Dear Friends,
I hope this message finds you well. I am providing an update on the situation in Guatemala and want you to know how incredibly grateful we are for your support and prayers.
While the political unrest and protests have calmed down momentarily, our communities' challenges persist. We have been using this respite to take proactive steps to ensure we can continue serving the families in our ministry effectively.
One of the most significant blessings during this challenging period has been the decision of our Cadaniño team to keep our community centers open for the families of the students enrolled in our afterschool programs. Even as schools closed, our centers became safe havens for children who needed a place to learn, grow, and receive prayer and other than the first day when a few children stayed home, attendance was quickly back to normal.
The suffering caused by the blockades, even though they only lasted a few days, cannot be understated. We are saddened to report that Dona Candelaria, the mother of two of our students who have been the program for many years, passed away as her health took a turn for the worst and her ambulance was unable to make it through the roadblocks. Please pray for her family as this left her two children without any parents due to their father passing away two years ago.Â
Where we work the Department of Education has continued to keep schools closed and this is affecting many of our students as they struggle to finish the school year remotely and prepare for their final exams without help from their teachers.
Despite these challenges, we are incredibly grateful to each and every one of you who responded with prayers and support so we could ramp up support to the families we serve, it meant that children did not have to go hungry during these trying times.
Expanding our homework assistance became another vital aspect of our response. With schools closed, children needed additional help with their education. Our dedicated team of teachers, quickly adapted to the situation offering assistance to ensure that children continued to receive the education they deserved and didn't fall behind at this crucial time.
We want to once again highlight the teachers in our ministry. They truly are the heart of everything we do, and their unwavering commitment to those we serve shines brightly, providing hope during tumultuous times. Their willingness to step up and serve as beacons of hope during crises reaffirms the importance of our mission. We thank God for their dedication and the opportunity to serve alongside them.
We are currently stocking up on food and other essentials while they are available so we can continue to serve regardless of what happens in the future.
As we move forward, we continue to ask for your prayers:
Pray for the safety, protection, strength, and perseverance of our Cadaniño team as they continue to serve with unwavering commitment.
Pray for the families we serve that they may find hope and resilience in the face of these hardships.
Pray for God's provision and guidance for those struggling to access food, work, and essential services during these challenging times.
Pray for lasting peace and unity in Guatemala so everyone can lead lives of dignity, safety, and prosperity.
Pray that discontentment does not escalate to further violence and that peaceful solutions may prevail.
Pray for God's continued provision for Cadaniño so that we can continue to provide vital support to those in need.
Your fervent prayers and unwavering support are a source of strength for us, and we trust that God will continue to bring greater good through these challenging times.
With deepest gratitude and blessings,
Timothy Martiny
President, Cadaniño
Partner with Cadaniño today and impact lives for eternity!