A Terrible Storm followed by a Silver Lining

With the well working we hope it can
sustain until the rains come in May.

            It is hard to sum up the last few months without a lot of emotion bubbling up.  To start things off, in December our crop project experienced a major set back due to a burnt out electrical system on our irrigation pump in our well.  Thankfully nothing was planted but the repairs and downtime have caused minor losses.  In the meantime, we have planted again in March and are praying for stability in the repairs as we head into the hottest and driest month of April. 

            As we rounded the New Year, it was disturbing to see the decline in the Canadian economy.  This has tremendously affected our mission budget.  Before we left Guatemala in the fall,

The value of the Canadian dollar versus the
value of the Guatemalan Quetzal.
(One year earlier value was Q8/$1CDN)

 we were receiving Q7(Quetzals)/$1CAD.  Our lowest rate of exchange was  Q5.8/$1CAD, which translates to a loss of 17% of our income in the matter of six months.  Thankfully we have rebounded some (Q6.2/$1CAD) but we still are hoping for much better.  It is frustrating to see the prices remain the same in Quetzals but the cost of the item in dollars increase.  If anything, it pushes Mandy and I to lean on God harder knowing full well that He is the provider of all our needs (refer to Matthew 6:25-34), and to seek sustainability through businesses within Guatemala.

Josue with his wife and youngest son
celebrating his son's first birthday.
Thanks to his sharp mind and big heart,
Josue was able to prove our innocence and
allow us to continue on with the mission.

  Despite these set backs, Mandy and I were not ready to deal with the devastation we were dragged through in mid January.  While getting prepared for my mother to come and visit, we were accused by someone in the community of kidnapping, child abandonment, and the enslavement of children within our home.   With a looming investigation and possible arrest, we had our bags packed for an early return to Canada.  However, God knew the strife and despair we were in and sent the best gift through the friendship of a basketball teammate who happens to be a lawyer.  Josue (hose-way) managed to clear the air and prove the false nature of the accusations within a few days.  In that moment of crisis where we were being tricked into leaving, a hand of peace was placed on our house.  Thankfully nothing came of this all, we are still healing through this, and mom was able to rebook a flight and come down.  Please pray for us as we still deal with a lot of anger, and pray for the accusers that they might find peace.

The hen house sat empty for three months while we waited
for a source of hens to come through.  Finally at the end of
April we welcomed our first 200 ladies and will be getting
another 300 by the end of May.  Please pray for success
in sales as this provides work in a country that lacks it, and
an opportunity to raise funds domestically to support girls
as they transition out of safe houses.

            Back to the farming front, the hen project finally completed construction in late January.  In a country full of chickens running freely and constant advertisements of laying hens for sale, Leonel (my business partner) and I figured a small quantity of 200 hens to start our business would be an easy order to fill.  However, this was far from the case.  After visiting a series of farms and livestock dealers we came up empty.  Either they were sold out or the stock did not look good for production.  After six weeks of searching we established a source of hens from a supplier/farmer that we can trust in Jalapa.  This new relationship we are developing is mutually beneficial and looks to have a positive future.  Praise God!

The kids all dressed in their
uniforms ready for school.

Regardless of the mishaps and stress over the past few months we have counted more blessings than hardships.  Thankfully God provides we just need to be tuned into to seeing what He has given. For example, all of the children in our home are in school, loving it, and excelling in their studies.   Max, Gabe and Mercedes started attending school in January freeing up my time from homeschooling. This is a much better fit for our family and all are happier for it.

Francisca working on her
handbag business.

Angelica and Francisca continue to plug away at making jewelry and handbags to make a small income.  They have moved out of the house and into an apartment where they are responsible for covering most of their rent cost.  Additionally, they are taking advantage of their license and are able to be more independent.  There still is a lot of growing up to do but they are on their way.

Irma Lopez has been a new-old addition to our home.  She worked with Mandy last year, producing baked goods to sell in the market.  In January, she has moved in with us to complete her high school diploma and to develop a bakery.  With the aid of sponsors in Canada, she is getting an education, building up her baking tool inventory and receiving extra classes in cake making and decorating.  At this point Irma is turning a small profit with her roadside stand.

Mandy pricing the jewelry
and handbags Angelica and
Francisca made.

The boys were excited to
have Nana back again for
a couple of months.

Over the last couple months we have enjoyed time with visitors.  My mom was able to stay on for two months as well as Mandy’s mom and sister sneaking in a surprise visit for her birthday.  Even our good friend Kate was able to slip away from Canada for a bit to get some much needed Guatemalan time.  It truly is a blessing to share our lives with others and share in the joy of serving here.

Irma and Oma working the roadside stand in front of our house.
If you are going to come to Guatemala you need to learn how
to make tortillas.

A huge answer to prayer recently came when another extension for my leave of absence from my school board was accepted. With this firmed up we have applied for residency, which will open doors legally for us to stay without being charged for visa extensions and being forced to leave the country every 180 days.  The resident status also opens doors for adoption.  It is just a matter of time before we hear whether we are accepted or not.

Finally, we want to express sheer gratitude for the additional support during Christmas and January.  The funding was and is needed, and it came at a time when strife was high.  Thanks for investing in our small, but life changing ministry.

Love,

Matt and Mandy