March 2022 has been a great month and our staff has been busy at work. We are enjoying being able to spend more time with people face-to-face and praying that restrictions will not backtrack.
This month our virtual women’s study is starting their new book! The Bible Seminary is getting ready to wrap up another semester, bringing a good-sized group closer to receiving diplomas! This has been a long-time dream of our staff and we are very excited to see it come to fruition.
Happy Tummies
It has been a blast being able to see the Happy Tummies kids and Abuelitos on a regular basis again. We have all the kids and Abuelitos picking up their meals daily, and a good chunk of them stay to eat and participate; still, some feel more comfortable picking up their food and going home. During these times we are being more lenient with attendance as we are fully aware some are nervous to be out in public. We are doing what we can to be respectful and mindful of everyone during this time. Nonetheless, we cannot wait for a day when everyone will feel well and comfortable spending time together!
We also had our first Stitches of Blessings class of the year! It was so much fun getting to meet the new students. They are so excited to continue learning how to use their machines and already have many ideas for future projects! To God be the glory!
Above: Stitches of Blessings
He humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:8b
Holy Week
In just a couple of weeks we will celebrate Easter. In Latin America, we call it “Holy Week” and we celebrate it from Monday until resurrection day. But what happened during Holy Week? Paul, in Philippians 2 paints the picture in a very attractive and interesting way. I would say it reaches all feelings in our heart if we read it slowly and pay full attention to it.
So, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. Philippians 2:1-10
May God bless you,
Pastor Luis
Above: Nueva Vida Church Baptism
PLANTING CHURCHES
As we continue to plant and support churches around Guatemala, we are seeing God do amazing things! The newest one is set to have its grand opening on April 1, 2022. It will hold services in San Juan on the Xejuyu property! As we prepare to open this church our prayer is that many souls will come to Christ and many disciples will go and share the Good News with others.
If you, your family, your church, or your Sunday School class would like to be a part of helping a new church here in Guatemala we’d love for you to be a part of this. Already Churches, organizations, and families are working on raising US$30,000 to sponsor a church plant for 1 year! We are in awe of how the Kingdom of God is growing and we praise Him as he allows us to have a front seat to watch Him do so many amazing things!
Above: Homework at Happy Tummies