Seems like we say this each month but, can you believe October is over!? The holiday season has officially begun! With the holidays nearing, we know that there’s a lot of work just around the corner. We travel to Zacapa in November and the VBS there takes a lot of prepping. At the beginning of December we will hold Zona Cero, our annual youth camp, immediately followed by our Christmas Festival week. Zona Cero, especially, takes a lot of planning and studying and is an intense time spent with the youth. Though it’s only three events our staff puts a lot of effort and time into each one and it’s totally worth it! Keep reading as we share more of what’s going on in Guatemala!
| | PASTOR'S CONGRESS
Oh, what a great time we had at the Pastor’s Congress this year! There is just something so special about seeing over 120 of God’s servants in one place. Lately we’ve seen and heard of so many Pastors and leaders on the brink of a burnout. It hurts our hearts and we feel that our Pastor’s Congress (as well as the Bible Conference) are moments when these Pastors and leaders can re-charge. God has been gracious in allowing Impacto to be based in such a beautiful place. Waking up early in the morning and seeing God through creation and then spending all day hearing His Word and being exhorted to continue working hard for the Kingdom really does something special for all those attending. After being refreshed and challenged to do more for the Kingdom these Pastors and leaders go back to their home Churches ready to work even harder!
We thank you for all the prayers and financial gifts you have given towards the Congress, your ripple effect will go far.
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We recently finished our 8th Pastor’s Congress and God laid a book in my life; one I used for morning devotions with the Pastors and leaders. The name of the book 21 Most Effective Prayers of the Bible by Dave Early. I wish I could share so much about this book that it would be another book in itself but, I do want to share with you something that touched me. It was the prayer that the prophet Elijah made, and he did it during a very hard time in his life. The wickedness of King Ahab, his wife Jezebel, and the idolatry of the people to adore and worship the gods of Baal. (Baal was the god of rain). Therefore, they made God anger and God sent 3 years of drought, not a drop of rain fell. It was devastating for the people, they lost their harvest and the animals began to die. Elijah was the messenger to let the people know that God was going to stop the rain and Elijah became the most wanted man . So, the prophet suggested a duel between their god, Baal, and his God. I’m sure you all know the story well. After asking Baal all morning for fire, there was no answer. When it was Elijah’s turn to offer sacrifice, he soaked the altar and said a small prayer; “ Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again .” 1 Kings 18:37. And the answer from God came immediately.
Good news! The God of Elijah, is our God and you can pray, “ answer me, Lord, answer me ” 1 Kings 18:37. | | JUANITA
As many of you know Juanita’s eye tumor began growing again and her doctors wanted to run more tests. After many trips to Guatemala City and many tests, it pains us to say that Juanita has Retinoblastoma (eye cancer). We’ve known for a couple of weeks but we wanted to make sure we had as much information as possible before sharing.
The hospital that performed the surgery on Juanita transferred her to the children’s cancer hospital (UNOP) here in Guatemala. Because she was transferred with urgency from the previous hospital she was able to be seen right away. Otherwise, she would have had to be added to the wait list – this is just one of the many miracles we have seen. Since she was transferred, the UNOP immediately assigned a social worker to Juanita. The social worker is the one that gets all reports from the doctors and informs her family.
Because her father told them that it was through Impacto that Juanita was able to have her eye surgeries, the social worker called us to give us a small report. First, she let us know that because of the family’s low income UNOP would be treating Juanita for free – that was another huge, amazing, and outstanding miracle! She told us that the whole family needs to be tested because this cancer is genetic – we are praying for a miracle there. She also said that since Juanita’s eye was removed when it was, the cancer had been stopped from spreading – yet another miracle! She commented that they are used to seeing a severely malnourished child when children like Juanita are sent to them and they are sure the meal she got at Happy Tummies was the reason Juanita was looking so well.
Juanita had her first chemo this month; her next one is in November. The hospital has provided Pediasure and other nutrition drinks to help her gain weight. Her appetite is not good and she is sad but has a good spirit. Please pray for Juanita and for her parents, we know they are scared. Some days they don’t want to travel back and forth with Juanita but she needs to go to all her appointments. Pray that God will comfort them and they will find peace and unity through the storm.
Though the hospital will pay for Juanita’s chemo treatments, there are other expenses involved. So far, Impacto has been able to cover them because the family simply does not have the money. It costs about US$200 every time she goes to the city for one day. This pays for the driver and meals before reaching the hospital (the hospital gives them meals once they are there). If Juanita needs to spend the night at the hospital for any reason, that price goes up to anywhere between US$300-$400. As of right now she has to travel every Friday to have blood work done. She sometimes also has to buy medicines outside the hospital and Impacto will help cover that as much as possible. Please prayerfully consider sending a special financial gift for all of Juanita’s expenses. And please, please pray for a miraculous healing. We know our God heals and in Jesus’ name we are praying this for Juanita. | | When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
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