Walking With the Poor - Notes From the Field

HONDURAS, COSTA RICA AND GUATEMALA VISITS
December 2006-January 2007

A celebration of God’s blessings

What a privilege to spend Christmas in the CFCA projects. A CFCA Christmas is a celebration of God’s blessings. It is also a celebration of the daily efforts of our CFCA teams to serve the poor with excellence throughout the year.

Mountains of Honduras—Just before Christmas 2006

One of the most memorable gatherings I’ve seen lately took place in the rural section of Honduras. We’ve been able to sponsor 121 of the children here—although hundreds of additional families are asking to participate. The genuine sweetness of the children contrasts to the ruggedness of the mountains and the harshness of the setting.

CFCA commemorates 25 years in Costa Rica

In conjunction with this celebration, my wife, Cristina, and I traveled extensively within Costa Rica with Minor Esquivel, project coordinator for Costa Rica, and Rafael Villalobos, director of formation, to visit many subprojects and families. I really enjoyed a one-day Encuentro for all Costa Rican staff, including a “Pilgrimage of Faith” walk in Heredia.

At the Bagaces/Puente Quemado subproject, impressive is the number of abandoned young mothers forced to raise their children on their own. Ania, a single mother herself, offers to teach sewing skills to the other mothers. Margarita with her pedal-powered tricycle is raising her children by selling cold “Pipas”—coconuts with a straw for drinking.

In La Labor, I am touched by the story of Florencia, young mother and her three children Cristian, 10, Flor, 9, and Milvia, 5. The husband and father was killed in an armed robbery just before Milvia was born. Milvia takes delight in repeating the name of her sponsor.

Barrio La Esperanza: During our visit, 84-year-old Gabriela takes on the role of community cheer leader. For her age, she is remarkably agile on the rocky paths leading up to her home of weathered planks and dirt floor … very last home next to the landowner’s cow pasture. Her husband, 87, is unable to work due to a bus accident that left one of his legs disfigured. These two valiant abuelitos (grandparents) are trying to raise 12 grandchildren in this very rustic and humble setting. Lord, help us to walk with these courageous and loving people.

Mission awareness trip to Guatemala
Dec. 26-Jan. 2

We started off the first morning in Guatemala City with the very moving testimony of Thelma, 19, who has had the same sponsor for 12 years. Thelma graduated two weeks ago with a degree in accounting. She wept with emotion as she told of the relationship she has with her sponsor: “She is like a second mother to me.” Lizandro, Thelma’s hard-working father, accompanied her. He also spoke. Two years ago the young mother died. Lizandro is making every effort to raise their two boys and two girls in a dignified way. He works long hours in a textile factory.

“Will the circle be unbroken …?”

Elsa, 21, the CFCA social worker who brought Thelma and Lizandro to see our group, told her own story. She, too, grew up as a CFCA sponsored child, spent 14 years in the program, became a professional and now works for CFCA. Relationship with her sponsor was and still is of utmost importance in Elsa’s life.

During the mission awareness trips, we try to visit as many subprojects and sponsored families as we can. In this way, the sponsors contribute a great deal to the life of the subproject. On New Year’s Day, 2007, we came through the winding highland roads to Acatenango—home for 2,700 sponsored children and 33 aging. We shared a couple of hours with children, aging, staff and parents.

Thank you for traveling with us in spirit and in prayer. For the New Year and always, God’s blessings to you and to your family.

Bob Hentzen
San Lucas Toliman
Guatemala
Jan.1, 2007