As we near the close of the year and you are maybe looking to make a donation somewhere, we really could use your help. These past 4 years we have seen incredible growth in our ministry in Guatemala. We have seen many folks come to Christ, which is our primary mission. We just do things in practical and real ways like Jesus did. In these past 4 years we have begun a transformation in a village folks said they would not change, they have changed and continue to change for the better.
We have installed 4 wells and about a dozen sinks throughout the entire village up to our new mission home that is under construction. We have built a church and now have it’s first full time Pastor. We have built a kitchen area onto the church. We have provided countless pairs of new shoes for bare feet, clothing, food, and medical treatment. We have begun a literacy program teaching folks how to read and write. And we have even taken on what normally is a taboo subject in Guatemala, family planning and birth control.
Our ministry is a holistic ministry. What is that you ask? Holistic ministry is the call to share the Good News of God’s salvation through word and deed. For me personally I have had the privilege of working with many mission teams over these past 13 years. Some have taken a slap you upside the head with the Bible approach. In some cases a very large Bible needs used. I have seen men with Dr. before their names stand up and proclaim that the people are going to hear “me” preach before they get their food, (these men are who need the Bible slap along side the head). Our approach is from a loving and caring approach, which has proven very effective. We have proven our love of Jesus through our works “to” them, even though it is not about the works, the Holy Spirit uses this to draw the people to Himself. We have been planting seeds for the last 4 years, God does the saving not us, we didn’t die on the cross, He did.
Through this approach we have eliminated water born illnesses in this village. When you are in pain, I personally find it very hard to pray. Praise God He hears our groaning s. Parasites are very painful in the stomach and cause all kinds of problems. Skin fungus like warts are painful and unsightly. These are all gone. Now, when the folks are told about Jesus, they area able to focus and the Holy Spirit can do His work. This is our approach. Jesus healed the sick and then told them their faith has saved them. I have lost track of the number who have made a profession of salvation. I do not keep track because it is not about the numbers and only God know the heart. He knows, and that is all that is important.
Ministry work in a foreign country is not cheap. With all our programs we have invested well over $100,000 in this poor village and at our social center with our ministry partner Radio Redencion. We are at the end of the year and are unable to move forward with any of our projects because of funding. The construction of our mission home has had to stop. This facility will one day be a launching point deeper on down the old railroad line and other parts in the region for short term teams. We need folks to step up and help support our ministry financially on a regular basis. When funds stop coming in, our work does not stop, it may slow way down, but we still have a water system for a whole village to maintain, electric bills to pay, fuel and maintenance for our truck, and support staff to pay.
Trusting God for a year end miracle!
