Looking back, it seems like May was at least half a year in length! This is a good thing because much was accomplished for the Glory of God. We praise God that our team had time to catch up, help in the community, and prepare for the summer season.

Happy Tummies “Store”

We have started a new incentive program with the children at the San Juan Happy Tummies. For Bible verse memorization, good behavior, initiative, and a list of other things, they receive fake money. Then, every 3 months or so we will open the “store” where we set out lots of things brought by teams — clothes, shoes, undergarments, socks, toys, school supplies, and more.

We held the first “store” this month. The children were very excited and happy! They all had “money” to spend and no one left empty handed. All parents were extremely grateful as well, as clothing can be expensive.

So, if you’re joining us this summer, bring new or gently used items to leave behind for the children. We need sizes 4T–12/14. We do ask that all undergarments are new and unused.

Computers for a Local School

What an honor it was to be a channel to bless a school here in San Juan. It is a school for secretaries and we were able to donate 5 computers with the help of our donors, all for God’s glory. Most teachers in the school make below minimum wage and truly do it for the love of teaching and their community. This is a way we can give back to our community and support the teachers who are giving it their all.

Abuelitos Picnic and a New Wheelchair

Early in May we had a lot of sunshine and some hotter than normal days. The Abuelitos decided to plan a picnic. They had such a fun time, and our abuelito, José, who has been blind for a few years now was overjoyed that he was able to touch the water. As he touched the water and heard the soft waves he kept saying, “I remember, I remember what this looks like.” There were many teary eyes on the shore of the lake that day hearing him say this. It was so fun to see the abuelitos enjoying the sunshine and water — all of them got in the lake for a peaceful cool down.

One of our Abuelitos has a lot of leg pain and it is difficult for him to walk. We were able to provide him with a wheelchair this month. Now we have a tuk tuk that picks him up and brings him and his chair to Abuelitos. We were able to get him to the lake for the picnic as well.

Blessing the Sanitation Workers

Another privilege Impacto had was to bless the sanitation workers in San Juan. We were able to put kits together with some products that could come in handy — masks, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, gloves, and much more. They were very grateful, and it gave us much joy to provide them with encouragement and a few handy items in appreciation of their hard work.

New Friends from the Local Health Program

May also provided us with the opportunity to build relationships with health workers from San Juan who are requesting permission to send some of their malnourished patients (children) to Happy Tummies. The workers have noticed that these children don’t have access to food, and when they do, it’s usually food that does not provide much nourishment. The last week we had three new children join through the local health program. It makes us so happy to build the relationship with the community and that they see Happy Tummies as a beneficial program for the health of the children.

What a great month May has been! We are so grateful to all of you for lifting us in prayer and for your continuous support, so that ministry can continue with or without teams.

Acts 20:35 “…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

A few days ago I was comparing some Bible translations and was reading the New American Standard Bible in Spanish. While reading this version I found something very interesting — some numbers I had not come across before. I don’t think I had ever really paid attention to these exorbitant numbers before.

I’m talking about the temple of Solomon in 1 Chronicles 29:1–9. It says that David’s contribution was 525,000 lbs of silver and 225,000 lbs of gold. The leaders brought 375,000 lbs of gold and 750,000 lbs of silver. They also brought 1,350,000 lbs of bronze, and 7,500,000 lbs of iron.

These numbers have impressed me so much. But what impressed me the most was verse 9: “Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the Lord whole heartedly, and King David also rejoiced greatly.”

I want to tell you, being generous is an aspect of being a Christian. The Bible tells us it is much better to give than to receive. This means that the one giving feels blessed, and there is rejoicing in our hearts when we invest in the ministry of the Lord.

God bless.

Serving Christ together,

Pastor Luis

Matthew 9:36 “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”