The Church Without a Roof Appeal
In Guatemala, 75% of the population lives below the poverty line. This
situation affects most severely the children of minorities. Poverty has many consequences on the lives of
children: health problems,
malnutrition, and obligation to work to the detriment of their education.
In 2009, half of children in Guatemala
suffered from chronic malnutrition, and the percentage is even higher for
native children. This is where God comes in through US and through YOU!
Three weeks ago I took a man and his sick baby to the emergency
station at the local hospital at 11pm, by 3am the baby had not been seen,
so he went home. Remember, this was the
emergency station! The next morning I
gave him what money I had to buy medicine from the pharmacy. The situation is so bad that the national
hospitals have run out of medicines! If
someone is due an operation they have to buy what is needed for the operation
before it can take place! People on
Kidney dialyses have now been sent home to die.
Life is cheap!
I thank God for our supporters, because when the call has been made, you
have been generous and have sent what is needed. Our pastor- Juan Carlos and I, when we were
in hospital, is a prime example of you giving generously!
More than 20% of Guatemalan children are forced to
work to contribute to their
family’s income. This situation is one of the worst in Latin America. Employers
take advantage of the youth and ignorance of these children, having them do the
most dangerous work. They work in many different sectors: polishing shoes,
night work in factories, washing cars, street vendors, construction workers,
maids or even garbage collectors using their bare hands! They are exploited ruthlessly in strenuous
and sometimes dangerous situations. The repercussions are serious: they suffer
from many health problems and
cannot receive normal education.
Guatemala is home to much illicit and dangerous
trafficking. Children are the first victims of
criminals who use them without hesitation. As in many countries, poverty proliferates activities such
as; drug trafficking, prostitution, pornography, child trafficking, organ
trafficking, and illegal adoption. Children are confronted by violence and
insecurity in the streets; they are targets and the means of action necessary
for traffickers. The prevailing crime and impunity ensures that little is done
to prevent this.
In the streets, it creates a climate of insecurity and danger. The rate of child murders is alarming and very often the criminals remain unpunished (98% of cases). Children’s right to protection, guaranteed by the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is not properly ensured. Thus, Guatemalan children constantly risk their lives and are sometimes confronted by extreme and cruel violence.
In addition, violence can also be seen within families as well as at
school. Thus many children are abused and
end up on their own, with no secure place to go. Neither their family, nor
their school saves them from it. They
end up on the streets and then eventually join gangs.
Guatemala’s Gangs
Transporting illegal drugs north comprises the bulk of their activity,
but organized crime is also involved in marijuana and poppy cultivation, as
well as human trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, money laundering, arms
smuggling, adoption rings, and
other illegal enterprises. They often
work with groups from Mexico, Columbia and
other Central American nations.
Prayers
Our health and personal finances.
Safety.
Guatemala is now the 2nd most dangerous country in the world.
God bless you all for your giving and for your love.
Jeff& Christa Mills
Globe Mission Missionaries
UK Donations
Globe UK
Bank of Scotland, Sort Code: 80-06-55
Account Number: 00382152
Payable to: Globe UK (With a note for Mills)
Offices: Globe UK, PO Box 29068, Dunfermiline, Fife KY11 4YJ, Scotland.
Tel: 01383-731618 (+44-1383-731618)
USA Donations
Make
check out to:
“Globe
Mission International”
And
earmark it:
“For
GE-J Mills, and mail to:
Globe
Missions International
PO
Box 3040, Pensacola
FL
32516-3040
Donations can be made online by
Credit /Debit Card or Pay Pal by
Clicking on: www.globe-uk.org
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