Clausura (Closure)

Our year is racing to an end, and our social calendar is filling up more each day.  This week we are finishing up our last clinics and taking turns attending the different ABC end-of-year parties and graduation parties for our scholarship and ABC graduates. It is exciting to see the accomplishments of so many young people around here, and the pride their families feel. The ABC program families put on a great end of year program showcasing the talents and bible knowledge of their kids each year.
We got a picture of all of the kids who are graduating high school and junior high this year from the ABC program. When we first came to this area just 12 years ago, only a handful of kids from the churches had made it to junior high.  Most dropped out between 4th and 6th grade. Now more are finishing junior high, and families are interested in making high school a reality as well. Thanks to all of you who faithfully support the ABC and Scholarship programs.  You have played a significant part in developing the availability of secular and bible education in the churches and communities.

Graduating kids from junior high and high school.  There are kids from remote towns with difficult access to school finishing!

Mactzul I kids presenting the story of Saul, blinded after his encounter with Jesus, being led to Ananias.

How many memory verses do you know?  This was incredible to us.  The winner, Angela knew 23 different texts.

Edgar and his family at his graduation service at church in Mactzul I.

Graduating class of nurses from the University of San Carlos in Quetzaltenango. It is dificult to get in, and we are so proud of Brenda Yacon!

Brenda walking down the graduation aisle as a newly minted nurse.  She will work with us in our mobile clinics next year.

Manuel Fernando and Thomas Eliseo at their graduation party at the Paxot II church.

Manuel from Xepocol--the second one to graduate in his family.

Church members presenting the  prize to Gabriela--top points earners in the ABC program win special gifts at the end of the year.

Top prize winners Ermelinda and Juana Amelia from Mactzul II with their mom.

The Mactzul I church made a logo for their ABC program.

Jose Luis with his proud parents in La Palma.  He is the first to graduate from that congregation and probably one of the few in his community.

We enjoyed several fellowship meals in celebration of the graduates and ABC program. There are some good cooks around here!