Good morning, everyone!
As I write this, I am still in Guatemala! I have a couple of days left before flying home, so I thought I´d write you a quick update of what we have been doing the last couple of weeks. Then I will tell you about a project that is coming up soon!
Here I am with Cesar Gonzalez and Eduardo Mejia as we shared a fun moment at a cemetery during the week that the three of us were together in Guatemala.
Preparation for Future Projects
As I mentioned in my update before this trip, Eduardo Mejia, my friend with Project Hope in Nicaragua, met me in Guatemala to work with Cesar in preparing for a future soccer project, a school project, a small group training project, and a church to church project.
Friendship Fair
Eduardo approves of the team from Rinconcito, Guatemala, putting up the welcome sign for the “Friendship Fair.”
One of the first things we did together was participate in a “Friendship Fair” with Iglesia Damasco (Damascus Church) of Rinconcito, Guatemala. For the past six months, this church has been praying for their top 10 list of lost friends. On Sunday, April 12th, they held a fun day where they invited their friends to come and enjoy the day on us. Almost 300 of their friends came out, and many were blown away with the fun and hospitality offered.
Cesar is leading the church in a yearlong process of preparation to lead many of their friends to Christ. Here are a few pictures from that Friendship Fair day.
Each tent featured a different theme or set of games.
This tent featured a guessing game using different soda pop cans.
We set up a tent featuring our “Rancheros Cristianos” (Christian Ranchers) groups.
This guy tries his hand at roping a calf steer head.
Horse rides were a hit.
Eduardo does a magic trick with one of our friends.
A “riding of the rings” event on bicycles challenged bike riders’ ability to spear a ring to win a prize.
Evangelistic Training
Along with the Frienship Fair, we spent a couple of evenings with the leaders and congregation of Iglesia Damasco. Here are a few pics.
Cesar shares a few points about what is coming up in the evangelism process a day after the Friendship Fair.
Eduardo shares some principles of doing evangelistic followup with friends who went to the Friendship Fair.
Eduardo pulls out one of his many magic tricks to make a point.
In a message to the Iglesia Damasco Church, I had volunteers help me act out the Great Commission passage in Matthew 28:18-20. Here I´m having several act out baptizing someone!
Soccer Tournament Preparations
One of the most exciting opportunities came in several open doors for future soccer tournaments. We have great responsiveness and readiness for tournaments in Monjas, Pueblo Nuevo Viñas, and in the Department of Santa Rosa. If you are keeping score at home, you might recall that we did tournaments in these places almost exactly three years ago and saw many come to Christ.
In each area they have built new fields and are anxious for us to come back. We will certainly let you know when we have firm dates.
In Monjas we actually participated with some friends in a small tournament in the Monjas schools.
Gloria Valenzuela, our good friend and partner in the school and soccer ministries in Monjas, pairs up a couple of opposing players to pray with her before the games began.
Eduardo and Gloria present the ball of many colors to the department leader of the Monjas schools who was in attendance for the soccer event with her assistant.
Cesar shared a moment with the physical eduation teachers in Monjas before they gave out the trophies.
A couple of boys teams play for the championship for their age group.
One of the boys teams celebrates after receiving their trophy.
Help Needed in June!
Besides what can be shown in pictures, we had excellent meetings with school officials in preparation for a project in several schools slated for June 12-20. During that trip we plan to work with several youth groups as well.
If you are interested in going on this trip please let me know ASAP! We have a few openings for the team and could use some teens and young adults who are up for an adventure.
Beyond this project in June, stay tuned for more information about our soccer projects and training events slated for July and September as well.
In a youth church in Santa Rosa de Lima, Cesar enlists volunteers to help him talk about the ball of many colors.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support! We couldn’t do any of this without you!
Love y'all!
Steve
PS…In a future update I hope to share how our “MAPS” process that Bill Burrows created for 2026 is being tried now in Guatemala!
As I mentioned last time, I’ve especially liked the way the online version allows me to do my daily scripture commitment with ease. If you are interested in trying it, click here.
PSS…If you would like to invest in this ministry, you can give through the link below or send checks to:
Daybreak International, 11628 Oakmont St., Overland Park, KS 66210