Nov. 2007

After 9 long months of waiting to return to the village of Aceituno, Guatemala, finally, I was there. The women and I had been communicating over the phone and with letters. Others had brought back bracelets they made and some were sold. But, I was finally going to see for myself. Were they happy with this program? Was it making a difference? Or was it just a diversion from the everyday difficult life they were facing. Soon it was clear. The very first faces to greet me outside the airport were women from the village. They rode in the back of a pickup for 1 1/2 ours to be there when we arrived. They carried hand-made posters with the same bible verses I had sent them in my letters. They were more than happy with the program, they were transformed by it. What an awesome moment. It was amazing to realize all that God could do with me, when I became willing.

My friend Susan came along on the trip in Nov. 2007. She was a great help. She spent a day with the women working without a translator. I had to go to the u.s. embassey to acquire a new passport after mine went missing. The trip was a difficult one, a suitcase containing a new serger was also missing. It wasn't until 3 days before we were to return that the airline tracked it down.

We dedicated much of our time in Aceituno to sewing. It was our goal to start a line of children's clothing made from guatemalan fabric. It was frustrating to realize that the woman we had been paying to teach sewing lessions, knew very little herself. By the grace of God, by the end of the trip, the women could make a dress, a skirt and a pair of pants. Thanks to fundraising and some generous donations, we left them with more than 130 yds of fabric to make clothing.

February 2007

In Feb. 2007 the I returned to Guatemala to teach a group of 12 women bead-weaving. This trip was the beginning of Circle of Hope. With a small amount of start-up cash, tables, stools, beads and other materials were purchased. 6 Sewing machines were donated and brought in suitcases to Aceituno. The women also learned the very basics of the sewing machine. With only 3 days to work, and limited spanish vocabulary, it seemed unlikely that anyone would learn much or continue to work without more instruction. It would be 9 months before I could return.

Circle of Hope

Circle of Hope is a non profit organization dedicated to helping the people of Aceituno,Guatemala. Our primary focus is helping women by teaching them a trade. Classes in beading and sewing began in February of 2007. The women of Circle of Hope produced have produce over 700 bracelets in the past 18 months. They make children's clothing from brightly colored Guatemalan cottons. All of Circle of Hope's goods are sold in the United States. Circle of Hope pays each women a fair wage for her goods ( more than double market value in Guatemala). Any additional funds or profits are returned to the program to pay for supplies, help with medical expenses and our education fund.