Through an organization based in Central America called Pray America, PC3 is helping build homes for widows and their children in the mountains of Guatemala. Pray America works predominantly among the Quiché Indians in the communities in and surrounding Chichicastenango. In addition to coordinating home building efforts for these homeless families, they also operate feeding centers for the children, and offer Bible studies for both children and adults. Short-term team members serve by helping with construction, completing as many as four or five homes during their weeklong stay. With each home completion, the family is presented with a basket of staples and a Bible. Through local workers’ translation, the story of Christ is shared – a story many of the recipients have never heard. The free gift of a home they have just received provides an illustration to help their understanding of the free gift of salvation we have received from God through Jesus. Team members also help serve in the feeding centers and in various other projects Pray America organizes. To generate jobs for those in the community and help improve the local economy, Pray America began a shoe-manufacturing business. With each pair of shoes purchased, a pair is given to someone in need. The impact of this organization is evident in the surrounding communities and also in those of us who go and serve there.

Port City is also privileged to come alongside the Central American Theological Seminary (Seminario Teológico Centroamericano, or SETECA) in Guatemala City. This seminary’s objective is to train Spanish-speaking leaders by providing solid Biblical teaching and equipping. It has trained students from 22 countries and sent workers out to almost 30 different countries. It has a strong missions emphasis and an affiliated missions sending agency to accommodate the students led to fields abroad. Many students are in ministry while they are in school. Our short-term teams will help with maintenance projects at the seminary facility and student dormitories, and work alongside students and graduates in the various ministries they’re involved in. We look forward to seeing what God will do with this recently established relationship.

For Guatemala updates check out our blog.

Go/Serve

Check for future short-term missions to this area.

Send/Support

Please pray for:

• The work of Pray America - that it will be a testimony of Christ in the surrounding communities and in all of Guatemala.
• The families in the communities served by Pray America – that they come to know Christ and develop personal relationships with God. That they will understand the Word of God and not be confused by mixing it with their traditional and other beliefs.
• SETECA – for a continued supply of good instructors and leaders, as well as administrative and support staff.
• All those being trained at SETECA – that they will grow and develop as disciples of Christ, and that they will seek God for his guidance in their lives and work.
• The short-term teams that travel to these areas.
• God to raise up long-term workers for this field.
• Other prayer requests for this country and its people can be found in Operation World

If you are interested in contributing beyond your tithe to the work in Guatemala, write "Missions – Guatemala” in the memo line of your check. If you would like for this offering to be used to build homes, write “HOPE 127 – Guatemala – homes” in the memo line. You may place your check in the offering or mail it to PC3, 250 Vision Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403.