May Updates from Guatemala

     BMDMI Guatemala has a lot of exciting things on the horizon. Hurricane relief work has continued in Gualan. We were able to bless several families in need with Eco Filtro water filters and shoes. Many of you contributed to help us meet and surpass our goal for additional water filters to meet the needs for clean water in this area. Additionally, we had shoes and flip flops donated. We were able to distribute them as well. The opportunities for ministry are great and we are excited for more things to develop as we continue helping with the recovery.

     We were excited to be invited to share and encourage at one of the churches we ministered in last year with COVID relief. It was a Women's Day event and God showed up and showed out! Eighteen women accepted Jesus Chirst as their Savior. It was an amazing experience and time of sweet fellowship afterwards.

     Pastor Byron Velasquez is an answer to prayers with the church planting efforts at Iglesia de Nueva Esperanza (The Church at New Hope). He has been in the community and surrounding areas meeting with the people, understanding their needs, sharing Bible studies and making disciples. During Semana Santa, Holy Week, he brought a team from his church to spend two days doing different ministry activities. Mike and I have been so excited to be a part of this. A highlight for us was to be a part of the Operation Christmas Child Distribution at the new church! We now have a connection with the OCC distribution team here in Guatemala. The excitement of the children as they opened their boxes was priceless! We have volunteered with OCC over the years and being able to see the delivery of those boxes was awesome!

     Last but not least, God, as only He can, has provided an opportunity to come alongside a young struggling church in El Rincon. The pandemic took a toll on this church. After being closed for months, the residents in this community have been afraid to return. We met with Pastor Elder and listened to the needs of the community and his heart for serving them. The greatest concern was the health of the children. It's a very poor area and food insecurities are a reality. Additionally, the quality of the water is really bad. As a result, the children in the area are malnourished and just not as healthy as they could be. God was already at work orchestrating things as provisions had been made to implement a ministry of this caliber. After discussions and prayer, we have begun providing Eco Filtro water filters to families in the area as well as a weekly starting a feeding program for the children in the church. Our first Sunday we expected the arrival of up to 60 kids. We estimated at least 90 came, not including adults. The children in the area now receive a hot, nutritious meal on Sunday mornings. Additionally, they will be given a bag of food to help supplement their supply throughout the week. This is phase one. We will keep you updated as things progress.

     It is so exciting seeing the ministry grow! Would you like to be part of all God is doing? You can! We are excited to have more teams over the next few months and possibly more people serving full time in the near future. Join a team, bring a team, and if you are looking for longer term service opportunities, awesome! We would be more than happy to help get you connected. We always need prayers! Please help us give God all the praise, honor, and glory for what he is doing and what he is going to do here in the beautiful country of Guatemala!

Mike and Sandra Little

Field Directors

BMDMI Guatemala

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