fall 2019 update

While it’s winter it’s the growing season in Central America. The first harvest should be picked, but the rains have not cooperated this year. Through what’s called the dry corridor, it has not rained to produce crops of corn and beans. Pictures from our friends show fields of corn parched and broken corn stalks. The effects of this drought will be higher prices and no work available in the fields. The weather has stopped the implementation of six more families in the women’s empowerment project on the volcano San Miguel. We wrote a grant and received the funds in May. Now we are waiting for the weather to cooperate. In contrast, the last week of September has seen torrential rains causing walls to collapse and homes to collapse. The rains end in November, but with climate change everything is uncertain. The new president is very aggressive in implementing changes in law enforcement and in changing the scope of the National Budget. His draft eliminates a secret line item of 300 million dollars, which has caused many investigations, prison time and exile of former presidents. He has reallocated the funds for education and other services which are long overdue. We have a teacher shortage in our two most recent schools. We now have hope that the increased funds may provide the teachers for our 7, 8, and 9 grades. Our Salvadoran partners have appointments with the ministry of education to press for these positions to be filled. High school has 2 and 3 year curriculum. This December is going to be an exciting time as the last of our 42 God children are finishing their high school education. 15 needed scholarships; a few dropped out but when we spoke with them in January, the graduates in the two year program had jobs. Along the way we acquired up two more boys Carlos and Diego who have one more year to complete. They are top students in high school and without financial support their education would be impossible. Their scholarships are being provided by children who attended Vacation Bible School. Their VBS focus was raising funds to support a student in Tanzania and these two boys. We recently received the check and look forward to letting them know they can finish their dream. We are finishing up our 2 public schools with needed improvements. One is to enclose the school grounds to keep neighboring farm animals off the play area which will provide safety and will prevent the spread of disease to these vulnerable malnourished children. We know that through all these years and all these many projects, our mission has become your mission also. We are deeply grateful for your financial support, your prayers and your encouragement to us and by sharing our stories with others. May the Lord continue to bless and keep you in this grace. David y Nancy