Próximos Pasos
Mission Impact has been serving in Santa María de Jesús through the ministry of Próximos Pasos for 14 years. Próximos Pasos exists to educate, meet basic needs, and share the hope found in Christ with Santa María girls and their families. Próximos Pasos had its first school year in 2003 with a total of 29 students in 1st through 4th grade. This year, there are 206 students in 1st through 9th grade! Glory to God! Another praise is that the parents of the students are more involved now than ever before, and students are leading devotionals and prayers.
Guatemala's history would suggest that females are second-class citizens. Guatemala is very much a male dominated country, and the usual mindset is that if girls attend school, they will go until 3rd or 4th grade so that they can read and write. After learning to read and write, they can stay home, clean, raise the family, and begin selling produce and artisanal goods. Girls make up a majority of the Guatemalan children that do not attend school - more specifically, indigenous girls living in rural areas make up a greater percentage. Often times, a lack of education leads to girls getting pregnant as early as 10 years old.[1]
I am sharing this because 206 indigenous female students is something to praise God for! There is definitely still progress to be made, and the progress in Santa María de Jesús doesn't represent all of Guatemala. But when we look at an obstacle by what our Father can do, we come to realize that any challenge can be overcome and that it doesn't depend on our own abilities.
Love you!
Vanessa
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Matthew 19:26
Guatemala's history would suggest that females are second-class citizens. Guatemala is very much a male dominated country, and the usual mindset is that if girls attend school, they will go until 3rd or 4th grade so that they can read and write. After learning to read and write, they can stay home, clean, raise the family, and begin selling produce and artisanal goods. Girls make up a majority of the Guatemalan children that do not attend school - more specifically, indigenous girls living in rural areas make up a greater percentage. Often times, a lack of education leads to girls getting pregnant as early as 10 years old.[1]
I am sharing this because 206 indigenous female students is something to praise God for! There is definitely still progress to be made, and the progress in Santa María de Jesús doesn't represent all of Guatemala. But when we look at an obstacle by what our Father can do, we come to realize that any challenge can be overcome and that it doesn't depend on our own abilities.
Love you!
Vanessa
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Matthew 19:26
To give by check:
Make payable to "Mission Impact"
Separate note with "Vanessa Salcedo Support"
Address to:
Mission Impact
P.O. Box 45797
Madison, WI 53744
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