As September comes to an end it has registered that we have 3 full months left of the year! This reminds our Executive Staff that we still do not have all needed funds raised for Zona Cero or Christmas Festival. We have full trust in the Lord and know that He will provide, if each of these ministries are in His will. We ask that you prayerfully consider joining the efforts for either or both of these ministries.
Zona Cero is very special to us, as we have seen many chains being broken, many freed from sin, many healing from past hurt, and many denouncing Satan and committing their lives to following Christ. There are young adults, who, many years ago, attended Zona Cero and are now in seminary, or serving the in the ministry.
In some cases Zona Cero played a very influential part, albeit small, in their testimony. In other cases Zona Cero played a major part in their decisions. Some have shared that had it not been for their time at Zona Cero, they would be leading completely different lives.
During Zona Cero we have ministered to gang members, atheists, some who are very angry at God, and some who, at the time, were actively practicing witchcraft. So many lives have been changed. You can be a part of this! It costs US$175 per teenager for the entire 4-day, 3-night camp and this includes lodging, meals, water, and more. We ask each participant for an offering of US$15 though many will pay half and in some cases nothing – but we never turn anyone away.
We encourage you to join forces with others – neighbors, church members, co-workers, or family members – and send funds to us for this youth camp! If we can get 20 groups of 10 people to each sponsor 1 teen we’ll have the money raised in no time! Please, help us reach the youth of Guatemala.
The Christmas Festival always tugs at our heartstrings. To see the joy of the entire family when they go through their gift baskets is unlike any other. The children are always over-joyed and the parents seem relieved to know their Christmas has been made special. The “baskets” are usually plastic totes; we want to make sure they will be something useful for their homes. Inside each basket, each family will find many staple food items that will be used during the Christmas season, as well as a few treats to enjoy.
Each family also receives a carton of 30 eggs and a live chicken for fresh meat in their Christmas tamales. A big Christmas treat for many families is a bag of marshmellows, so we always make sure to include that, as well as Christmas cookies, and other treats. We know that treats are not a need, however, the joy they bring is unmeasurable. When we hand out the baskets we have many smiles from the children and some tears from very grateful and overjoyed parents. Many have confided that their Christmas tamales depend on the chicken we give because otherwise they couldn’t afford any meat. It breaks our heart to hear but makes us so glad to be able to make their Christmas feast possible. If you’d like to join the effort, we need US$55 per basket and will roughly be giving 150 baskets this year.
You can donate to Zona Cero and the Christmas Festival by going to our DONATE page. It contains with directions for making donations.
Have you heard of the term fasting? This term is frequently used in many Christian Churches. It is a very beautiful term and practice in the life of a Christian. But beware, it can easily turn into a term of hypocrisy when not used correctly. In the following Bible verses you can reflect on the true meaning of fasting.
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”
Isaiah 58:6-10 [NIV]
Serving Christ together,
Pastor Luis
SOWING SEEDS THAT BEAR ETERNAL FRUIT
“Whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” — 2 Corinthians 9:6
Your generosity continues to plant seeds that God is using to grow His Kingdom. We’re excited to share a new way you can give: Impacto is now able to receive gifts of stock. By donating appreciated stock, you may avoid capital gains taxes while also receiving a charitable deduction for the full value of your gift. This allows your generosity to stretch further—bearing even more fruit for God’s work while being a blessing to you. If the Lord places this on your heart, we would be honored to walk with you through the process.
👉 To learn more about giving stock, please contact us at
[email protected]
