Thank you, Columbia Community Church! Your gift to plant Nazareno Christian Center in Guatemala is currently impacting 200 children and their families. These children now have a place to go where they can learn, grow and develop and be encouraged in their faith. In the photo above, a beneficiary named Kimberly stands outside with her mother after participating in an interview.
This report includes updates on the implementation and impact of this intervention, interviews with the church pastor and a beneficiary and photos of the implementation process.
Implementation Progress
Construction of the church and child development center is completed except for finish work. A chronology of the major construction steps is listed below:
- Volunteers removed large rocks from the construction site.
- The foundation was laid.
- Construction workers built support columns and walls.
- All major construction of the classrooms and sanctuary was completed.
- Electricity was installed in the sanctuary and classrooms.
- The bathroom and kitchen structures were built.
- A roof was added.
There were several delays caused by restrictions related to the pandemic. However, the church persevered and they report that their community has been spared from COVID-19 and they were able to resume construction.
In the coming months, the church plans to raise local resources in order to complete finishing touches, including installing tiles in the kitchen, adding the remaining doors and windows and installing plumbing and electricity in the bathrooms and kitchen. The church is waiting to hold their inauguration ceremony until national health and safety standards are less restrictive.
Impact of the Intervention
This intervention has provided a place for 200 children to receive holistic care. The facilities include a sanctuary, six classrooms, a kitchen and bathrooms. The sanctuary and classrooms are fully operational and a blessing to the community.
The new church facilities are making it easier for community members to receive food deliveries and other basic items. The church also facilitates medical checkups and holds birthday celebrations for children.
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- Caregivers come to the church to receive groceries and other essential items.
A Testimony From Ana, the Mother of a Beneficiary
“Thanks to our good God, we now have classrooms and a church. Because of this intervention, children are learning about the Bible. God will reach many more souls for his kingdom.”
An Interview With Pastor Carlos
How has this intervention benefitted the church and the community?
This intervention is helping to lift people out of poverty, just like the Compassion mission says. We are able to provide opportunities for our neighbors in need. It has also provided us with more opportunities to share God’s Word in order to deliver people from spiritual poverty.
What would you like to say to those who provided the financial support for this intervention?
Thank you very much for your support and outreach to those in need. God is using you to care for the least of these. May God bless you and provide for you, so you can continue have compassion for children in need around the world.
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- Pastor Carlos and his mother, Vanesa.
An Interview With Kimberly, a Beneficiary
What will this change mean for your future or the future of your family?
This intervention is a blessing because my family and I have more opportunities to learn together and share the Word of God. We see things differently now and want to do more to help families in need who are of different faiths.
What lessons have you learned from this intervention?
I have learned that I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me. If we put our faith in God, nothing is impossible! We never imagined that God would work in such a great way, especially in our community.
What would you like to say to those who provided the financial support for this intervention?
May God shower many blessings on each one of you and your families. Thank you for the tremendous effort you made so that more families can know God. I ask that God would strengthen you spiritually and physically.
Thank You for Your Support
Thank you for partnering with Compassion International to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Your support is forging a path for children to receive the holistic care they need to reach their full potential. May God bless you abundantly!
