A Guatemala Update

Last month a team of twelve (five from Rose of Sharon, seven from Mount Hermon)
traveled to lend our time and talents to the work of Good Shepherd Ministries in
Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. I would like to share a quick update of how everything is
progressing under the leadership of Roger and Vicki Grossmann as well as hopes for the future.

The first time Mount Hermon traveled to Guatemala six years ago, we were tasked with continued construction of the main building. If you visited today, you would see a clinic actively serving the surrounding villages, a pharmacy stocked with prenatal vitamins and antibiotics, and a training center for pastors and youth to prepare them to be witnesses for Jesus Christ when they return to their family and friends. This main mission continues to be the center for these ministries and more.

A short drive into the city gets us to the “Hogar de Niños,” or “Children’s Home.” It is an orphanage that Roger and Vicki took on in addition to their other responsibilities in partnership with Baptist Children’s Homes of NC. It was a step of faith, but it stretched their vision of what could be achieved by and for Jesus Christ. I remember visiting it three years ago. A few of us were cleaning and remodeling rooms, preparing them for orphans for which the Guatemalan government were eager to find safe homes. Today,
the orphanage is home to over twenty precious children. And what a colorful and joyous place it is. We saw nothing but smiles on the faces of these little ones who literally were saved from the direst of fates.

The “Hogar de Niños” is near capacity, and there is still such a need for safe places for orphaned children. What did Roger and Vicki decide? “Why not expand our capacity
and link our ministries together?” Much of our efforts last month were in constructing the first of two buildings behind the main mission building that would serve as boys and girls homes for the older children. They would live under the guidance of a house parent,
continue their schooling, and learn skills that will serve them when they graduate into adulthood. Our team was privileged to see the first children move into their new home the very week we were there. Their first chore? Learn how to care for eight hens who moved into their new coop that same week just next door!

This is a time of resolutions, a time of financial decisions, a time of giving. Mount
Hermon has dedicated our Christmas Offering to the Good Shepherd Ministries.
Whatever you give will go directly to pastor training, church planting, health programs,
baby food, and raising children in the light of Jesus Christ. Jesus calls us to lay treasure in heaven. I am eager to see the treasure of these children when we are united in God’s
Kingdom to hear the stories of how our little gifts changed the course of their lives.

In Christ,
Pastor Rich