Radical Missions April Newsletter
What $10 buys in Guatemala |
Radical Missions is a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-government organization (NGO) funded by private contributions. We work solely in the country of Guatemala in Central America. We are not affiliated with any corporation, single church, or other organization. Donations made to Radical are tax deductible.
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The dollar goes a long way here. Just $10 gives one child shoes for a whole year in Guatemala.
Each year we have donated crocs to 100 children in Chuatzunuj working with one of our ministry partners Global Community Outreach. This year we revised our plan and commited to buy crocs for every child 2-12 in Chuatzunuj with the help of another ministry partner, Light Into Darkness. This meant that over 300 children would receive a new pair of crocs for Christmas. As we tried to get the list together in December, we also had a change of leadership in the community. The leaders decided that it would be better to give the crocs out when school started in February since the children had not been in class for that last 2 years. And though it was a great idea, school did not open back up until Monday March 28th. So, at the last minute we round up all the children to give out the shoes Friday March 25th. |
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IN MEMORY OF "SAM THE MAN"
None of this would have been possible without the help of Samuel "Sam the Man" Slabuagh. Sam raised most of the money to buy the 300 plus pairs of shoes for the children. Sam came down to Guatemala with his best friend Phil Smith of Light into Darkness. Sam was able to go out to Chuatzunuj and meet a lot of the children that would receive the shoes. We got to work with him at the clinic one Saturday and he was one of the nicest and most energetic person we had ever been around. He was excited about the construction in the village and just couldn't get enough of learning as much as possible that day. Tragically, two days after meeting Sam on his trip, he went for a morning swim in the Pacific Ocean, here in Guatemala, and drowned. |
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Lining up 300 plus crocs in order by number is a huge job! |
This was the the picture of the crocs laid out a few hours in advance. Each child had their crocs labeled with their name, size, and number. Families were all put in order to make distribution easier. We made 3 rows of 100 in the school open area. The teachers and the director of the school jumped in to help us get everything in order before the children showed up |
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Organization is KEY when working with so many parents and children. |
We started at 1pm and the line was long. Even though it was not Christmas Day, it seemed like it. The Mayor and community leaders came to help us hand out the crocs and the mayor had a lot of fun messing with the families. He would joke with them, telling them that they weren't on the list. Then they would all laugh together. It turned out to be a good day for him, since he just started his position this year, |
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Phil and Kathy Smith from Light into Darkness |
Phil and Kathy Smith run Light into Darkness. They were able to take many pictures with the children receiving their crocs. It was Christmas in March. Most of the children were still wearing their crocs from Christmas of 2020. Crocs might not be the most expensive shoe in the world but we have found that it sure lasts a long time with the stress these children put on them. |
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Before and After of one of our favorite children |
A pair of Crocs only costs $3 to $5 (depending on size). For $10, you can give a child a new pair of shoes for a year. It's incredible how a pair of shoes changes a child's attitude and outlook on life. We would love to expand this program to other villages. Please consider partnering with us to put shoes on more children in other villages by donating $10 one time, or each month.
As you can see the dollar goes far here, and all of the money donated goes to helping the people of Guatemala, ensuring it has maximum impact where it is needed.
As always, your prayer is much appreciated. Thank you again for your past support. Please prayerfully consider making a monthly gift of any amount using this link here: |
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