2007 February

Volume 3, Issue1 Haddox family 4a Calle 0-66 Col. Cristalinas, Casa 8, Sector A-10, Mixco Z8

The Adventure Deepens...

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Dear Friends and Family, It’s hard to believe that we have completed our 2nd year on the mission field and are in our 3rd year. As North Americans we tend to busy ourselves and are constantly looking for some way to slow down to enjoy life. I recently met a woman named Estella. She is a 42 year old Latina woman who works as a maid for several missionary families. I was talking to her about slowing down and how life is so busy. In my minds eye I was struggling to get my kids out of bed by 7:00 a.m. in order to get them ready for school by 8:oo. I asked her what time she gets up, she said

Chipilapa VBS

Preaching in Spanish in Chichi

Heather leading

Sierra Bible and Tabacal church building

February 2007

Pastor Manuel’s fam

Volcanoes Fuego and Acatenango as viewed San Lucas

she gets up at 3:45 to get her grandkids ready, then is on the bus to get to work by 6:00, home at 8:30 p.m. and in bed at 11:00 pm. I said wow, how hard. She said, yes but I have to work to eat. Wow! What a change in perspective, now I was thinking I have so much free time! Time is such a luxury to the North American. I know very few people that literally have to work to eat! I encourage you to enjoy the luxury of time you have with your family and spend it wisely remembering to pray for those that have to work to eat, those that have no choice.

Hurricane Stan Hurricane Stan It’s been a little over a year since Hurricane Stan hit Guatemalan leaving thousands of people homeless and burying around 900 people alive in Panabaj, Guatemala. Eric has been heading up the housing relief project with Engineering Ministries International building this year alone 19 houses which have the capacity to house about 150 people who previously had no home or were living in extreme poverty since.

Tabacal water tanks MacGuyver surveying

tic and some mismatched pieces of tin. For 2 days we worked with a local ministry to build a new home for the family. The family was then left with the task of finishing the stucco and installing the windows to finish the home. Along with a more secure shelter the family was provided with a water filter that will give them clean water. These are foundational steps to improve their future health and safety. The living example of people like Ben and Elizabeth from Wyoming inspires us “who have two cloaks to give to him who has none.” It is by our love that the world will know that we are his.

Zapote VBS team

Ixtapa home before

Jungle engineering Eating Iguana Tabacal kids

Zapote Baptism

Pacaya hot Lava

One young couple from Wyoming told their friends and relatives not to give them money for their wedding, but to donate money for a hurricane Stan house in Guatemala. In December they spent their honeymoon here building a house for a family that had none. The coastal town of Ixtapa was devastated by the floodwaters of Stan, primarily near the river where the poorest people live. The “honeymoon home” was built for a family who was surviving by living under some poles of driftwood wrapped with leaves, plas-

This project has touched the lives of many people in a real way and has provided local ministries with the opportunity and credibility to speak into people’s lives with the good news of Jesus Christ that brings them hope and security in all circumstances, for all time and beyond.

“honeymoon home” in Ixtapa after

Adventures in Ericland Ericland The food subsidy program in Tabacal came to an end in January though Eric hopes to, with Carlos at our church, start a day program there to provide education and milk for the children. In October the water program was finished with the tank assembly and in November Sierra Bible came down to start building the church. The church is now reaching completion. A new project is blossoming in the rural village of Lacamá where many of the people in Tabacal came from. With no building, over 500 Mayans congregate in the sun to have church. With a building they anticipate a swell in attendance to over 1000. Beyond this Eric has been able to work with the design of another airstrip in the northern jungle, Travel to Chiapas, Mexico on an eMi team to design a children’s building for the persecuted church there, continue building Stan homes, help out with a series of other projects in the office and led the Intern’s Bible study. Now that Randy has moved back to the states, Eric has been the computer tech for the office. Foremost, pray that he will spiritually lead his family with God’s love and wisdom. Pray also that he can focus and work efficiently; and that he will walk in love for people and in humble obedience to God’s Word.

Heather Ventures Heather Ventures Heather finished up her responsibilities as director of the school with Kids Alive in June and for the first time at the children’s home, every girl passed the school year. She started home schooling again in August and with Eli being in 1st grade and the rest being in Kindergarten, it has proved to be a full time job. Heather has directed 6 Vacation Bible Schools this year all over different parts of Guatemala reaching over 1400 kids! In the remote villages where the VBSs were held, most girls get pregnant outside of marriage by the age of 14. The theme of VBS was “Fiesta” meaning “Party” in Spanish. Her hope was to teach them that “Party” doesn’t mean getting drunk and that love doesn’t mean giving yourself to some guy. She talked to one girl just last week who was 20 years old, unmarried and had 3 kids. They couldn’t believe she was 32 and her oldest was 7. She also still directs the children’s ministry at her church, coordinates a Story Time on Fridays and has just started directing (two days a week) a school in Guatemala in conjunction with teaching Bible at the school. Don’t ask how it all gets in. Pray that she will have wisdom to parent her kids and to live and breathe the word of God.

eMi Guate Engineering Ministries International Engineering Ministries International (eMi) is a non-profit Christian development organization made up of architects, engineers and design professionals who donate their skills to help children and families around the world step out of poverty and into a world of hope. Since 1981, EMI has completed over 500 relief and development projects in nearly 75 coun-

tries. They exist to empower local churches and ministries to serve the poor and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.. Remember to send all Financial Support to EMI as we are no longer receiving any financial support through Kids Alive. 130 E. Kiowa. Ste 200, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80903. Put Employee number 2074. www.emiusa.org


           Coming back from the village, Eli and Eric were sitting in the back of the truck when they passed a herd of cows. Eli said, “Wow that’s a lot of milk and cheese” Pray for the people daddy is working with that they would know Jesus. Pray for mommy that she would be good at teaching us how to do school. That Abi, Zoe and Anzo would listen to Mommy and daddy, and me too. Anzo was having trouble pulling up his underwear when I asked, “What’s going on Anzo?” To which he replied in a whine, “My underwear doesn’t like me.” Pray for school for math for to get through. Pray for me to be kind. Pray for us until my adoption papers are finished.

As Heather blew out the candle at her birthday, Abi said, “Oh no the power went out” She went into the bathroom when Eric was getting ready and she said, “I smell something good like armpit lotion” Pray that the poor people will have toys. And that they will play with us and we will learn Spanish more. Pray that I would do good things like obey and grow up and be seven. At dinner Eli said, “Man I’m still hungry” And Zoe replied, “I’m still desserty” Pray that people will not have wood beds but comfortable beds, that we have lots of fun with Spanish people and that I will share my toys and play good with others and love Jesus and love each other.

Be sure to check out our websites teamhaddox.blogspot.com and EriceMi.blogspot.com