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Unity in Generosity: An Update on the Pineda Family

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”

First of all, I would like to say thank you to those of you who have shown your faith in the good work that God is doing here. Your generosity is humbling. I beg you to continue in this generosity of love for God's people throughout your life in whatever way you can.

Yesterday I had the privilege of visiting the Pineda family again. The family is in good spirits (because they have THE Spirit) and their health is improving. Because of the generosity of Christian family, Yunita was able to have the surgery and, after a week in the hospital, is back home. She will now have weekly trips back to the hospital for therapy until such time as she is healed. She is using the new wheelchair we took on our first visit. As you will see from the picture I'll add of German, he has a "special" wheelchair now.

Because of your generosity, our visit included almost two weeks worth of groceries and a cash gift of $120.00. This will be helpful as they still have no income and will not have for quite some time. To say they are poor is an understatement. Yet, they are content in what they have.

This is the Pineda family. In the wheelchairs (Left to Right) German, Yunita, y Antonio. Don't let the somber looks fool you - it is considered a "normal" picture when everyone has a serious look. Smiles are considered just for fun pictures.
Last Sunday, 1 May 2011, the children in the Sunday school class made cards for the leaders of the church here in La Palma. Erin and Teresa had been sick and the kids also made one for each of them. (They have a pretty good Sunday school teacher, don't ya think?) Nathan wanted to make one for the Pineda family. Each kid made a card then each kid signed all of the cards. (Little Yoselin made one for me, "Gracias por su amistad." she said with a big hug.) So Nathan asked if he could go with us this time to give the card to Antonio himself. How could I say no to that?

Nathan presents Antonio with the card made by Nathan and the La Palma Sunday morning Bible class children. Antonio's wife helps him read it as Antonio does not have the use of his hands. Notice the smiles on German and Yunita.
This is the Pineda family. Not all of them were home, but we got everyone in the picture we could.This was 8 of the 9 people in the wreck.in the back from right to left you see Jesús Hernandez (Preacher - San Ignacio), me, Jorge Rodriguez (preacher - Ocotepeque, Honduras), Nathan (holding the card he made for the Pineda family), and José Castillo (preacher - La Palma).
Of course, wherever Nathan goes he finds and makes new friends. He, like his dad, rarely meets a dog that isn't his friend. The Pineda family has 4 or 5 dogs, cats, a Parrot and chickens.
This is the "special" wheelchair. Yes, that is a plastic chair cut and bolted onto the frame of an older wheelchair that had seen better days. However, this wheelchair would fair much better than most on this terrain because of the ten-speed tires they used to replace the original tires.

If you have played a part in helping this family during this very difficult time, I want to thank you. But I also want you to know that you will continue helping others. The Pineda family is not back on their feet yet (no pun intended), and the weekly hospital visits for Yunita will cost $25 each for transportation. That will add up quickly. Your continued generosity is appreciated.

Because many of you answered the call for help, we have enough money now to help another family in serious need.

Recently, Felicita (a member of the church here for years) lost her son-in-law to the violence of El Salvador. What this means for her is two more mouths to feed as her daughter and granddaughter have moved back in with her. She has two other daughters still living at home. Felicita is one of the "go to" ladies of the congregation. Her example of faithfulness and service is exemplary. She works hard, but is paid very little, and she is the only one in her family that works. She washes clothes and irons for a living - without a washing machine of course. José and I agree this will be the next family we help.

Rigo, a faithful member of the church in Ocotepeque is husband and father of 3. He lives in a two meter by 10 meter house with no doors, no kitchen and no bathroom. Basically it would be called a hall in the U.S. He lost his job three weeks ago. Last night when I visited him, they had no food in the house and no money to buy any. Rigo and his family walk several miles to church and are there at every service. His family also needs help.

I believe God will bless the efforts of His children to take care of each other (Acts 2:44-45). Please pray for this effort. Pray about how you can be a part of this effort. Please pray in thanksgiving to God for those who have and will be a part of this effort. Please pray for those who have been and who will be blessed by this effort.

God is good and with Him all things are possible.

Monte

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