Prayer Requests:

Patience and energy for Mama Luz as she is working on my wedding dress

Health—Josué and I are tired from the trip, although we spent the weekend resting and are feeling better. Josué has a problem with one foot (severe athlete's foot?), and I am still recovering from the surgery and parasites.

Abed—see below

Shirley—see below


Children’s Ministry:

The river trip went wonderfully; I know you were praying. I felt better and was more in control of my digestive system! It rained enough to fill the river Momón, so we could arrive, and cooled down the village of Punto Alegre, so we didn’t sweat too much. We were able to show two movies, preach the Gospel, and hold a couple of morning devotionals. The children’s program Thursday afternoon was amazing. After songs led by Mama Luz, games led by Josué’s sister-in-law, and a special visit from two costumed characters (Josué’s brother and niece), I shared about giving to Jesus in the way that the Wise Men did (their day is actually celebrated in January).

Seventy-one children, plus many parents, attended and listened attentively; at the end they closed their eyes and gave Jesus something special (a talent, time, obedience to parents, kindness to siblings, studying hard, keeping their room neat, etc). It was sweet. They colored the picture of the wise men, and then accepted their gifts. There were 55 gift bags left over from the children’s clubs in Iquitos. Forty-five children were on the list as regular attendees of Sunday school. Six kids were not present. We gave out the 39 gift bags. Then we counted the rest of the kids, who live in the village but don’t attend the church…32. And there were 16 gift bags remaining; so we split them in half, giving the wrapped presents (cars) to the boys and the gift bags (food, school, and hygiene items) to the girls. Thus, every single child received a present. It was miraculous!


Abed:

A month ago, my precious four-year-old baby fell from his hut in Punto Alegre to the ground ten feet below. He fell on his face and his eyes swelled up and bled so that he couldn’t see and his face was swollen and black for three days. His adoptive parents did nothing for him (lack of money they say). He could have gone blind and actually still could. His eyes were red and pussy. The moment we arrived back to Iquitos , Josué and I took Abed to an eye specialist, who says that the infection is serious, and that his corneas might be damaged. We bought the antibiotic and anti-bacterial eye drops that the doctor prescribed and began applying them immediately. He cried—I’m sure it stung—but was brave, as I kept saying, “This will help your eyes heal.” He is very smart and knows that something is wrong with his eyes. Even crying, he helped the doctor by prying open his eyes. So adorable, it breaks your heart. I bought him an ice cream cone afterward, which helped him feel better. Every day he seems to be improving.

The cost for the medicines and doctor’s visit was $50. I also spent about $20 on a couple complete outfits and sunglasses—he can’t be in direct sunlight or bright lights, smoke or dust (all of which he was around for the last month in his village, plus bathing in the dirty river). I would like to buy him some educational toys, new shoes, a bath towel, and more clothes. If you would like to donate to help with these costs, please write “Rachel’s children’s ministry: Abed” on a post-it note and include it with your check. Thanks.

His poor treatment from his family in the village worries me. He is becoming disobedient because of lack of healthy attention, clear boundaries, and adequate care. Pray for him, that his parents will let him stay more and more with us, and eventually keep him (during his school years). For now, he is with us for three weeks. He is already enjoying the television, his friends and “family,” the baby pool and toys, his peach drink, and motorcycle rides. He sleeps at Josué’s house and spends part of the days with me (and often Josué). He will be our ring-bearer in the wedding.


Shirley:

I introduce you to another child that has captured my heart. 14-year-old Shirley is also from Punto Alegre. You will remember her picture on my last newsletter, where I’m teaching her English. She was living in Iquitos to go to school; there is really no schooling in the villages. She is bright and hungry to learn. She wants to become a lawyer, and has a desire to work in the ministry. Last year, she was faithfully attending church, the children’s club, and my English classes. But the lady with whom she was living beat her and forced her to do all the household chores, starting at 4 a.m., so that she was often late to school and thus in trouble. She called Mama Luz to rescue her, but the Ahuite family doesn’t have the resources to send another child to school. They sacrifice to send Josué’s niece Vasti to school. So Mama Luz’s only advice was “call your dad.” She did and her dad came to Iquitos from Punto Alegre, 8 hours away—but he says she’s rebellious (because that’s what the lady said); I argue that being beat will cause anyone to rebel. Shirley’s mom died in childbirth to a younger sibling who also died. A few years back, her dad, who loves her but is not in tune with her needs, began a relationship with a young adult, and they have two girls. (Marriage is uncommon in the villages.) The step-mom yells at, mistreats, and beats Shirley, and expects her to cook and take care of the two girls while she and Shirley’s dad work in the fields (they grow pineapple, coconut, yucca, limes, etc). We saw her hit Shirley when we were there. I longed to rescue her—it seems to be part of my ministry. I talked to Josué and his parents, who in turn talked to her dad and convinced him to let her live with them for this coming school year (March-December). If things go well, she will continue for two additional years, when she will graduate from high school.

The cost for her schooling for 10 months is $850 includes:
Tuition, 10 months (includes registration, agenda, yearbook) $215
Books (dictionaries and Bible) $15
School supplies (art, notebooks, pencils, backpack, etc) $65
Uniform (school and PE, shoes, socks) $50
Food $130
School outings $15
Bus fare $25
Room (with table, bed, and wardrobe) $175
Clothes, medicines, personal needs $160

I am so grateful for all of you who support me. However, the monthly donations (apart from the Christmas party donations) average $600. My proposed budget is $1500. Therefore, I am currently able to cover $300 ($30/ 10 months) from money received for the ministry budget. If you would like to contribute to the rest, please write: “Rachel’s children's ministry: Shirley” on a post-it note and include it with your donation.

Please pray for Shirley, that she would learn to be loved and to love, to heal from past losses and abuses, and to seek God with all her heart. Pray that she will fit into the Ahuite household, without major disruptions. Pray for Mama Luz who will be the one mostly involved in her upbringing and discipline. The Ahuite house is a ministry in itself and I’m blessed to be a part.

Thank you for partnering with me to give opportunities to children who would otherwise be overlooked and thrown away. This is a wonderful life and livelihood!

New pictures in My Photos--See River trip Jan 09, Abed, Clubs 09