What a month!  Four teams in four weeks!   WOW! 

When we were together, the weeks seemed to fly by, and I have to say:  I am continually so impressed by the caliber of people who are drawn to Hearts In Motion.  I am always  so grateful for each of your individual contributions to make the trips run smoothly.  The many hours of preparation that pull this together still amaze me after so many years of doing this work.

These great weeks gave many Guatemalan children and families a new hope for a better future.  Each area of dedicated work

Thank you!

A special thanks goes out to Ann Paxton of Seattle.  Ann is the sister of Mark Paxton, who has been traveling with HIM for at least 100 years.  (Note* He IS older than Karen.)  Ann traveled to Guatemala in ‘06 to film a documentary and put together a shorter version of our work to be used at presentations.  It is wonderful and will help us spread the story of our mission even further.  THANKS, ANN!

ROMP, Max and the Gang Learn About Love

It was a WOW event, for several reasons.  In a time when most kids today are most concerned about “what’s in it for me?” or “it’s ALL about me”, Max Lawson, a ten-year-old from Munster, IN, is trying hard to avoid that mind set.  For the past 7 years, Max has given up HIS birthday gifts to do something special for others.  On Max’s birthday each year, his mom (Melissa) invites his class, his Tae Kwon Do class, soccer buddies, and anybody who wants to come to an event to help others.

This year was no different for Max! The party, held April 14, at Lynwood Roller Rink was made more exciting by a visit from Eric Neufeld of our ROMP partners in Guatemala. 

During cake time, the children were invited to try on a modified artificial leg to see how it felt to walk with one.  What an adventure for the kids, who came away with a new understanding of the plight of people wearing prosthetic legs.  All the funds generated by Max’s party will go to ROMP to help make legs for a few Guatemalan children.  THANKS, Max!

Director’s Notes …on containers

Never again!  These poor old bones are still aching from loading our first 2007 container on March 3rd.  It was FREEZING!  What a beautiful sight to see that trailer pull away, loaded with NO room to spare!  A huge thank you to all of you guys who were willing to come out and help us pack in the freezing cold.  You were all real troopers.

   Our second truck is set to arrive May 12th to load for Guatemala.  We’re hoping the weather is warmer and these fickle Indiana temperatures will cooperate.  If you’re free that day, we can always use the extra hands.  Call the office for more container news.

   **Thank you to Jim Wehling and Sam Love for making a quick trip down to Hartland, MO, to pick up a truck-load of donations lined up by our wonderful friends, Russ and Marie Deutsch.And, of course, our office manager, Bonnie, has been making many trips in large trucks for huge donations we’ve been given… and then managed to find room in the u-locks for all those loads!

In Conchitas world, any female that weighed more then her, (which was virtually everyone), was “Gorda” (fat). 
Conchita truly lived for the next time HIM would come visit.  A group was not allowed to leave her house until an exact time and date was promised for the next visit.  Conchita wanted hugs, and kisses, hand shakes, and smiles, and laughter.  She wanted attention which was happily bestowed upon her by hundreds of volunteers. 

Mother Theresa once said, “There is much suffering in the world - physical, material, mental. The suffering of some can be blamed on the greed of others. The material and physical suffering is suffering from hunger, from homelessness, from all kinds of diseases. But the greatest suffering is being lonely, feeling unloved, having no one. I have come more and more to realize that it is being unwanted that is the worst disease that any human being can ever experience.” 

People often wonder what difference they can possibly make on a trip to Guatemala.  What’s often not realized is your presence in itself is making a difference far beyond your wildest expectations.

Matt’s report on the February OB/GYN trip

HIM hit the ground running this February with a commanding team of OB/GYN specialists, doctors, nurses, prosthetists,  firefighters, EMT’s and a strapping group of construction workers.  During the week we did everything from hysterectomies, to a mass casualty triage seminar.  We trekked to isolated villages and held general medical clinics and cervical cancer screenings.  We identified and treated numerous women with precancerous cells which ultimately equates to lives saved.  The ability to walk was restored to over a dozen people by the passionately dedicated “ROMPers.”
The HIM volunteering calendar could not have started off with a more energized and spirited group.  From the always fun-loving Wisconsin Church Ladies, to the “can do anything” attitude of the Waud family, everybody harmoniously worked together with a common goal in mind:  to serve.  That goal was accomplished a thousand times over with medical treatment administered, surgeries performed, expert firefighting training, and excited children using a jungle gym for the first time in their lives.  A grand thank you to everyone that made this trip a blessing to the people of Guatemala.  Your actions will not be forgotten.