Impacto Ministry Update

February 28, 2015

On February 25th we held the dedication service for our new San Juan Happy Tummies building. This building will be hosting the children from Happy Tummies as well as our Abuelitos and the Ladies Sewing Ministry. We praise God for giving Impacto the opportunity to serve these people.

On the day of the dedication we heard testimonies from those involved in this ministry. This is where we can see the ripple effect of which Pastor Luis is constantly reminding us. We heard of how ministering to one Abuelito or one child, the whole family witnesses God's hand in their lives.

One of the projects we've taken on this year is having the children learn all the books of the Bible. We've had them painted on the wall to help the children practice. The first boy and girl to memorize them all will each receive a prize! We are so excited to see what God has planned for these ministries this year!

As we, the IMPACTO staff, rejoice in seeing this building operating, for the honor and glory of the Lord, we would like to thank you for partnering with us and hope you join in our rejoicing.

Pastor Luis' Corner

When former African President Nelson Mandela left prison he said, "As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison." This is precisely what God asks of us so that we're not prisoners of our emotions. Take this opportunity to meditate not only on President Mandela's words, but also God's Word. Proverbs 19:11 [NIV] says:

A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 20:3 [NIV] says: It is to one's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. We can be prisoners in liberty or be free and a prisoner. May God help us be free in Christ.

February saw the 2015 ESL [English as a Second Language] and Ladies Sewing Ministry classes begin. There are two ESL classes with around 24 students; and two different Sewing classes, one with 5 students and one with 15. Both of these ministries are a blessing to the community. The Sewing classes allow women to learn a skill that will allow them to earn an extra income. The ESL classes will help each student be better educated and hopefully to eventually find a better job.

If you would like to collaborate with either of these ministries, we have a couple of needs. The ESL classes need Spanish-English Bibles and Spanish-English dictionaries. As for the Sewing classes we ask that instead of sending machines you send cash donations. It is much easier to teach the students if all the machines are exactly the same and that is what we hope to do next year. This helps to cause less confusion for students and instructors and levels the playing field.

From Maria

I am thankful for the sewing machine ministry. My husband was out of work last year. That's when I received the call from Impacto inviting me to be a part of the first sewing class. After I was able to make my first blouse with my sewing machine, I prayed to God and asked him to help me sell it. I promised him half of what I would make. The first woman I offered the blouse to bought it! Not only did she buy it but she asked for more and said she would tell her friends about my small business. Needless to say, my blouses are what got our family through some rough times. I am so thankful to the Lord for using Impacto to bless me in such a grand way.

From a Local Church

A church in a town not too far from the lake area is thinking of becoming associated with Impacto. They shared this beautiful testimony with us just a few days ago: Their small town has around 12 prostitution bars. In the month of February, this church decided to dedicate themselves to praying for God to close down these bars. A few days ago the head pastor ran into the owner of one of the bars and presented him with the salvation plan. After 45 minutes of the pastor sharing his faith, the bar owner gave his life to Christ! He went back to his bar, shut it down and burned every table, chair, and stool found in the bar. He then asked the church if they would paint over every beer and liquor advertisement outside his bar. The youth of the church volunteered and last weekend they painted the outside walls of the bar. On the outside they wrote "As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord." In one short month this church family saw the beginning of their prayer request being answer! No doubt our God is a God who is in the business of miracles!

February 21-28 a team from Hillside Wesleyan Church joined us in ministry. They assisted in kicking off our sewing ministry and were also present for the dedication of the new Happy Tummies building. They worked with the children and Abuelitos, made house visits where they gave staple foods, helped with construction at both the Happy Tummies site and the retaining wall at the Promised Land, attended ESL classes, helped with our Ladies Sewing Ministry, and held a Bible study for the youth at a local church. Thank you Hillside Wesleyan Church for coming to minister alongside Impacto. Thank you, also, to those folks in Canada who provided funds for the food staples. We serve an awesome God who draws us together from all parts of the world to minister together and help others.