Close Down? God Says, "Work Harder!"

"We have to close the mission down." 

I am not sure who I was speaking to when I said the words. 

But the announcement of Guatemala's total shutdown shook all of us up. 

If we couldn't gather the children, how would we feed them and monitor them?  

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Initially, we thought the shutdown would only last a few weeks. 

But as the weeks passed, months became the best-case scenario.

We worked the phones from the get-go, trying to locate our kids. 

Most parents said they would be fine for a couple of weeks. 

But as the weeks stretched on, more than a few moved to be closer to relatives.

Other households grew as siblings and children returned to their home base.  

Instinct told us to buy supplies and food for as many folks as we could. 

Our entry foyer became a pantry and staging area for food relief. 

And it quickly became apparent it wasn't going to be enough

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We were determined to keep our mission kids fed and cared for. 

In Cocales, the pastoral family had the same instinct. 

We were blessed to be able to send funds and deliver produce to the pastor.

In no time, our daily Cocales feeding program was born. 

Our La Cuchilla families received regular bundles of groceries and supplies.  

Rescue packages of groceries and medicines were the best we could do for Santa Fe. 

But driving between our sites opened our eyes to the much bigger disaster around us.

Thousands of people, left without work or support, lined the streets waving white flags. 

White flags meant someone needed food assistance, and there were too many of them.

Our Emergency Food Program was born, extended to as many street folks as possible. 

We didn't track how much food we bought or the donations shared with our program. 

But it was enough to push our car beyond its limits. 

We carted hundreds of grocery bundles and tons of vegetables and fruit from around. 

We also paid electric bills and purchased propane to make life easier for some. 

Meals were served to “white flag folks” right out of the back of our car. 

Along the way, every leftover item from previous projects and events was distributed.

Sneakers, boots, plasticware, toys, seeds, Bibles, clothing... we emptied our closets.

But words, smiles, fist-bumps, and a few "can't help myself" hugs are what stood out.

Yesenia and I were so blessed by it all! 

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Many months later, with the shutdown but a memory, we are not just intact. 

We are better than ever.

The white flags are packed away.  

Our Covid efforts yielded to a new grocery assistance program for local folks.

Cocales became a permanent mission feeding site.

Most importantly, the children are as happy and bubbly and awesome as ever. 

There were challenges for sure.

But God let it pass that our mission continues full speed ahead. 

And we can't thank Him or praise Him enough.