TWO YEARS...IT TOOK TWO YEARS

TWO YEARS. Our middle daughter had asked and prayed and prayed and asked for a dog for two years. The child doesn't give up easily! We finally agreed to look for a dog. No promises.

Amy began to scan the doggy profiles at the local pound and a local dog rescue group. She looked for several weeks for just the right dog.

When Amy came home one evening holding a jet-black, little-big, wrinkly puppy, the kids all erupted in squeals and clapping.

"It's just for a week," Amy assured me, "To see if she is a good fit for our family...." But I knew better. As you probably already figured out, we ended up rescuing this little puppy, we later named Ruby.

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You may be reading this post and asking, "What does a dog have to do with a mission organization?"

Well, Ruby, our beautiful, gentle giant of a Great Dane-Lab, has opened doors for us that wouldn't have been opened otherwise.

Here in Guatemala, as we walk through the cobble-stoned streets of Chichicastenango, kids, wide-eyed, squeal and ask, "Can I pet her?" Big smiles break across their faces when they realize, "Wow, I can touch this dog and she isn't going to bite me!"

As our friends installed a new stove for Sebastiana, she eyed Ruby nervously and smiled a bit. When we reassured her that Ruby was gentle, at first she didn't believe us and kept her distance, but after a while of watching Ruby sit quietly by our sides, Sebastiana finally worked up the courage to touch one of Ruby's ears. There it was! That big smile when she realized that Ruby was gentle and she could pet her head, albeit, still reservedly, but Sebastiana moved closer and began petting Ruby, relaxing more and opening up to us.

When we introduce people to Ruby here in Guatemala, and we watch the expressions on their faces change those of fear to joy, we are so thankful to have her here with us in Guatemala.

We think Ruby, the world-traveling-dog, is one special pooch! She sure brings a special dose of love to Living Gateways.

www.livinggateways.org

livinggatewaysgt@gmail.com

Living Gateways

17900 Christa Ln, Boonville, MO 65233