Stories, updates, and more - February 2019
Because you gave your time, prayers, and/or donations, Christ's love is being expressed around the world!
Arizona
The children enjoyed Valentine's Day parties in their classrooms on February 14. They exchanged cards and goodies for their parties!
Ecuador
Written by Claudia Meerkaemper, Sponsorship Coordinator for Ecuador
Meet Melanie Hidalgo (8th grade)
“Sometimes a child's life can be frustrating and sometimes they feel hopeless.
Melanie came to school in a time like that in her life. Her grandmother had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was not receiving treatment because the family was in a rough season. Melanie's eyes were gloomy and she did not smile. She almost never participated in activities or group games.
Little by little, Melanie gained confidence in herself and suddenly, one day, she began to smile and participate with enthusiasm. When I asked what had changed, she answered, “Now I know whose daughter I am and what I can hope for.”
Melanie's grandmother receives medication now and is improving but, more than that, Melanie is more secure and she trusts in Jesus. She smiles, plays, and participates. Melanie knows that when she prays, even if she doesn't get all she wants, Jesus always listen and he will give her what she needs.”
Meet Bolivar Gómez (math teacher)
“Two years ago, we put an advertisement in the newspaper because we were looking for a math teacher. Bolivar expressed interested. He is an experienced teacher with excellent recommendations. We initially thought that he would not accept the salary that we could offer him.
After we held our interviews, Bolivar was the most suitable for the position. When we offered him the job we did not know if he was going to accept it. However, to our surprise, he said that he felt the Lord had called him to our school, and he accepted.
During the past two years, Bolivar shared that in the school he found a family. He is getting to know Jesus more every day, not in a theoretical way, but in the daily life with the people of our educational community.”
You can support the ongoing ministry of teachers like Bolivar.
El Salvador
Recently there was a soccer competition at San Julian. The group of children from a Lifeline church in El Salvador were the champions!
Guatemala
In Lifeline’s church in Guatemala, our brothers and sisters and even the children, are learning the importance of serving God.
Joselyn Rojas, our sponsorship coordinator in Guatemala shared:
“We are teaching the children to not be afraid or shy and that they can serve God in different ways. Something new we are doing is teaching them to do plays and choreography dances with the purpose of being able to share with others about Christ in a different way. There are many ways to share God’s Word.
On January 27, the children presented a beautiful presentation where they showed that, despite the circumstances we go through in life, we must know that we are never alone. God has always been there, He has never failed, and He will always be there.”
Haiti
Please continue to pray for our Haitian staff as they oversee the ongoing ministries. This past weekend, they were able to get diesel and gas for campus needs. They also were able to go to the bank to conduct business.
Since the weekend, Haiti has become more calm. Families were able to get much needed food, water, fuel, and other supplies. Things aren't completely back to normal, but traveling conditions have improved.
The school at our Lifeline campus in Grand Goâve has re-opened, but attendance is lower than normal. The hope is that by Monday things will be as close to fully operational as possible in Grand Goâve and our outpost schools.
We are praising God for this news! Please pray that the situation continues to improve and that our Haitian brothers and sisters will continue to be His light of hope in their communities.
Honduras
The ministries in Honduras have been busy, see more here!