Can you believe we are half-way through July? Our staff is still having a hard time accepting our first summer with no teams. It sure gets busy, but the blessings each team leaves behind are astonishing. Last week we would have held our annual Bible Conference, and we are so sad to have missed that this year. Many of those who attend the Conference called to let us know they were thinking of us and so sad we would not be able to see each other during this time. As we continue to trust in God during this pandemic we would like to share more about what quarantine has been like in Guatemala. | | For the past 4 months we were not allowed to travel from department to department (state to state); this has recently been lifted but we do have some towns that have closed their own boarders. Even traveling between San Pedro (where the Promised Land is) to San Juan (where Happy Tummies is) has been hard. We needed a special permit from City Hall stating we had work/business in both towns to travel back and forth, and even with that not everyone from our staff acquired a permit. There are special operating hours for the stores and markets which vary weekly but usually they are open from 7:00 a.m.-noon. We have a set curfew from 6:00 p.m.-5:00 a.m. and our President just announced a weekend curfew from 2:00 p.m. Saturday until 5:00 a.m. Sunday. The government is asking for children and elderly to stay home and we have a mandatory mask law for the entire country. As many of you know Pastor Luis, Dinora, and Sarah are all in the United States. This was not the original plan, on March 16, 2020, our President closed the airport and all our land borders for what we thought was going to be 2 weeks, 3 weeks tops. Well, here we are 4 months later and our airport is still closed. They have had a few humanitarian flights out of the country but none have been allowed to fly in. The border between Mexico and Guatemala is accessible to Guatemalan citizens, which means Pastor Luis and Dinora, who have dual citizenship, could come in that way. However, due to their age and health matters none of us feel at peace having them travel through Mexico in what would be an almost 2-day journey. This would also mean they would have to enter Guatemala through one of the COVID-19 hot zones. Nonetheless, all three of them are ready to jump on the first flight here! Their flights continue to be postponed and rescheduled, yet we are trusting God and His timing. We’re not sure why He’s allowed for this to happen this way, and for us to be separated during this time, but we will all grow closer to Him for comfort and understanding.
Please join us in prayer of petition and rejoicing as we share a few Praises and Requests below. | | - We praise God for the opportunity to be able to serve meals through Happy Tummies To Go. We are currently serving over 100 meals daily! Each plate is served with a bigger portion so that the kids can share at home. We believe for some of the children that this is their only meal each day. We’re also making the nutrition drink with a thicker and sweeter consistency so once they are home they can add water or milk and make 3-4 extra portions.
- We rejoice in the fact that you rallied around Impacto and we have been able to continue paying our workers, as most of them were home for about 3 months due to COVID-19. A lot of people were laid off or had their salary cut down, Impacto, however, was able to continue paying our workers through quarantine.
- Praise God for so many of you who have supported our Healing Hands ministry. Through this ministry we are able to provide many with doctor visits, medicine, labs, and even transportation for those who have to seek further medical help outside the villages. During such hard times we have been able to assist many with medicines - sometimes as simple as ibuprofen - and many other medical needs.
- It is not always easy, but today we are choosing to praise God for this pandemic. We have learned so much during this time, as individuals and as a staff. We know God has great things planned, and though we are so ready for Jesus to take us home, we also know there are many who still need to hear about the Gospel and that is our number one goal as we move forward.
| | “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 | | - Let us come together and pray for our world. So many things are happening during this pandemic, many issues are coming to light. Let us unite so that in everything we do, say, act, and think we may glorify God.
- We are praying that whether in Guatemala or North America, God will open doors and give us many opportunities to share the Gospel and lead many to the feet of Jesus.
- Join us in praying for provision. We are still feeding people, still paying for utilities, our workers, and, as we mentioned, Healing Hands has become a much-needed ministry during this time. We’ve even had to mail medicines to Zacapa (other side of the country) and Guatemala City.
- Please pray for our staff. During this season we have to make many decisions, some harder than others. Pray that every one of these decisions is made with wisdom and discernment from God.
| | I have known about Impacto for many, many years. My daughter always dreamed and waited anxiously for summer vacation so she could go to the lake to help. I had not had the opportunity to get to know the different ministries of Impacto.
I retired from my job and immediately got another part-time job. My earnings were less, but this would allow me to spend more time with my daughter. When she started college, the reality was that I did not have enough to cover the college budget so I started to do other things to increase my income.
A short time after this, Pastor Luis invited me to be part of the team to concentrate my work with Happy Tummies, which back then, was located at the old site. Being almost pushed by my daughter’s inspiration and excitement, I decided to take the job. I quickly fell in love when I had the opportunity to serve, look after, and watch for the care of our children and show love and respect for the Abuelitos.
However, God had a new project for me. Actually an enormous challenge to be exact; the administration of all the ministries and coordinator of all workers at Impacto. Do you know something? In this job, no day is the same. There is no monotony, there always is something different and that’s what I love about it. Sometimes I don’t know where to begin, there can be pressure, but at the end of the day, it is enough for me to see the smiles of the children, Abuelitos, youth, women, pastors, etc. This is what makes my job worth it.
God brought me to Impacto thru a job that would bring a blessing of provision. Little by little I have seen that He brought me here because He wanted to show me how valuable I am for Him. He has allowed me to grow in His Word, to be shaped and molded. I know there is a lot more to do here and I am certain that He has a lot of surprises for my life. | | | When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 | | | WANT TO STAY IN TOUCH? check our website or e-mail us for more information. | | | | SUPPORT OUR MINISTRY Support Impacto by shopping consciously through Amazon Smile. | | | | | | | | |
