We are pleased to tell you that Aminta continues to do well despite her continuing court case.  She recently had her private meeting with the judge.  The local government was petitioning the judge to put Aminta back in jail as they brought up more charges of money laundering and extortion against her, saying she is a criminal and should be put in jail pending the results of her trial.  The reason why the judge wanted to meet with her privately was to not only inform her, but to let Aminta know that she is on her side.  Aminta has not missed a book signing (a requirement of her house arrest to appear every 2 weeks) or a hearing and in fact is the first one to show up to every meeting and hearing.  She has shown exemplary conduct and in her life has revealed no evidence of guilt or bad intent.  The Lord has given her favor in the face of her persecutors!  Her next hearing in front of the judge is at the end of March.  Please continue to pray for her favor.

Aminta has also told us that she is going to start making food at home to sell to her neighbors, something she has done in the past but stopped it once she was taken to jail a couple years ago.  This came out of a meeting we had with her and the girls in regard to their lack of effort to search for work.  We encouraged them that they need to do their part and be responsible, now that they are old enough, to contribute to the family’s needs.

Jennifer, Nancy, and Lidia have begun school this year.  Nancy is paying for her own tuition even though she had to quit her job as a babysitter because her employer was not allowing her to leave on Saturdays to go to school as previously agreed.  Thankfully, she saved up money during vacation when she was working to be able to pay for her tuition until she finds another job.

Lidia has started studying to be a hairstylist and is trying to find work but it is difficult because she needs to represent her mom as a “responsible adult” with a valid ID card (a requisite of being on house arrest).  We are working to try to get Aminta’s brother, Freddy, to get his ID card so he can help with that and Lidia can get a job.  The problem is Lidia cannot always get approved time off to accompany Aminta to her court cases.

Jenny is enjoying her first year of middle school.  We are also happy that she has gained some weight and been able to maintain it over the past year!  She had trouble keeping weight on when she was diagnosed with tuberculosis a couple years ago but is now much healthier.