Monthly Archives: August 2016

Shoes of the Directors

1 Reply

Twelve years of being the directors of James Project of Latin America (JPoLA) had passed when Joanne and I faced a big question. What would we do if we couldn’t stay in Guatemala? Who would fill the shoes of the directors and continue with the plans for the Project? We both had physical issues that made us take a hard look at some future plans. We wanted to be ahead of the game and have lots of time for making such an enormous decision.

We had invested our lives during the past years, and the thought of turning our baby over to someone else was like a mother looking for another family to adopt her child. Letting go would not be easy, but we realistically had to think in terms that someday we needed to pass on the baton. Lord, only you know who would carry the vision in their hearts and love the children as we do. Prepare our minds and hearts for when the time comes to let go.

The fact that we had time to scope out options stood in our favor. The plans included much prayer and time seeking the perfect couple. We had no reason to act immediately and felt comfortable in moving forward slowly. For me, letting go hung out in the future somewhere, but I wanted to be prepared for when the time came.

I started thinking about my reaction when someone did step in to do what I had been doing over the years. Would I feel jealousy, resentment, want control, or would I feel peace and willingly give over the reins? I prayed it would be the latter, and I felt thankful that I had time to sort all of this out before that day came.

Within the first year of discussing various options for our replacement, we landed upon a couple who stood out in compassion, ability, and love for the children. They wanted to serve with the Lord in the JPoLA ministry.

I first met the Applegates at the dedication of the property when they came to Shadow with a short-term mission team. From that time on, they communicated with us and expressed their heart’s desire to do anything they could to help. They came at least once a year and sponsored many children in the orphanage. Standing out as potential leaders, we contacted them with the idea of being our replacements in the administration.

After an explanation of what we expected and an outline of what the duties looked like, we waited in anticipation. Lord, is this the couple you want in the administration of your Project? The Applegates gave a surprising response of, “We thought you’d never ask. We’ve wanted to be a part of this for a long time.” My heart soared.

It took a year for the Applegates to arrive at the Project ready for action. I’ll never forget the mix of emotions I felt when I looked into my empty office and silently said goodbye. It felt even stranger when I looked into my room, and somebody else had taken over. I found the adjustment easier than I had anticipated but did experience days of difficulty. I saw the Applegates in operation and thanked the Lord for picking the perfect couple to fill the shoes of the directors and to oversee the lives of precious children. The Lord had prepared my heart.

Private School

2 Replies

After the first week at a specially selected private school, I could see a reluctance in the girls when time came to go to class. Something had them stirred up, and I waited for a storm cloud to burst. The following week, Leti* came in with red eyes and a pout. We needed to have a visit.

“Leti, sit here, and tell me why you are upset.”

Slow at getting started, Leti explained, “I don’t want to go back to school. The kids make fun of me because I’m in the baby class.”

Leti’s friend joined the conversation and added, “Yeah, the kids make fun of all of us because we live in an orphanage. The teachers don’t do anything to stop it. Nobody wants to be our friend.”

Oh my! The school year could go painfully on forever if something didn’t change. I prayed for the Lord’s intervention.

Joanne and I had checked out this well-known private school. The director impressed us with the concern she showed for the girls and her promises to help them in any way possible. Now we needed another visit with her to find a solution and ease the agony the girls felt. The director showed her compassion for the children and said she would handle the situation.

I sighed deeply, not realizing how angry I felt about the degrading words aimed at my girls. Thank you, Lord, for the love you have for these children. We don’t know what the director told the other teachers or students after our meeting, but from the chitchat of the girls, it appeared life at school had improved. All except for Leti.

In Guatemala, a student needs a certificate to show the completion of a grade before she is allowed to go into the next grade. This law worked against some of the girls in the Home because several of them had never attended school. Because of the law, twelve-year-old Leti sat in humiliation with the first graders. This bothered us until one day Joanne said she had a solution.

Before coming to Guatemala as a missionary, Joanne and her husband started a private school in Alaska. “How hard can it be to start our school here? I have contacts through Associated Christian Schools International and with a knowledgeable attorney. We can have a place for these kids to get an education without the hassles they now face.”

IMG_1648Bursting with the news, we told the girls about our plans, hoping it would ease their misery for the rest of the school year. Joanne went into action and found a compassionate couple to head up the school. (This faithful couple continues to serve as directors today.) They drew the girls to them with magnetic force. Donors from the States stepped forward to help with the expenses. Papers went to the authorities, and when approved, we sought a place for Liberty Christian School.

We rented a little house, and the girls pitched in with full energy to make it ready for their school. I saw a blend of pride, excitement, and hope as they applied paint to the filthy walls. Posters, pictures, and other wall decorations brought out a charm that tickled me as a IMG_0335former teacher. Then the big day came.

Dressed in cranberry-red plaid uniforms and full of giggles, the girls stepped into a new beginning in their educational program. Liberty Christian School was their school, and the desire for academic success rose in this private school. Leti didn’t come home with a smile on her face every day, but she did look forward to sitting with the other girls while doing her grade-appropriate work.

*Name has been changed.