Guatemala Update - April, 2006

I just received a report from pastor Jorge as the work continues in Guatemala. This update includes present work and future plans in which you may want to prayerfully consider joining with us:

It is great to see God work as we join Him in this new ministry. The three new churches of Ciudad de Refugio are doing great and it is a blessing to see all of the members really working well together. The second Ciudad de Refugio church is in the process of building. The foundation is being poured and soon walls will be going up. The members are doing the work as the LORD provides funding. The radio program broadcast in the Mayan language of Ixil is also being heard in remote mountain villages of Guatemala and new people are being lead to Christ weekly. Please pray for pastor Jorge, pastor Pedro and pastor Pedrito. We call him Pedrito so we can distinguish between the two Pedros. Pastor Pedrito is smaller than the other pastor Pedro.

Pastor Jorge and the team at Ciudad de Refugio have developed a program which takes our new and young believers through a discipleship process utilizing Biblical principles and methods taught in "Operation Multiplication" materials written by Billie Hanks, Jr. As the new and young believers grow up in the process, they are taken through a second step that includes teaching "Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God" by Henry Blackaby and Claude King. This is now standard follow-up procedure as we evangelize in Guatemala.

Corporately, as a church, Jorge and his team are also busy sharing our church vision in four classes ("101", "201", "301" and "401") with a curriculum based on Rick Warren's book called, "Purpose Driven Church." These classes are working very well. They are moving carefully, being sensitive to the Holy Spirit as He works to grow the members in Christ.

Please prayerfully consider areas in which we are working to see where you may join us:

Community Ministry

1) Leadership Training for the people in the squatter village communities. Teaching them how to flourish where they live by teaching them how to better work together as a community and how to start individual small businesses.

2) Job training for women so they may better provide for their families. (e.g. Making and selling handcrafted items, etc.)

3) Helping the poor families in the squatter villages add floors and improved roofs to their homes. Especially for widows, single mothers, and families with absent parents.

4) Helping to begin a new ministry we're calling the "Nehemiah Ministry" which will allow us to build homes in the squatter villages providing homes for the very poor and jobs to the people of the community.

Youth Ministry

1) Gang outreach ministry in the squatter villages.

2) Organized sports for youth (basketball camps, soccer training, etc)

3) Helping Youth Circles: Groups of youth will meet together two or three times a week for tutoring, studying and Bible studies. We will provide refreshments and snacks.

4) Witnessing activities where youth will learn to share the Gospel in public places. Christian music concerts in public places featuring music styles popular with youth.

5) Vocational education that will allow youth to improve their earning potential.

6) Recovery ministry to help youth addicted to drugs and/or alcohol.

Children's Ministry

1) Day Care Ministry for children of single mothers who must work to support their families.

2) Ministry activities for mothers and their young children. Also teaching soon-to-be mothers and new mothers how to care for their babies 0-1 years old.

Spiritual Ministry:

1) Prayer walking ministry in the areas where the gangs operate. Prayer walking individuals and teams will be protected as we have relationships with community leaders who want and need our help.

2) Develop a ministry of care for families with kids who are in trouble.

3) Develop spiritual relationships with people associated with gangs. Providing spiritual support for their families.

Also, please pray for me as God has opened doors with groups and churches in the United States for me to share. I will travel to:

Los Angeles - April 20-24
Tennessee and Kentucky - May 4-11
Kansas - June 18.

I'll also be returning to Guatemala, May 18-25. In addition, a group of 18 people from Virginia and 4 others from Texas including me, my brother Patrick, my mother will be traveling to Guatemala June 7-14 to pray, encourage and work alongside our Guatemalan brothers and sisters in Christ.

Thank you for all of your prayers and encouraging notes and e-mails. May our Lord lead.

In Service to Christ,

Steve