask, but It’s a very catchy song) After the choreographed entertainment, we were able to see what a typical day of Awanas looks like. It was amazing. These kids have no structure in their lives, so to see what this program was like for them was so rewarding.

































The next day we were able to go to the church that Julio is the pastor of and were able to see all of our kids again because he picks them up every Sunday morning with the van that we gave to him at Christmas. After church we walked the village and passed out hygiene kits to each family. It was a great day that we did not realize would be followed by a very sorrowful night.

































That night while we were at dinner we got a devastating phone call from Julio telling us that Eloisa’s brother had been shot and murdered at a nearby gas station. Julio wanted those of us close to Eloisa (a sweet, quiet and loving 21 year old girl that we have all grown to love) to go to the house and pray over this family. Only 4 months earlier, Eloisa’s other older brother had been murdered with a machete, so we were all shocked to hear that another vengeance killing had happened again to the same family. The killing had happened only thirty minutes earlier so we really did not know what to expect. To be honest, some of us were scared. We did not know if this same man who murdered Eloisa’s brother was going to come after his family next, but we trusted that God had a reason for us to be in Guatemala at that exact time, so we went.


































My words will not begin to describe the heavy sorrow that filled the house that night. It was so surreal. We arrived only an hour an a half after her brother had been murdered. Some of the village had begun to gather around the house. They were waiting for the body to arrive. Some kids were laughing and playing, others were crying. Most people were just standing around with their heads facing the ground. We tried to comfort the family with the little Spanish that we knew. We hugged them and held them. We smiled when we needed to smile, but for the most part, we cried. We cried for this mother who had now lost two sons in the last five months. We cried for Eloisa and her younger brother Braullio who had to endure yet another murder in their family. We cried for this man’s nine children and his wife, who did not know where their next meal would come from. And, we cried because, I think, none of us could grasp the idea that something like this had happened in a place that is already so desolate and so in need of joy.
































The next day was our first day of camp. We found out that all of this man’s children were at camp. Eloisa and her other brother Braullio were also at camp. I had a hard time grasping the fact that they could come to camp and go on like nothing had ever happened the night before, but we were informed that there was nothing else for them to do. They could either sit in the house with their father’s body or they could come to camp. So, they came to camp. We loved on them the best we could while also loving on three hundred and thirty nine other children.

































After trying to move past the sadness, camp turned out to be great. I had thirty-one seven year olds in my group and John was in charge of games. The kids loved every bit of it. Our verse for the week was, "Porque Jesús vino a buscar y a salvar lo que se había perdido." Lucas 19.10, which in English is, “For Jesus came to seek and to save what was lost.” Our story for the week was about the prodigal son. We did a skit every day about the lost son and had a lesson that went along with it.
































Camp lasted for three days, and after each day of camp, we were able to feed the entire village dinner. After dinner, I (with about 10 other adults) took about 150 little kids to play relays and John (with about 8 other adults) took about 100 teenagers to play some games. We entertained them while others lead the women’s and men’s Bible studies.


































On Thursday night we had “Movie Night” for the village. They came to the pavilion at the farm and were entertained with skits and songs done by the Awanas group, a mariachi band, free drinks (soda), and then the Jesus film in Spanish. It was a fun time had by all.


































We had to say goodbye to them that night. It is the hardest thing that we have to do every year. We hate leaving these families. We are the highlight of their year, and they are the highlight of ours. It is crazy to love people so much and only see them for one week out of the year. I cried like a baby, and I am pretty sure that John had a few tears in his eyes. Obviously, it was hardest leaving Eloisa and her family. Leaving them behind to work through their devastation alone was not easy. We want to be there to take care of them and love them, but we have to trust that God is there for them, and we know that they need to lean on Him for support and comfort.































Forty out of fifty-five of us got sick this last week. It is clear that Satan does not want us down there. I feel like we are taking over his territory and he is not happy about it. The changes that have been made in these people over the last three years, is amazing. They are changing and coming to know Christ. I cannot begin to thank you all enough for your financial support. We would not have been able to do any of this without your help. We are sorry that you were not able to see first hand what God is doing down there, but we can promise you that He is actively working in the hearts of these people. Thank you for helping us to be a part of it. We are forever grateful and feel blessed that God has placed people like you in our lives.


































Sincerely and with much love,
John and Sarah Herrington