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In This Issue:

A Word from Papa Stan!!!

Progress Update on the Girls

Please Do Not Forget The Girls And The Work

Possible New Girl on the Way

Raising Awareness for Rocsana's Hope




I want you to know that when you take the time to read our newsletter and learn all that God is doing down here in Guatemala and at Rocsana's Hope, it is raising awareness in your heart and your soul about the plight of young ladies who are aging out of their orphanages, only to become victims of human trafficking or other types of exploitation.  It is happening at a rate of 33 per day in Guatemala and those numbers are only likely to climb.  We share these newsletters with you with the prayer that you will catch a vision of the difference that we are making, and that will lead you to ask God to bless our work and help us to save as many girls as we possibly can.  So thank you for taking the time to read about all of this, and more importantly, go to God in prayer for us.  That is the biggest differnce you can possibly make.    

Note- If you do not see the pictures included there is a link at the top of your email that says "External Images are not displayed: Display Now"  Make sure to click on that "Display Now" link at the top of your email to see all the pictures.  

A Word

from

Papa

Stan
Denise and I have been back in the United States since June 16th.  After some time trying to feel better on my own, I finally  went into the University of Kansas Hospital emergency room and then was subsequently admitted where they did all kinds of tests.  It was a mixed bag for me because they did so many tests, but they all turned out negative.  So they ruled most of the regular diagnoses out.  At one point they told me they were expecting to find cancer during my colonoscopy because that is what my dad died from.  However the colonoscopy was totally clear.  They finally sent me to infectious disease where I was tested for tropical parasites, also all negative, and some other tests. 
So here is the diagnosis: Since it seems to happen every time to some degree when we go, they think I am especially susceptible to some kind of infection or bug down in Guatemala.  I get sick pretty much everytime we go and spend time down there and it seems to get worse the longer I am there.  But this time was the longest AND the worst.  They think the infection or bug weakens or destroys my digestive system and therefore my ability to process food correctly.  While this seems vague, it actually makes the most sense. 
They want me to limit the time I spend in Guatemala at any one time.  I am truly not sure how or if I can bring myself to do that.  But I may decide on a case by case basis and depending on how bad it gets when I am there.  But this is where it is.  I am grateful I do not have something bad or terminal.  But keep praying for me.  I am already ready to return.
 
 
Progress Update on the Girls
As the girls have now been in our program for over a year, each one of them have made tremendous progress towards their eventual independent living in Guatemala.  It takes time and we will provide them all the time necessary.  But here is the latest on their progress and their future plans:

1. Fabiana—She is currently studying at the University of San Carlos in Guatemala City working towards becoming a teacher of Art and History.  She is also currently working as an English teacher at an elementary school in the town of Chimaltenango.  She is probably the closest to being ready to enter society but no timetable or date has been set yet.  Fabiana is a blessing and we love her so much.

2. Diana—She is currently in her last year of High School.  She completed her junior year through RH with very good grades.  She is also studying for a career as a garment maker at INTECAP, which is a local trade school.  She is also the very first girl we rescued, even before we officially opened the doors of Rocsana’s Hope.  She is very special.

3. Darling— Darling is also currently completing her last year of high school.  She also finished her junior year with RH with excellent grades.  She is also taking classes at INTECAP  where she is studying Confectionary and International Baking.  She also plans to enter the University of San Carlos and begin studying to become a sports teacher.  Her and Karilyn still wish to open a bakery together and operate a bakery and also have the University training as well. 

4. Karilyn—Like Diana and Darling, Karilyn is also completing her last year of high school and finished her junior year with RH with amazing grades.  She is also studying the same things as Darling, except at university she wants to study to become a social worker, as well as operate the bakery with Darling.  Karilyn said just today, and this is a quote from Lucky: “I had never imagined being where I am and I am so happy to be studying and advancing my life to become a better person and professional.”  How precious!!!
 
Please Do Not Forget The Girls And The Work
Normally when Denise and I come back to the states, it is for 2-4 weeks and by the second week I am more than ready to go back to Guatemala.

Our world has changed.  That coupled with my illness has forced our hand to return to the United States for me to figure out what was going on inside my body.  I was wasting away down there and we could not figure out why.  The staff and the girls were begging me saying “Papa Stan.  We love you but we cannot stand to see you so sick.  You need to return to the United States where you can get help.”  They were begging.  They told me they would miss me deeply, but they knew I was in bad shape. 

It took us a month to get out of Guatemala because of Covid-19.  There were simply no flights.  We finally got on a flight on June 16th.  After trying on my own to see if I would get better I finally went to the ER.  The details are in “Message From Stan” above.  I have never been in a better hospital and they have helped me with a diagnosis and have aggressively treated my symptoms.  I am feeling much better and even being able to start to eat normally again.

But now we are facing the really hard part: WHEN WILL THE BORDERS TO GUATEMALA RE-OPEN?  Before we left they were saying it could be some time early next year, which is still possible.  I could not stand the thought of being gone from the girls and the staff that long but knew my situation left no choice.  The goodbye with the girls was difficult.  I cried as I gave them all a final hug and said goodbye.  I promised them that we would be back as soon as it is possible.

Now, we still do not know when the borders will open, but now we are hearing within a few months is a possibility.  Granted that would be the best case scenario, but this is GREAT news for us and indeed all the missionaries that had to get out for one reason or another.  It still may be longer than that but I am hoping and praying for the best.  

In our case, God has blessed us with a wonderful staff who is taking care of everything with the ministry that I would normally do while there.  Jeff and Esther are more overseeing, but Selvin and Lucky are doing the day to day operations and they are doing a wonderful job.  We are so blessed to have them as our house parents. 

But more than anything, PLEASE DO NOT FORGET THAT ROCSANA’S HOPE IS STILL THERE AND STILL OPERATING JUST AS BEFORE, only we are not able to be back there just yet...and just if you are wondering, the return to Guatemala will be immediate as soon as the borders re-open. But I ask that you continue to pray and support our work just as before.  In fact they need you even more.  They are serving and living on faith without us, which is good, but as you have been there for us, please, please continue. 
 
 
 Possible New Girl On The Way
   As things continue to go forward, Lucky has informed us that we have been contacted by an orphanage who has a girl that will turn 18 soon and has nowhere to go once she leaves her orphanage.  She is at greater risk for ending up on the streets of Guatemala, and if that happens, it is only a matter of time before she will most likely be caught up by a gang or some other traffickers who will use her for sexual exploitation. 
This is why we do what we do.  We have not yet found another ministry of our kind in Guatemala that is 100% dedicated to helping girls who are facing their 18th birthday and having to leave their orphanage with no place to go, no one to help them, and with an insufficient education to find a job.  As word continues to spread in and around Guatemala about Rocsana’s Hope, more orphanages are reaching out to us and wanting to find out more about what we are about and how we help these girls. 
This next girl will turn 18 in November and she is being scheduled for a visit to Rocsana’s Hope very soon and will be interviewed by Selvin and Lucky who will find out all about her, her background, education level, dreams, goals, etc. to see if she can be admitted to our program.  We pray for wisdom and guidance for every girl and ask God to show us if we can help her.  Not all want to be helped or can be, but the ones we can save, we will do all in our power to do so.  Pray for wisdom for this decision.
 
Raising Awareness For Rocsana's Hope
For the rest of 2020 and going into 2021, we are going to be promoting “awareness” of the work and ministry of Rocsana’s Hope.  It is my strong belief that we have a true one-of-a-kind ministry that once people hear about what we are doing, it seems to resonate with them and they want to be a part and get involved. 

     We have been working on a number of ways that current friends and supporters of the ministry can help raise awareness and be a part of helping the ministry to grow.  We have been developing a program for people who wish to help raise awareness as well as some easy-to-use fundraising ideas to help grow the ministry of Rocsana’s Hope.  We are calling it the “Rocsana’s Hope Ambassador Program”.  It is a collection of many ideas and ways that people can both raise awareness and funds in a low key way to help grow the ministry.  This packet is loaded with many wonderful and helpful ideas that you can use to help us, and what’s more you can pick and choose from among all of the ideas the ones that appeal to you or that you would feel the most comfortable doing. 

     If you would like a copy of the Rocsana’s Hope Ambassador Program packet, just email us at info@rocsanashope.org and we will email that to you to think and pray about.
 

HELP THE CAUSE

Rocsana's Hope is 100% dependent upon the generous giving of private people, groups, and organizations in order to operate and carry out its mission.  Any help you can give will help us further the cause of helping to save these precious girls in Guatemala and beyond.  
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Rocsana's Hope · 24400 NE Colbern Rd · C/O Oak Tree Church · Lees Summit, MO 64086-9518 · USA

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