Bringing health & hope.

Thank you for your prayers during our time in Guatemala! We were grateful that our first morning was a Sunday, allowing us to worship with our La Loma Rio Blanco friends at the Lamb of God Presbyterian Church. During the service, we were unexpectedly invited to sing a song for the congregation. Our team quickly agreed to sing "Jesus Loves Me." The best part came when we sat back down; without any planning, the congregation responded by singing "Jesus Loves Me" in Spanish. The overwhelming feeling of God's presence, through that familiar tune sung back to us from the Guatemalan mountains, was amazing!

For the past three years, we've partnered with our Global CHE Mission partner and this church to serve La Loma Rio Blanco through medical clinics, children's ministry, construction, and home visits. When asked how we could further help, they requested we support their evangelism effort in the neighboring village of El Por Venir with a medical clinic. Their prioritization of their neighbor's needs, despite their own, was a beautiful example of "loving your neighbor."

Following the Sunday service, we drove an hour to El Por Venir to set up the medical clinic with 11 large suitcases of supplies. Thank you for your generosity in making this trip and the supplies possible. Through your support, we provided medical care (including much-needed medications) dental care (including cleanings, extractions, and fillings) and eye exams (including prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, and safety glasses). The donated craft supplies were also put to good use, as the children enjoyed coloring, blowing bubbles, making bracelets, and playing soccer.

Initially, the villagers were skeptical that we would come, finding it hard to believe that people would travel so far to help and want nothing in return. However, as each day passed, more people arrived as word spread. Many La Loma villagers even traveled to El Por Venir daily to assist with the clinic and serve their neighbors. In total, we provided vision services to 58 villagers, dental services to 69, medical exams to 65 adults, and pediatric care to 12 children. It was a joy to participate in this Kingdom-building effort!

Would you please join us in continued prayers for our Global CHE Mission Partner and friends in the La Loma Rio Blanco and El Por Venir villages? We've learned that El Por Venir has many strongholds against the Gospel, and a key part of our role was to help our partner church build trust with the people there. During our time in El Por Venir, four tragic and unrelated deaths occurred in La Loma Rio Blanco. In such a small, close-knit community that dates back generations, everyone feels and grieves the loss deeply. A few from our team, along with a church elder, attended some of the wakes to read Scripture, pray, and offer support. Our hearts continue to go out to the La Loma village.

Yours in Christ,

Tammy Winklhofer
BPC Missions Coordinator