We are so happy to share that the Jimenez boys, Brandon and Kevin, both passed their year of schooling this year!  This is a huge blessing because last year at this time the boys could barely read or write.  Thankfully, through faithful partners like you we were able to put the boys in a better school this year.  We were a little nervous about doing this because we were not sure they would be able to keep up with the level of teaching at this school.  However, one of our missionaries worked with the boys for several months during their school vacation last year and helped them make a lot of progress.

We were amazed at how well the boys did and how much they excelled!  They are currently taking an extra month of classes because the teachers feel this will help them to prepare for their next year of schooling.  This is something several of the schools are doing this year and we are so grateful for it because it is not something they have offered in the past.

Jorge, their father, has had steady work for several months now.  Although, he is still drinking he is making enough to where he is better able to care for the boys.  Because Jorge is away from the home so much he has hired a neighbor to take care of Brandon and Kevin stays with their grandmother Carmen.  Carmen shared with us that it is just too much for her to have both boys with her so she is thankful for the neighbor that is helping.

Several months ago, Jorge had another time period where he decided he didn’t want to drink anymore and he wanted to get help.  Our missionaries went and talked to him to see if he was serious and he said he was because he was worried he was going to lose his boys if he didn’t make some changes.  We have some missionaries who are experienced in working with alcoholics through the Celebrate Recovery ministry and other training they have had.  The male missionary who has this experience offered to Jorge to start meeting every week and start working on his struggles.  Sadly, as they were in the process of setting up their first meeting Jorge got this new job and told the missionary: “I have a job now, God has blessed me, things are going to get better and I’ll be working every day so I can’t meet.”   While we were saddened by this we know that someone has to be truly ready and truly want to make a change.  If they are nothing will stop them from doing that.  We told Jorge if he changes his mind to let us know.

Please continue to pray for healing for Jorge and that the Lord would free him from this addiction!  Please also pray that the boys would continue to do well in their schooling and that the Lord would heal them from any wounds they have as a result of their family situation.  The family truly needs to know the power of a saving relationship with Jesus so please ask the Lord to open their hearts to Him and to guide us in how to share Him with them at every opportunity and help draw them closer to Him!