February 2013 Ministry Update

The February update is a few days late, but praise God it has been very busy here with some very exciting ministry. February saw visits by a team of engineering students that came to evaluate the water quality in different villages, determining if any illnesses were related to the drinking water and identify some sustainable, affordable solutions. While they were here they conducted field test and did find many quality issues with the water and also visited clinics to speak to health care providers. The team will continue testing and submit some suggestions for improving the water quality for the people here.

The team from Gateway Church conducted two days of medical clinics in San Pedro and 3 days of training for the teachers in Happy Tummies. Happy Tummies was a major benefactor of this teams visit, in addition to the training offered some of the men on the team built shelves and the team provided a fully set up classroom. Even the families of the children of Happy Tummies were blessed as the medical team provided check ups for the children and families of the program. The area Pastors received some greatly needed encouragement and training from the leaders on this team also.

The end of February saw a team of 23 from Hillside Church constructing one house in Santa Maria and another in Santa Clara. One afternoon was spent in San Marcos with VBS and "Happy Feet". There were many smiling faces as new shoes were received by so many. Of course a trip to the Lake is never complete without a visit to Happy Tummies, and it only takes a moment to fall in love with the children there. This group received a special treat when we all visited with the elderly of San Juan. They were older as far as the calendar goes but were young in spirit as they sang songs with the team and showed off some of the crafts they had made.

It is always hard to say goodbye, but we pray that these groups will find the words to share their experiences in Guatemala with others back home.

As this is being written we are awaiting the arrival of the speakers for this weeks Pastors Congress. We ask you to be in prayer this week that God will be in control and the disciples will be equipped to share Jesus among the people of Central America.

Reading suggestions from the Impacto Staff:

Considering short or long term missions, or are you a leader preparing a team? This is some suggested reading from the staff of Impacto:

Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility, by Duane Elmer (Mar 16, 2006)

When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself, by Steve Corbett, Brian Fikkert and David Platt (Apr 20, 2012)

Follow Me: A Call to Die. A Call to Live, by David Platt and Francis Chan (Feb 5, 2013)

Finish the Mission: Bringing the Gospel to the Unreached and Unengaged, by John Piper, David Mathis, David Platt and Ed Stetzer (Sep 5, 2012)

Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It), by Robert D. Lupton (Oct 2, 2012)


Serving with Eyes Wide Open: Doing Short-Term Missions with Cultural Intelligence, by David A. Livermore (Apr 1, 2006)

The Hole in Our Gospel: What Does God Expect of Us? The Answer That Changed My Life and Might Just Change the World, by Richard Stearns (May 4, 2010)



You need to know, friends, that thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure; it's a must. We have to do it. Your faith is growing phenomenally; your love for each other is developing wonderfully. Why, it's only right that we give thanks. We're so proud of you; you're so steady and determined in your faith despite all the hard times that have come down on you. We tell everyone we meet in the churches all about you.
(2 Thessalonians 1:3, 4 MSG)


With much love from Guatemala,
Pastor Luis, Dinora, Sarah, Tony, Andrea, Fredy, Bryce, Fred, Dusty & Tyler (Impacto Staff)

The Promised Land

I just want to do God's will. And he's allowed me to go to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the promised land! I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land.
Martin Luther King Jr.

Many of you have made the trip to Guatemala, have crossed the mountains and have visited Impacto Ministry's Promised Land. Hundreds have came and sweated as they worked at this property. Thousands of prayers have been directed to God concerning this place. Tonight a team of men from New Life Church are spending the first night there. There is much more to accomplish and we trust that God will provide for all of that. Please continue your prayers for this land the men that continue to work there everyday and that through all of this God would be glorified.

We are still in need of many items for the facility especially twin sheet sets. If you want to find out how you can help contact Sarah. sarah@impactoministry.com

Meanwhile

You have likely been made aware of the passing of Pastor Lucas here in San Juan. We are all very sadden by this. As we think upon this we are reminded about a devotion offered by a visiting team member recently. This devotion revolved around the word "meanwhile". It is for us to remember that even when we are in times of trial, meanwhile God is still in control, sovereign, at work, and seated on the throne. His work continues, so we continue this week in the youth music camp winning souls for the kingdom and equipping the Saints. Pleas pray for the Youth Music Camp, the family of Pastor Lucas, and the staff of Impacto.
God Bless you all!

Impacto Ministry Staff

Promised Land News

If you have been to Guatemala with Impacto Ministry, you have been to, or know of the Promised Land. This will be a multipurpose facility used for pastor's training, couples retreats, youth retreats and housing short term teams. 

You also will likely know the story of the property adjacent to the Promised Land. This house and property was being used by an individual to manufacture and distribute illegal drugs. When this individual was caught and tried he was given the option to leave the country and never return, he was a foreigner, or to go to prison. Well, this guy chose to leave Guatemala. 

The property he owns has stood vacant for years now with a huge price tag on it of $80,000.00 U.S.  Last week Pastor Luis was at the Promised Land checking on some of the construction and he ran into the man that is overseeing the property. This man informed Pastor Luis that the former owner is now homeless and is very desperate. He has reduced the price of the property to $30,000.00U.S. Pastor Luis also found out that the property includes a strip of land across the street that is connected to property that is already owned by Impacto Ministry. This additional strip is of a size that would accommodate several additional cabins if it was the Lord's will to make it available.

Our prayer now is for discernment and wisdom. Is this God`s plan to make this property available? If so we would need prayer that the funds would be available at the appropriate time and the property would be priced at the amount God would provide.

I have included a very elementary drawing (not to scale)  to give you a visual image of the property. Please join us in prayer as we consider the Lord's will in all of this.

Outside of the box

This has been an awesome week of serving God alongside the team from LaOtta W.C. This team brought an awesome ministry to Guatemala, a basketball camp! That is thinking outside of the box! Basketball in a futbol world! So often we have locked ourselves into an idea of what a mission trip involves, VBS, construction, all the normal things. God is too big for us to put inside a box. The basketball ministry this week was conducted at two different schools for two days and resulted in over 40 students giving their lives to Christ. All the glory goes to God as He chose to use this team at this time to further the kingdom.

Finger lickin' good!

At "Happy Tummies" this past Friday we had a celebration for the children that have had birthdays since we started in mid May. We recognized 9 children with a fun day of games and ice cream. The festivities began with a meal that featured a fried chicken leg. Most of us don't consider fried chicken a special meal and we may not think it so special here in Guatemala since it seems to be plentiful. But the kids in Happy Tummies are not able to get chicken very often, because of their families financial situation. Well, let me tell you that these boys and girls enjoyed that chicken very much! We have never seen bones so clean. It was a very touching thing that tugged at our heart strings and we pray that we would be able to provide more special meals and birthday celebrations. If you feel led to donate to Happy Tummies you can do that by clicking donate now on this page.