Quilts will make a difference to babies in Guatemala

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By Judy Backus

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Pastor Alvin Peddle of Marmora Pentecostal Church welcomed missionaries Ruth and Hector Aragon on January 25, when they spoke of their ongoing work in Guatemala and accepted 83 baby quilts, made by the women of the church, to take back with them. An additional two quilts had been crafted by children of the church.

Judy Backus, Stirling EMC

Pastor Alvin Peddle of Marmora Pentecostal Church welcomed missionaries Ruth and Hector Aragon on January 25, when they spoke of their ongoing work in Guatemala and accepted 83 baby quilts, made by the women of the church, to take back with them. An additional two quilts had been crafted by children of the church.

EMC Lifestyles -Marmora - Missionaries for the past 15 years, Hector and Ruth Aragon, spend much of the year in Guatemala, but since November have been back in Ontario where they visit Pentecostal churches to raise awareness about the plight of many in the Central America country.

On January 25, the couple spent time at the Marmora Pentecostal Church where, during a gathering in the sanctuary, they spoke to parishioners, telling of their experiences and how the lives of many have been enriched and improved

through the Emergency Relief and Development Overseas (ERDO), the humanitarian agency of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada and its ChildCARE Plus program. Part of the couple's work involves the William Cornelius Vocational Training Centre, a facility providing education in such studies as dental hygiene, computer technology and graphic design.

During his lively, heartfelt and often poignant address, Aragon commented that in Guatemala, 42 per cent of the population are illiterate and 54 per cent of the poor are living in extreme pov-

erty, meaning they exist on less than $1 a day.

When speaking of the little ones, he told of babies being sent home wrapped in newspaper, as there were no blankets available for them. Thanks to the generosity and involvement of Marmora

Pentecostal Church, the Aragons will be returning to Guatemala with a total of 85 handmade baby quilts along with a number of full size quilts, as well as a quantity of layette items for the infants.

At the conclusion of Aragon's talk, a collection, to be

used to help with the shipping costs, was taken, the total being $398. When Pastor Alvin Peddle announced the figure and said it was just a $2 short of $400, one of the children in attendance headed to the front and handed the pastor a toonie.

The evening included time for quiet reflection, song, prayer and rejoicing in the fact that so many in Guatemala are being helped through the ERDO and the dedicated work of missionaries such as Hector and Ruth.