This was a very active year for the ministry. We hosted a total of five teams working in diverse areas of Guatemala. The work we did was also diverse. Three teams are already planned for 2026, two of which are a spin off from trips made in 2025. The hope is to have even more trips in the coming year. Our goal is to have between 15 and 20 teams per year.

We have begun working with Days for Girls International supplying reusable feminine hygiene products to women and girls. Without these, their lives are limited as such products are not easily available or affordable in many areas. These kits are sewn locally and provide work in the local economy.

The first trip of 2025 was to the area of the Peten in northern Guatemala. We worked with another ministry from Ohio that works in the area, Sew Hope. They operate a women’s health clinic as well as a school. Our team stayed in their compound and worked with their staff. We blessed over 20 families with stoves and water filters. We even installed one for the school. While we were there the first day of school occurred. We joined in the festivities with balloon creations, face painting, and lots of fun. We helped two electricians from the US who were wiring the new classrooms. They in turn helped us with some of the stoves. One significant event on that trip has led to a trip scheduled in 2026. We encountered a family living in a flood-prone valley where seasonal rains threaten their safety, health, and future. Our team was moved to do something to help them. As a result we will be building the family a new, safe, dry home in 2026.

June saw the second trip of the year. A team from three churches in the Apostolic Team Ministries International (ATMI) network worked with Ministerios Fuego Santo in Guatemala City. We put on a three day Vacation Bible School with games, crafts, treats, music, and the Word. The Guatemala church had been considering such an outreach but were not sure how to approach such a project. The team worked with members of the congregation and helped them develop confidence. We also blessed families in the town of Santa Marie de Jesus with stoves and Manna bags. The young people from the United States on the team were touched by the experience. One man who was prayed with had wanted to understand what was prayed and he understood it in Spanish even though the prayer was in English. There was a side benefit from this trip as well. The pastor at Ministerios Fuego Santo had been led to seek a spiritual covering for his ministry and is now a part of ATMI as a result of our visit.

The third team of the year was from Union Street Missionary Baptist Church of Monroe, Michigan. One of their members, Greg Bryant, had been to Guatemala in September 2024 and was so impressed that he wanted his church to send a team. They put on a Vacation Bible School at Iglesia De Dios Bethesda in the village of Socorro. They packed the church with kids for three days and touched many of the children with God’s love. The team also passed out 20 Manna bags and blessed 20 families with stoves, water filters, and Bibles. They also passed out 25 of the feminine hygiene kits. The team was impressed both with the people and with their needs. The church has undertaken to fund the building of banos, restrooms, to serve the church as well as fans to make it more comfortable for the people as they worship.

South Hills Assembly of God near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania sent the fourth team of the year. This was an exploratory trip for this church, promoted by George Tomko who has worked with us in the past. His new church expressed an interest in missions and George knew just where to go. The team visited several villages and churches. They passed out 20 Manna bags, 100 of the feminine hygiene kits, and installed 15 stoves. The team was especially touched by the situation in one church they visited. A small church in Las Cruces needs improvements. The walls and roof are held up by limbs cut from trees and has a dirt floor. The Pennsylvania church has committed to returning in 2026 with a team to work on the building, install stoves, pass out Manna bags, and put on a Vacation Bible School.

Our final team of the year was in November. Greg Bryant and Mickey McMullen from Union Street Missionary Baptist Church returned to do some more work in the Socorro area. They worked around the church, blessed 3 families with stoves, passed out Manna bags, and attended the quinceanera of a young lady from the church.

As the year ends we have three teams scheduled for 2026 with a commitment for at least two additional teams. As mentioned, we hope for many more teams. If you are part of a church, men’s group, women’s group, Bible study, youth group, or any other Christian organization we urge you to consider taking a team to Guatemala. Our ministry can help you plan a trip and we will take care of you while in Guatemala. The in-county expenses cover all your meals, transportation, and lodging. You can choose to be involved in a building project, stoves, VBS, Manna bags, or whatever the Lord provides. We are certain you will be a blessing to the saints in Guatemala and that you will be blessed in return.