As August comes to an end our staff has been experiencing an assortment of feelings. Normally this would be the time we begin prepping for our Pastors Congress, VBS, Zona Cero, and Christmas Festival. Yet, once again, we have had to change our plans due to COVID. As much as our hearts hurt, we have decided to focus on the good, on the blessings we have received from God in the last year. And though many of them are very personal, through our newsletters we have been able to share many with you.
As we are seeing a rise in COVID cases both in the U.S. and here in Guatemala, we continue to pray for everyone. We know that directly or indirectly everyone has felt the effects of COVID.
However, we are so happy that even with some restrictions, changes, and modifications we have been able to continue different ministries, and more importantly sharing the Gospel with many around us. Though we were not able to host as many teams this year as we would have liked, the support we have received through prayers and donations has been astounding! We are forever grateful to you for believing in us and trusting us to continue the good work God called us to do.
Here are 3 pictures to share progress at the Xejuyu site. The first two are of the Tabernacle [pavilion]. Praise the Lord the steel trusses were placed with no injuries! It was an arduous job! The third is of the first quadraplex. To God be all the glory!
“I will search for the lost and bring back the strays.
I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak.…”
Ezekiel 34:16a
THE BEST HOSPITAL FOR YOUR HEART
In this month’s corner I want to share with you this picture; the picture of one of our most recent church constructions in Santa Clara where Pastor Diego Cumpar is pastor. We still are working on the last details, such as doors and windows. It is a very humble building, made from metal and block.
I went to oversee the progress of the construction a few days ago and met with the pastor. After talking for a while, we decided to pray. I prayed and he prayed, and I was just amazed at the way he prayed. In his prayer, he said these words “Lord, we dedicate this hospital to you; we dedicate this clinic for you.” As I was driving on the motorcycle back home, I meditated on those words, and I realized that those are such true words! A church; it’s not a club to come and meet your friends every Sunday and grab a cup of coffee. The church is the place where everyone who is brokenhearted and burdened, anyone who’s soul is torn apart, can come and see the only spiritual doctor who can heal and fix the problem.
There are two passages in the Bible that talk about the lost sheep and how God cared for and healed those sheep. The first passage is Ezekiel 34:16a “I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak.…” and in the book of Luke, the Shepard puts the sheep on his shoulder, and happily takes it home. The second passage is Luke 15:3-7 Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (NIV)
I don’t know how your soul is today but I do know that the church is the best place to leave all your burdens. The church is the best hospital for your heart and your soul. Do you know something else? You don’t need an appointment to come to Jesus and the consultation is free.
MEET KEYLA!
In the spirit of saying goodbye to one more year of Stitches of Blessings we wanted to introduce you to Keyla. When we met Keyla, her husband was working full time and they were barely making a living paycheck to paycheck. They were living on an extremely tight budget and sometimes would barely make it till the end of the month. In 2018, Keyla came to be a student in our Stitches of Blessings Ministry. She spent one year making the trip from San Pedro to San Juan for each class. It’s about a 15-minute Tuk-tuk ride and USD$2.00 each way which means so much when you are on a budget.
As with many of the women from past Stitches of Blessings years we have been able to keep in close contact with Keyla. The most recent update we have received has been nothing short of a miracle and answer to prayers! Keyla has shared that because of Stitches of Blessings she and her family are trying to get closer to God and learn more about Him and His Word. Also, she is making blouses, such as the one she is wearing in the picture below. She is selling them locally to family, friends, and neighbors, but she is also selling by bulk to bigger towns across the lake!
Her husband has gone from working overtime to working part time and assisting her in her business. They are making a better income than ever before and have time to spend with their son and other family. This is one testimony of many of how Stitches of Blessings empowers women and families, how teaching to fish is as important as giving the fish. Keyla is making enough money to add to her business and produce more blouses. We are so proud of her and we give God all the glory for allowing Impacto to be a part in this awesome testimony.
A FRIENDLY REMINDER!
Please update your bank checks, Bill Pay checks, personal checks, and money orders to be sent to our new mailing address:
Impacto Ministry, Inc
PO Box 2906
La Plata, MD 20646
All mail addressed to 9690 Shepherds Creek Place has to be forwarded and takes longer to reach us. The Post Office will begin returning mail with this address to you, the sender before very long. Thank you!
