In our most recent visit with Ludwin, Cezi, and their family, we were able to see the new house they had moved into.  They still live in the same area of Guatemala City but in a location that is a little bit safer with a little bit more room to move around.  It is a tiny piece of land with a tin house situated on the side of a hill.  There is a police station a block away, so the crime is a bit lower.  They have enough room now to move around a bit and the kids have a small patch of dirt outside in which they can play instead of running around in the streets or being trapped indoors all day.  They even have their own toilet! (before they were sharing a toilet with the neighbors).  The reason why this is a good temporary solution for them is because they know the owner and is willing to give them a little grace on payment, as their income is never stable and they cannot guaruntee payment on time every month.  Unfortunately, they still do not have enough space for Ludwin to paint in order to earn money.  So, our local missionaries sat down and talked with them about how we can help raise them out of the situation they are in to a more self sustainable solution.

The idea is to help them move to an area that is cheaper to live, more wheelchair accessible, and closer to the area in which we minister in order to better help them.  We are currently looking for a house for them to move into and rent in Linda Vista.  This would reduce the costs of housing they were paying and bring them into a community instead of having to live cramped with others or isolated (as they are right now).  Where they are currently living is at the bottom of a steep set of stairs.  One of the main ways Ludwin earns money is by asking for donations in the streets, but their current house makes it nearly impossible for him to get out.  Almost the entire family has to work to carry him up the dangerous stairs just to go out and beg for money.

In September, we plan on bringing the family to Linda Vista to see the area, meet the pastor, tour the church of the area where our missionaries work, and see if this is really a place they would like to move.  It will also be a good opportunity to get out and do something different.  At the same time, we will take them shoe shopping as the majority of them are in need of new shoes.  The current plan is for the move to happen between October and December, once school is out and it doesn’t disrupt the kids’ schooling.  Then they will be able to finish their current classes and sign up for classes in their new school!