Poco a poco seems to the be working mantra here. We’re still waiting for the final word from CNA. From speaking to various people here, nothing gets done in December, so our hope is for the home to open in early January. Thank you for continuing to carry us in your prayers!

Tom is here and making himself very useful (as always) – fixing minor things with the cars, helping train the puppy (Sarang), and overall being very pleasant company!

A few accomplishments -
• Arranged for a 3 day training for staff – “Cuidadores Competentes en Trauma” (Competent Caregivers in   Trauma) provided by a large Christian organization that provides resources to orphanages here in       Guatemala. Thank you OM2/SCC for providing the funding! The training will take place Dec 12 – 14 at our     orphanage.
• Promoting our presence – our logo is up on our wall!

More to come…

Thank you everyone for your prayer support! I know my last post was rather voluminous. This will be short. 
Here are our top prayer requests:

• CNA (Consejo Nacional de Adopciones) to quickly approve name change to Immanuel 
• CNA to quickly approve Immanuel's use of re-validation documents already submitted 
• To find a local church in the area that the children and staff can attend
• For staff to be prepared to receive and minister to children 
  • Asst Director - Luisa
  • Lawyer - Marisa
  • Nannies - Luky, Lucero, Myrna, Brenda
  • Grounds & maintenance - Adrian
  • Cook - Magda
  • Social worker - Maya
  • Psychologist - Evelin

​From today's devotional - Phil 4:6,7  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Thank you all for continuing to cover us in prayer!

Jackie posted her updates below- I added this so people can comment or leave words of encouragement if they wish (like on her choice of "oldies" christian music!).  Thank you all for you support and prayers!  --Tom

November 14, 2019

​I can't believe it's been over a month already! Thank you all so much for your prayers!

I've settled into a familiar cadence - extended morning devotionals, administrative work, inventory, puppy time, meetings, Spanish lessons, and interviewing. We are almost fully staffed and once we are approved by the Consejo Nacional de Adopciones (National Adoption Council - CNA for short), we should be good to go. Currently only three staff have started - our ever persistent lawyer, Marisa; our diligent groundskeeper, Adrian, and our capable assistant director, Luisa. For now, they are working part time until the home is open to children. 

As we prepare for the children, our main prayer request is that CNA will quickly approve our application. The previous orphanage located here submitted their re-validation paperwork which was recently approved. Our request is that we we take over that re-validation, since we would be operating in essentially the same capacity, with a name change only. Our lawyer is trying to set up a meeting with the director of CNA for this Friday to move this forward. As of now, we do not know when we can open but are hopeful that it will be before the end of the year. 

Once approved, we should be assigned children quickly - while Tom was here, we met with a juvenile judge and a high ranking juvenile court administrator who were very interested in placing children with our orphanage. 

Personally, it's been hard and wonderful at the same time. I have been thoroughly enjoying spending time in God's Word, prayer, praise, and study (Fleming Rutledge's The Crucifixion - dense but very good!). And rediscovering my love for 80s Christian artists and songs (Steve Camp, Michael Card) - Song of Gomer, Stranger to Holiness, He Covers Me (lots of tears!!); Run to the Battle (yes!!); Living in Laodicea, God's own fool (so convicting!!). These times give me strength when I feel isolated and get impatient, frustrated. 

Recently I was lead to this passage through a sermon I recently heard - John 12:24-26 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him." I was reminded that following Jesus leads to Golgoltha - and there are so many ways I still need to die to myself! With this conviction came once again God's comfort - Immanuel - I will be with you in this, as in everything else. 
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Thank you all for your support and please continue to pray for us!