Restoration Ministries Newsletter

On Eagles Wings
Restoration Ministries Newsletter
February – March, 2008

In February, we had a meeting with the NUFED schools. The purpose of this meeting was to decide which schools wanted which project. The projects offered were: reforestation, water cisterns, raising fish, and raising chickens.

On February 8, Vickie and I began raising 500 Tilapia. They are growing very well. Starter food has been given to them three times a day. We started out at 9 ounces, then 12 ounces, and now they receive 1 lb of food. The Tilapia were just minnows when purchased. Now, some are about 3 to 4 inches long in two months. However, 63 fish have died. Please pray for the fish to stop dying. The fish will be sold, and the proceeds will be used for construction.

 
The day finally came to hand out certificates of thanks and the showing of a Jesus film. Twenty two of the twenty eight families who installed water cisterns during the past two years received their certificate of thanks. After a time of thanking the people, we also praised the Lord for supplying rain to fill the cisterns. There were approximately 100 men, women, and children in attendance.

Following the time of thanksgiving, we showed the Jesus film. The movie was enjoyed by all. No one came forward afterwards for prayer. However, we ask that you partner with us in continued prayer for the village of Cajon de Rio.

On March 3, Don Julio came to teach us how to graft our fruit trees. Four people were present to learn how to do the grafting process. Two hundred thirteen trees were grafted in all. The trees grafted were 70 tangerine, 70 limes, and 73 grapefruit. We are now waiting to make sure the grafts took hold.

Santos and Amabilia, two students from the Intermach school in Jacotan planted radishes. We planted approximately 800 radishes. The radishes will be sold, and the proceeds used for construction. The radishes are growing well and will be ready to harvest in about 3 weeks.

On March 28, Jorge Rosales from NUFED schools and I went to Guareruche. For two days, Moringa limbs were cut down in preparation to be handled out at the school inn Guarecruche. The teacher was excited about the trees as were the students and parents. Twenty seven limbs, three feet long, were given to the school. The limbs were placed in a dark room for four days. Then, they will be planted around the school property.


The students and I visited San Jocinto and another village about 10 minutes from Chiquimula. They graciously gave us permission to cut 100 Moringa limbs from each location to hand out at the NUFED schools. It is our goal to plant the Moringa limbs at each school. Six months later the limbs will be cut off and half given to the school and the other half to us so other schools will benefit from the limbs. The Moringa trees have a three fold purpose. The leaves are a good vitamin resource, the seeds are used to purify water, and the wood can be used for firewood for cooking. Every six moths the limbs can be cut. Since the tree grows so fast, the tree is a good resource for firewood.

The students mixed dirt to put into bags to plant seeds. Six hundred bags were filled with dirt. The mixture was six parts dirt, three parts manure and one part sand. Six hundred Ramon seeds were planted in the bags.

The Ramon trees can supply food for the people. The Ramon seeds can be ground and made into tortillas and atol, a drink which the people like.

We thank you for helping us with our personal support. Without your faithful financial support, we would not be able to serve the Mayan people of Camotan and Jacotan, Guatemala.

God bless you for all you do.
Love and prayers.
David, Vickie, and Melissa