Need your assistance, please...

If any of my readers are going to Guatemala some time this year, could you please notify me via email at: schafersharron@yahoo.com.  If you come to Guatemala but do not have plans to come to Casa, I can meet you at the airport to pick up the suitcases.

We have numerous suitcases filled with sewing supplies and fabric that needs to be sent to Casa de Aleluya as soon as possible.  We will soon expand the sewing program to include more students and our sewing supplies are low here.  Lillian and I teach together in the mornings and I will begin new classes soon in the afternoon so that more students have an opportunity to learn the art of sewing.  We will begin jewelry making classes soon as well.  I appreciate any and all help for the precious children here and look forward to hearing from some of you very soon.

Two generous people gave us money to ship the clothes donated to the children along with 9 sewing machines.  They should arrive here mid May.  The Lord has blessed us with many donations for supplies and additional clothes for the children.

Thank you so much for your help and I look forward to hearing from you.

God bless you for helping the children here at Casa Aleluya!

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Arrived safely and ready to serve

   I need to catch everyone up to speed on what has been happening the past few weeks.  The two months prior to leaving for Guatemala were packed with very busy days finalizing everything I needed to do.  I arrived in Guatemala safe and sound on April 3rd. The ride from Atlanta to Guatemala was a little 'bumpy' but we landed safely. I did get a man to help me with my bags since there were three large heavy ones. He did not know one word of English so I got to practice my Spanish and surprisingly he understood me. It gave me confidence that maybe I can learn this language - especially since I am now surrounded by Spanish speaking people.  We were greeted by two young men from Casa de Aleluya that held up a sign 'SHARRON SCHAFER' so I would know they were my ride here. When we drove up on the property here, several girls greeted me and wanted to help take my suitcases into the apartment. What a sweet welcoming committee! They asked all kinds of questions and told me their names. They wanted to come in and stay awhile but since I only got 1.5 hours of sleep the night before, I told them we would hang out another time since Ms. Sharron needed to take a nap.   However, after I lay down, I was so excited to be here that I couldn't sleep!  The apartment they have for me is very nice.

    The staff here at Casa has been so nice and they have all offered to take me shopping any time I need to go.  So far, I have been to the local grocery store, furniture shopping, the market, and Wal-Mart.  The most interesting place was the market, especially the one in Chimaltenango.  You could buy anything from live chickens to sunglasses and everything in between.  The only thing I bought that day was fabric.  The most interesting fabric store I have ever been in.

    Easter Sunday was a relatively quiet day beginning with worship at 8:30am.  It is a beautiful sight to see hundreds of children worshiping and praising the King of Kings who defeated death, hell and the grave.  There were a lot of children who were not here that week because they had gone home to be with their parents.  School was out because of Semanta Santa (Holy Week).  This is a big holiday here in Guatemala.  However, there are no Easter baskets, dyed eggs or candy as the people here in Guatemala focus on the true meaning of Easter – the risen Savior.

I love the people here in Guatemala.  The Lord Jesus gave me a deep love for these beautiful people and it is a love that could have only come from Him. 

  I Cor. 8:6 says, “For me, there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom I live, and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.”

  I know that He is able to do more than I could ever ask or think in this beautiful country. I want to forsake ALL.  ALL comforts, ALL the things I have ever known to step into a totally different culture with people who are different from me, who speak a language I barely know, and who see me as a gringa (white woman).  I awaken every morning to the sound of children playing outside my apartment.  They are shouting to their friends, laughing and running around and it is a beautiful sound!  It reminds me daily why I am here.  I pray the Lord uses me to make a difference here in the lives of these beautiful children and the people of Guatemala.  Not for my benefit but for His Glory and HIS alone.  Thank you Father for sending me to this country that is so close to your heart and mine.  I look forward with anticipation to the days ahead...