God's Miracle - Ana Elcy

This was the photo on the Compassion International website. Four year old Ana Elcy Yanira Toma Toma - a long name for such a little girl. I had found her in a search of the Compassion site for a child to sponsor from Guatemala; specifically a child who lived in the Guatemalan Highlands. I wanted to be able to connect with her on my visits to the region. I fell in love with this darling little girl who lived in the small community of Los Angeles, which is just outside of Cotzal.  Perfect.  We immediately committed to sponsor her in 2008.

Several factors led me to desire to sponsor a child through Compassion, one of which fits the WIND acronym – When It Needs Doing. Additionally, I have a passion for better understanding the ministries involved in the Ixil. What better way to understand an organization like Compassion than to participate in it.

My first visit with Ana Elsy started at her school. I met her mother, sister, and teachers. Then they led us to her home (a typical dirt-floored house) located on the property of her grandfather. We played as I tried to get her to relax and smile a little. I presented her and her family with some small gifts which we had brought with us. As we were leaving, I felt an immediate connection with this shy little girl.

The next day I was working in the village of Cajixay when my friend Nicolas (whom I wrote about in the previous blog entry) sought me out with his usual warm greeting. The first thing he said was, “Ricardo, estaban en mi casa ayer” (you were at my house yesterday). My silent confusion made him continue – “You visited my granddaughter Elcy!” As I put the pieces together, both of our eyes filled with tears. God is so amazing. My “random” selection of a little girl from the Compassion website had connected me with Nicolas in a very personal way.

I continue to visit Ana Elcy twice a year. Now she runs to greet me. She blesses me with big hugs and a contagious smile. I still stand amazed at God’s Miracles. God is so good!

Nicolas Toma - Forgiveness

Nicolas Toma – Lesson on Forgiveness

I first met Nicolas in 2004 during my first trip to Guatemala. He worked for Agros and was the promoter to the village of Cajixay. In 2003 he had led a team from our church to Cajixay and through his efforts a partnership was formed. Cajixay was where he had been raised. Cajixay is where his father had been a pastor. Cajixay is where he met his wife and was married. Cajixay is where his first child was conceived. And Cajixay is where the brutality of war crashed down upon him.

He looked on and watched as his father was executed in front of his fearful eyes. His village was burned to the ground and memories of the screams of terror were never forgotten. He and his pregnant wife fled to the hills. Hiding from both the army and the guerillas, they survived on tiny portions of food. Without shelter, his wife gave birth to a son – who had no chance to survive in the cold, damp climate. He and his wife were able to survive this terrible ordeal – his father, son and many friends were not as fortunate.  

In my previous blog, I wrote of a recent attempt at justice for those responsible for massacres such as the one that took place in Cajixay. I do not ever remember Nicolas speaking of retribution or justice. But in his life he demonstrated the powerful act of forgiveness. He knew the people who had killed his father and friends, the people who were somewhat responsible for the death of his first son, and he chose the path of forgiveness – not only in words, but in action. He ministered to them. He helped them. He witnessed to them. When I struggle with forgiveness to those I think have wronged me or those I love, I often think of the amazing grace which Nicolas lived out.

 I am not sure how Nicolas would feel about the recent verdicts handed down in Guatemala City. Cancer claimed his life a little over a year ago. I am proud to have known Nicolas as a friend. I missed seeing him on recent trip to the Ixil. But we have remained connected through an amazing sequence of “coincidences” which have led me to an amazing relationship with his granddaughter. I will tell you about Ana Elcy in my next post.

Rich

Justice and Forgiveness

The village of Cajixay is nestled in a lush valley in the Guatemala highlands. This area is frequently referred to as the Ixil Triangle. While things are relatively peaceful today, not many years ago the Ixil was caught in the middle of a bloody civil war – the brutality of which was horrific. Cajixay was burned to the ground and only resettled after the fighting was over. Today there are approximately 110 families carving out an existence in this beautiful place.

I was reminded this week about the violence that savaged this region not long ago. After 36 years of killing, the civil war officially ended in 1996. CNN published an article this week that reported on four former Guatemalan soldiers who received life sentences (6,000 years each) for the massacre of 201 people in the village of Dos Erres in 1982 They were convicted of crimes against humanity. The article mentions several imes that this sentence was only the beginning. .   

Often I have sat and listened to villagers tell their stories from the war. I have wiped away tears as they recounted watching family members and friends murdered. Often they speak of God’s protection on their lives. The men and women who are my age lived through some terrible events; we cannot begin to imagine the horrors.  Within their stories, I do not remember ever hearing talk of justice or of settling the score. Maybe because they feel hopeless to do anything – or maybe because that was another time and they live for a hope for a better tomorrow.

However I have heard talk of forgiveness. Next time I will tell you about a friend named Nicolas Toma who taught many about forgiveness.  He was an amazing man.

Rich

Link to CNN artilcle: http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/americas/08/02/guatemala.human.rights.trial/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

This is Why

Antonio Osorio - May 2011

Meet Antonio Osorio from Cajixay, Guatemala. He has experienced the horrors of civil war - close up.  He is a farmer – growing corn, peas and tomatoes. He understands very well what it means to be hungry – and worse yet for a father – sending his children to bed hungry. He is a grandfather to four beautiful children. He is a pillar of strength and determination in his community. He has a new and growing faith in God. He has a hope for his village – that every person in the village will come to know Jesus and not be lacking in what they need to simply live. I am proud to say that he is my friend-  whom I have known for 8 years.

When I saw him in May, with a broad smile he told me that this January, at age 58, he is headed back to school. He will be attending the W.I.N.D. of God sponsored Bible Training extension program in Cotzal. He will begin a three year program which will culminate in a Basico degree in Bible.  

Every student who attends the Bible Training extension program has stories similar to Antonio’s. They have a face. They have hopes and fears – for themselves and their communities. They see a better future ahead. They are excited to have the opportunity, even at the age of 58, to go back to school. I believe that this is why God led us to start W.I.N.D of God.  On November 23^rd, we will watch 20 graduates from multiple villages march to receive their diplomas. Family and friends will clap and celebrate these achievements with streamers, fireworks, and parades. One of their own has fulfilled a dream. For my friend Antonio – he is following in the footsteps of his son Sebastian and daughter Amalia who graduated in 2009.

It is my hope and prayer that this blog site will raise your awareness of the needs that W.I.N.D. is trying to address in Guatemala. That perhaps you will be compelled to join us in the journey. W.I.N.D. is an acronym for When It Needs Doing. In life we are given the opportunity to decide how we will respond to the needs that are laid before us. We can elect to let someone else deal with it – or we can become part of the story. From experience I can say that the one who stops to bless others is the one who becomes showered with blessings.  I look forward to sharing more of the story as we travel the path before us.

Rich

We are entering the blogging world!

Stay tuned to this site for WIND updates, news, and thoughts.  We are excited to share what God is doing through our non-profit in Guatemala!