Featured photo: The Church of Christ in Antigua, Guatemala July 24, 2022.
I have just returned from a profitable visit to Guatemala. The invitation came from brother Roberto (Beto) Santiago who is planning the establishment of 4-5 new congregations in the northern part of Guatemala (Rabinal, Salama, Culbulco, San Jeronimo, San Miguel and Chicaj). We have been discussing this for almost a year. Finally plans had reached the point where an onsite visit was necessary.
Beto had asked if we could ship in humanitarian aid to help the work. We were stymied for a while because of the lack of contacts.
Thankfully God helped us locate a group called “Hearts in Motion” (HIM) who have been working in Guatemala for 40+ years. Their focus is on medical, educational, and health infrastructures. They have done an amazing work but are located in the eastern part of the country and we are targeting the northern part. Brian Coggins (my son-in-law) and I met with HIM and discovered a willingness to assist. We will be planning a shipment of school desks soon (from CURE in Ft. Smith, AR). Following that we will ship a container of Family Buckets midwifery items and other requested supplies that will be distributed by brethren in the targeted areas. The strong traditional Catholicism will be challenging but we are convinced that a demonstrated love of the Lord will assist uncover sincere and receptive hearts.
While in Guatemala we assembled with the Lord’s congregation. Food bags, school bags, and other assistance was put together by our team and distributed.
The trip was wonderful in itself but Beto and I had an added feature that made the trip even more special—some of our children and grandchildren travelled with us and were able to savor their first taste of mission work outside the USA. Brian and Bekah Coggins and their 3 children (Hudson, Kinnley, & Cason); Anton and Amanda Santiago and their 4 children (Robert, Liam, June & Thomas); Frank Meza and his son (Kennon). The highlight of the trip for the children was a strenuous hike ( that is “strenuous” for the adults) up active Volcano Pacaya and roasting marshmallows from the lava heat! Joining us was Darren Dykes and Matty Kate Morris.
We have a firm schematic planned and all is going well at this point! Below are some of the photos from the trip. Guatemala is a beautiful nation with hospitable citizens. The close proximity to the USA is inviting for those who cannot travel days to get to the destination and there is no jet-lag going or returning!
Beto will travel with me in September to Poland and Ukraine. We will be joined by brother Perry Baker. An interesting note on this trip is that Beto is Mexican and Perry is Canadian, I’m USA and we will be joined by Polish and Ukrainian brethren! A truly “international” team!
John L Kachelman, Jr. Montgomery, AL
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