Author: Beth Read, 3 May 2024
Alfredo and Irene Salazar’s child was an outcast in society. Alfredo Jr has Down’s syndrome and wasn’t made to feel welcome, even at the local church. But the couple, who live in one of the poorest regions of Guatemala, prayed for guidance and got a most amazing response.
Thanks to generous donations from Christians at other churches in the region they were able to set up Tebow Down Centre in Northern Chimaltenango, an area where two thirds of residents live in poverty. The centre’s aim is to serve children who have special needs and/or physical disabilities.
But God’s answer to prayer didn’t end there. Alfredo and Irene now run a total of four centres attended by 150 children with special needs or disabilities. And, just recently, they set up a school, where the children receive a mix of therapeutic care, education and, thanks to you, they learn about Jesus.
The school has welcomed Bible Society’s Open the Book programme, which has flourished in Guatemala since it began there in early 2023. Thanks to your support, the children are now understanding the message of hope found in the Scriptures, and hearing the amazing news that Jesus loves them.
Scripture storytelling teams visit Tebow Down fortnightly and have adapted their Bible stories to be fully understood and appreciated by the children with special needs or disabilities that they serve.
When we visited, the children were having a ball in the classroom. The story was about God’s creation, and the children would go to the front of the class and add pictures of animals to a huge book. Later, they were pretending to be superheroes with face paint and capes. They were singing, running around and pulling off some impressive superhero dance moves! It was a joy to watch, with Bible messages being clearly revealed. We could really feel the presence of the Lord.
There is little governmental support for children with special needs in Guatemala so Tebow Down Centre staff members meet with new parents who have just found out their child has a special need or disability. The staff tell the parents that their child is such a special gift from God, which is so important when they are sometimes hearing negative views from other people about their child.
The teachers at the school dream big for these children. The focus is on what the children can do and achieve, rather than the barriers and difficulties they face. Parents are also encouraged to expand the capabilities of the children by providing them with new challenges and then celebrating their amazing achievements.
The oldest student at the new school, Josselin (pictured), is 18 and has both learning and physical disabilities. She loves to paint, dance and make jewellery at craft lessons. And she really enjoys the challenge of mathematical puzzles.
‘I’m so blessed here,’ she told us. ‘They lack facilities for me at the public school so I couldn’t stay there, so I came to Tebow Down when I was 16.’
At Tebow Down she also takes part in communication classes and benefits from physical therapy sessions, as well as learning how to cook. What Tebow Down is doing is teaching these children and young people crucial life skills so they can be independent in the future.
Though there’s something greater to be learned at Tebow. ‘I like learning about God, and that’s why I love Open the Book,’ says Josselin.
Thank you for supporting the Open the Book programme. More than 400 supporters of Bible mission here in England and Wales (where Open the Book began) have come together in the last few weeks to give almost £20,000 to ensure more children in Guatemala hear the good news.
And you’re not just taking the Bible into schools in Guatemala. Open the Book has also been introduced in Ecuador, Honduras, Argentina, Albania, The Gambia, Uganda, Kenya, Angola, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, Guinea Bissau and Mozambique.
This story first appeared in the Bible a Month prayer letter. If you want to introduce children to Jesus through the Bible then join Bible a Month today by giving a regular donation of £10. Your generosity will take Scriptures into schools and centres like Tebow Down worldwide. Thank you for your prayers and kind giving.
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