Vindication for a persistent mother

WOW

This just came out over the international press

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/07/23/guatemala.babies.ap/?iref=hpmostpop

It is the final vindication for Ana Escobar, who we met back in October, as she searched for her stolen baby among the children in our home. (see blog)

WOW

She never gave up in the face of public ridicule and official indifference.

Wow

We are so happy for Ana. In an understatement, she called it a miracle. Nothing less. And she had stormed heaven's gates, pleading for a miracle for a full year, even as she wandered the streets and the web of hogares in search of her daughter. The final breakthrough occurred during a time of prayer and fasting. The press called it a hunger strike. I guess you could call it that when we stop eating till God hears us.

Ana represents a number of women, many of whom will never regain their child. Unless more miracles occur.

Justice, sadly happens in spite of the system here, rather than because of it.

Let's pray and fast for further miracles here. We need many more before we can say that there is justice in Guatemala.

a thousand words

Teresa and Trina

You remember the story of the little girl who died while waiting in line at th medical mission, and the Crazy Nurse who refused to agree with that?

I finally got a hold of a picture...well worth a thousand words of the two of them 8 years later.

Peace and the PNC

I suppose we have seen the kinder side of the Guatemalan police force (PNC) than most. In our time here we have often received hurting and abandoned children from policemen, assigned to carry them from the incident, to the judge, to our care. So we have a soft spot in our heart for the people who reportedly had to pay for their spot on the force, to receive one of the lowest official paychecks going. We have received our share of the usual treatment of shakedowns, and seen the apathy on the part of the PNC towards crime and it’s victims also. My prayer has been that the Government would be reformed and be rid of corruption, so that it might do the government job of security, and leave the burden of charitable work available for the local churches to carry. For the second part, we need ot witness to and pray for the local churches. For the first part to happen, we need a just court system, a capable and well equipped investigative system, and a righteous police force.

So I was encouraged by an article in today’s paper.

Here is the link

http://www.prensalibre.com/pl/2008/marzo/23/226116.html

but the point was that many of the young men and women in the training program for the next generation of Police have the attitude to protect and serve. There is a long way to go, but there is reason for encouragement. One reason is our friend, Albert Mendoza, who is a veteran cop from Colorado, and a radical friend of Jesus, who is heavily involved in training programs for the PNC, and has been given a mandate to “Train the trainers”. That is not expressly written in the news article, but Albert’s fingerprints are all over the good news.

Why post this today? Shouldn’t I be talking about something of eternal significance that is being remembered all over the world? Well, this is what the true resurrection Sunday celebration is all about: a newness and change in a country and it’s institutions towards justice and life. Compassion instead of self interest is a reflection of our servant savior. As I said, the Police were not thought of very highly in the past. “Lazy bullies” was often their well earned reputation. The article stated that many wonder why young people would go into a profession that had that rep in the past.. The answer from the recruits interviewed included serving their society, and people in need. The training and rigor back up that more altruistic sentiment. Pray for the PNC!

Now you may return to your previously scheduled Easter Egg Hunt.

On the lighter side

Opened up the paper, and there on the headliner, is the title of my favorite movie. "The good, the bad, and the ugly". and, yup, there is my picture in the proper order. sheesh

The blurb next to the ugly old guy speaks of the threats, and "ugly" is presumably referring to the judicial system....










The threats do not worry us, we have been in hotter situations
















Finally...you know you are in Guatemala when...

The sign is from a supermarket trying to counter Walmart's encroachment, and states: "We're Guatemalans..." in slang. But you know by the men putting it up that they are not in the land of OSHA!

Intense Face Soft Heart

This is such a perfect picture, I had to share it with you, and use it as a chance to introduce one of our special workers.

Alicia has worked for us for about a year. Her appearance can be disconcerting due to the intensity of her expression and bone structure reminiscent of Native American warriors. She came to work when her husband developed a disabling disease, and she had to start supporting the family. She lives in the poorest part of the Ghetto known as Peronia. She has always been a hard worker, but really blossomed as an important part of our children’s care as she understood that part of her job is to play with the children. It is fun to see her play with the children intensely, then look embarrassed when another adult appears.

Here are some of her charges

Jose as Winston Churchill









Helvin has his own intensely cute way of looking

Victoria and Carlitos just goofing around