Guatemala is the
third-largest nation in Central America.
While absolutely beautiful from the outside, this developing country is
just beginning to recover from a long, brutal civil war, and still faces many
social problems. The distribution of
income remains highly unequal and 90 percent of the population lives in
poverty. Malnutrition rates among Guatemalan
children are exceptionally high and the country ranks among the worst in Latin
America for life expectancy, infant mortality and maternal mortality.
Guatemala has the highest child
mortality rate in all of Central America.
This is almost entirely due to extreme water contamination and disease. Contaminated water is
often not addressed in Guatemala because of lack of enforcement. The sewage systems are either inadequate or
nonexistent, and waste is actually discharged directly into local streams.
During the wet season, diseases like cholera increase due to the spread of
bacteria.
Many Guatemalans are unaware of just how unsanitary
their water is. They think it’s normal
to have constant diarrhea. In many
cases, when they have a normal bowel movement, they think they are sick. Many are extremely malnourished and
underweight.
God has broken my heart for the people of Guatemala.
In His word, God promises:
“For I will pour water
on him who is thirsty,
And floods on the dry
ground;
I will pour my Spirit
on your descendants;
And My blessing on your
offspring;
They will spring up
among the grass
Like willows by the
watercourses.”
Isaiah 44:3-4
We claim this promise. Water gives life to and sustains all
things. These people are in need of
healthy water.
During our time here in Antigua, Guatemala, we are
going to be building water purification systems, among many other things. We will be able to take these systems to
remote Mayan villages and teach the people there how to use them. God has sent us to Guatemala to help purify
the water here. But God has also sent us
here to bring water to their spirits.
Our goal is to change the quality of life here in Guatemala, both
physically and spiritually.
My vision is for the people of Guatemala to regain
their health. While still in the process
of recovering from years of oppression, I want to see these people repaired in
every possible way. I want to see healthy,
nourished bodies. I want to see infant
mortality rates sink to practically nonexistent. I want to see healing take place like no
other. I want to see spirits lifted,
lives changed.
Please pray that God would continue to heal the
wounds of a nation inflicted by decades of civil war.
Please pray that the Guatemalan people will be able
to overcome poverty and malnutrition.
Please pray that God will provide the Guatemalan
people with hope.
Please pray that the indigenous Mayans would be
receptive to Jesus Christ’s message of truth.
“They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst
anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in
the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of
waters. And God will wipe away every
tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:16-17
