Good Morning Friends,
Greetings from the Houston Airport on my way to Nicaragua to host a group from San Jose, California.
Several years ago the Guatemalan church leaders came to me with a huge concern. Many of the pastors (most) were not able to send their kids to school after elementary school. The equivalent to public middle school and high school in Guatemala cost money. Most of the pastors simply do not have the funds to send their kids. Even in elementary school, the kids were not getting an education in the very poor schools. An average class for the poor is between 40-60 kids with one teacher and no teacher’s aides.
The Guatemalan church leaders ask if there was some way that we could help the pastors with the education of their children. We started a program to help. Twice a year (the beginning of each semester) each pastor received $125 to pay for the registration, fees, and school supplies (the schools provide no supplies) for each of their children. It has been an incredible help and motivation for the pastors as they see others concerned and caring for them.
Families from here partner with the kids in Guatemala and their families. The Guatemala association sends us updates and we send them to the partners. It is like child sponsorship but different. The money does not go to run a program that the kids are part of. The money goes through the church leaders and then to directly to the families. The church leaders make sure the money is spent on education as they oversee the pastors.
I asked Victoria to write about one of the families to give you an idea of the needs.
The pastors of Misíon a las Americas–Guatemala work in the ministry by faith. What does living by faith mean? It means they don’t have a stable income—they depend on a special offering the people give each month for the pastor’s salary. The churches are poor and the members can’t give regularly for many reasons.
Hermano Elvis is one of the pastors. He has three beautiful children: Elvis Jr, he plays the drums at church and now is learning to play keyboard; Ricardito is going to start learning to play the drums; and, Jenifer, she loves to sing. Pastor Elvis and his wife, Hermana Sandra, are so devoted to the church in San Luis Buena Vista 2. These servants of God are always giving back. I have had the privilege to work with teams at their church and Hermana Sandra gives of all she has to make us feel comfortable.
One of the ways Beyond Partnership helps pastors in Guatemala is through a special fund to provide the cost of education for pastor’s kids in the association. I am so happy that Pastor Elvis is able to send his kids to school through our Pastor’s Kids Fund. This fund takes away some of their worry by providing an education for their children. One of the ways you can help these pastors to survive is by providing financially for their children’s education through the Pastor’s Kids Fund. Please consider this opportunity to bless a pastor’s family by providing for the education of their children. Victoria de La Cruz
The cost is $250 a year. If you are interested, please let me know and we will get you more information. If God leads you to help, we will send you a picture of the child and a little about them. We will send updates and you will have the opportunity to communicate with them.
Beyond Partnership is committed to working through churches and this is great way to do that.
Thank you for your prayers and concerns.
In His Love,
Steve