Sixty people have died so far and the Haitian police force seems unable to stem the violence. International aid agencies have joined to plee for help, yet both France and the U.S. have declined to send forces to shore-up the government.

The uprising began February 5 of this year when a mix of former Aristride supporters, former death squad leaders, and others demanded that Aristride resign.

Aristride swept Haiti's first free elections in 1990, but has since been criticized as corrupt and violently abusive to his critics.

The Lutheran church has a minimal presence in Haiti, mostly in relief work; however other missionaries and church workers have reported difficulties in carrying out their ministries.

One American missionary said he was threatened Tuesday by members of the "Clean Sweep" gang which allegedly reports directly to Aristide.

(17 Feb 04) While two thousand students of the 17,000 public schools continue to go without school lunches, the Agricultural council is working to repair and reorganize the nutritional program, or what is left of it from the previous administration.

Until this happens, parents and teachers have united to provide food to the students.

“Esto no durará todo el año, pero sabemos que el Gobierno ya está trabajando en los almuerzos”, manifestó Sazo, quien aseveró que en el establecimiento tampoco hay agua y electricidad. “That is not going to last the entire year, but we know that the government is already working (to provide) the lunches,” said Sazo, adding that the school lacks water and electricity.

María del Carmen Aceña, Minister of Education, said that the nutrition program will be underway in March.

Advisor Álvaro Aguilar, Minister of Agriculture, said ‘various problems were found [with the nutrition program], and they are working to fix it up before promised.”

According to Persy Pterkel, Director of Communications, there are 102 municipalities which will receive two Quetzales [$0.25] per child daily an dthe rest will recieve one Quetzal.

One stolen truck belonged to former Houston Oilers football player Alonzo Highsmith and was stolen from a Houston restaurant parking lot in 1995.

An estimated 200,000 stolen vehicles cross the Mexican border each year, many headed to Central America.

Menchú will oversee the government's compliance with the 1996 peace accords which ended the countries 36-year-long civil war in which hundreds of thousands of indigenous people were killed or disappeared.

Menchú was one of the first high profile civic leaders Berger invited to join his administration when he won the December 2003 presidential run-off elections. During the previous administration, Menchú had been living in Mexico City as a result of numerous death threats and the general atmostphere of political violence which gripped the nation.

The ceremoney took place in the former Ministry of National Defense headquarters known as "Casa Crema." The building has now been given to the indigenous population and renamed the Academy of Maya Languages.

(10 Feb 04) A “Pencil Marathon” has brought in almost 1.5 million school supply items for Guatemala students and more is on the way.

The Pencil Marathon organizers hope to surpass their goal of six million. “The people’s response has been good,” said Rodrigo Cordón of the organizing committee. “We are confident we will obtain supplies for all the students.”

When the Public Ministry of Education was unable buy pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, and rulers for the nation’s students because of budget shortfalls, various organizations and businesses united to organize the drive.

Paul made it through first semester finals and was quite ready for a break. Christmas was a good celebration of the gift of our Savior come to earth to win our salvation. The kids were shepherds in the Christmas program here at Our Saviour's. It was good to be in the USA this time of year to see the lights and programs and go to advent services. We even found a Mexican celebration to enjoy and remind us of Guatemala.

After Christmas we made a quick trip down South to visit some of our partner churches. We had some great potluck meals and some wonderful visits with old and new friends, all very special to us as they pray for and support us in our work with Lutheran Bible Translators here and in the field. Thank you to all of you for your beautiful hospitality and encouragement.

While in the South, Erin got to celebrate her birthday with a special pass to Disney's Epcot center. That was great. We also got to see the grandparents in Alabama and Indiana and feast on some good seafood while we were there.

Back in Minnesota, Paul has started 2nd semester classes. He likes the courses but is not sure about all the homework. The kids and Tammy are easing into the school routine, too. Josiah got to spend his birthday at the ice palace. Have you seen pictures of it on the news? It's quite big and really pretty. Some folks tell us of the ice palaces in the past that topped this one, though. Minnesotans sure know how to do winter.

Stan and Margo McMillen say the 80-minute video be enable them to "share with as many Uspantecos as possible, God's plan of salvation for all of us."

The video uses the chronological Bible storytelling technique, a technique proven especially effective in reaching people who cannot read the written Word.