Pandemic. A word usually heard to describe something awful happening in a horror movie. Now, we are living in one. How are things where you live? Here in Guatemala it is all still very present. Our rules and protocols change weekly. The national government suggests one thing, the local government demands another. Yet, we know that all that happens is in permissive God’s will. We might never understand why He allowed a world-wide pandemic but we will not question Him. We will praise His name through the storm. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds” James 1:2. So, through this storm we pray that we will continue to praise, honor, and glorify our God, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings!
Below we would like to share some Praises and Requests.
- Construction in Xejuyu is advancing and we are thrilled!
- We have been sought out by the San Juan Health Center to be a bridge between them and the Abuelitos for their COVID vaccines. We are not advising the Abuelitos to receive them or not, this is a decision they will make with their families. However, we feel honored that the doctors and nurses hold us in high enough regards to reach the community through us. Again, we are not forcing or advising against the vaccine, that is a very personal decision.
- Our churches are growing tremendously! We are seeing established churches plant new churches, we are seeing students from our seminary plant new churches, we are seeing churches outgrow their space! It has been remarkable to see the growth of the local church through these trying times. To God be the glory!
Praises!
Dios de Facto [God of the Covenant] - Our third church in Santa Clara. These first three photographs were taken there in a church service, Sunday School class, and of Pastor Luis preparing to preach.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Psalm 46:1-3
Prayer Requests
- Please join us in praying for team leaders who will lead teams this year. They are all facing hard decisions and need wisdom and discernment from God. We pray that each team leader will make the best decision for their own team.
- We ask that you pray for the situation our world is in. Guatemala is seeing a constant increase in COVID cases. We pray for those being affected and those who have lost someone. We are praying for numbers to decrease as we cannot move forward in some areas of the ministry until this happens. Pray for the people in the rural areas who do not have access to medicine, hospital visits, oxygen, etc.
Praise & Request - A Call To Action
As many of you know we are a fairly new 501c3 non-profit Christian organization. With our new privilege came changes we had to make; one of them was how we received donations for each of the ministries God has called us to accomplish. To comply with the IRS and not have our status taken away we grouped ministries together -- our biggest being Compassion Ministries. When you donate to Compassion Ministries you are allowing our staff to cover big needs in a much larger spectrum. With COVID we have seen gifts decrease and we understand many are going through hard times. We are also aware that teams have a huge part in our fund raising. Teams bring new people with them every year, new people who make commitments to come alongside us to help fund the ministries. We have not hosted a team since February 2020 and that has impacted us in many ways.
This past year we have stepped up to help many who have lost their job due to COVID. Many of the towns where we minister rely on tourism and in-country commerce as their main revenue, both of which have taken a huge hit during this pandemic. Impacto has tried to cover necessities in a wise manner. We are seeing the number in our Happy Tummies grow, our Happy Tummies in Guatemala City has a waiting list. We are seeing the need for medicines more than ever. And people come humbly seeking our help daily.
When you donate to our Compassion Ministries you are helping in a surplus of areas. You are giving towards: Happy Tummies, Abuelitos, Healing Hands, Stitches of Blessings, Library, Emergency Relief, and Christmas Festival! All of the ministries mentioned are active right now. Sure some have ministry modifications to respect COVID protocols but they are all very active and ministering to many people.
This is both a praise and a request as we are grateful for the help we have received, for the many blessings we have been able to give to others, for the way God has provided. Yet, it is also a request. We are not yet halfway through the year and there is still much we need to do and many we need to help. We ask you to prayerfully consider partnering with Impacto as we minister to the people of Guatemala
