There are Times...

There are times when words will touch the heart, and then there is that picture that can speak a thousand words.

 "O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart…” (Psalm 10:17 ESV)

At times it can seem that God is distant. Being confined to your home, away from family, friends, and church will cause that thought to come into your mind more often than not. Unfortunately for many people with disabilities here in Guatemala, being confined to their home is a reality they have had to deal with before it was enforced by the government. 

When traveling through the crowded neighborhoods, walls and gates obscure your view of what is on the other side and add intrigue to what will be discovered there. It can make you wonder, what treasures is God hiding behind those gates? Behind one such gate, we were introduced to 13 year old Danilo, and his mother. Danilo’s mother has raised him on her own and washes clothes to be able to provide for their needs. She has been able to get by when work has been consistent, but now with enforced restrictions, work has been hard to find. Unable to pay rent, Danilo and his mother were forced out of their home, but with the kindness of a neighbor, they have been given a room to stay in. Due to lack of therapy and the terrain where they live, Danilo either crawled or had to be carried by his mother if he needed or wanted to go somewhere. 

We were able to fit Danilo with a few different sets of crutches, and leave much needed groceries for them. In our attempt to show the same love that He has shown to us, we hope they know that God is not far away, and that He’s close enough to hear us… You never know what treasure you’ll find in the hidden places.

                  

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“No one has power over the wind to restrain the wind, …then I saw all the work of God,” (Ecc. 8:8, 17 NSRV)

We received word that in a small town just north of Chimaltenango, there were many families in need of food. One of the families that we visited was Violeta and her children: Jenifer, Mary, Jasmin, and Fernando. Her husband, Jose, worked as a helper on a bus, but public transportation has been shut down indefinitely. He has sought work, chopping wood or working on a farm, but the pay doesn’t equal what he was previously earning. In the place they live in, conditions are not good, two of the walls belong to their neighbors’ houses, and the rest is bamboo. 

The most endearing part of this visit was the joy in the house. These circumstances would be difficult and stressful for anyone to deal with, but what we saw was a family that had given control to God. Trying to control life is like trying to control the wind, we can become distraught over not being able to achieve this or we can give Him control. 

Every day the folks here at Bethel are trying to use our ability to see life from God’s perspective and decide what course of action He wants us to take. We want to accept each day for what it is: another opportunity to share about Jesus and what He does for us all. Thank you, friends, for standing with us. We appreciate you.

With love and prayers for you and yours,

Your Bethel Family in Guatemala

Take Up Your Position

It has been such a privilege for Donna and I to work with those who have special needs, and not only them, but also with our parents in their later years. They are such a precious part of the body of Christ, but it is not always easy to have them with us in fellowship. We do see the difficulties and we are aware of the obstacles. Sometimes they may not want to bother you, so when asked they will tell you they are okay. But we are not complete without them in our fellowship with God. It is here, I believe, that the Lord would have us go the extra mile. I know that here in Guatemala, as well as in North America, people with disabilities get trapped and have a hard time getting what they need. Whether they are family or not, this is where we can make a difference. 

I really felt this morning the Lord speaking to me saying to take up your position, get up on the wall, get into the watch tower. The Lord keeps the city. I felt that it was the Lord saying that even during this time and all that we are going through, that we are not to lose our focus. We are to take up our place and do what He has called us to do.
It may look different how we get it accomplished, but we do not abandon His calling - we stay faithful. I know many of us love that song Jesus, Take the Wheel. I do too, but I know we have a job and He has a job. He never wants us to forget who we are, and we definitely never want Him to forget who He is.
“If the Lord does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless; if the Lord does not protect the city, it does no good for the sentries to stand guard.”
Psalm 127:1 GNT
We here at Bethel Ministries are doing our very best to get the job done. It looks different, but that’s okay. Thank you for standing with us still; supporting the ministry even though it looks different and getting done differently. We appreciate you greatly!

Spring is upon us, and with it comes new beginnings! I know we can make a difference in our community and in our churches; this is something Jesus would have us do. I would encourage everyone to look around us, and ask ourselves how can I help a person that is part of the body of Christ feel loved. I know I am speaking to champions. Most of you have come down or have helped in enabling people that need a wheelchair, walker, or cane get one. Now let’s all go the extra mile and encourage them to come into our churches, but most importantly into our hearts.

With great appreciation for your prayers and support, 

Chris, Donna, and the Bethel team

Spring Update video

Not Someday.... Today!

Dear Friends,

Will we hear His voice today; will we look for the wonderful things He is doing? Will our hearts be filled with gratitude that we get to be a part of this, His work?

Psalm 95:7 "For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care. Today, if only we would hear His voice."

I understand that there are things that will happen later in God's timing. But I also cannot shake that His word says that today is the day of salvation!

There is much He wants us to do today, and we must not turn aside and let the opportunities pass us by.

There are those that Jesus has called the least of these, and if we reach out to help them it is giving to Jesus. “The King will answer and say to them, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it for Me.’”

Matthew 25:40

Today we may be faced with overwhelming odds, but I know that change starts when we make that decision to help the one.

I have often thought about the person that led Billy Graham to the Lord. The one who made such a difference for so many around the world. I believe that there are many such cases where one changes the lives of many.

Juan Carlos was sixteen when we met him. His family was struggling financially, because his father had tuberculosis and could no longer work. Juan was in 9th grade and dreamed of being able to finish high school and study for a career to work with computers, but with only the income from his mother selling tortillas, his parents couldn’t afford his education.

Thanks to his sponsor, Juan was able to continue studying and recently graduated with a degree in computer science! His father didn’t live to see him graduate, but his mother was so proud to see him walking down to receive his diploma!

There are so many life stories like Juan’s. We are so grateful for the sponsors who have stepped forward to help the 200+ students we aid monthly. Although the actual tuition to attend school here in Guatemala is not very high, the students are also required to wear uniforms, including black shoes and a separate gym set. They must buy their supplies and backpacks, pay for internet usage, and participate in various activities throughout the year that do have a cost. If they do not, they lose points towards their grade. There is even a fee to help with the cost of simple things like toilet paper! All this adds up to an impossibility for a single mom or families with very low incomes and multiple children. Some can manage the first few years, but when getting to secondary school it is rare indeed that a family could break free from the cycle of poverty that holds them back. With two thirds of the overall population of Guatemala earning less than US $2 per day, poverty affects indigenous people living in rural regions of the country disproportionately: 80 percent of them experience deprivation in multiple aspects of their lives, including food security, basic shelter, health and education. Elementary school takes $25 a month to cover expenses, while secondary school - where they also graduate with a degree in the career of their choice - has a cost of $50 monthly.

It is with your generosity that lives can be changed, and not only their lives, but for their future families, and even whole communities here in Guatemala.

Speaking of communities, we are excited with the construction of a new tutoring center in the mountain village of Xepac last week!

We have four centers in different places. These teachers aid in understanding homework, give additional tutoring reinforcement, attend teachers' meetings, and provide individual attention to children struggling to advance in their education. We also provide internet which is often required to complete assignments in the older grades. Many parents are illiterate and unable to help with their children’s schoolwork, and this was causing many children to fail. We are happy to say that with the help of the tutors, there is much improvement.

Thank you for considering the need as this new school term starts. We have many students still waiting for sponsorship. Please consider sponsoring. Also, please spread the word to friends and family who might be in a position to help. For more information:http:// www.bethelministriesinternational.com/education-opportunities/

With much appreciation,

Chhris, Donna, and the Bethel team