Fall 2015

Current events, Guatemala style
For the past year and a half we have expressed our consternation about the severely limited  medical help available to three accident victims. Various donors gave generously to meet the expenses.   Little did we know that an international political organization had come to Guatemala to investigate, and later expose, a very complex corruption ring inside the national government that had drained the national health system.
 http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Guatemala-Says-Its-Hospitals-Are-a...
As for the corruption ring, both the vice president and president resigned and were charged as criminals.   We currently have an interim president and vice president to fill out the term until the newly elected president takes office in mid January. But they can't recuperate the stolen funds, which are long gone.   Meanwhile the public hospitals are effectively closed until tax revenue is collected and distributed to the health system. 
This story is not unique to Guatemala. We only relate this shameful situation to point out that without the help of our caring friends, three injured children would have not made excellent recoveries.  So we thank you again for caring for the poorest of the poor.  And we ask you to pray with us for the new president and his administration as they try to create order out of the chaos they have inherited.  
  

Other fallout
Not only did the corruption affect the well being of the sick and injured rural poor, but it also impacted two recently graduated nurses.  One got a job, but has not been paid since he took the job over six months ago.  So he has not been able to support his family without a loan.   The other was  also  trying to escape poverty and to pay back her parents for the funds they had to borrow to finish her education.  When she went to the municipal office to apply for job, she was told that a hefty fee would have to accompany her request (which would go into the official's pocket).   

Dates, of all things!
Not all the questions from the men and women at the Bible studies are theological ones. One day they asked about foods mentioned in the Bible -- what are olives, figs and dates? Marty bought some dried dates in  Guatemala City and shared them with class members. Needless to say, they took a liking to the dates and several asked to buy some. The pastor was pleased with the quantity and price and asked for five more pounds, so he could give some to every member of his church. Studying the Bible can be sweet to the body as well as the soul.
  

    Sale of more New Testaments
In mid October Pastor Antonio purchased yet another case of 32 Quiche New Testaments, traveling by bus for two hours to our prearranged location. It was sad to tell him that there are  very few remaining copies and nearly half of those have been promised to others who have requested copies. There are no plans for more to be reprinted in large runs that help keep the price affordable.
  

Missions fair 

AECM, the organization Diane works for, is made up of Guatemalan Mayans  translating the Old Testament into eight  languages of Guatemala that have a New Testament.  The project  is rather young and unknown in Guatemala City.  She teamed up with the AECM director and his wife to present this rather unique Guatemalan ministry at a local English speaking church at their missions exposition.  We challenged attendees to think what their Bible would be like if it was missing about  1,000 pages.  That is what an average  Bible would be  like if  the Old Testament were removed.  
  

School construction progress
The foundations were just about finished when all outdoor work in Uspantan came to a halt to wait out the heavy rains. But the good news is that the out-going mayor allotted some project money to send heavy equipment to the site to dig down to  the grade level. Although not able to fully complete the job, this saved considerable expense and time of hiring out the entire job.  
  

Family news
Marty joined the Pleasureville United Methodist Church in their Missions focus on November 21-22, and spent Thanksgiving day with family in York, PA.
Miriam is a college senior applying to graduate school to pursue a career as a bilingual speech pathologist.  She and her mom have interesting discussions about language!
As for our unborn grandchild, we will be counting the little one's arrival as our Thanksgiving blessing.    

Thankful for the blessing of partnering with you,
Marty and Diane

Contact information:
Marty: mjq2.48@gmail.com
Diane: guatediane@gmail.com
Mailing Address: 14 Avenida 5-¬09 Condo. Bakara #15, Zona 8 Mixco 01057, Guatemala, Central America
  
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Church of Christ, Troy with the memo "Quigley Guatemala Ministry"

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Troy Church of Christ, 800 Trombley, Troy, MI 48083     Attn: Lisa Jones