For these boys and girls who desperately need a father’s love, the message hit home. The puppeteers were part of the Orphan Outreach team that recently helped distribute more than 6,000 Spanish Bibles to children in Guatemala City, Guatemala. “God blessed us with an amazing week serving His children,” says team leader Amy Sams.
“The children here [at Mama Carmen’s orphanage] had already received their own Bible from Orphan Outreach at Christmas,” Sams explains, “so we helped them make Bible covers and bookmarks.” During devotions they guided the children’s attention to God’s promises between the covers, including Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (NIV).
Kids like nine-year-old Elisio* were especially hungry for personal attention. Elisio happily remembered Sams from her 2009 visit to Mama Carmen’s. Though not an orphan in the strict sense (his parents are living), he joined the other 50 to 60 children at the orphanage after being removed from an abusive home. “Most days,” Sams recalls, “he was content to sit beside me and color pictures or do puzzles, instead of joining the others for group playtime. He needed a mother's love, and I often pray he thrives in the love of God’s Spirit.”
At three public schools, the 11 team members gave out around 300 Bibles. When they announced they had Bibles for each student, they heard cries of
todos? todos?—Bibles
for
all? Overjoyed to have a Bible of their own, the kids clapped and cheered. Markers were passed around for them to scribble their names on the flyleaf.
The team also presented 6,000 Bibles to Mrs. Arzu, wife of Guatemala City’s mayor. A high profile person active in charitable work, Mrs. Arzu has ensured the Bibles have found their way into schools, daycares, and women's shelters throughout the capital city.
The Spanish Bibles were generously donated by Louisiana-based Lone Sheep Ministries, an organization that partners with ministries like Orphan Outreach to provide underserved groups with Bibles. Lone Sheep has provided Bibles to children Orphan Outreach serves in Guatemala, Honduras and Russia. “Bibles have been, and continue to be, one of our most urgent needs,” says Amy Norton, Director of Programs for Orphan Outreach. “We are so blessed that Lone Sheep has such a commitment to get the Gospel to the precious children we serve. Many of the Bibles in Guatemala will be shared by children with their families, furthering God’s Word to unreached families, too.”
*name changed
