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What a great month April was! Being able to celebrate and give all glory and praise to our Savior during the Easter Season is so special, isn’t it? We are so thankful for you, for your prayers, and financial support. God is doing big things in Guatemala and we feel blessed and humbled to be a part of this with you as our partners. We hope what we will share in this newsletter will be just a small peek into the ministry. Please continue to lift our staff in prayer. The enemy works hard to destroy and discourage us but praise be to His Holy name, our God is stronger and He encourages us daily! 
ABUELITOS' BUILDING

Building the Promised Land was a huge learning experience, and to God be the glory it’s a good sturdy building we hope will bring Him much honor for many years to come. Still, it was no easy task. With the new construction of our Abuelitos’ Building, our staff can use that previous experience to be smarter and wiser. After much prayer and talking to many, many, many architects, God has led us to an architect whom, we feel, is able to grasp our concept and the fact that this place is to be used for ministry. After much talking, and many changes we have finalized the blueprints! The architect will oversee the construction and of course our staff will be very involved. We are so excited to break ground in the next few days and have the teams this summer join us full force!
 
As many of you know we’ve been fundraising for the Abuelitos’ building. We’ve been selling tiny blocks for $5 each. We had shared previously that with each $5 we could buy around 11 actual size blocks. After going over the plans with the architect and knowing that this place will be a forever home to the ministries God has called Impacto to do, the architect voiced concerns over the blocks. He asked that we consider buying blocks that are a little pricier which means they are more solid and durable. After praying about it and hearing advice from others we have decided to go with the better block. Now, with $5 we can buy around 6 blocks. While this almost doubles the budget for the blocks, their higher quality will make a huge difference to the future stability and duration of the building. We see it as an investment and we pray you will, too. 
ZOO TRIP
 
A few years ago, we took the Happy Tummies kids to the Zoo. Because of a few glitches along the way (none of which were our fault), the kids were only at the zoo for maybe an hour before we had to head back home. We were all a little discouraged and decided not to do that again. However, this year God has laid it on our hearts to give it another go. The zoo has many new animals and we think it will be a great experience for the children. We are hoping to take all the kids from Happy Tummies San Juan and Panyebar which means we’ll have just under 120 kids if all are able to go!

Here is where we need your help. We’re asking that you help us with 2 things: 

(1) Pray. Pray that everything goes well. Pray for safety on the road. Pray that the parents will see this as a great opportunity for their kids and allow them to go.

(2) We are in need of US$20 per child. This amount covers everything needed for the children, including lunch!
 
We know that to many of you a trip to the zoo doesn’t seem like a big deal. But, most of the children here don’t have the opportunity to leave their town and we know they will gain much growth from this trip to the zoo. We hope it’ll be a memory that will be with them forever. We hope you will join us in making this trip possible for the kids!
I want to share with you something that God taught me this week. 

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. (Psalm 23:1)
Provision. In the Gospel of Matthew, it says,  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.” You and I are more valuable than birds. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. (Psalm 23:2)
Rest. He promises us rest; not just physical but emotional and spiritual. I don’t know what situation you’re going through, but He says in Matthew 11:28-30  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3)
Strength and guide. When you and I feel we can’t go the next mile, He promises strength – physical, emotional, and spiritual. As a guide, He promises to show us the way. 

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)
Discipline. He calls my attention when I am walking outside of His will.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (Psalm 23:5)
This one is very special to me. If someone has raised false witness against you or discredited you, I urge you to read and be encouraged by Psalm 37:6 [NIV] – “He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:6)
Hope. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13 Paul says there are two kinds of people dealing with sadness and grief: Those who have hope and those who don’t. The difference is that those who have hope have Christ in their hearts.  “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27 [NIV]. So, if you are feeling without hope, cling to Christ the hope of glory.
PASTOR’S SEMINAR
 
Many of you know our Pastor’s Seminar changed a bit this year as we’ve partnered with the Theological Seminary in Guatemala City in order to have credited courses. Most of the students are Pastors. We do, however, have quite a few young people who do not have the means and resources to study in Guatemala City. They are very excited to be able to attend in a more accessible location that affords a better overall price for them. We have a little over 40 students sign up for the credited courses and about 15 others taking the classes for no credit. The classes and attendance are strict and some thought they wouldn’t meet all the requirements but they are learning and that’s the important part. Maybe next semester they’ll want to sign up for credit.
 
The first test was a few weeks ago and some of the Pastors had a harder time with it than anticipated. Some of the Pastors taking these courses didn’t finish high school and those who did, well it was quite a bit of time ago. Going back to school takes some getting used to. We realized about 20 of the students didn’t have resources other than their Bibles, which is the best resource. We had a few commentaries left over from an Impacto Pastor’s Congress and brought them to the students for free! These commentaries, here in Guatemala, can cost anywhere from US$80-US$90. The students are so happy to have a commentary and we hope they will come in handy as this next grading period begins!
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 9:36
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