Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Antigua, Guatemala  

From:  Andrew & Rebecca Loveall           
Missionaries to Guatemala           
A Discipleship Mission  

Dear Friends and Family,  

Greetings and blessings from Guatemala .  This report covers the last 13 weeks (since July 8).  Rebecca and I ask that you read it carefully so as to be well prepared when praying for this mission and the children / young people / families here.  Here’s a quick review of recent events and developments:  

TEAMS  TEAMS  TEAMS
The last half of the summer was full of short-term missions teams from the States - working in Antigua (at Escuela Integrada - Antigua and the Jeremiah Project), Patzun-Chuchuca (at Escuela Integrada - Chuchuca), and El Tesoro, the war refugee village we help serve in Suchitepequez.   

MISSION DISCOVERY teams from three different churches worked in a variety of ways -- rebuilding roofs, floors, and walls on the houses of families in need; doing home visits and food delivery to needy families, conducting VBS at Escuela Integrada Schools (and at the Jeremiah Project, the special needs / at risk street kids project run by mission partner Larenda Hayden), helping with much needed maintenance at the Antigua E.I. school….. we had a great time with everyone who came down through Mission Discovery.  Their on-site team does excellent work which removes much of our logistical burden when hosting teams.  Check out the Mission Discovery web site at www.missiondiscovery.org .  

The GREEN HILLS Baptist Church Team from La Habra, CA once more came down in August for many days of children’s ministry (with their usual incredible VBS program) and major renovations at Escuela Integrada - Antigua as well as making home visits and delivering more much needed groceries to the families connected to the school.  The entire back area of the Antigua school was paved using paving stones -- the school’s gutter / water removal system was completely reworked -- and the roof over the kitchen patio was extended.  The VBS program was just incredible -- the kids loved it.  The week saw more than 60 decisions for Christ.  

Once more, the CIRCLE OF LOVE FOUNDATION missions team made a huge impact here during their July outreach work.  The doctors, nurses, support, and building crew members started out working in EL TESORO, the village of war refugees (mostly Maya-Ixil indigenous) where over 450 people received free medical treatment and medicine.  C.O.L.’s Dr. Helen Laib led the July team.  We also built the roof structure for the village’s new middle school grade classrooms (note -- the work was physically intense and much extra Gatoraid was required to keep us older guys alive) which are now close to completion (thanks to C.O.L., our Florida supporters, and Rockford First Assembly for funding help).  We then did medical outreach work at Escuela Integrada - Antigua , worked on building needs there, and made more home visits with food baskets.  In total, over 550 people received medical treatment during this year’s outreaches and clinics -- and 248 people made decisions for Christ.  For more details see their website:  www.circleoflovefoundation.net  

The Circle of Love team visit included one day trip into Guatemala City -- to Guatemala ’s National Palace -- for a special meeting with Dr. RAFAEL ESPADA, the Vice President of Guatemala.  Dr. Laib studied under Dr. Espada back in medical school and the two have kept in contact over the years.  The Vice President gave up a great deal of time to share with us his vision of helping the people of <:country-region w:st="on">Guatemala , especially the children and women here who regularly suffer so greatly.  It was an inspiring afternoon.  

ESCUELA INTEGRADA - CHUCHUCA  -- after three years of hard work, is preparing to graduate its first class!!!  Our third year indigenous students there will be graduating their “colegio” (like a middle school or high school) 3^rd basico grade, which is sort of like 9^th grade in the United States .  It is important to remember that, within Guatemala’s indigenous community, less than 6% make it this far in their education and -- without a doubt -- very few (perhaps none) of these students would have a basico/colegio level education without your generous support of Escuela Integrada.  Commencement ceremonies will be held on November 6th.  One BIG reason this was possible was due to the help received from the ProVision Foundation (TN), Baraboo Assembly (WI), and Rockford First Assembly (IL) in the establishment of a Dept. of Education approved  Typing  School at the school in Chuchuca.  Without this typing school, these kids would have never have obtained their government mandated typing certificates.  A big THANKS to everyone who have helped make things happen at Escuela Integrada - Chuchuca, especially to California ’s James L. Stamps Foundation and Save the Children -  Denmark.  

ESCUELA INTEGRADA - ANTIGUA will be celebrating the graduation of the kindergarten and 6th grade students (October 28) and our second ‘colegio’ / basico school graduating class (November 8).  As these kids grow up with their solid, Christian education, we have great hopes that every one of them will make huge contributions to the changing of Guatemalan society.  Your prayers and financial support change thousands of lives.  We on the mission team are grateful -- moreover, these kids and their families are grateful beyond words.

 

And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men,

for not everyone has faith.  But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen

and protect you from the evil one.  2 Thessalonians 3:2-3  NIV

 

UPDATE on SECURITY: As most of you know, we and the Antigua school received serious threats of violence and that the school was assaulted (twice) and the LACES office was ransacked.  This security situation, while still serious, as being dealt with and has improved.  Through some special donations we have hired the armed security guards that, at present, are needed at the school.  More security improvements are being made and security equipment is being installed.  We have received a gift of security equipment from the States and are in the process of installing it -- and in further fortifying the back walls and installing razor wire.  We are working with the advice of the National Civil Police and with Wackenhut Security in these security improvements.  We believe that the guards will be needed for at least two more months, which adds further costs to our already strained budget,,, but we are confident that the Lord will provide all that is needed.  As important as all these steps security steps are, it is important to remember that ultimately we depend on God for this and all needs.  

The NUMBERS REPORT:  here are the 'numbers' that many of you ask for....  

The "Numbers" Report - Mission Results, Last 13 Weeks (Since July 7):
Breakfasts & Lunches served, "Escuela Integrada, feeding program" Antigua :        19,175
Breakfasts served, "Escuela Integrada, feeding program" Chuchuca:                        4,512       
Lunches served, "Escuela Integrada, feeding program" Chuchuca:                         1,183       
Students weekdays at "Escuela Integrada - Antigua :                                             287             
Students weekdays at "Escuela Integrada - Chuchuca:                                             80
Houses Re-Roofed and Repaired (walls, floors, etc..)                                                  8
People helped with Medical Treatment / Medicine:                                                  688
People helped with Food / Clothing / Housing Assistance:                                         54
People (adults) Taught by Andrew & Rebecca:                                                        360
Attendance, Special Children’s Ministry Events:                                                  2,095
Known Decisions for Christ, All Mission Outreaches:                                              331  

Recent financial support - September Financial Support:
$ 20,000.00 budgeted in Sept. / $  15,134.00 received in Sept. (short $ 4,866)
Does not include special project money donations specifically designated for teams/projects/security.  

Everyone has surely seen the economic news (even as I write this newsletter the DOW has fallen over 500 points).  As most of us see our incomes, savings, and retirement accounts shrink in value, let us all agree together to stay focused on God and His work in our lives.  The financial news and way the news media covers it seems to be stirring up great fear.  Like virtually all churches, missions, and projects, our donations are effected by all of this.  A supporter asked me yesterday if we are afraid.  I told them that we are trying NOT to be afraid and asked that prayer be lifted up to that effect.  It seems to me that all of this is totally out of our control and that, as ‘bad’ as all the economic news is, we should all be grateful -- because we are forced to rely on God.  And really -- we need to rely on Him always, not just when things are tough.  Rebecca and I, along with the whole team here, ask for your prayers to this end -- that fear will not drive our emotions and feelings -- but that God will give to each one the “measure of faith” that each one needs.  We just simply cannot be afraid.  God’s Word is true.  

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the
mountains fall into the heart of the sea  Psalm 46:1-2  NIV

SPECIAL PRAYER NEEDS - We live in a time of great evil and suffering.  This fallen world has no pity.  Things happen constantly that reflect this.  Two weeks ago, one of the young ladies in the Escuela Integrada project was abducted and sexually assaulted.  It was brutal.  She is only 17 years old.  She and her family need your prayers.  Our team, those who are working with her, needs your prayers and the Lord’s wisdom.  This terrible incident demonstrates the WHY of how this mission works and is set up.  This young woman needs help and support -- and she is getting these things here through the mission.  Escuela Integrada’s counselor (a woman child/teen psychologist) is working with her.  Our on-staff doctor (also a woman) is coordinating her medical exams and tests as well as helping with her counseling.  Our Director (Genda Lopez, whom many of you have met) is helping her to keep up with her work (she missed over two weeks of school) so that she can pass this year.  I (Andrew) have met with her family and spoken at length with her and making sure as best I can that she has what she needs in all areas - physical, emotional, and spiritual.  She is getting the support and love that she needs, but she needs your prayers.   This is but one example of what life is like here for these kids in Guatemala .  Just last week, I counseled with three young people whose families are disintegrating because of the infidelity of their fathers.  We intervened in the case of a young man (15 years old) who was attacked while sleeping in a homeless shelter.  We are having to keep extra  young men in our home every night to help secure the safety of our family.  The economic news in Guatemala is even WORSE than it is in the USA -- and we are trying to keep families from starving in some cases.  That’s life here -- but God is a God of RESTROATION -- and HE can make all these awful things into good things -- into these great mission opportunities.  Your prayers and support are part of God’s loving provision for our gigantic extended family of Guatemalan kids and teenagers.  Keep praying for us, please.   Our sister schools, the semi-public schools in EL RODEO and EL TESORO both needs more help.  We need some special financial gifts to help El Rodeo recover from the break-in there (where their electrical system was destroyed when thieves stole all the copper wire, and did so in a manner that pretty much destroyed all their light fixtures and conduits.)  The men of El Rodeo are now guarding the school every night -- they take turns sleeping inside the building so as to prevent more robberies and damage.  The kids in the El Rodeo school (over 600 kids and teenagers) need lights and electricity!!!  In El Tesoro, we are still about $ 2,000 in materials short of finishing the new classrooms.  Most of this is for doors and windows (including the frames and finishing work).   Keep praying for our missionary partner, NANCY BRICE (Grace to the World) as she recovers from what can best be described as a botched wisdom-tooth removal.  She has suffered great pain and discomfort -- but, with prayers and new / different dental-medical treatment, she is improving.  What a great job Nancy does in Escuela Integrada.

  

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we

do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to

those who belong to the family of believers.  Galatians 6:9-10  NIV

  

WHAT”S HAPPENING WITH US is-- well, a lot.  Rebecca is now at Wheaton College , utilizing her scholarship to gain her masters degree in clinical psychology.  Jonathan and Robert are here with me (Andrew, now also known as “Mr. Mom”).  Everyone is doing just fine.  Rebecca is excelling in her studies.  The boys are doing great and are oblivious to the security situation -- they think that it is just fantastic to have these young men at the house every night.  What fun to have these big guys to play with!!    Perhaps we are eating too much pizza right now -- but we’re working things out at the house.  Thanks for your continued prayers and support.   We urge everyone to look upwards and forwards to all that God is unfolding here!  Please join us in trusting in Him for all things.  

May the Lord bless you in all things!  
Your brother and sister and humble servants,

Andrew & Rebecca Loveall
Missionaries to Guatemala      

"God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as

you have helped His people and continue to help them". - Hebrews 6:10    NIV

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For tax-deductible contributions, make check out to "Latin American Christian Education Services"

 or "L.A.C.E.S." and mail to:

Latin American Christian Education Services

8217 West 20th Street , Suite A

Greeley  CO   80634

Phone:   (970) 313-4590      Fax:  (970) 313-4161

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PICTURES!!  A: Some of our precious girls in Chuchuca.  Pretty much none of them would be in school if not for the Lord’s gracious provision.  B. - Rebecca with some of our soon-to-be-graduates at Escuela Integrada - Chichica.  C. - VBS music with the Mission Discovery team (George here working with the ManhattanBible Church crew).  D.- Elber (sixth grade) and little brothers on the new steps to their ‘house’ -- built by the Mission Discovery teams.  We also replaced the roof and rebuilt two walls in his house.  E. - Chuchuca students bang away in typing lab.  F. - Rebecca discusses culture and mission work with the team from BelleMeade United Methodist Church (who came through Mission Discovery).  G. - Andrew and Glenda stand with one of the new security guards.  Everyone is very happy to have them in the school.  H. - The Green Hills Baptist Church team conducts music and singing and all kinds of other stuff during their VBS program in Antigua .  I.< - Local men and the Circle of Love team hauling into place one of the trusses for the new roof -- in El Tesoro, the new classrooms being built there.  Andrew is the guy in the cowboy hat.  J. Guatemalan Vice President Dr. Rafael Espada with Dr. Helen Laib (Circle of Love) and Andrew.