Dear Friends,
So much going on as we prep for our upcoming trip to serve in Guatemala. For me, there is the paperwork and logistics part, but there is so much more. Read below to see how we will make a difference - and how you can too!
Sharon G. contributed this month with a "blurb" on sponsorships...something she understands well as she has contributed in this way, but also puts together the cards thanking the sponsors after our trips.
Lots more info...just keep reading!
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We Are Building a Home!
We approached Mayan Families, our host organization, about building a home for a family.
They explained that they had just the family for us to build a home for. The father died 8 years ago, leaving the mother, Odilia, to raise her 3 daughters, ages 12, 13, and 17. All 3 girls are attending school with the help of sponsors. The mother works selling cheese, but only makes $6.50 a week. She struggles to pay rent and provide food for her family. Their diet consists of beans, rice, and noodles. 
They bathe in the lake and have one bed with a mattress. The other bed doesn't have a mattress so they sleep on boards with some blankets on them. We will be getting them a mattress, and a pila (sink for washing dishes, hands, clothes, etc.). We will also get them a water filter that will last for 10 years.
The house will cost $4,500. The pila is $120. The mattress is $50, and the water filter is $96.
Mayan Families is beginning to clear the land, and will start building the home before we get to Guatemala. Our group will get to do some of the finishing work, and hand over the keys to the family! What an honor this will be for our group!
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Food Baskets
When your family is eating your scrumptious Thanksgiving turkey dinner, our group of 12 will be serving families in Guatemala. We aren't sure what we will have for Thanksgiving dinner, but we are grateful as we know we will have food.
Many of the families we serve struggle to have one meal a day...and often that meal consists of tortillas, salt, and some herbs collected from the forest surrounding their village. If the family is fortunate, it might include beans and rice. 
While we are in Guatemala, we hope to hand out 40 food baskets. Each one will feed 10 people. The cost is $35. The families that receive these baskets are so very thankful. We will spend an afternoon weighing out the beans, rice, and corn...and compiling the other food. When we are weighing out the food - some of the corn, rice, and beans fall on the ground. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe it; but, the mothers pick up each little piece as they are so desperate for food for their children.
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Sponsorships
by Sharon G.
Do you have a friend, relative or co-worker with a birthday or other special event coming up? Want to save time and gas by avoiding running from store to store trying to find just the right gift? Why not honor your special someone with a donation in their name to an indigenous family in great need in the Highlands of Guatemala. Your friend probably does not need another gift card or board game or coffee maker, but I guarantee they will have a special look in their eyes when they open the acknowledgement card from you and realize their birthday, anniversary or Christmas "gift" impacted an entire family many miles away. It makes for a special connection to a stranger in need and makes the world seem a little smaller and a little friendlier.
A small flock of three egg-laying hens that provides a replenishing source of protein to the children and other family members with eggs is $45. A basket of nutritious food costs $35. A sponsorship of an ONIL stove is $170.
As long as we receive the money by Friday, November 16th, you can sponsor one of these items. We will provide you with a tax-deductible receipt, along with a picture and write-up on the family that receives the donation.
3 Egg Laying Chickens for a Family = $45
Fuel Efficient ONIL Stove = $170
Food Basket for 10 = $35
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Yankee Candle Fundraiser
We are currently selling Yankee Candles to raise money for our activities in Guatemala. We will be selling them through October 12th, and they will be back by Thanksgiving. If you are interested, contact Beki Brooks or Angela Grussing. To view the catalog on-line, click Yankee Candle Fall Catalog.
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Santa Cruz, Santiago, and the Nature Reserve
On the Sunday after we get to Guatemala, we will have a relaxing morning and early afternoon before getting started with our service activities in the late afternoon.
We will start with a boat ride to a village called Santa Cruz. There is a quaint hostel in this town that serves wonderful, relaxing breakfasts. This town is built into the mountainside and just got electricity to it about 8 years ago. On our last visit to the restaurant, they were without electricity for the morning, but the gas reserves worked just fine!
We will then continue our boat ride to the village of Santiago. It is a town that sees tourists, so the main road up the mountain has multiple stores and vendors we can shop at.
We will then return by boat to Panajachel, our base town. We will take a ride in the back of a pickup truck to the Nature Reserve where those that want to zip line will get the chance. There are even small zip lines for the kids to enjoy. There is a butterfly garden, historical information of the lake, and a nice patio to sit and watch the zip liners.
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Duck Duck Goose Gives Back!
Duck Duck Goose Consignment Sale as always was very generous to us and donated blankets, shoes, small toys, and clothes to Nuestros Niños!
Heather M. oversees the donations and is always so helpful. Beki B. helped collect the donations after the sale. John and Sandy G. spent a day taking all of the tags off the clothes and the clothes off of the hangers, and then sorting the items. Thanks to everyone that helps make this possible!
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Come See Us at Local Craft Shows
We will be busy with various craft shows in the month of November. We will have a great assortment of jewelry, textiles, ornaments, baskets, clay items, and so much more - all handmade in Guatemala. All proceeds support our service work!
We would love to see you at one of them!
Middlebrook Pike United Methodist Church
Saturday, November 3rd (9-4pm)
Christmas Craft Fair at the Expo Center
Friday, Nov. 9 (2-8pm)
Saturday, Nov. 10 (10am-8pm)
Sunday, Nov. 11 (12-5pm)
Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church
Saturday, Nov. 17 (9-2pm)
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Come Like Us On Facebook!
We are working hard to keep everyone updated about all that Nuestros Niños has going on!
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July 2013 Trip
The dates for the July 2013 Trip will be July 6-14th. If we have more than 35 people interested in going, we will add another trip. The initial deposit of $100 is due currently. If you would like more info, please e-mail Angela at angela@nuestrosninoscharity.org.
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SERVICE. COMPASSION.
HOPE.
Nuestros Niños is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Nuestros Niños translates to "Our Children" - representing the children that we help, along with our children with whom we hope to instill a sense of service.
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Contact Info
Angela Grussing
865-599-4347
angela@nuestrosninoscharity.org
P.O. Box 30656
Knoxville, TN 37930
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