What a thrilling experience! Although the donated minivan that was taken to the Tampa port to be shipped to the Estradas didn’t arrive while I was there, the last day in Guatemala was a celebration of another arrival, a homeless child into their household.  All ten of us, Erick and Cynthia, their three children and two previously homeless kids from the bus terminal, and my brother and granddaughter, excitedly blew up balloons and hung streamers and a welcoming poster for Oscar.

   Now seven years old, Oscar had been abandoned at three by his mother and then placed in several temporary foster homes.  Within hours after being received into the loving care of the Estrada family, he was calling them “Mama and Papa.”

   Aside from my mission to witness and help the Estradas in the care and home schooling of their extended family, I brought needed medicines to doctor Erick.  On his weekly visits to two rural remote church clinics, the three of us assisted him in dispensing drugs to patients and to 80 teens in their school rooms.

   At one location, the townspeople showed us a plot of land where they would like to build a more permanent clinic.  To do this they need only the money for building materials.  I have drafted a proposal to raise $5,000 for this project.

   We attended two services at Nazaret, the Estrada’s church, and two at Tranfiguracion, our sister church, where Erick was the guest preacher.  With Erick’s concurrence, we proposed a weekly medical clinic at the Transfiguracion Church.  This has now been approved.  We also accompanied Erick, a pastor of missions, and Cynthia while they conducted bible studies at several poor locations followed by games and piñatas for the children.

   How does one family do so much?  Through Love and a commitment to Jesus Christ!

This was very evident in the actions of the entire family including the kids who now range in ages from thirteen to three.  Their thirteen year old daughter Kaila is considered to be the “second mommy.”  Her expressions of love and tender care for the others were truly awesome.

Frank Ebetino