August Update

Hola Friends,
As you are experiencing the final weeks of summer in the U.S., perhaps getting in some travel and time with family and friends, we encourage you to take a few moments and rejoice with us in God’s provision and faithfulness since we last updated you in May.

Psalm 111:2-3
Great are the works of the Lord;
They are studied by all who delight in them.
Splendid and majestic is His work,
And His righteousness endures forever.

Update on our Run:Hope Teacher Conference
 
After pausing for two years, our Run:Hope Conference for our teachers finally took place at an open air retreat center June 29 – July 1st.  Twenty-five of our teachers were able to travel from three different mountain communities to focus on our theme, Creation Speaks: Exploring Science. Chloe, Dorothy and Avah from Oversea Chinese Mission's short-term team were a great help! We had a wonderful time of learning, growing, and sharing God’s amazing design for His creation. You can see a glimpse of the conference here.  
 
This is rainy season in Guatemala, and we enjoyed the entire conference together without any rain!  It made our time together that much more productive as strong rains in the open air setting would have made it difficult to hear. The rains began right after the conference ended as everyone was safely on the bus to return to their homes. Thank you for your prayers and support that were definitely felt throughout our time together!

Before and After: A Learning Space Multiplied

​Do you enjoy looking at before and after pictures as much as we do?  In our last update, we shared  pictures of a Mother’s day event at our partner Run:Hope school, Light and Life School in Salquil, Quiché. We mentioned the need for a roof to increase the usable space of the school for special events, gym classes, and a play area for the students. Take a before and after look below!
 
Through the generous gift of one supporter and additional funds raised by a small short-term team that served with us in Guatemala in July, the necessary funds have been received to build a roof over this space providing a shield from sun and rain to multiply the usable space for gym classes and special programs.
 
God is so good and worked in ways above what we could even imagine! It just happened that a crew and supplies were available and able to make it to the school at the end of June through early July to complete this project.  Anyone working on construction projects in the past few years knows that this is amazing!
 
Through prayer and generous giving, the ministry of Light & Life school is multiplied with the blessing of a roof! Please give thanks to God together with us!  

Firm Foundations Kicks off this September
 
Firm Foundations, a program for teaching the Bible chronologically from Creation to Christ, with special emphasis on teaching methods and creative visuals, kicks off this September.  Deb and Rick will be in Salquil, Quiché for the initial teaching session of this program. As well, we will be hosting special programs for all the students of Light and Life school and participate in planning sessions with our team in Guatemala for the upcoming new year.

Run:Hope Sponsored Students in Ilom, Quiché

Run:Hope Fall Events: Join Us!
 
Last year, walkers, bikers, runners and supporters came together in a big way to raise all the funds needed to support 264 children to return to in-person classes for 2022, and all the funds needed for transportation, the retreat center, meals and resources for our Run:Hope teacher conference this past July. As well, thirteen teachers were able to continue their own degree studies, four of whom are working on their master's thesis, and the salaries for Light and Life school staff were finally able to be paid in full for the current school year.
 
Would you join us again this fall to raise the necessary funds for the 2023 School year that begins in January?  Please see how you can participate in person by joining an event, or participate wherever you are!  We are considering ways of expanding and strengthening our Run:Hope schools in the new school year and your support is vital!

Thank you for your partnership!
 
We give God all thanks for a summer that was challenging, but with results that were beyond our prayers and expectations.

Stay strong!

Rick and Deb
 for our entire H.O.P.E. and A.G.A.P.E. team