Escuela Intergrada--HOLD the children Sponsor School in Guatemala

HOLD the children works with Andrew and Rebecca Loveall to help poor children go to school at Escuela Integrada in Antigua, Guatemala. Life is very difficult in Guatemala, especially for children who are taught that education is secondary to helping support the family. The recent tropical storm, Agatha, has caused a lot of devastation in the communities where the many of the children live. Below is Andrew plea for help.

Antigua, Guatemala
June 2, 2010

Greetings from Guatemala.

The work here continues. It is incredible. Lives change every day. You can all be immensely proud of these kids and young people. The team that makes this all happen is still the best there is. God is still very good to us.

Many of you have seen or heard of the recent Tropical Storm Agatha. The effects here have been serious. However, we know of no children or family members from Escuela Integrada schools that are missing, seriously injured, or dead. Our kids seem to have all gotten through relatively safely.

BUT MANY OF THEM NEED HELP. Food, clothes, and possessions (like their school supplies) have been destroyed in many homes due to flooding. We need to obtain more food especially.

All schools in Guatemala are closed, through this week, by order of the government. We are using the school in ANtigua to coordinate our work to help these families.

We are urging - begging - for financial help to provide assistance to the kids and families here. We are asking for those who have made promises to support Escuela Integrada to keep them if at all possible. The present economy has made it impossible for some to fulfill their commitments. We understand this very well. So we ask our supporters and supporting institutions / churches / organizations to do what they can to meet present needs.

Right now we simply do not have what we need to help these kids and their families.

We do not have what we need to even stay open through the end of June. The reality is that, once more, just like in late 2009 and early 2010, projects and missions are failing in Guatemala. Please help Escuela Integrada survive.

THE IMMEDIATE NEED IS HELP WITH THE TROPICAL STORM RESPONSE AND HELP WITH TEACHER SALARIES.

We are working hard. We are exhausted. Please pray for us and all the TEAM here. PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE FAMILIES AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES. PLEASE REMEMBER OUR GOVERNMENT LEADERS, Escpecially President Colom and Vice President Espada. They are doing a good job. And they appear worn-out as well.

Many Blessings
Andrew Loveall
Escuela Integrada

"God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the
love you have shown Him as you have helped His people
and continue to help them". - Hebrews 6:10 NIV