Last year, we embarked on a journey of expansion. A year later, we are grateful to have seen God’s favour and provision in everything we have done, but the work has only just begun.
To see our vision fulfilled, we must remain steadfast.
IT'S A NEW SEASON
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1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
GUATEMALA STATS
Although the country has seen a relatively strong economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, many problems remain, such as malnutrition, lack of education, and family breakdown. We believe that Christ-centred education is the solution.
POPULATION: 17,703,190
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX: .663
ADULT LITERACY RATE: 75-80%
HIGH SCHOOL ENROLMENT: 50.4%
POVERTY RATE: 52.4%
In the waning months of the pandemic, we knew that God was calling us to take a risk and begin the process of expanding our ministry. Our New Horizons fundraiser at the end of 2021 launched us into this new season. We began construction on our administration and science lab building, sent Jervin and Jasmin to Poptún to plant a church and begin starting a school, and continued to grow our teacher training program. These ventures have all moved forward with success, and we thank God for his faithfulness. However, there is much work left to do.
Expansion feels exciting, but the hardest part is buckling down and holding fast to what God spoke. However, any work God calls you to, he has already finished it in the spiritual realm. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he told them to ask for what was done in heaven to be done on earth. Obedience brings provision because it’s a direct act of faith. Obedience shows God we believe he is fully capable of doing what he said he would do.
In construction, the foundations are the most important part. When you are building a ministry, it’s the same thing. You have to take your time. It sounds like a lot of work, but this stage is key. If what you are building is going to last, the foundations must go deep to sustain what is being built. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we are building the foundations. That is why we remain steadfast. The beginning takes time, but the rest will be built on sure foundations if it is done well.
Steadfastness is to be constant, to not depart from what you have set in your mind to do and to not separate from the path that God gave you. We can see an example of that from my time at school. I have been here since kindergarten. Now I am in high school. I have held onto what God has for me and not departed from it.
God is looking for people who will stand firm. Steadfastness is saying, ‘Lord, here I am. send me.’ I was reading in Nehemiah about how God called him to rebuild the wall. There is so much outside pressure to quit, but the Lord strengthens him and asks him to stand strong and keep building.
In 2022, our students returned to in-person classes, international travel policies loosened, and we found ourselves returning to some of the normalcy we knew before the pandemic. With the ability to fill our classrooms and host teams again, we are encouraged to keep moving forward, knowing that God will provide all of our needs.
Time and again, we have been blessed by the sacrifice and commitment of our donors and supporters. We couldn’t do it without you. We believe our ministry and vision come directly from God’s heart and that He will raise up those he has called to support it.
These funds will allow us to:
- Continue building our Science Lab and Administration Building.
- Staff the third and final year of our teacher training program.
- Continue teaching and ministering the gospel to almost 300 students every day!
