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For many years the Time of Rescue crisis support team have worked with many young people who live on the streets of Guatemala. With one group on the streets in particular, the team have built strong relationships, rescued, restored and have helped them to rebuild their lives away from the streets and move into safe homes and join the Youth Mentoring Programme. Jessica, 2014, with street gang The following story is hard to read but the result is positive and one to celebrate. Please bear with the start of Jessica’s story and meet us at the end where we celebrate the rescue of Jessica and her family. Jessica was part of the street gang ‘Utitlan’ for many years with her late partner Jorge who sadly died in 2017. Her relationship with the streets has always had its challenges. She has yoyo-ed on and off the streets over the years, battled with addiction, given birth to 3 children and lost her sight during the process. During this last year she has been living in a small room in a very dangerous community. Her neighbours are drunks and drug addicts, her floor is dirty with cockroaches roaming around and her eldest of 7 years is on the edge of leaving home and living on the streets. Jessica talking with Cesar about her living conditions , Oct 2018 Her youngest child of 6 months, has bronchitis and her eldest son of 7 years has been hanging out with a group of older boys. He is taking drugs, stealing and sometimes not returning home. Jessica is blind and he escapes very easily from her. At times he is not returning home until 11 or 12 at night. His mental age is more like a 15 year old. A street mentality has been ingrained into him from birth. His future is bleak and will result in street living and gang activity if things do not change. During the last couple of months Cesar, who heads up the street rescue team, has been in conversation with Jessica about the severity of her situation. Earlier this week Jessica said to Cesar, "Please take me out of this cave of rats." Increasingly she has become desperate and is finally listening to the advice Cesar has given. Jessica with her eldest son when they used to live on the streets, Oct 2013 With much resistance from Jessica and with the fear that her children will be taken away from her, she has finally agreed to speak to the courts to find a solution. We hoped that this family would not be broken up and we are excited to report that Jessica and her three boys will be taken to a safe home where they can all receive the help and restoration they need. In the words of Cesar, “We can say ‘mission accomplished’ and the glory to God. Thanks to you for your prayers.” We want to thank the Time of Rescue crisis support team for the perseverance and patience they have with young people like Jessica that they meet week after week on the streets in Guatemala. We know that your determination and love has resulted in a great outcome for Jessica and her boys and we thank-you for all the work you continue to do with many street living children. We hope and pray many more will be rescued because of the love the the team shower upon these young people. In first 9 months of 2018 in Guatemala: 260 Young People Rescued from the streets 1300 street children had contact with street team 241 received first aid 93 taken to hospital 23 deaths Can you help Nicodemus see more young people rescued, restored and released to a new life? Please follow click here to support Nicodemus

Every street youth’s death is always a challenge and prompts questions of why they never left the street. Each death is a sad, sad occasion that often pushes the street youth community to reflect upon the life journeys they are on and to question their addictions and living situation on the streets. This is why the work of Time of Rescue crisis support team loving and caring for street youth like Jorge is so greatly valued by those forgotten and living on the fringes of society. “Cesar, please don’t take my Jorge away" Those were the words wailed by Jorge’s partner, Jessica, as Cesar slid Jorge’s body into his grave. Jorge’s passing away was a horrible start to the year for Jorge’s family and dearest friends in the street community. Jorge leaves behind his partner, Jessica, and three children who are living in a rented room on the edge of Guatemala City and continue to receive support from our partner project, Time of Rescue crisis support team. Jorge, from childhood through to his death in his late twenties, lived every day and every night on the streets of Guatemala City. He had a cheeky smile and loved his friends. He had a quiet presence about him, was generous and well loved. It is well known that the longer one stays living on the streets, the harder it is to leave. Jorge was accustomed to and engrained in street life. The street was Jorge’s environment. It was where he identified with and wanted to be. It was where he slept on pavements, begged and ate. The street was Jorge’s community. He saw friends come and friends go. He saw friends get beat up and friends die. This was Jorge’s life and it was where he seemed content to simply stay and live his life. Sometimes we think that what street living youth need to do to get their life ‘on track’ is to ‘sort themselves out’ and leave the streets, find a home and get a job. Achieving these steps are good, however Time of Rescue crisis support team longs for the street youth of Guatemala to first know Christ and to set their identity in Him, as that is really what having our lives ‘on track and sorted out’ is all about. That is what real freedom and joy is.

Jonnie Welford, our International Director’s attention was suddenly raised during lunch with his wife when they noticed all the vehicles where his car was parked were covered in ash. It was at this moment they realised one of the 37 volcano’s in Guatemala had erupted without warning. Sadly it was an eruption on a catastrophic level. Volcano Fuego erupted on Sunday 3rd June at midday. Locals were taken by surprise, as a river of lava rapidly poured through their villages without warning. 1.7million people in 3 central areas have been affected. 109 are known to have been killed with at least 200 missing persons. These numbers are raising daily as a result of the country’s most severe volcanic eruption in 45 years and people near and far are in shock ,fearing for family and friends living in the affected areas. Rescue efforts have been suspended due to inclement weather, with officials still warning of falling ash. Nicodemus does not directly work in the areas first affected but our staff are working with local authorities to do what we can where needed. Nicodemus initial response includes: 400 bottles of drinking water donated locally. Supporting fire fighters and helping where they can. Nicodemus Response to Volcano Eruption Supplies taken as they become available as a result of donations to provide provision for displaced families staying in temporary shelters. Collection points at our partner churches in Guatemala. Firefighters and paramedics need drinking water and meals throughout the day as they carry out their work. When appropriate and under guidance from local authorities we will support Young People in our Youth Mentoring Programme and projects to go to the affected area and deliver activities for children and to take donated supplies. Present situation as it affects our work A lot of ash fell on the My Special Treasure Protection Home and School resulting in extensive clean-ups following the eruption. The School closed down for a day. Many of the children have been emotionally affected by the shock and disruption of the eruption. Young people from our Youth Mentoring Programme are all ok, although some have been unable to contact family in the affected areas. The Street rescue crisis support team has taken water to rescuers working in the area affected. How can I help children and families in Guatemala? Pray for children and families affected by the Guatemala volcano eruption. This is a completely unexpected disaster that has caused trauma in so many families’ lives. Support Nicodemus in Guatemala. When you support Nicodemus, you will help change a life story and the life of their family and community. Give to Nicodemus relief fund. Your donation will help us continue providing food, water, and other supplies including bedding, torches and personal hygiene products to people in temporary shelters who have been displaced as a result of the volcano eruption. In the next few weeks, when appropriate, the Young People are looking to see how they can help rebuild the affected communities and the Nicodemus street rescue team remains to be on call to help recover and help where needed. Is there still danger from the Fuego Volcano? Yes, the Fuego volcano is still active and unpredictable. Officials warn that eruptions could continue to spew more rocks, lava, ash, and toxic fumes. Landslides are also a hazard, as huge amounts of ash and debris have been deposited over a wide area. Facts about Volcano Fuego Eruption Fuego’s eruption on 3rd June has affected 1.7 million people so far in central Guatemala. Fuego is highly active; it had already erupted once before in 2018. Flows of mud and ash have covered roads and crops and destroyed bridges. Volcanic ash has spread over a 12-mile radius About 3,100 people were evacuated. Number of Volcanos in Guatemala Guatemala has at least 37 volcanoes, the most in the Central American region. Fuego, Pacaya, and Santiaguito are active volcanos. Not all of the others are extinct, some are merely dormant.

Yesterday Volcano Fuego erupted, located 30km outside of Guatemala City. Many have died and are still lost amongst the lava. We are pleased that all the people and projects we work with are safe but understandably everyone is very shaken up. Here's an update about those we work with Alam, one of our mentors. His brother and cousin are firefighters and were working in the area affected yesterday amongst the rescue operation. They stopped working before midnight and started again this morning at 5am. The My Special Treasure Protection Home Were left without power for 12 hours. The girls stayed inside all day and were very cold day due to the volcanic cloud covering the sky. Lots of ash landed on site. Very dirty. Lots of sweeping and cleaning. Ash on the playground and vans at the Girls Home Education Centre No school yesterday so people could sweep and clean the ash. Time of Rescue Crisis Support Team Are on standby ready to go in the next few days. There will be much to do in the wake of the disaster. Respond with Prayer Here in the UK we are fortunate enough to not experience the intensity of natural disasters. Please keep those in Guatemala in your prayers, that they may find peace amongst the shock and those fighting for their lives will find freedom from their situation. Thank-you for your continuing support.

Please introduce yourself? My name is Emma, and I’ve just spent some time in Guatemala with Nicodemus and I now have returned to the UK and I’m living in the leafy paradise that is Oxfordshire How did you end up in Guatemala? Bit of a mad story actually…I kept having a dream about two little boys in Guatemala that I felt I needed to help in some way – but I wasn’t certain how, who or what! Simultaneously, a number of people randomly kept putting Guatemalan coffee in my hand, suggesting documentaries I should see and handing me brochures on the country I started to think there was something in this. After turning up early to church (for once) a friend asked about planning my upcoming trip and I explained that I kept hearing about Guatemala and felt that I needed to investigate this further. She replied that there was an open evening with Nicodemus the next night which she was going to, and that I should go with her. I went and about 3 minutes into the presentation, I had that uncomfortable burning feeling that I would be on the plane pretty soon after! When I was learning Spanish out in Lake Atitlan, I lived with the 2 little boys in my dream, butI didn’t even realise until my last day! What were the immediate needs you noticed in Guatemala? Love and support. At the Education Centre it was obvious, that children needed and valued basic food and medicinal care. They needed a good quality of education but most importantly, they needed a hug, or someone to listen to them or play a game with them and take an interest. They also needed hope more than anything: that education was the path to a better future, and encouragement in their ideas to pursue what they were interested in. You lived and helped at the Girls Home (GH) Protection Home what were your experiences of rescue and restoration in this place for the girls? The girls from the home vs. others I met of a similar age and circumstance were markedly different. The girls had a deep rooted confidence and a hope for a brighter future, led predominantly by their faith. They were thankful to be there and keen to help others 10 timesout of 10. The home is a safe environment, and the girls safety is the top priority. I felt that the teachers have a great sense of humour, which is vital to building a positive home and environment for the girls to thrive, it was a really fun place to be. Everyone pitched in and helped and had a great time doing it. How does Nicodemus Youth mentoring Programme bridge the gap between GH Girls Home and the outside world? This was the main area of concern for me whilst at the home as the difference is so great between the home life they have at the protection home and the outside world. Nicodemus is great at mentoring adults once they’re outworking in the world, coming up with ideas and solutions to get the girls into further education or a job depending on their situation. What I loved was that it wasn’t a one size fits all solution, and each girl is treated like an individual. How is the Education Centre (EC) a place of rescue and restoration? It’s safe and the EC provides food for the children every day. Without this support many of the children would go without food on a regular basis, and they wouldn’t have any access to education. It’s likely that they would be put to work on the rubbish dump or worse. The teachers are always full of boundless energy and go out of their way to make the children feel supported with their learning no matter what their stage of development. This is a safe environment for the children to learn everything from basic language and arithmetic to computer studies later on, English, sports, Bible stories and so much more. It also hosts a clinic on a regular basis so that local families who can’t otherwise get access to medical care can be seen and treated. How did you see the church and young people working together in Guatemala? The church that the girls went to was really great at aiming talks, worship and even a Q & A session with their congregation to target issues that young people face every day. This is absolutely key in helping to coach and love the girls where they are at and also prepare them for the future; when they need to be more independent. Now that you are home, are there any experiences you had in Guatemala that inspired you to help marginalised young people in your community? Absolutely I started a sustainable jewellery business for the Girls Home, which they just loved. With materials given from a number of sources we were able to start teaching the girlsbasic jewellery techniques and this became a wonderful way of getting them thinking about business skills – everything from techniques, market research to branding, using media to promote themselves, setting up a fashion shoot, selling skills, chatting to customers – the whole lot! With some of the money raised we painted the prayer room, we did paintings for their bedrooms and they even put some of it towards going on a holiday with a church camp. So yes, suffice to say I am definitely inspired, and looking to launch a programme with Young People in Banbury looking at developing their business and sales skills and giving them more confidence in their existing abilities. How do you think the church could meet the needs of marginalised Young People in the UK? It’s so hard to pin point what one particular church can do to significantly impact a group of young people in the UK, and so many churches do so much already! However, I think giving young people space to be seen and to get involved with things is brilliant – and not something specific to Guatemalan young people either. I think this is absolutely foundationalin letting young people be heard, and in giving them a chance to sound board how they can develop and be part of helping other people. This is such a valuable – and often under used – power that the church has at its disposal. We believe young people qualified by experience can help support and encourage others like themselves in their community.​ ​ Relationship in Guatemala is intrinsic to that societies make up. Everything seems to work by who you know not what you know. Therefore, the power of testimony is incredible in this society and has a big difference as so many people look at someone talking, relate to their situation and then think, but if you got out of your situation, surely I can too. Many moments of gratitude for the time that I was given to be in this place. For seeing miracles, and for seeing how the whole journey flowed from start to finish, which I would never have been on had I not followed my gut “faith” instinct and gone for it. Also, the friends I made on this journey which were certainly as precious as the experience itself. For provision when we/I went without, and for renewed endurance and patience in a country where it’s pretty relaxed!

To kick start the year the young people in Guatemala who are part of the Nicodemus Youth Mentoring Programmme (YMP) put on a camp for the older teenagers of the partner projects Nicodemus supports in Guatemala: My Special Treasure Protection Home – Children’s home for severely abused and vulnerable girls Time of Rescue Crisis Support Team – Street living youth and children rescue Education Centre – School for children from impoverished backgrounds The camp was a wonderful opportunity to take the young people away for a weekend to meet new friends and to integrate with the younger youth of Nicodemus’ partner projects. Age 16 to 18 is often an age when young people living in harsh conditions drop away from their families and education and can end up in petty crime, leading on to violence, drugs and gangs. The camp brought together older young adults and teenagers to form friendships, trust and for the young people to present living examples of how one can overcome life challenges and follow the path of hope to a better future. The weekend was filled with board games, street football, worshipping in community, warming together around a bonfire and playing wild night time games providing ample joyful moments for teamwork, names becoming known and the startup of friendships being made. On the Sunday morning, we attended a church in a small village just outside the colonial town of Antigua. The girls from My Special Treasure Protection Home led the Sunday school for 40 children with a lot of singing and dancing. Joselin, who lost her mother following a long battle with cancer earlier on in the week, demonstrated incredible courage to deliver a wonderful message on Proverbs 6:20, and then she went on to lead a couple of dance choreographies! My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Proverbs 6:20 What a weekend and what a start to the year! The camp enabled an opportune space for mingling between teenagers and youth. Between those who daily live with and come face toface with the harshest challenges and between those who with support have learnt how to best cope and move forward chasing hopes and dreams. We are seeing more younger people slowly learning to overcome obstacle after obstacle and learning to make key, positive decisions when it matters most. Such interaction during weekends like this provide those key commodities of aspiration and hope for those who need it the most. This was a great weekend but not just a one off. Throughout 2018 the young people who are part of Nicodemus YMP will continue to work together, encouraging one another and looking outwards as to how they can transform thelives of those in the communities which surround them. Relationships and connections were built on the camp and Nicodemus will facilitate more opportunities throughout the year for youth helping youth and seeing aspiration and hope rise. The young people in our YMP have incredible stories to tell and wide experiences to share. Their lives are walking testimonies of overcoming horrendous life experiences and we simply believe they have the potential and, qualified by life experience, to help change someone else’s life to.

The Education Centre is more than just a school that supports children and families in extreme poverty who work seven days a week on Chimaltenango’s rubbish dump. It is a place where 120 children and adolescents are provided with a source of spiritual, social, and educational support and are helped and encouraged to share their learning with their families in order that their world is changed. 2016 brings a new school year. A new start. Previously the Education Centre provided just pre-school and primary school education. At the beginning of this year they were given permission by the Ministry of Education in Guatemala to start teaching the first year of secondary school classes. This means the children who finished primary school at the Education Centre last year have been able to continue at the school this year. “There was a girl called Cristina, who graduated from primary school from the Education Centre in 2014. She could not continue with us last year as we still did not have permission to give secondary school classes. Sadly, Cristina, who lived in desperate circumstances, committed suicide as she could no longer attended school. We wish we could have been there for her last year and done more as she faced up to the circumstances in which she lived.” – Vanessa Lopez, Director Vanessa estimates there are about 250 children that fill the profile of children who attend the school that are living in the Chimaltenango rubbish dump area of which 120 go to the school. They would love to be able to do more. Cristina, a pupil at the school last year, ending her life, demonstrates the desperation under which families and children in the area live. Vanessa and the teachers at the Education Centre are more than just teachers. Cristina’s story motivates them to serve and do their best as they teach and guide the children to recognise they can change themselves and their communities. “Last year a boy called Jeferrson graduated from primary school. When we offered him the opportunity to come back to study secondary school he said he had to work. His father had just died and he felt he had to make up for his loss. We visited Jeferrson and his family to discuss their situation and see how we could help. We are delighted that Jeferrson is studying his first year of secondary school with us this year. He comes to school Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and spends the rest of his time working.” – Luis Marroquin, Director and Administrator Many of these children after leaving school at midday go to the rubbish dump to be with their families, rummaging amongst the wild dogs and vultures for anything of value to sell or recycle. It is an unimaginable and desperate way to make a living. Anyone would be well within their right to ask, “How did it ever get to this?”. The Education Centre brings hope. Hope in many ways, that brings waves of impact into not just the children’s but the families’ lives too. Being more than just a school, at the Education Centre the children encounter the living God who created them. They discover who He is, they discover their identity in Him and they learn to lean on Him and draw strength and peace as they go about living their ‘normal’ day to day lives of suffering and worry. “This year I feel very well and I want to learn more. I love it here at the Education Centre because I feel like here is my family that help me to continue going.” – William, 11 “I am very happy at the Education Centre because they teach me about God. If it wasn’t for the Education Centre I would not be able to study. I am grateful to God and I love Him with all my heart! mMy favourite class is Mathematics!” – Freddy, 13 It is common amongst the children to hear them asking their parents to take them to church and to pray together before meals in their homes. Morning devotionals take place at the Education Centre and a lot of singing! The children’s parents and families are invited to a medical clinic at the school once a month. Respiratory and heart problems are very common with cooking done in almost all houses every day on smoky wood fires without chimneys. The girls at the My Special Treasure Protection Home volunteer at these clinics organising the waiting lines, assisting the nurses and giving out medicine. “I love teaching at the Education Centre. My biggest hope is that my students give their hearts to God and give their best as they learn each day.” – Jackeline, teacher We would love to do more to support this incredible, ministry-based school that has captured the heart of the Chimaltenango rubbish dump community. Over the last few years in January as inscriptions have taken place, queues of parents and their children start to form outside the school at 5:00am, ready for when the teachers arrive at 9:00am – the teachers describe this as a humbling image. The teachers have the heart-breaking task of determining the strongest needs on an individual and family basis against the spaces they have available in the Education Centre. Reaching 120 children out of an estimated 250, the need continues to be great. There is a real difference being made and there is potential for great generational change among the community as they learn values to equip them to change their community. The Education Centre has big dreams, and not only just for secondary school and sixth form. Would you take the time to consider if you would like to join with us and be a part of contributing to the success story of the Education Centre? Lucia (above) was transformed in one year, she went from the rubbish to now being in school everyday.

Birthday celebrations at the My Special Treasure Protection Home. In Guatemala and parts of Latin America it is tradition to celebrate a girl’s ‘Quinceañera’ – their fifteenth birthday. This birthday is celebrated differently from any other as it marks the transition from childhood to young womanhood. A celebration service, cake and big colourful dresses often mark the occasion! The Sweet Fifteen Girls from My Special Treasure. (Above) Recently My Special Treasure celebrated the quinceañeras of five girls. A celebration of thanks to God took place giving thanks for the good things He has done in their lives. To start off the ‘damas’ (‘bridesmaids’), Mariana, Lucrecia and Pamela, entered carrying a Bible and rings for each of the five girls. These three girls were very excited to participate in this celebration. Jenny (above) recieving her ring. There was live music at the celebration. All the girls at My Special Treasure participated in the event, doing choreographies in honour of the quinceañera girls! Pastor Luis, from the ‘Sendero de Amor’ church, prayed for the girls asking that God would guide them in this new stage of their lives. “When I was little I always dreamed about celebrating my 15th birthday. The day arrived thatI dreamed of! It was very fun and for myself a dream fulfilled. Firstly, I always dreamed of having a light blue dress and that’s what I had! In reality I am very grateful to God to allow me to celebrate 15 years and to give me the gift of celebrating my day. I felt very well and very spoiled. Thank you for everything.” - Karla Following this the girls were awarded their rings and a diploma. We are grateful that we were able to buy the girls rings. Next a lunch was shared with all the guests and then the cake was cut as everyone sang to the girls! “…I am grateful for my family at My Special Treasure.” Anaí Cake! “I loved celebrating my quinceañera because I felt like a princess. I loved everything – the food, the guests that came, the songs, etc. Everything was incredible because it was all for us.” Diana The girls were very excited and emotional that they could celebrate their 15th birthdays as this is a dream for every girl growing up. The girls are very grateful to God to have had the privilege to celebrate, to have good health and to have reached this next stage of their lives.

There was, as you would expect, a lot of excitement the day of the Graduation Ceremony for “The Education Centre” in Chimeltenango. Six boys and girls had completed their primary education and have now left this incredible school. Buses transported the children and their families from the town centre to a school hall that had been lent to them as there would not have been room for everyone in the school. We sang several songs worshipping God and thanking Him for giving them a chance to have an education. Now the children are able to dream of one day becoming a teacher, policeman or doctor maybe, just like many children all over the world. The children in Guatemala love going to school and count the days during the holidays until they will return. They know they will then be given a nutritious breakfast on arrival and with the naturally enquiring brains of children, be able to learn so their futures will not be like that of many generations before them. More than that though they learn about the God who loves them and cares about them deeply despite their circumstances. A boy who attends the Education Centre but in the holidays goes back to the dump to work on the rubbish dump. A nearby Children’s home for severely abused girls started the school five years ago by going to the dump on Saturday afternoon’s to initially teach 14 children reading, writing and arithmetic in a shack on the side of the dump. There are now 115 children registered for the school in 2016. Pastor Luis giving the children a talk at the Education Centre. At most schools in Guatemala the parents have to provide their children with uniforms, exercise books, pens and pencils. Something impossible for these families to achieve when they are only just scraping a “living” from the dump. At this school the subscription is free, all materials are provided, and the “uniform” is a donated t-shirt. The parents have realized this is the only way their family can climb out of the poverty trap and are willing to allow their children to attend the school. Many prizes were given out on their Graduation Day. There were smiles, applause, photos and a hearty meal for all when it was over. These children really love their school and need it so desperately. For the 6 children who have left this primary school we are hoping there will be funds for them to complete their education at senior school, otherwise they will be spending their entire days at the dump again. For the 115 who are registered this year at the “Education Centre” we pray that God will continue to prompt people to support it. The children all did really well in 2015 and truly need our help to keep going in 2016. Their God given talent will enable them to improve and change, not just their lives, but those of others too! Please consider if you could be a part of enabling this life changing school to continue