Don’t you just love the change of seasons? As the air cools the atmosphere changes. We all have a favorite season, one we enjoy most. However, we encourage you to think of one thing that makes you happy about the season we are headed into now. Here in Guatemala, we do not have fall like in the US, sadly we do not see the trees change into beautiful vibrant fall colors. The days stay fairly hot, the rain falls almost daily for at least the next few weeks. The evenings do cool off (for Guatemala) and we enjoy wearing a light sweater. We do not know what your year has been like. We do not know how this pandemic has affected you. What we do know is that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” [Hebrews 13:8].

Impacto has had a very different year. A year that was totally opposite from our original plans, a year none of us were expecting. However, in the past few months, we’ve been able to work a lot internally and behind the scenes. We have had the privilege of being trained by some people we look up to and are learning so much! Yes, it’s true, this is not the year we had planned. Yet, we have learned so much and we still have a lot to learn. All the while, we are working hard to continue to bless those around us and share the Gospel as well as preparing for our new normal.

So if the Son makes you free,

then you are unquestionably free.

John 8:36 [AMP]

THE TRUE DELIVERER

What is the pandemic leaving us with? Statistics say we have had the highest divorce rates, the highest depression rates, the highest use of drugs and alcohol, and a high attempted suicide rate. So what is happening to us? It seems that we are chained to something that does not let us be free.

The Bible tells us Luke 4:16-19 [NIV] who the true deliverer is: “He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: The spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

So, if you are part of any of these statistics I want to remind you of this: “So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed” John 8:36 [NIV].

We are so grateful for the response we have received during this time. We’ve been able to help so many in more ways than we can count. During these times we have seen the ripple effect that Pastor Luis always talks about. He is right, one act of kindness, a little help, a little push can set off a tremendous chain reaction.

Through these hard times, we are doing our best to help how and when we can. We always aim for our efforts to be long-term. In everything we do we pray that what we are sharing, and teaching will mold each one we come in contact with for years to come. That being said, we do recognize immediate needs when they exist, and this pandemic has brought an abundance of immediate needs. We are able to meet many of these immediate needs because of you, your obedience for giving, and thus sharing God’s love through each gift. The end of September and the beginning of October is being spent giving out food bags.

As mentioned in our previous newsletter, we were also able to buy COVID-19 kits. These are kits with medicines used to help many of the virus’ symptoms. Remember, many here have a hard time being able to afford acetaminophen. For this reason our staff felt moved to donate kits to the local doctors treating COVID-19 patients.

Once again, we appreciate your willingness to donate to our Compassion Ministries so that we may continue to help with immediate needs and see long-term results.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 9:36