We are really excited for what 2015 is going to bring!

Last week we filed the incorporation papers for Pure Joy Missions. If the corporation is approved, we will then apply to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Pray for wisdom and discernment as we start forming a board, visioning for years to come, and filling out lots of paperwork!

We have a team coming for a week in March and for 10 days in August. In addition, we will have random visitors nearly every month, many of which have already been here and want to come back! We are excited to provide these people with an opportunity to come back and remind the people here they haven’t forgotten about them.

We plan on continuing with the ministries we did last year and incorporating a couple additional ministries into our schedule. Each week, we will continue to visit the nursing home, senior center, orphanage, special needs school, city dump, tutoring program for the children by the dump, and on weeks when we can, the children’s hospital. In addition, we are planning on starting a night ministry with those living on the streets. Our hope is that we will be able to join forces with the youth of a couple different churches and go out into the streets at night, bringing a little snack and drink for the homeless. In time, we hope to build relationships with these people, share with them the hope of Christ, and do what we can to get them off the streets.

In addition, Christian and I have the opportunity to teach a little Bible lesson every Wednesday at the tutoring program for the kids near the dump. We are so excited for this opportunity!! A lot of these kids know who God is because of missionaries coming or from their parents but many have never learned the stories of the Bible. We are excited to be able to share these stories with them!

This year, I hope to form a curriculum for a mother’s education program for the mothers working at the dump. These mothers have the power to change the way their children grow up. They have the power to empower their children to go to school and make a better future for themselves. Someone just needs to empower them! My goal for this program is that through education and opportunities, the mothers will learn what they can do to help their children live better lives.  This has been a dream of mine since day one, but I need a lot of help from the locals to make it possible. Please pray that if this is God’s will, he will put those people in my life. I am hoping to start this program at some point this year, but I want to form a solid curriculum and strong relationships with the mothers before I do so.


God is doing some incredible things here, and I know it is just the beginning! I am looking forward to what 2015 will bring. I am sure it will bring quite a bit of trials, but I trust that it will also bring a great deal of joy, pure joy!

Thank you so much for partnering with us. We love you!!

With joy,

Kathy

This is a little late due to the craziness of being home and returning, but I wanted to share what we were able to do in the month of December!


We received a donation to bless the families at the city garbage dump and the children at the orphanage for Christmas. With this donation and donations from other sponsors, we were able to give buckets of food to 35 families that work at the dump. At the orphanage, we were able to give each child a Christmas present that they requested along with school supplies for the upcoming school year.

To see all their smiling faces, check out this video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvsNC7rXnDI

While I was home over the holidays, I had an event to raise awareness and funds for the ministries in Guatemala. It was a great night with over 160 people in attendance! I was blown away as loved ones after loved ones entered the church. One of my favorite parts about the night was the Prayer Warriors table. Everyone who came was able to pick out a picture of a person here in Guatemala and commit to praying for them everyday. What a blessing it has been to see people so interested in hearing how their child or adult is doing and how they can be praying for them. Thank you prayer warriors! If you weren’t able to attend the event and would like a picture of a person to pray for, please email me! I would be happy to send you one to you. [email protected].

Although really busy, my time at home was a huge blessing! It was an absolute joy to spend lots of time with my family, church family, and friends. I was also extremely blessed with donations while I was home. Check out all of these vitamins, school supplies, medicine, dental supplies, and other needed items.

God continues to blow all of us away by his provision, his goodness, and his faithfulness. My last Sunday at church, a little came up to me with an envelope of money and said that God told her that morning in the shower that she needed to give the money that she had set aside that she used to use to buy cigarettes to Kathy Jacobs. I thought that was so awesome! But as I was thinking more and more about it, it became even more special. Yes, it was neat that the lady was using the money for good, but what touched me even more was that God that morning was thinking about me. He was looking out for his little girl. As I look back on last year, I see how many people God has touched and encouraged to support me and the ministry here. And because of that, I am able to touch and encourage the people here in Guatemala. God doesn’t just look out for me, but for each one of his children. Always remember that! He is for you, He is on your side, and He will never leave you!

Here’s to an exciting 2015! :)

-Kathy