We obtained legal permanent residency shortly after arriving in Guatemala and expect to remain here the rest of our lives. We also became members of the Episcopal Dio
cese of Guatemala, joining San José parish.During this time we lived in Villa Nueva, Guatemala, near the capital. Villa Nueva has a very bad reputation as the center of gang activity in Guatemala. Violence is a daily part of life. Three young brothers who lived directly across the alley from us where shot (one killed, one paralyzed, and one wounded) in a drive-by, believed to be part of a gang initiation.
Our ministry during these years had two facets. First was a daily ministry: we found numerous opportunities to materially help, and pray with, our Guatemalan neighbors. The second
facet involved performing short-term volunteer service with various Christian organizations, a few times a year. We also performed some limited (mostly translating letters) volunteer work with New Life Christian Home, an orphanage in our colonia in Villa Nueva.
From 2003 to 2006 Laurel returned to the U.S.A. for about 6 months each year to supplement our retirement income. Laurel drove flat-bed tractor-trailer throughout the United States for Arrow Trucking, out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Donna and Audrey continued living in Guatemala.
Audrey came to Guatemala when she was 16 years old and completed high sch
ool through a homeschool program. She was also a fulltime volunteer with CFCA. She became fluent in Spanish and completely adapted to Guatemalan life and culture. She married Edgar Diaz and Novali Cristyna Diaz was born in 2007.
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