Vida Nueva

We visited the Vida Nueva orphanage this afternoon with the Hammercreek youth.


This orphanage is home to approximately 60 children. Pictured is the school where 400 children attend, children from the home as well as the surrounding community.

Our group provided a craft activity for the younger children. We took their pictures and then printed the photos on our new printer while the children decorated a foam picture frame. Julie Boll helped the children.

Tony didn't get his picture taken but enjoyed decorating a piece of foam.

Charlie took along his famous water rocket and, as always, it was a huge hit with the boys!

And, of course, there was a soccer game between the Americans and the Guatemalans. A first -the Gringos won! Hammercreek has got some good soccer players. Ben was really pleased that he chose to play on the winning team. Nick, unfortunately, played as a Guatemalteco today.

Miguel Magone

We visited the Miguel Magone orphanage today with ORI's current work team, the youth group from Hammercreek Mennonite Church. Miguel Magone is home to approximately 60 boys and is located near the town of San Lucas.


First, we unloaded the home's monthly food delivery from the back of the ORI bus.

This home is built on a steep hill, so there are several play areas on different levels.

Tony enjoyed the play equipment.

Alisha found a friend, a little girl named Daniela. Although only two girls live at the home, there were several girls from the nearby village at Miguel today. Poor children from the village come to the orphanage on Saturdays for a hot lunch.

We handed out coloring books and crayons, which the kids enjoyed.

Charlie brought along a rope for tug-of-war, Gringos against Guatemalans. The Americans won! Finally, a sport where the gringos can triumph. I've yet to see the Guatemalans defeated in soccer.

ORI bought lunch for everybody - 140 people! That was a lot of pizza! We also provided soda and cookies. What a special treat for the kids.

Vida Ilimitada

We visited Vida Ilimitada on Sunday afternoon with the Bethany work team. Vida is an orphanage near the town of Chimaltenango and is home to approximately 30 children.


Nick took this bird's eye photo of the orphanage from the top of the water tower.

Charlie is holding the youngest member of the home, one-year-old Edwin. We handed out hygiene bundles - soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and other items, wrapped in a towel.

This little guy (who's name I can't recall) was the same age as Tony.

Team leader and board member, Jay Hurst, helping to unload Vida's monthly food donation.

Jane Woodward, one of the Bethany volunteers, with a cute little fellow.

Bethany Work Team

A group of volunteers from Bethany Christian Fellowship was here from February 8 - 15. They worked at two orphanages, Fundaninos and Casa Bernabe.


Ben and this group were digging footers for a retaining wall at Casa Bernabe.

This crew was treating the lumber for the roof of a new medical clinic at Casa Bernabe. They were sealing the wood with diesel fuel to help prevent termite infestation.

Part of the group made a couple of bunk beds for Fundaninos. They had quite an audience as they worked.

The "boss" explains how to proceed with work on the director's apartment at Fundaninos.

Ben sanded wood for the bunk beds.

Mayan Village

Yesterday we visited a very poor Mayan village with ORI's current work team. Our purpose was to distribute food to each of the families living in this impoverished village.



Charlie did a fantastic job driving the bus. It was a two hour drive, part of the way on very poor roads. We traveled on rough dirt roads, forded three streams, and stopped twice to wait for cows to cross.

When we reached our destination the villagers were delighted to help carry the food from the bus to the church. Even the small children helped.

This is the village church. We gathered here for a short service and the food distribution.

Our friend (and contact person), Carlos Fernandez, asked Charlie to say a few words and have prayer. He translated for Charlie. The adults all understand Spanish although it is not their native tongue.

Each family received corn flour, oil, sugar, rice, beans, and powdered milk. ORI board member Jay Hurst is helping distribute the food.

A little cutie! Each of the children received a bag of candy and stickers.

One of the village homes. There were a few concrete block houses, but most were tin or bamboo.

The kitchen in one of the houses.

Cliff Snader and Charlie with two of the village children - and a very tired Tony.