On the ground:
As a family, we are loving the opportunity to serve more and more together. One thing that continues to amaze us is how God uses our different connections and strengths to complement one another in the ministry He has given us during this season.
Katie serves in the clinic and ministry administration while Daniel continues in his government education position. These roles come together beautifully during family visits in the mountain communities. People there can be guarded, and often a connection is needed to enter the community. Yet once those relationships are established, we are welcomed with incredible kindness.
One recent example was a family who gifted us a live chicken. They originally wanted to prepare supper for us, but instead sent us home with a beautiful hen to enjoy with our own family. Since Katie has never prepared a live chicken before, we will likely enjoy this gift alongside Daniel’s grandmother and learn from the best!
Last week, while Katie prepared mom-and-baby bags for several planned visits, Daniel unexpectedly met a number of these same mothers in the town center, where they had come for another program. One by one, he was able to hear updates, strengthen relationships, and help us determine which families most needed a home visit later that week.
To read more about that community visit and see how God was weaving together all the connections, check out our previous post, https://katethenurse.com/soup-and-stitches-rabbit-trails-and-god-connections/
We thought you might be interested in:
This week, several of the mothers Daniel connected with came to the clinic to see Katie for follow-up visits.
And they brought their babies!
V brought her baby girl and happily reported that both of them were doing well. Since V is from the community where Daniel taught last year, it was especially meaningful for the family to introduce us to their newest blessing in person.
L, also from that community, had been one of our highest-priority follow-up families. After her husband shared with Daniel that she had experienced a hemorrhage and remained hospitalized after delivery while her baby was sent home, we were concerned about how this separation might affect breastfeeding and recovery. Thankfully, her milk supply had established well and both mom and baby were doing great.
Finally, our friend Isabela stopped by with her son, Gerson, whom we continue to follow after multiple brain surgeries shortly after birth. Although it was not yet time for his next appointment, Isabela was excited to show us that he is now walking independently! She also shared some freshly cooked corn from their harvest, which we were very happy to enjoy.
We’ve been encouraged by:
You may have already noticed this theme woven through the stories above, but this month we are excited to share that Daniel has officially been accepted by our sending organization, MissionGo, as a national missionary.
This means that we are now both officially serving as missionaries here in Guatemala. It is a tremendous joy and privilege to serve together. Time and again, we see God using our unique gifts, relationships, and responsibilities to create something stronger than either of us could accomplish alone.
Looking ahead, some of the more remote mountain communities are become difficult for Katie to access as the pregnancy progresses. While many of our visits focus on prenatal care during the final month of pregnancy, some families have ongoing special needs that require continued follow-up. In those cases, Daniel will be able to travel by motorcycle to check on families as needed while Katie coordinates care, plans follow-up, and continues clinic-based ministry.
We are grateful for the ways God continues to provide practical solutions for serving these communities well.
Financial Snapshot:
• Monthly Clinic Operating Costs: $600 still needed out of $1,050—42% Funded!
Rent, clinic translator/helper, fuel, medications, etc..
• Monthly Personal Support: $572 Still Needed out of an estimated $1,985 – 71% Funded!
Housing, Living costs, new baby needs, medical appointments, communication, ect.
Prayer requests:
–We praise God that our little girl is growing well. Please pray for His continued protection and care over her development.
–Pray that God grant us wisdom in ministry, and would continue opening doors in the mountain communities and deepen the relationships that make this ministry possible—and also safety in reaching them!
Your prayers and financial support make this ministry possible. God is using you as an active part of this work, and we are deeply grateful.
If you’d ever like to learn more about our family or ministry, we’d love to connect: katie@hopeforhome.org. Our church meets in the evenings—that means we would love to connect with your small group over video on a Sunday morning!
Communication strengthens this body of believers—thank you for walking this journey with us!
