2020: A Year of Changes, Challenges, and Growth

Going into 2020, I knew there would be some challenges. Our team in Guatemala had a change in leadership and new missionaries were also joining our team. The location of the tutoring program had to change, someone on our team needed to learn how to drive, and each missionary on our team had to pick up new roles and additional responsibilities.


Although I was confident in the team’s abilities and excited for new opportunities, I knew it would be a process that would take time. However in the first few months of 2020, I was so impressed by how our team quickly adjusted and grew into their new roles. I watched Yeni grow as a director and lead the team with grace and wisdom. She also faced her fears and learned how to drive. Ana became the assistant director and did a wonderful job managing additional responsibilities such as creating weekly financial reports. Wendy stepped up and helped the team become more organized. Francis and Andrea brought new ideas and became a vital part of our team.


Then COVID-19 shut the country down. For months, strict government restrictions prevented us from doing nearly every ministry. However, our team rose to the occasion, thinking of ways they could continue to reach others safely. They created a whole new ministry to help encourage local pastors. They started recording lessons and devotionals for the children and teens online. They kept in contact with the directors of the nursing home and orphanage and met many physical needs. They became more faithful in prayer and they grew as a team. They also saw the physical needs of the community and created care packages on multiple occasions.


Then two hurricanes and major flooding came to Puerto Barrios, and again, our team rose to the occasion. As a team, we were able to create 200 care packages and deliver them to communities most affected by the flooding. We were able to hand out Bibles, pray with the families, and offer words of encouragement. Although 2020 was not what we had planned, we are thankful to God for guiding us through these challenges. He has been so faithful. We are so thankful for our supporters, too, for their generosity and prayers! We could not do this without your generous hearts. Although the pandemic prevented us from starting the building project for our Project Valor tutoring program, we have many dreams for 2021 and pray that in God’s perfect timing, they will come to fruition. Thank you for partnering with us!

-Kathy Jacobs, Director of Pure Joy Missions