March 2021: SION, the first four weeks.

Something I’ve been pondering lately is this:

When we position ourselves in God’s will and strive to walk rightly with Him, He pours out blessing at every turn and surprises us with his good, pleasing, and perfect plan.

I have not done anything in my life to deserve what God has given me. He has given me an incredible family, a good education, jobs, a career; He has provided financially in ways I never expected; He has given me a church family in Canada and in Guatemala; He’s given me a husband, and a ministry where we can serve Him together. I know that it’s only by His grace and mercy that I am where I am.

This is the 3^rd March that I’ve lived in Guatemala and it seems like the most memorable things happen in March!  

• I met my husband in March 2019

We took this photo the day we met

• In our Escuintla clinic, the first baby was born in March 2019. 

• Peniel and I got engaged in March 2020

• This year, in March, we celebrated 6 months married and at the same time we had the joy and privilege of opening our new maternity and nutrition center; we chose the name SION.

If you never heard the story of how the name “El Pozo” (in English, “The Well”) was chosen for our Escuintla clinic, you can click HERE to read that blog.

In this update, I want to tell you about Sion. Sion, in English, means Zion. In the Bible, Zion has several meanings/uses. 

It is used to describe:

• The people of Israel
• Mount Zion
• The city of Jerusalem
• The place where God dwells
• The eternal kingdom
• The people of God

The Israelites were God’s chosen people, but time and time again they rebelled against Him, they complained, they dishonoured him. The created idols and bowed down to statues of gold instead of to God. The people of Israel continuously chose to walk a path that wasn’t the path God had laid out. But God, being faithful and merciful, offered them a second chance, a third chance, a fourth chance.

Our theme verse for Sion is from Isaiah 62:1 where God says:

For Zion’s sake I will not remain silent.
For Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
until its righteousness shines like the dawn
and its salvation burns brightly like a torch.

We have written this verse on a banner to hang on the wall in the center to always remind ourselves of why we are doing this work. We are certain that in the same way God won’t rest until the righteousness and salvation of His people Isreal shines like the dawn, He won’t rest until our town of San Andrés Sajcabajá leaves the lifestyle of idolatry that permeates the town. We want God to use us to accomplish his plans for San Andrés. In the Bible, Zion refers to the place where God dwells—and we want that to be true of our center. We want to be a beacon of light in this town, where families enter and feel safe, heard, valued and loved; and ultimately where they discover their purpose and identity in Christ.

Our MISSION is:

• Offer quality healthcare services and present the gospel of Jesus Christ to each patient who visits, with the goal that they will accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour

Here is a 3-minute promotional video that we made for a church in Canada that gives a quick synopsis about us and our ministry. Have a look!

VIDEO: Click here

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We opened the center four weeks ago and we have thoroughly enjoyed meeting our patients and providing services to help them! So far, we have 10 children in our nutrition program (including a few children with special needs) and 13 pregnant women receiving regular care.

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One of the challenges that I (Stephanie) have faced is that many people, especially those who come from rural villages surrounding our town, do not speak Spanish; they speak a tribal language called K’iche. We are thankful that Peniel grew up speaking both languages, and we have hired an assistant, Martina, who is fluent in K’iche and can translate from K’iche to Spanish for me. It’s an adjustment for me to work with a translator! I never imagined that after learning Spanish I would have to start learning a tribal language too! In response to that, Peniel tells me, “Welcome to San Andres!”

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Prayer requests and needs:

• Peniel and I need to buy a pick-up truck because we are beginning to travel to the villages surrounding San Andrés and the road conditions are extremely bad. We want to be able to make home visits to our patients to get to know them better and understand the reality of the poverty they live in and support them more effectively. 

• The director of the local health center has unexpectedly put a few requirements on us that could take months to fulfill. Until that time, we are unable to attend deliveries even though I have the legal certification to attend births. We are moving forward knowing that God has everything in control. Please pray for a good relationship between ourselves and the director.

• MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY! We are looking for a CHRISTIAN MIDWIFE to join our team in our Escuintla clinic. If you or someone you know is a dedicated Christian woman who has a desire to serve God, has a passion for leading people to the Lord, and is a certified midwife, please email: daryl@hopeforhome.org or stephanie@hopeforhome.org for more information. Please note that this is not a paid position.

• Peniel and I would like to visit my family in Canada in June. We have applied for his Canadian tourist visa, and are still awaiting a response. Please pray that he would get the visa and that we would be able to visit.

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Here are some more photos from our first few weeks:

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Thank you for following our journey and praying for us!

Peniel and Stephanie

Click here if you would like to make a donation to our ministry in Guatemala