Impacto Ministry Update

April has been a month of transition and trials. As you know, Impacto is going through a transition which we are sure is God-driven. We have felt Him every step of the way and we know He has some really big plans for Impacto!

We had two great teams come and serve with us this month: Hamilton Mill from Georgia, and New Life Ladies from Maryland. They were very hard-working and ministered to the Happy Tummies (HT) children, the Abuelitos, workers, and moms in wonderful ways. We praise God for sending His wonderful servants to minister with us.

We've been meeting with our Happy Tummies staff and have many new ideas and plans. We are filled with joy and excitement over these plans and you will be hearing of them as time draws near for implementation!

The first report cards of the school year were given out last week. The first ones out are the hardest as the kids are adjusting to a new year. Our staff met with the school teacher of each HT child and some had great things to say; sadly some didn't. The school teachers were very pleased to see our staff asking about the kids. They told us most parents of the children who got lower grades hadn't come asked why. This means we were the only ones worried about their grades! Since it was the first grading period a lot of the teachers extended a few due dates for the kids to be able to bring their grades up! This won't be an option next time but this just means we need to work harder. We want the kids to know that though no one at home might be worried about their grades, we sure are! This is a way we show support and, most importantly, the love and mercy of God. The parents don't check up on their kids' scholastics because their parents didn't do it for them, this is a mold we are trying to break. We hope and pray that the kids at HT will one day be parents who support and encourage their kids in their education! For the next couple of weeks the children will have lunch, devotions, and a very strict homework time. This is our chance to discipline them with love. Please keep all our staff in your prayers, that God will fill us with His wisdom, patience, and love, so that the kids might see Him through us.

This month, by faith, we have set up a computer with working internet to help the children and their resources. Please join us in praying that God will provide the funds to pay for the internet and to add more computers.

April also brings some bittersweet news, we are saddened to share that Bryce will be leaving in May. Below you will see a letter he has written to share the news. Though he will be greatly missed we rejoice in knowing he is following God's plan for his life.

Elmy is one of the 4 winners of an art contest held at

Happy Tummies earlier this month.


	Pastor Luis & Dinora Martinez full time missionaries in Guatemala

Pastor Luis' Corner

Many counselors and psychologists say that fear is a factor that can cause stress, depression, and even physical sickness to our lives. This month's corner will be a little different than most corners God has granted me the privilege to write. First, it will be a two part corner, to be continued next month, and second, a big percentage of this corner won't be my words but the Word of God. I'm not sure what situation you might be going through; maybe you just lost a loved one, maybe you're going through financial struggles, maybe there are family problems, health problems, or another struggle that might be bringing fear into your life. I want to share with you some marvelous verses I found in the Bible. There are 365 verses in the Bible that speak of fear. That is one verse per day for a whole year. So, I want for the Bible to speak to you more than my words and I want God to speak to you through His Word.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

"For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." Psalm 56:3

"The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"

Psalm 118:6

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

"The LORD is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

"So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'" Hebrews 13:6

And personally, from my heart, I want to dedicate Joshua 1:9 to you,

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Please remember the promise in this verse, "the LORD your God will be with you." Satan uses fear and God uses trust. I suggest you choose trust, He is with us ALWAYS.

God Bless You.

It is with both great excitement and a heavy heart that I share that I will no longer be serving with Impacto after the month of May. Instead, I will be pursuing a masters degree this coming fall. It all feels bittersweet

because I h ave made my home among the staff of Impacto, the people of Guatemala, and people like you that have come with missions teams; a piece of my heart will always be here. I have loved every part of my experience here, through all the highs and lows, challenges, break-throughs, and even those embarrassing language learning moments. Leaving seems almost unimaginable, and a bit surreal, to say the least; but like many things, it must come to an end. Since being here, God has reignited my passion for teaching English and planted a seed of desire to continue my education in the linguistics field. It's been on my mind and heart for a couple years now, but until now it has only been a dream and God is slowly bringing it into fruition.

As many of you probably know, I had no idea I would wind up here in Guatemala. I came as an intern for four months, hoping to boost my resume. Who knew that I'd be here for another three years! Thank the Lord that His plans are greater than our own! In retrospect I can see His hand guiding me, sometimes kicking and screaming, but without a doubt I was meant to come here. He's opened my eyes to many things, pushed me well beyond my comfort zone, and revealed a side of Himself I was desperately seeking. I will miss every aspect of my life here, the kids laughing and playing at Happy Tummies, having gained a bunch of grandmas and grandpas through Abuelitos, hiking in the mountains, having the best view right outside my kitchen window, always having some of the best coffee in the world at my fingertips, serving alongside my brothers and sisters in Christ, and even the pungent smell of coffee compost that seems to burn off your nose hairs. But at the same time I'm filled with hope as He continues to use Impacto and teams like you as His instruments, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

Thank you for your love, prayers, and support over the years. You have ministered to me just as you have ministered to the people of Guatemala. I have made friendships that will last a lifetime here. Please stay in touch. One day I hope our paths will cross again, if not in this life, then in the next.

May God bless you all richly!

Bryce Newton

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