Independence day, and Yasmin is free

September 15 is Guatemalan independence day, so for the days leading up to it, our incredible nannyswent all out in preparing a celebration for the kids. They had a pagent, which is traditional in the schools here, and a full program with a marimba band, and snacks and cake for the kdis. The following day, our kids were able to participate in their own torch run, and even the bomberos (ambulance drivers) were involved by leading the procession. A local ice cream shop gave each of the kids ice cream, and the town cheered for the kids as they passed. This was an increadible few days for the kids.

On September 18, baby Yasmin went home to Jesus to be healed completely. She had lived in Hogar de la Esperanza II, and been loved by so many. Although it was not a surprise, her death was and is still hard. But we do not grieve without hope. Her funeral was held the next day, and though many tears fell, her short life was celebrated, and God was glorified. He is our comforter in all these things. We now have 5 little ones buried in our town's small cemetery, and they have asked us to build a crypt which can be build upward rather than dig more graves because there is not much space.

Last night I shared a post on facebook that I think would be appropriate to share here. “There are anniversaries this week. Angelita would have been 12 today. I can't imagine how much prettier she could have gotten. Gavin, showing the strong young man he would have been. And Yasmin, now a week with Jesus. And the other 4 tiny graves in our town along with 3 little girls buried in their families' towns. Or friends like Cody or Sarah and other peers now beyond my grasp.

About a week ago I shared an incredible song which puts all this back into perspective, but it wasn't until tonight that I found the later added verse which brought this song to mind and planted it there for this week.

"I've walked the valley of death's shadow

So deep and dark that I could barely breathe

I've had to let go of more than I could bear

And I questioned everything that I believe

But still even here

in this great darkness

A comfort and hope come breaking through

As I can say in life or death

God we belong to you.

And we are Yours God, Yours God, everything is Yours

From the stars in the sky to the depths of the ocean floor

and it's all Yours God, Yours God, everything is Yours

All the greatness and power, the glory and splendor and majesty

Everything is Yours"

--Yours (new verse version)--

Stephen Curtis Chapmin"

At the birthing center, the women keep coming. Although the women from the health center were very impressed with the birthing center, their higher authorities declined our center to deliver first births. This is sad for the many first time expectant mothers without complications who may now have to deliver in overcrowded and unsanitary national hospitals. Now steps are being taken to change the lisensure type to allow first births. Please keep praying for the center. There are many barriers in setting up this safe place for mothers, and it is challenging when most do not seem to make any sense.

Testing the blood typing test kits

Waiting outside the health center for a few hours for
health cards to work toward re licensing the birthing center.  

On Monday, two of our boys' feeding tubes had come out. For Edy, this means reinserting an NG tube, which is uncomfortable to mildly painful, and very sad for such a little boy and whoever has to put it back in! For Ruavis on the other hand, it could have been much worse. Ruavis has a surgically placed G tube, and his entry site had nearly closed in just the few hours that night he had been without. Both boys had their tubes replaced shortly, praise God!

Here are late night moments with the babies

Please keep our homes in prayer as illness is passing through and many kids and adults have been down with diarrhea and vomiting.  Which is always just a blast!!

Thank you for all your prayers!

Katie Riley

--after His heart--

Birthing center and rout 14

Hi all,

I hope to keep my words briefer, and my photos more plentiful!

It has been a busy three weeks back in Guatemala. I had the privilege to head to Esquintla, where the new birthing center is now receiving expectant mothers. So far, there are only a few dozen women, but in this community, there will soon be many, many more. On Thursday, our ministry met with three ladies from the health center in Esquintla. This meeting was to evaluate the center, and determine if we will be allowed to deliver first births. This is a big deal because the hospitals are overrun, and in some cases they have two women sharing the same hospital bed. Further, the hospitals push for c-sections very early, and frequently say they are necessary when they just don't want to wait for a slow labor to progress. C-sections are more dangerous to the mother with a longer recovery in a dirty environment. The challenge is that after a c-section, it is much harder to have a natural birth, so it may be that few women are able to deliver at the birthing center.

The meeting went well, and a lot of respect was shown. These women had a heart for the women in their community, and God was glorified how he is moving in Esquintla.

Pray for these women. All of them has a story, and a history. And each of them need to know Christ's love for them. Some are mothers of many, while others are first time mothers. Some are older, and some are very, very young. We don't know all the specifics of their lives, but we can pray for them. We can pray that this birthing center would be known for showing God's love, and a safe place to come, as well as a healthy environment to have a baby.

On the way to and from the birthing center, we were able to take rout 14, one of the roads that was destroyed during fuego's eruptions in June. This was my first time seeing the devastation first hand. Please pray for the families affected. There is so much hurt. And now as the road opens, people fear that their still buried loved ones may never be recovered. This is hard especially for the catholic families as last rights are very important. There is also a lot of unrest toward the government who many feel are greatly downplaying this tragedy. Official counts are far less than those who are still missing, buried underground. Statements such as “my family is still buried under ground and now the government wants to bury me too” show how abandoned many families feel as life in Guatemala continues and their families are still unrecovered.

For me this drive was haunting. We drive this rout so, so often, and have passed these houses hundreds of times which are now buried to their roves. And the massive ravine which now exists shows the power of this, which nobody was prepared for. And yet hope lives in a yet more powerful God.

And finally, in our home, kids grow while laughs and love are shared. Here are some moments caught on camera.

Fun with kids and wheelchairs -- and peals of laughter!

Alison, Jared, and Olimpia found a new spot for storytime

The lunch lineup

Please keep in prayer the families affected by Fuego, as their struggle continues daily. Pray also for the birthing center, and the women who pass through. Pray that they may have safe pregnancies, but much more, that they may know the love of Christ, and how precious they, and their babies are to God.

Once again, thank you for your prayers and support. God bless!

~Katie Riley~

--after His heart--