08.26.2004 - Chui Kavioc , Guatemala

Missions Team
July 2004 :

This summer Charlie's Lunch hosted 2 "Short-term Mission's Teams" to Guatemala and El Salvador. We thank God for the wonderful ministry. Between these 2 groups, nearly 3,000 patients received free medical care. Over 500 accepted the Lord for the first time, approximately 700 children received ministry through drama, music, Bible stories, shoes, clothes and lots of candy. At one site, the children enjoyed a piñata to celebrate 4 years of Charlie's Lunch in their village. The Charlie's Lunch cooks (84 in all) received brand new dresses and gift bags filled with cosmetic items and treats. In Guatemala, the women in each village received prayer and ministry as Chita Olivas (pastors wife from El Paso, TX) brought the Word of God to some for the very first time. At 3 of our Charlie's Lunch sites, construction work was done by a team of men to improve the facilities where Charlie's Lunch operates. The pastors and their families who work with Charlie's Lunch were blessed with gifts, prayer and lots of love from the team members. Thank you each one who participated and shared your lives on the mission field. Please read: a letter from one team member, Ron Acton who experienced his first missions trip. To God be the glory!

Letter from Ron Acton:

As I look into the moist eyes of the sixteen year old Mayan Indian boy, my mind is flooded with the sounds outside the makeshift room of sheets we are sitting in, alone with the memories of the last few days. The boy with the letters J-E-S-U-S tattooed on his arm is pondering a question just posed by Jane Maxey. Not only has Jane proven to be a wonderful prayer warrior and interpreter for those who are language-challenged, but also she has kindness and love and most importantly the gift of discernment working within her. Above all, she loves to minister and lead people to the Lord. The question she has asked may change the boy’s life for all eternity. Debbie Acton is praying for the young boy. She doesn’t know for whom she is interceding, but we can sense her prayers. Debbie has been left back at the hotel in excruciating stomach and back pain. She has medicine and a 7-Up and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Debbie is heart broken because she cannot join the team today. But she also knows that there are no boundaries, walls, or distance when it comes to interceding for the team and those who need the Lord’s touch. The boy she is praying for in the Spirit is only sixteen years old and, in this village, he may be on the cusp of being a man – but his eyes tell us a different story. He is only a boy.

Outside the walls of sheets I hears the sounds of fifty to sixty women and children, along with a very few men, waiting to see either the doctor or nurses. Dr. Henry Dumas is easily one of the most amazing men any of us have ever met. In the last nineteen years, he has been on one hundred and thirty nine foreign mission trips. His heart is to serve the ones in need. He was Charlie’s doctor. Charlie is the reason we are here. Charlie is the son of Sam and Janey Stewart, the very capable leaders of this ministry called Charlie’s Lunch as well as this particular missionary trip. Charlie is the seed that God planted to create this harvest. It is still hard, even tearful, when Janey hears tributes to her son from some of the preachers that knew him when they lived in Guatemala. That is where we are. More specifically, we are in Chikavioc, Guatemala. This is a small, incredibly poor Mayan Indian village. The living conditions are startling. The poverty, the open sewer system, the dirt, even the moist air from the settling clouds all contribute to the poor health of the hundred and fifty or so we will see today.

Everywhere there is a total lack of health care. Primarily, the medical team will deal with cataracts of the eyes, respiratory problems, and intestinal disease which, in some cases, include worms as large as twelve inches long living in the stomachs of small children. Dr. Dumas has stated that it isn’t the cloud that causes the respiratory problems as much as the fact that the natives burn fire wood in the middle of their floors most every night with no ventilation. This is also the reason for the eye problems. As for the intestinal problems, it is easy to understand how they are caused: The filth, and the flies, but also the exclusive diet of corn tortillas for every meal. That is where Charlie’s lunch comes in. One good meal is cooked every day or two for the children by the local women in the church. This is a Godsend and will most likely be the only balanced meal they will receive. Even with all the sicknesses, that doesn’t stop our nurses: Millie and Willie. What a combo of professionalism, strength, and godly wisdom. Willie Omestead has become the film director. She is consistently filming everything that takes place because she has a genuine interest and love for the people. Then there is Millie Green. Nothing stops her. She is our senior citizen and the reason that none of us can complain or let down. She never stops. How she can have the strength and energy and positive outlook is truly amazing. It has to be a God thing. Seventy years of age and she truly loves what she is doing. Her son, Chris just walks in with paint on his shirt. Today he is part of the construction team that is painting the inside of a room where they normally feed the kids. Today has been an easy day for Chris compared to the day he worked non-stopped preparing and pouring concrete to make a floor that was approximately 14 feet wide by forty feet long. Christ didn’t have a dry or clean place on him that day nor did he ever seem to mind. It was only by the grace of God that he felt so good and was without back pain the next day when one considers the hundreds of wheel-barrels that had to be filled with concrete to make that floor. It was a good thing that Chris wasn’t sore since he works closely with Sam and Janey coordinating and administering all activities of the trip.

Next to us is the pharmacy team. This is a wonderful part of the outreach. Basic medicine and vitamins are carefully packaged and then given to the mothers with loving instructions. I hear sweet Michelle Adame talking to one of the Mayan women about the prescription that either the doctor or Millie or Willie had prescribed. Michelle has stolen our hearts with her smile and quick talk. Some of our old ears can hardly keep up with her words but the sweetness and love of God always come through. As Michelle finishes up with the lady she is speaking to Jennifer Marsh walks up, and as usual, has a baby snuggled tightly in her arms. We have joking said that we will need to check her back pack to make sure she hasn’t inadvertently placed a small child inside of it. Neither the babies nor the parents mind that Jennifer holds, loves on, and kisses the small children. It is easy to see God’s grace pouring out of her. Jennifer has been directing traffic all day and has the same smile on her face that she started with early this morning.

Outside the concrete walls of the church building I hear kids laughing and playing. No doubt they are playing with Mike Coulter. Not only does he sing like an angel but also he has the calmest and sweetest spirit and the kids can see it. He can stand and play a game where kids throw little balls into his baseball cap for hours. I think the kids are more excited that they are noticed and hugged than the fact that they get the balls into the cap. Then there is Jessica Stewart playing a game called duck, duck, goose. How long could she play that game with those fifteen small children and still laugh like it was the first time she had ever played the game? Her laughter is infectious and so is the laughter of the children who are playing the game with her. Jessica doesn’t even notice how dirty the hands are of the young children that wrap their sweet arms around her neck or reach up and touch her face. She knows it has been a long time since these children have laughed this hard and for this long so she figures she can clean up later.

Chita Olivas and Bea Arrigucci are discussing the upcoming clinic and service. They have both been translators for the nurses, but now they have to prepare for the special programs. Bea hasn’t been feeling her best but she is determined to help educate the women on proper health care. Just the other night she had told the women the importance of cleanliness, boiling water, proper nutrition and drinking lots of water. She tells the women these most basic of things and never once makes them feel inferior. Bea has just retired from being a teacher and her old school district is the worse for it. Teaching is so natural for her. Then there is Chita. Laughter, energy, and exaggerated motions are her trademarks. No, not just when she is preaching — but all the time. She can liven up a room faster than anyone. And she can preach like an apostle of old. Move over Peter and Paul here comes Chita. No wonder the response following one of her heartfelt messages is so miraculous. Because of the response from the people after her message, all of the team get to participate and pray for women, men, and children who have made their way to the front of the church.

Outside, Sharon Walker and others are setting up the clothing distribution in the bus. The kids push to get to Sharon because, with her sweet face and disposition, they know she will do her best to find just the right article of clothing for each person. It doesn’t matter how much they shove and push Sharon will be smiling and loving to every one of the women and children. She touches the faces of children who come up to her and often kisses their cheek. By the time the distribution center is finally closed, Sharon will have said, “no more we are closed” at least ten times only to find one more thing to give away. It’s not easy for Sharon to say no to those in need. It is not part of her nature and anyone can see it in her face. Given time, she will say yes.

Suddenly, a loud growling sound echoes through the small church. It’s ok. It is only Joel and Sammy Stewart entertaining the children in full costumes. I think the skit is about Daniel and the lion’s den but it doesn’t matter. There isn’t a kid who isn’t mesmerized by the high-energy performance. These two brothers and the sons of Sam and Jani have spent much of their lives on the mission field yet they have not lost their enthusiasm one bit. Some of the other young adults have changed into their clown costumes and the kids now are going wild. Truly there has been something today for all.

The young Mayan boy clears his throat and I am suddenly brought out of my thoughts. He looks up at Jane and responds to her question. With tears in his eyes he says, "Yes, I want Jesus to be more than letters on my arm. I want Jesus to live in his heart."

Ron Acton

03.01.2003 El Aguacate, Guatemala

Alcoholic Brings Family to Church
Charlie’s Lunch not only has impact on the children but their families as well. In El Aguacate, Guatemala, 3 of our Charlie’s Lunch kids belong to the former pastor of the local church who has become an alcoholic. Last month , Sam Stewart (CL director) and Pastor Eugenio Deleon visited him in his home. He wept in repentance at what his life had become and asked God to forgive him and change him. He expressed gratefulness that Charlie’s Lunch would help his children when he had failed that community so miserably. The next Sunday, he and his entire family including 7 children came to church . There were tears of hope in their eyes for the first time. They continue to attend the church every time the doors are opened. Pastor Eugenio has pledged to see him restored and delivered from alcohol and his children offered a better chance at life.

01.24.2003 - Guatemala