What started as a vision 2 years ago has become another reality. As the Holy Spirit whispers into our spirit, we need to have ears to hear. In this world today, with all the shouting and turmoil from every direction, our ears must be more in tune to that still small voice. Not only do we need to be listening, but when we hear that still small voice, we need to take action. Had I not listened to that voice in 2004 that was calling me to go to Guatemala on a mission trip, wow, so many blessings our family would have missed being part of.
Today, we are even closer to getting the clinic opened. At the moment work has stopped while we wait on God to provide the rest of the money we need, to finish and begin operating this clinic for those that need it most. I don’t like to use the word “poor”, because these folks are far from poor. Yes, they may not have much, if any money, they may live in a mud hut, or a lean to shelter made of whatever they can find, but let me tell you they are not poor. The folks we work with have found riches in Christ Jesus! They are not burdened down by stuff. As I look around my farm, we have a lot of stuff. The front yard is covered by a host of toys for our 9 grandchildren, which most of the time they play with for a few minutes and move on because they are bored. While the children in Guatemala may have an old tire, or kites made out of sticks and plastic grocery bags, which they will play with until it is no longer serviceable, then they will find another creative use for it…..all with smiles and giggles that fill the soul with happiness. Yes, these folks are not poor. They are some of the wealthiest people I have ever met…..and I miss them dearly.
Because of this COVID epidemic currently going on, Guatemala has closed it’s borders. In addition to closing it’s borders, the Country has literally shut down. Only in Guatemala, you can not travel between regions unless you are deemed essential, like we are. This has caused farmers to loose food crops, while the folks out of work who used to work in those fields, starve to death. Praise God for many Christian and non-Christian organizations that are helping, but with the borders being closed, those Missionaries left on the filed are weary and tired. They are finding it harder and harder to provide support to those in need, and even for themselves, because of a lack of funding. Missionaries, including us, rely heavily on visiting mission teams coming to Guatemala to fund our projects. Most of our budgets rely heavily on these trips to provide support to keep the lights on and our mission and vision moving forward.
And this is exactly where we are today. We move forward one step at a time in faith, trusting that God who gave this vision, will provide every penny we need to complete it. I have seen God provide in just phenomenally miraculous ways since I took that first step of faith with my family back in 2004 for this great adventure we are on.
In this season we are in, many churches and individuals, who had mission trips planned for this year, are unable to go. You can still serve, if that was your hearts true intent. I don’t say that to be harsh, but we have experienced folks on mission trips going for other reasons over the many years and hundreds of folks we have hosted. May I suggest if you or your church had a mission trip planned, give that money you would have spent to your missionary host. They/we all need that along with your prayers and words of encouragement. We are hurting with not being able to help with all the requests we are receiving. We are grieving with families in dire needs caused by their governments response to this pandemic. The response is causing more harm than the virus. I do not say that in any disrespectful way to those effected by the virus or have lost love ones. But it is just a reality I have observed with the folks we work with in Guatemala.
This clinic is needed now more than ever. This clinic will have the latest technological advances as far as tele-medicine, connecting our remote clinic to a world of advanced knowledge and help. In addition to being the only advanced medical clinic in the region, we also plan on having the first and only dental clinic in the region to serve those in need. The first floor clinics are 75% complete. We need to raise the remaining funds to finish the electrical, painting, floors, windows, and furnishings.
The second floor will have a full kitchen, feeding center, technology learning center, meeting and classroom space. This will be phase 2 of our building project. The building is constructed in such a way that will allow us to continue operation of the clinics while phase 2 is under construction. Another vision, another step of faith, all for the glory of God.
Again, please pray for us missionaries. Please support us missionaries. We all have missions and visions, children and families, that we have grown to love that are hurting. Because these are brothers and sisters in Christ, they are family. Your prayers and support in this difficult time are greatly appreciated!
