My first trip to Guatemala was in 2005, before Loving Arms was dreamed of. Linda and I roomed together on that first trip with another friend of Loving Arms, Brenda Stratton. What an amazing adventure! I will never forget Linda’s discussion with me when we returned to Canada about how she had to do something to help the people of Guatemala. Her vision became reality as we met weekly to make bracelets to sell, in order to build a few homes in Guatemala. Well, that early vision, with a lot of prayer, determination and relying on God resulted in Loving Arms being born. Linda has stayed true to her belief that she did not want to give a hand out but a hand up, preserving their dignity. It was important to develop programs to teach the Guatemalans’ to be self-sufficient. That, was true help and her dream.
Fast forward to today, and Loving Arms now has property, a school, sponsorship program, co-ops, sponsored people to come to Canada to find work, Medical/dental clinics and teams going on mission trips. Linda’s vision came to fruition.
Why do I love going to Guatemala with Loving Arms? I know the heart of the Director Linda, the dedication of the Board of Directors and the Staff in Guatemala. I am also confident in the fact that the money donated is used to benefit the people of Guatemala with minimum money being used for administration.
For me, I love to see the joy on the faces of the children, the appreciation of the mothers and fathers for everything we do with them, the love they share with us. They think that we give them so much, and yet it is I who receives the many Blessings!