MANITAS
{ little hands }

Three days a week Nehemias,Mayra, and Guillermo load the truck up with supplies and head down to the school at Patztzun to feed the kids.A few weeks ago when I was down there I got to go along and it was an experience that I will never forget...handing a plate of hot food to those tiny children who had waited so long and seeing their big,beautiful eyes look up at you! We got there just as school was letting out and all the children scattered to tell their families when they saw the truck pull up,but they were soon back lugging their younger siblings on their backs or leading them by the hand.Even a few of the mothers came as well with their babies. Unfortunately it was POURING rain when I was there so not as many showed up but normally around 100 to 130 children and mothers come.
                                                         

  We feed them a fortified rice with a sauce made of meat and vegetables and serve that with tortillas. I was amazed at how much those tiny bodies could hold! They would lick their plates clean and then come back for more! Since not as many people showed up that day we had plenty of food but on some days they have to ration it and even run out before everyone is fed.
 I thank God for the opportunity we have to make a difference in these precious lives!
                                                            

10/16/2013

 A few weeks ago we were introduced to a family in Patzutzun who have some pretty serious needs. At this point the parents with their 4 young children are living in a 9ft. by 13ft. mud house where they cook on the floor and also sleep on the damp floor. It is now the rainy season so when the rains come every afternoon the water comes down off the mountain and runs through their house leaving their floor damp most of the time. Last week during one of the heavy rains,  part of their wall just gave way and collapsed leaving a hole in the side of their house. At night they lay down plastic to try to keep the water from seeping into their thin mattresses but living in these wet, chilly conditions leaves them sick most of the time. The man cuts and sells firewood for a living but since he is sick a lot of the time, he has a hard time making enough to  feed his family. We have plans of helping to build them a new house as soon as possible and hopefully this will prevent so much sickness and give them a chance to get ahead. Please pray for this family and for those who will be involved in this project!