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In March of 2021, Francis and Andrea became the new Guatemalan Directors of Pure Joy Missions. We are thankful for their dedication to the ministry and willingness to serve in this new role. Francis and Andrea both have God-given leadership abilities, and we are excited to see how God uses them to grow and strengthen Pure Joy. Check out their update below! This year so far has had it’s aspects that have stayed the same and those that have changed. The continuing constant in our lives is that of Covid-19, a pandemic that, at least in Guatemala, doesn’t look to be finishing up any time soon. The restrictions around it haven’t changed much, except that they did and then they didn’t. The school year here was delayed in it’s start and so kids started back in February rather than January, and we were able to help Project VALOR students register for their courses and get equipped with school supplies. The day that schools started Puerto Barrios was actually downgraded from being a Red Zone (according to the Ministry of Health’s colour coded system of Red, Orange, Yellow and Green) to an Orange Zone, meaning that after months of remote learning students were going to be able to go to (reduced) in-person classes, typically one day a week. We were in touch with them as we heard about how it was working at different schools and we started to gear up to start in-person tutoring times, making plans to have them in reduced group sizes, developing protocols, and coordinating locations and supplies. Then after about a month of classes the Ministry of Education released updated information on restrictions within the different colour zones. Schools went from being closed in Red, hybrid in Orange & Yellow and open in Green, to being closed in both Red & Orange and hybrid only in Yellow. And so we find ourselves again back where we were. The orphanage and old folks home remain closed to visitors (though we still deliver practical helps as best we can), and the senior center has not started back up yet (but is under new management so we will need to see what effect that may have). Schools being closed means that Club Exploradores cannot run, and the advice we have received from the Ministry of Education is that our tutoring sessions should not go ahead yet either. We are, to say the least, frustrated that where we were ready to start working with the kids in person again this has been almost immediately blocked once more. But we continue to do what we can to help them. We are in touch via phone calls regularly to see how they are, have offered to print off & deliver any work they may need that done for, are speaking with teachers to check how they are doing, and are sending them weekly devotionals to encourage them in their discipleship. We have been able to deliver care packages to their families and hope to develop this a bit over the coming weeks too, hopefully being able to deliver some activities for the younger kids of these families, in lieu of running Club Exploradores. Please pray for us to have wisdom as to how best to minister during this time. For us personally as a couple and as a family there have been some big changes very recently. We were asked by the Board of Directors whether we would be willing to take on the role of local directors for Pure Joy here in Guatemala, which we have accepted. However, we have only been able to do that in a limited capacity so far because of impending maternity & paternity leaves. And, on April 6th, 22 days early (and over a week earlier than even we thought) we were delighted to welcome Liam Matthew into the world! Charlie & JJ are both thrilled to be older sister & brother respectively and both Andrea & Liam are healthy and doing well. We are taking some time off right now as we adjust to being a family of five and are so happy to be together like this. We are also grateful to Yeni & Wendy who are carrying on without us for a little while, but look forward to coming back together as a team soon to continue to work together in seeking God for how to develop this ministry going forward. Thank you for your support of Pure Joy Missions and the work that is being done here in the name of Christ to raise up young people who can influence the country for the Kingdom. God bless you. -Francis & Andrea 
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The majority of our Project Valor students are starting off the school year with online learning again. As a result, in addition to receiving the beginning of the year school supplies, shoes and backpacks, we are also providing the students with monthly internet packages. This enables them to do their school work at home. We hope and pray that COVID-19 numbers decrease, so these students can safely return to school. Please pray with us! Check out some photos of our Project Valor teens receiving their school supplies. Thank you sponsors for helping make this possible! Ana served with Pure Joy over the last five years, starting out as a volunteer, then serving part-time, then full-time, and lastly becoming the assistant director of the ministry. In February of 2021, Ana, who is also a law student at the local university, felt called to take a step back from Pure Joy and focus on her studies and practicum for school. We are so thankful for Ana's dedication and passion for the ministry over the last five years. We will miss her dearly, but we know God has great plans for her. We asked Ana to share a little bit about her time with Pure Joy.  My name is Ana, and I live in Puerto Barrios Izabal. I am 27 years old and I study Legal and Social Sciences, Lawyer and Notary Public at the Public University of Guatemala. Throughout my life, I have attended the Evangelical Christian Church where I have served since I was very young. In 2015, a sister of the Church, Heidy, invited me to participate in a Christian ministry and I accepted. It was Pure Joy Missions. From the first day, I liked the ministry. I started as a volunteer supporting the Explorers Club ministry on Mondays in the afternoon, with the children of the Piedra Parada School. There, each child gained a place in my heart. Participating in the ministry for me was a great blessing. At that time, I did not have a job since my parents wouldn't let me have a job, my father took great care of us; But I was very surprised that when he found out that I was going to participate in the ministry on a voluntary basis, he allowed me to continue helping. For me, that was a great blessing because he did not deny me the right and the obligation to serve God and the community. Later I attended the other ministries, and the second one I attended was the nursing home on 22 Street, where I also came to love each elderly resident in the love of God. Every day, they are in my mind and my heart. Later, I attended the city dump with the Pure Joy team. As time went by, I became part of the Pure Joy team and I was loving the ministry and each activity. Each ministry I did with a lot of love knowing that my work was for God and to serve the people who need it.  Pure Joy is a great ministry that not only helped the people of the garbage dump and surrounding villages, it also helped me, in my spiritual, emotional, work growth, etc. And I always dreamed of seeing Pure Joy much bigger than it already is; where more people want to join together to help and with their own facilities, with an office where everyone who needs help can be received, I hope in God one day my eyes can see this dream come true. It was approximately 5 years that I was able to experience the love of God in my life, in each of the ministries, each day that passed. I thank God for the beautiful opportunity that He gave me to have, in addition to a work experience, a very gratifying Spiritual experience. I thank Kathy to the Pure Joy team in the United States and Guatemala for this growth that they have directly and indirectly helped me to have. God bless and take care of you always.  Thank you for your dedication and service, Ana. We love you! En Español:
Mi nombre es Ana, vivo en Puerto Barrios Izabal, tengo 27 años y estudio Ciencias Jurídicas Y Sociales, Abogado y Notario en la Universidad Pública de Guatemala, durante toda mi vida he asistido a la Iglesia Cristiana Evangélica en donde he servido desde muy pequeña hasta la fecha. En el 2015 una hermana de la Iglesia, Heidy Herrera me invitó a participar en un ministerio cristiano y acepte, se trataba de Pure Joy Missions, desde el primer día me gustó el ministerio comencé como voluntaria apoyando en el ministerio de Club Exploradores los lunes por la tarde, con los niños de la Escuela de Piedra Parada en el cual cada niño se fue ganando un lugar en mi corazón, participar en el ministerio para mí fue de mucha bendición, ya que en ese tiempo no tenía un empleo ya que mis papás no me dejaban tener un empleo, mi padre nos cuidaba mucho; pero me sorprendió mucho que al enterarse que iba a participar en el ministerio de forma voluntaria no se negó a que asistiera, para mi esa fue una gran bendición porque no me negó del derecho y la obligación de servir a Dios y a la comunidad. Posteriormente fui asistiendo a los demás ministerios, y al segundo al que asistí fue al asilo de ancianos de la 22 calle, en el cual, también llegué a amar en el amor de Dios a cada ancianito y cada día están en mi mente y mi corazón, y luego asistí al vertedero de la ciudad con el equipo de Pure Joy en ese momento. Conforme iba pasando el tiempo me convertí en parte del equipo de Pure Joy y fui amando el ministerio y cada actividad, cada ministerio lo realicé con mucho amor sabiendo que mi trabajo es para Dios y para servir a las personas que lo necesiten. Pure Joy es un gran Ministerio que no solamente ayudó a las personas del basurero de Piteros y aldeas alrededor, también me ayudó a mí, en mi crecimiento espiritual, emocional, laboral, etc. Y siempre soñé con ver a Pure Joy mucho más grande de lo que ya es; en donde más personas se quieran unir para ayudar y con instalaciones propias, con una oficina en donde se pueda recibir a todos los que necesiten ayuda, espero en Dios un día mis ojos puedan ver este sueño hecho realidad. Fueron 5 años aproximadamente en donde pude experimentar el amor de Dios en mi vida, en cada uno de los ministerios, cada día que pasaba. Agradezco a Dios la hermosa oportunidad que me brindó de poder tener además de una experiencia laboral una experiencia Espiritual muy gratificante. Agradezco a Kathy al equipo de Pure Joy en Estados Unidos y en Guatemala por este crecimiento que directa e indirectamente me han ayudado a tener. Dios les bendiga y cuide siempre. 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  This year 2020 has been a great challenge since we have not had a normal year due to the different events that have been emerging internationally and we could even say globally. We tried to let it not affect our ministry and tried doing everything that we do in a normal year but it was impossible due to COVID19. One of the hardest things was knowing we could not see the elderly. It was quite difficult to know that we cannot visit them, talk to them, sing with them, give them the message of God's word the message of hope, listen to their stories, see their smiles, listen to their requests and thanks, sit by their side and sing together, give them their snack and hear them say “I don’t like it” or ask “is there more?” It is quite painful not to be able to visit them; To see them from afar and not be able to chat or give them words of encouragement, to leave their food at the door and not be able to give each one of them their snack, to see their sad faces from afar knowing that we cannot be with them. What comforts us and encourages us is knowing that their health is good. Despite the fact that COVID-19 is still in Puerto Barrios and that we are the department most affected by this disease, the elderly are healthy. The staff at the nursing home tell us that they are grateful to Kathy and that through the team, they always bring the elderly a snack and always remember them. They say they miss us, as we do them. As a sign of the love that the Pure Joy Missions’ team have for them, we have bought them their Christmas gifts like every year. We hope that the gifts give them a little happiness in these difficult times (photos below!). We are very grateful to God because through the difficulties, He has shown His power and has allowed us to get even closer to Him. Every Tuesday after leaving the snack at the nursing home, we have a moment of praise and prayer where we intercede for each of the ministries of Pure Joy Missions, for the board of directors, the children, the elderly, the tutoring program teens, for the life of each person who collaborates directly and indirectly with Pure Joy. We also thank God for the team here in Puerto Barrios and for those who were a part of forming Pure Joy in past and for the opportunity it gives us to serve others. Best regards, Wendy  Just a year ago, I received a challenge, for me, a great challenge, and that was to lead the ministry of Pure Joy Missions in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala. I remember I felt that I could not do it, and I asked for time to pray. I told God if You go with me, I go. I prayed, “Lord, Pure Joy Missions was born first in Your heart and is Yours Lord. I want to please You and do things well for You.” After praying, I felt the confidence to do it. I then realized that I had to learn to drive a car. It seemed very difficult to me, but God was faithful and I learned to drive. Then on March 16, Guatemala was closed by the pandemic, something unusual and a situation that we did not know how to handle. We didn’t know how to continue with the ministries if we couldn't visit and get together. It really became a challenge. I praise God for our team. The ideas began to flow on how to maintain the support of the scholarship students of Project Valor, how to continue the Bible classes for the Explorers Club, how to take the snack every Tuesday to the elderly at the nursing home, and how to support the children of the orphanage in some needs. God is still faithful. I know that I have made many mistakes, and I have a lot to learn. I praise God for each member of the team. I love to see the love with which they carry out each ministry and that they are always willing to go the extra mile. They are a great team, and God is still faithful. Although many times I have felt insecure to continue, God has shown me that He uses the weak of this world for His service. Like a loving Father, he teaching me how I can serve in the best way. In everything I do, I want to please God and be a blessing. May God guide me where He wants, and my prayer has not yet changed: IF GOD GOES WITH ME, I WILL GO. THANK YOU, PURE JOY MISSIONS. From, YENI  En Español:
Este año fue toda una nueva experiencia en mi vida, muchas cosas importantes pasaron en mi vida. Justamente hace un año, recibí un desafío, para mí, un gran desafío, y ese fue liderar el Ministerio de PURE JOY MISSIONS en Puerto Barrios Izabal, Guatemala recuerdo que sentí que no podía hacerlo y pedí tiempo para orar y le dije a Dios si Tu vas conmigo yo voy. PURE JOY MISSIONS, nació primero en tu corazón es tuyo Señor y quiero agradarte y hacer las cosas bien para Ti. Sentí la confianza de hacerlo, me di cuenta que debía aprender a manejar carro y me parecía muy difícil pero Dios fue Fiel y aprendí a manejar carro, luego en marzo 16, Guatemala es cerrada por la pandemia algo inusual una situación que no sabíamos cómo manejar como continuar con los ministerios si no podíamos visitar, reunirnos, realmente se convirtió en un reto. Alabo a Dios por el equipo, las ideas empezaron a fluir de cómo hacer para mantener el apoyo a los chicos becados de Proyecto Valor, llevar las clases bíblicas al Club Exploradores, llevar la refacción como todos los martes a los abuelos del asilo de la 22calle, apoyar a los niños del Orfanato en algunas necesidades, Dios sigue siendo fiel. Sé que he cometido muchos errores, y tengo mucho que aprender, Alabo a Dios por cada miembro del Equipo, me encanta ver el amor con que realizan cada ministerio que siempre están dispuestos a dar la milla extra, son un gran Equipo Dios sigue siendo Fiel. Aunque muchas veces me he sentido insegura de continuar, Dios me ha mostrado que de lo débil del mundo tomo Dios para su servicio y que como un Padre amoroso me enseña cómo puedo servirle de la mejor manera, todo lo que hago deseo que agrade a Dios, ser de bendición, que Dios me guie hacia donde El quiere, y mi oración aun no a cambiado SI DIOS VA CONMIGO YO VOY. GRACIAS, PUERE JOY MISSIONS .  As a Pure Joy Missions team, we felt the need to go and support the people who lost everything due to the storms and flooding. We have been working hard trying to find food to give to the community called Quetzalito in Entre Rios where access is very difficult. There were many challenges. The community was still flooded and families did not have food to eat. It was also difficult to find food such as rice, beans, corn flour, and nutrition drinks here due to road closures. By God's grace, we managed to get the necessary food to be able to take it to Quetzalito village and Cacao Frontera village. There we distributed New Testament Bibles with each bag of food in order to bring them not only physical food but also spiritual food. We were also able to pray together with the families of the community. Something that moved us was there were not enough food packages for the entire community of Cacao Frontera since the need is very great. We also ran out of New Testament Bibles, and people asked us for more New Testaments. We felt that in the same way that they needed the physical food, they also were spiritually hungry for the Word of God. We thank God for the opportunity he gave us to go and support the families affected by Hurricane Eta. Please pray for all those families who at this time do not have food to eat. -Ana, Assistant Director of Pure Joy  This year has been a year full of challenges for everyone due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, it has also been a time that has helped us grow and create new strategies to develop our work as a ministry. Although we have not been able to achieve many goals that we had for this year, we have achieved much more in other different areas. One of them being becoming more technological than ever before. This has been a great advance for us since this was an area where we did not place too much importance on developing before. For me (Andrea), being in charge of producing and editing the videos for the Explorers Club and Project Valor has been something very interesting, entertaining and also edifying. You may wonder how this has impacted my life. Well, I can say how this time with the team has helped us in our unity and coordination as we prepare the themes and messages that we want to share with both the children and adolescents. Also in developing the ideas of how to make scenery or choreography for them, we have had to plan new ideas for everything. This has been something very exciting and fun. I love when we think of crazy things that are very fun for children and teens who see us on social media. Anyway, the moment I get home and can edit these I have realized that God speaks to me through something that, although we have already recorded at the time of editing, God speaks to me clearly and I am very surprised about this. It has really helped me to be able to get closer to the team and to God in those moments, that is why we strongly encourage you to see our videos (although they are only in Spanish, I hope that soon we can give them with English subtitles). It amazes me what God wants to do through this resource, and we hope it will be a very blessing to all who see and enjoy them in the same way that we have enjoyed doing this for you. -Andrea, missionary A few clips from our future Christmas program! En español:
Este año ha sido una año lleno de retos para todos debido a la pandemia de Covid-19, sin embargo, ha sido un tiempo que nos ha ayudado a crecer e improvisar nuevas estrategias para poder desarrollar nuestro trabajo como ministerio. Aunque no hemos podido alcanzar muchas metas que teníamos para éste año hemos logrado mucho más en otras áreas diferentes...siendo una de ellas el volvernos más tecnológicos que nunca antes y ésto la verdad para nosotros ha sido un gran avance ya que antes no creíamos que era un área en la que pusieramos demasiada importancia para desarrollar. Para mí (Andrea), el estar encargada de producir y editar los videos para el Club Exploradores y Proyecto Valor ha sido algo muy interesante, entretenido y también edificante, pero se podrán preguntar como esto ha impactado mi vida, bueno, puedo decir que como equipo éste tiempo nos ha ayudado en nuestra unidad y coordinación de cómo preparar los temas o mensajes que queremos darle tanto a los niños como adolescentes. También en desarrolar las ideas de como hacer escenografía o coreografías para los mismos, hemos tenido que panear nuevas ideas para todo y eso es algo muy emocionante y divertido, me encanta cuando se nos ocurren cosas locas que son muy divertidas para los niños o para los que nos ven en las redes sociales. En fin, el momento que llego a casa y puedo editar estos me he dado cuenta que Dios me habla por medio de algo que aunque ya hemos grabado al momento de edición Dios me habla claramente y me muy sorprendida de ésto y de verdad me ha ayudado a poder acercarme más al equipo y a Dios en esos momentos, por eso es que animamos mucho a que puedan ver nuestros videos (aunque están solamente en español, espero que pronto podamos darlos con subtitulos en inglés), me assombra lo que Dios quiere hacer por medio de éste recurso y esperamos sea de muchisima bendición para todos los que los vean y disfruten de la misma manera en que nosotros hemos disfrutado hacer esto para ustedes. When this year started, we obviously anticipated our ministries, such as Project Valor, to continue as usual, with only a few changes and improvements. One of those changes was having a new location for the bi-weekly tutoring program. We had just about settled into the place feeling like home when we had to shut it all down in line with the government response to the pandemic. We weren’t the only ones thrown off by this- in fact it took most schools here at least another couple of months before they were at a place to start sending school work home to students. The kids who benefit from the Project Valor scholarship program not only get help with paying their school fees and with things like purchasing school supplies and uniforms, but they also receive lunch at the tutoring program and have their travel both to and from school covered. In light of this, we were able to redirect the money we were no longer spending on lunches and transportation to be able to put together care packages for the families of all of the Project Valor beneficiaries. The packages included both staple food items as well as some common household supplies to help meet the needs of these families who were already disadvantaged before the pandemic came along. We were able to go out to do this more than once, and could extend the offer of these kinds of helps to others beyond just this group in some of the most struggling communities thanks to the generous and continued donations of Pure Joy Missions’ supporters. Regarding their schooling, although we have been unable to re-initiate in-person tutoring times, we have been in regular contact with all of the teens, their parents, and their teachers. For those in need of it, we were able to cover some of the cost of network data to enable these young people to participate in online learning and complete any school work that required internet access. We have also sent out weekly devotional videos via Facebook, in lieu of the devotional times that would have taken place during the tutoring program and have been available to try and offer any other help they have requested. We are now in the midst of preparing for next year’s programs - getting students registered for Project Valor, finding sponsors to pair with them, and developing plans for both possibilities of schools reopening or remaining closed. The Lord alone knows what 2021 will hold for these all these kids, but we continue to pray for and work towards the best outcomes for them. Thank you for being a part of this work done in the name of Christ. Yeni's story: We had the opportunity to help our community after a natural disaster, and I had many different feelings: sadness, amazement, helplessness, but also joy. What caused me joy was to see the people calm in the middle of great difficulty. Even when they had just lived the experience of going through the flood, many on the roofs of their homes with their family for three days, without food and watching the water rise, when we told them that God loved them and to trust that He will be their provider, they showed great confidence in this message. Never before have I seen that where a street used to be, today is a new river. The water reached levels that it had never reached before. Seeing the people not complain about God but instead allowing us to pray for them was wonderful. I saw people trying to dry their Bibles in the sun because they also got wet. That gave me a feeling that they are always fighting to have the Word of God. God, work in every heart and bless my Guatemalan brothers and sisters who lost everything. To our sponsors, they send blessings to all the people who donated to the cause and allowed us to purchase the care packages. Thank you. Thanks to the generosity of many, we were able to provide care packages of food and hygiene and cleaning products. In addition, we also handed out Bibles. En español:
Tube la oportunidad de visitar un lugar después de un desastre natural, y tube muchos sentimientos diferentes tristeza, asombro, impotencia, pero también Gozo, y lo que me causo Gozo fue ver a las personas tranquilas en medio de la dificultad que aun cuado acaban de vivir esa experiencia de pasar la inundación en los techos de sus casas con su familia por 3 días sin alimento y viendo el agua aumentar, cuando les decíamos que Dios les ama y que confien en que el sera su proveedor mostraban confianza en ese mensaje. Nunca antes vi que donde antes era una calle hoy es un nuevo Rio. El agua alcanzo niveles que nunca antes había alcanzado pero ver que las personas no se quejan de Dios y permitirnos orar por ellos fue maravilloso. Vi personas dando sol a sus Biblias por que también se mojaron eso me dio un sentimiento están luchando por tener siempre su palabra. Dios obre en cada corazón y Bendiga a mis hermanos Guatemaltecos que lo perdieron todo. Y ellos envian bendicones para todas las personas que donaron para la causa. Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua are all facing severe flooding due to hurricane/tropical storm Eta. Puerto Barrios is experiencing the worst flooding they have in years. There will be many needs once the waters go down, and we are preparing to help. Many families and businesses have lost everything. We ask for your prayers not only for Puerto Barrios but also for each country affected. If you would like to make a financial donation, you can do so through our Facebook fundraising page (link below), on our website at www.purejoymissions.org/donate or by check (made payable to Pure Joy Missions and sent to 316 Golf Course Road, Milton PA 17847). Thank you for your prayers and support!  Last week we were able to deliver more food packages to families in need. Further outside of Puerto Barrios, people here speak Q'eqchi' and many of them don't speak much Spanish. Thanks go also to our translator and former Project Valor student Mariela for helping with that! See the video by following this link:  The situation we are experiencing has impacted me a lot. Every day, there are more people infected with COVID. However, despite the crisis that we are going through, God is working in the church and in the ministry. We have tried to continue working, and we have tried to help and show a lot of faith to help motivate people. It has been quite difficult to change the way we do ministry, but with God's help, we are gradually adapting. Many of the families are in great need, and we also have the challenge with the teens of Project Valor. We need to help them a little more, and we need to find the best way to support them so that they can continue with their studies at home. It makes me a little sad not to see the teens, but I know they are well with their families. It is very sad to see the elderly at the nursing home alone. They await our visit every Tuesday, but it is impossible for us to be with them since we must make sure that they do not get infected. It is painful to know that they are waiting for us, but we cannot come in and greet them with a hug or a handshake and ask how they are, listen to them sing, watch them eat their fruit and know that they are fine by seeing them face to face. I thank God that we can do this ministry. For me, it is a very great privilege to be able to share God's love with people and also to bring the message of God's word to children, even though I cannot see them now. I know that God will have mercy on each one of us and heal our earth and his creation. This is the confidence that I have in these difficult times that we are going through. En Español:
Me impacta mucho la situación que estamos viviendo y que cada día hay más personas infectadas, pero a pesar de la crisis que estamos pasando Dios esta obrando en la iglesia y como ministerio hemos tratado de seguir activando y hemos tratado de ayudar y mostrar mucha fe para motivar a las personas. Ha sido bastante difícil cambiar nuestra forma de hacer el ministerio, pero con la ayuda de Dios poco a poco estamos adaptándonos. Hay mucha necesidad en las familias, pero también tenemos el reto con los chicos del proyecto valor, necesitamos ayudar un poco más, pero tenemos que buscar la forma correcta de hacerlo y no afectar sus estudios y que sigan estudiando en sus casas sin que se descuiden de hacer sus tareas. Me pone un poquito triste no ver a los chicos, pero sé que están bien con sus familias. Los ancianos del asilo es muy triste ver que están solos, ellos esperan nuestra visita cada martes, pero es imposible poder estar con ellos en estos momentos ya que debemos cuidar de que no se contagien, aunque es doloroso saber que nos esperan, pero no podemos entrar y saludarles con un abrazo o un saludo de manos y preguntar como están, escucharlos cantar, verlos comer su fruta y saber que ellos están bien al verlos cara a cara. Gracias a Dios porque podemos hacer este ministerio para mi es un privilegio muy grande el poder compartir del amor de Dios con las personas y también el llevar el mensaje de la palabra de Dios a los niños, aunque ahora no les pueda ver. Se que Dios tendrá misericordia de cada uno de nosotros y sanara nuestra tierra y a su creación es la confianza que tengo en estos momentos difíciles que estamos pasando.  I am very grateful to God for his love and mercy. It has been approximately five months that we are not carrying out the ministries as we have always done. I miss the children, the elderly, and the teens at the tutoring program. These have been difficult days for many. We have totally changed the way we carry out the ministries. In the nursing home, for safety we cannot go in and give them hugs, sing praises and pray with them. But, it gives us joy to see them, even from afar, every Tuesday and give them a snack. Visiting my “grandparents” every Tuesday has been a great blessing to my life. With Club Exploradores, we cannot bring the children together to sing and teach them. We are trying to record videos for them so that they can always listen to the word of God. I pray that each video reaches all people and children that need to hear from God and can feel God's love right now. At the beginning of the year, we did not imagine that this year we would be able to carry out the ministries as always, but I know that God's plans are perfect and I trust God that He will help us through this global crisis. Soon, we will be together teaching his word to the children at Club Exploradores, singing praises and praying with the grandparents of the nursing home, helping with the children in the orphanage, and supporting the kids from Project Valor to become professionals. I am also looking forward to meeting soon at the church that I am a member of and being able to serve. Prayer requests: -For every family that has lost a relative due to Covid-19, or that has a sick relative, may God strengthen their lives and give peace in these difficult times -For people who have lost faith, who can feel the presence of God and believe again -For every child, young, adult, and old that is a part of Pure Joy, may God protect and bless you. -For Kathy, her family and board of directors in the United States and supporters, may God bless and protect you from any illness or danger, each by name En Español:Estoy muy agradecida con Dios por su amor y misericordia, llevamos 5 meses aproximadamente que no estamos llevando a cabo los ministerios como siempre lo habíamos hecho, extraño mucho a los niños a los abuelitos y a los chicos de la tutoría.
Han sido días difíciles para muchos, hemos cambiado totalmente la manera de realizar los ministerios, en el asilo por seguridad no podemos entrar y darles abrazos, cantar alabanzas y orar con ellos, pero nos da alegría verlos, aunque sea de lejos cada martes y dejarles su refacción, visitar cada martes a los abuelitos ha sido de gran bendición a mi vida Y en el club Exploradores tampoco podemos reunir a los niños para poder cantar y enseñar a los niños, estamos tratando de grabar videos para ellos y que siempre estén escuchando de la palabra de Dios, oro para que cada video llegue a todas las personas y niños que necesitan escuchar de Dios y puedan sentir el amor de Dios en estos momentos. A inicio de año no nos imaginábamos que este año no desarrollaríamos los ministerios como siempre, pero sé que los planes de Dios son perfectos y confío en Dios que el nos ayudara a pasar esta crisis mundial, y pronto estaremos reunidos enseñando su palabra a los niños en el club exploradores, cantando alabanzas y orando con los abuelitos del asilo(los dos asilos) ayudando con los niños en el orfanato, y apoyando a los chicos de proyecto valor a ser profesionales. También estoy ansiosa por reunirnos pronto en la iglesia a la que soy miembro y poder servir. Peticiones de oración: Por cada familia que ha perdido a un familiar a causa de covid-19, o que tienen algún familiar enfermo que Dios fortalezca sus vidas y de paz en estos momentos difíciles Por las personas que han perdido la fe, que puedan sentir la presencia de Dios y vuelvan a creer Por cada niño joven, adulto y anciano que es parte de Pure Joy, que Dios los proteja y los bendiga. Por Kathy, su familia y directiva en Estados Unidos y apoyadores, que Dios les bendiga y proteja de cualquier enfermedad o peligro, a cada uno por nombre  Well. It has certainly been a different year than anyone in the entire world was expecting. I agree with whoever it was that quipped that everyone in 2015 who was asked the question “where do you see yourself in 5 years time” was most likely answered incorrectly!
We enjoyed being able to be a part of the usual running of Pure Joy in the first quarter of the year, this being our first year as full time staff, and it was great to build relationships with the children, young people, and seniors that we interact with in our different projects. But it’s been quite a change since then. Other members of the team will be able to recount a bit more about some of the things we have been able to achieve with those we reach during normal ministry times, so I’d like to share about three different things that I’ve been able to lean into as a result of being at home so much during lockdown. Firstly, I was able spend time getting a lot of administrative work done for the organization, developing some draft documentation which is now in the process of further development. This included some proposed policy documents such as a Child Protection Policy, Crisis Management Procedures, and Health & Safety Principles. These are the kinds of things that can fall to the wayside in the midst of “doing ministry” but are important to have thought through and put in place in case of future need, so it has been great to get these put forward for implementation. It also included developing a staff manual that looks at things like having a clear vision and mission, the structure of the team and various responsibilities or its members, and expectations of all staff. All of these are under review by the Board of Directors, to be followed up by discussion by the team here in Guatemala, so that improvements and changes can be made before they are officially adopted. Secondly, I have been able to start an online ministry (giving Pure Joy another international reach of sorts) offering training to new missionaries in support raising. As staff from a background with YWAM (Youth With A Mission), we raise our entire financial support to be on the missions field and so have friends, family, and a couple of churches that generously give to support us and our work. Being at home has offered time to use zoom and other platforms to engage with and train those who are preparing to join the mission field who will be raising support to do so. It has been great to encourage new missionaries in Africa, the UK, The Carribean, and the US, with some interest from other places too, and it’s encouraging to be able to contribute to global missions this way, even whilst stuck at home. Thirdly, I have been able to take advantage of some web-based training opportunities for myself during this time. Part of this has been training related to coaching and support raising teaching, to better prepare and equip myself to teach those that I have been engaging with in that ministry. Another part of it has been training in Member Care (how to care for missionaries), through two online courses offered by the Global Member Care Network. The two of us are also currently completing a leadership school offered by a church in the US called the Square, which is focused on spiritual leadership. Finally, although not ministry-related per se, we have been doing a course called the Marriage Sessions, offered by Care for the Family in the UK. Admittedly, this time during lockdown with limited options for going out has also involved more Netflix than usual, but it has been good to be a part of all of the things I have mentioned, as well as continue to be involved with the rest of the Pure Joy team. Thank you for your support during this unprecedented (however overused that word has become) time - we hope to come out of it better equipped for ministry than ever, and to make as much of a difference during it as we can. -Francis & Andrea  In this time of the pandemic, we have been affected because we cannot carry out the ministries as before the pandemic. However, I am sure that God is in control of everything, even though we cannot see. On Tuesdays, as always, we continue to bring a snack to the elderly at the nursing home. Although we can no longer sing, pray, give a message of the word of God and spend time with them as we used to, we still come to the door to leave the snack and call the nursing home for updates.
A testimony that impacted me greatly was knowing that one of the elderly residents who recently passed away was singing to the Lord Jesus shortly before his passing. Hearing that gave me great satisfaction because the main objective for me of what we do in Pure Joy Missions is to present the Love of God and the plan of salvation, and knowing that even though we are not with them for now, the seed that was planted is growing.  Recently, we also began to call local pastors who have been affected by the pandemic to offer prayer support, encourage them, and see if they have any needs that Pure Joy can cover. I was very happy to listen to them and establish this relationship. God is good and knows what He is doing. I trust that this will pass and we will go back to doing the ministries as before. In the meantime, I hope that God continues to surprise us as only He knows how to do. -Yeni, Guatemala Director of Pure Joy Missions En Español...En este tiempo de la pandemia nos hemos visto afectados porque no podemos realizar los ministerios como antes de la pandemia, pero estoy segura que Dios tienen el control de todo, aunque no podamos ver. Los martes como siempre continuamos llevando la refacción a los abuelos, aunque ya no podemos cantar, orar, dar un mensaje de la palabra de Dios y pasar tiempo con ellos como acostumbrábamos solo llegamos a la puerta a dejar la refa y llamar para preguntar por ellos. Un Testimonio que me impacto mucho fue saber que unos de los ancianos que falleció en estos días pasados estaba cantado al Señor Jesús poco antes de fallecer y eso me dio mucha satisfacción porque el objetivo principal para mí de lo que hacemos en PURE JOY MISSIONS es presentar el Amor de Dios y el Plan de Salvación, y saber que a pesar que por ahora no estamos con ellos la semilla germina en su momento.
Ayer iniciamos a llamar a pastores que por lo de la pandemia se han visto afectados para brindar apoyo en oración, animarles y si tuvieran alguna necesidad que sea posible para PURE JOY cubrir, me dio mucho gozo escucharles y establecer esa relación de comunicación. Dios es bueno y sabe lo que hace confío en que todo está pasara y volvamos a hacer los ministerios como antes, mientras tanto espero que Dios nos continúe sorprendiendo como solo El sabe hacer. -Yeni, La Directora de Pure Joy en Guatemala In the month of February, for the first time, I helped with the Project Valor service project where we painted the classrooms of the Piedra Parada school, it was a very good experience to work with the teens. The group that was in charge of worked very hard and all worked very well together. We managed to finish all the work in half a day. I saw them enjoy and work with great enthusiasm creating a very pleasant atmosphere. That experience made me understand that there are many ways to bear witness and show the love of God in our lives. We can transmit it to the children and the community so that they too are part of this great ministry. In March, we were only able to go to the ministries for two weeks, it is unfortunate what we are experiencing with this pandemic. I am very sad to know that we cannot go see the the elderly. To think that our visits made their day brighter and that they eagerly awaited the day and time for us to see them, and that it has been two weeks where they have received no visits... I can't imagine how they feel. Here in Guatemala, the order of our president was very clear that we should take care not to expose the elderly to this virus, so he prohibited the nursing homes from being visited to avoid exposure. But we trust God that he is going to keep us from this and soon we are going to return to our ministry and tell them about the great love of God for each of them and all of humanity. Pray that God will do a very special work and soon that virus will disappear and we will be able to give our time again to the ministry.  En Español:
En el mes de febrero por primera vez participe con los chicos de tutoría en su proyecto social donde pintamos las aulas de la escuelita de Piedra Parada, fue una muy buena experiencia trabajar con ellos el equipo que estuvo a mi cargo trabajo muy bien, todos colaboraron y fueron muy unidos. Logramos terminar en medio día todo el trabajo, los vi disfrutar y trabajar con mucho entusiasmo creando un ambiente muy agradable. Esa experiencia me hizo comprender que hay muchas formas de dar testimonio y mostrar el amor de Dios en nuestras vidas y lo podemos transmitir a los chicos y a la comunidad para que ellos también sean parte de este gran ministerio y que podemos hacer mucho por las personas que necesitan escuchar, pero también necesitan lo material que Dios piensa siempre en ellos. Es mes de marzo solo pudimos ir dos semanas a los ministerios, es lamentable lo que estamos viviendo con esta pandemia (si se puede decir a nivel mundial). Me da mucha tristeza saber que no podemos ir a ver a los abuelitos pensar que nuestras visitas les alegraban el día y que ellos esperaban ansiosos el día y la hora para que nosotros lleguemos a verlos y que ya van dos semanas en que no han recibido visitas, no puedo imaginar como se sienten. Aquí en Guatemala la orden de nuestro presidente fue muy clara que debíamos cuidar de no exponer a las personas mayores a este virus por lo que prohibió que los asilos fueran visitados para evitar que sean expuestos a esto. Pero confiamos en Dios que el nos va a guardar de esto y pronto vamos a volver a nuestro ministerio y hablarles de ese amor tan grande de Dios por cada uno de ellos y toda la humanidad. Oremos para que pronto Dios haga una obra muy especial y pronto ese virus desaparezca y podamos dar nuevamente nuestro tiempo al ministerio. En el mes de febrero por primera vez participe con los chicos de tutoría en su proyecto social donde pintamos las aulas de la escuelita de Piedra Parada, fue una muy buena experiencia trabajar con ellos el equipo que estuvo a mi cargo trabajo muy bien, todos colaboraron y fueron muy unidos. Logramos terminar en medio día todo el trabajo, los vi disfrutar y trabajar con mucho entusiasmo creando un ambiente muy agradable. Esa experiencia me hizo comprender que hay muchas formas de dar testimonio y mostrar el amor de Dios en nuestras vidas y lo podemos transmitir a los chicos y a la comunidad para que ellos también sean parte de este gran ministerio y que podemos hacer mucho por las personas que necesitan escuchar, pero también necesitan lo material que Dios piensa siempre en ellos. En el mes de febrero por primera vez participe con los chicos de tutoría en su proyecto social donde pintamos las aulas de la escuelita de Piedra Parada, fue una muy buena experiencia trabajar con ellos el equipo que estuvo a mi cargo trabajo muy bien, todos colaboraron y fueron muy unidos. Logramos terminar en medio día todo el trabajo, los vi disfrutar y trabajar con mucho entusiasmo creando un ambiente muy agradable. Esa experiencia me hizo comprender que hay muchas formas de dar testimonio y mostrar el amor de Dios en nuestras vidas y lo podemos transmitir a los chicos y a la comunidad para que ellos también sean parte de este gran ministerio y que podemos hacer mucho por las personas que necesitan escuchar, pero también necesitan lo material que Dios piensa siempre en ellos. Check out the updates and stories from our director, Yeni! Y si prefiere leer en español abajo está en español.  This year has been a year with many challenges for me, that has led me to trust and believe in God even when I don't see a way out of something. For many, being the Director of a program may be something that they feel is easy, but for me it has been a challenge that has taught me to depend on God even more and to know that if He goes with me, I can go. It has been God who has led me to do things that I did not think I could do, like learn to drive a car on my own, and today more than ever my request is “I want to be an instrument of God” and my motto is “IF YOU GO, I GO”. At Club Exploradores, I work with the older kids there now and I feel a great responsibility that these kids hear from God. I thought that the group’s attendance would lower with the changes and I would have less, but God has been faithful and the groups keep growing. God is Faithful. On Tuesdays, we go to the nursing home. Some time ago I asked God, “One More, Lord” – for Him to allow me to do the Prayer of Faith with one of the residents prior to their departure. That is one of my objectives. Also on Friendship Day (Valentine’s Day), I had the privilege of giving a small message and God put in my heart to talk about the friendship of David and Jonathan. We expressed to them that they are important people to us, that we love them very much, and I could see some of the residents shedding tears of happiness and others giving thanks with words and that filled my heart. This happened in the both elderly centers (the nursing home and senior center). At Project Valor, last year God allowed 7 students to graduate. It was a great triumph for them and a great satisfaction for me. I know that now we have 38 kids who have one, two, three, or more years to go to achieve their graduation and to know that we can be an instrument for that achievement is wonderful. God is Faithful with PURE JOY MISSIONS - thank you for the opportunity to serve and feel useful in the hands of God. PURE JOY MISSIONS, is an adventure with God, every day there is something new to learn how to give and receive. Este años a sido un año con muchos desafíos para Mí que me ha llevado a confiar y creerle a Dios aunque no vea una salida, para muchos La dirección de un programa puede ser algo con lo que sientan que es fácil, pero para mí a sido un desafío que me a enseñado a depender de Dios aún más y saber que si El va conmigo Yo voy, y me ha llevado a hacer cosas que no pensé que haría como aprender a manejar carro solo a sido Dios, Hoy más que nunca mi petición es quiero ser un instrumento de Dios, y mi lema SI TU VAS, YO VOY.
EL CLUB EXPLORADORES, allí trabajo con los chicos Grandes ahora, y siento una gran responsabilidad de que estos chicos escuchen de Dios, creí que el grupo bajaría su asistencia con el cambio de yo tenía a los más chicos pero Dios a sido fiel y el grupos sigue asistiendo, Dios es Fiel. Los Martes, En el asilo de ancianos, de hace un tiempo acá le he pedido a Dios Uno Más Señor que me permitas hacer la Oración de Fe con él o ella previo a su partida, ese es uno de mis objetivos, también el día de la Amistad, tuve el privilegio de dar un pequeño mensaje y Dios puso en mi corazón hablar de la amistad de David y Jonatán , y les Expresamos que ellos son personas importantes para nosotros que los queremos mucho y pude ver abuelos derramar sus lágrimas de felicidad y otros agradecieron con palabras y eso lleno mi corazón y eso paso en los dos asilos en mis Años Dorados también. En proyecto Valor, este año pasado Dios le permitió a 7 chicos graduarse fue un gran triunfo para ellos y una gran satisfacción para mí, saber que ahora contamos con 38 chicos en esa dirección a quienes faltan uno, dos, tres, o más años para lograrlo y que podemos ser instrumento de para ese logro es maravilloso. Dios es Fiel con PURE JOY MISSIONS, gracias por la oportunidad de servir y sentirme útil en las manos de Dios. PURE JOY MISSIONS, es una aventura en Dios, cada día hay algo nuevo por conocer dar y recibir. -Yeni Elizabeth Marroquín de Henry Check out a story from our missionary Alex! Y si prefiere leer en español abajo está en español.  I remember several unique days from working with Pure Joy Missions, each one is special in it’s own way. One day in particular in the Club Exploradores, It seemed like it would be a sunny day but in reality it started to rain later on. The children were already in their class rooms when we told them to return home. Then the children started running in the rain although we told them not to because they could get sick. I was thinking like their teacher but for a moment it made me stop and think and I saw how much fun they were having. They were enjoying the rain, something so simple but something that is a gift from God. It made me remember when I was a child and I would play in the rain with my friends. The opportunity to be able to enjoy the moment of running in the rain. It made me remember that it doesn’t matter what kind of day you are having, God can do something special in it and each day we are alive because of him. Recuerdo varios días particulares de Pure Joy cada uno especial a su manera, sin embargo recuerdo un día muy peculiar en el Club de exploradores, parecía un día soleado en realidad pero comenzó a llover demasiado y los niños ya se encontraban en sus salones, cuando decimos salir para regresar a casa muchos de los niños corrieron a la lluvia a mojarse aunque les dijimos que no lo hicieran porque se podían enfermar, pensaba como su profesor pero por un momento me detuve a pensar y vi como se divertían con algo tan común que es la lluvia pero especial por ser un regalo de Dios y diferente para ellos porque lo disfrutaban tanto y recordé cuando era niño que no importaba mojarme mientras disfrutara con mis amigos, la convencía y el disfrutar el momento y me dejo la lección que a pesar del día particular que sea, Dios puede hacerlo tan especial y cada día lo es por el hecho de estar vivos.
Si prefiere leer en español abajo está en español. TEAM UPDATE: During the month of December and January the ministry in Guatemala underwent an almost complete change where our missionaries Abi and Pastor Rony as our director moved on from the ministry. It was a change in which together with Yeni we saw the hand of God because many of the responsibilities that Pastor Rony had been in charge of we now had. While we were adjusting to these changes we had many challenges but we also saw the support of God. We learned from each of these trials, and I am very grateful to God for his love and support in each one of the ministries in Guatemala.  MINISTRY UPDATE @ THE NURSING HOME: Don Miguel Ángel is in the old people's home here, he has been a very active and very happy grandfather, but in February he had a sick stomach and had to be admitted to the local hospital. We went to visit the hospital and he gave his life to God that day as we prayed for him – his situation was quite delicate. Every Wednesday the Pure Joy team has a time of praise & prayer to God and we have the opportunity to present our requests. During the praise that week, I could imagine the face of Don Miguel Ángel so did not hesitate at that moment to put his life in the hands of God. I also shared it with the team and we prayed together for God to take control of the life of Don Miguel Ángel. It is here that I see the hand of God because the following week when we visited the home he was already back there, he had left the hospital, and the last week that we visited the home before COVID-19. He rose from his bed to come and sing, pray and listen to the word of God together with the rest of us! I ask you to have Don Miguel Ángel in your prayers and for each elderly resident of the home.  Request for Prayer:
“Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.” 2 Chronicles 7:15 (NIV) Durante el mes de diciembre y enero el ministerio en Guatemala sufrió un cambio casi total en donde nuestros misioneros Abi y Pastor Rony como nuestro director abandonaban el ministerio, fue un cambio en que junto a Seño Yeni vimos la mano de Dios porque muchos de los cargos que Pastor Rony tenia a cargo ahora los teníamos nosotras, mientras nos acomodábamos al cambio tuvimos muchas pruebas pero también veíamos el respaldo de Dios, aprendimos de cada una de las pruebas y estoy muy agradecida con Dios por su amor y respaldo en cada uno de los ministerios en Guatemala.
En el asilo de ancianos de la 22 calle en Puerto Barrios está don Miguel Ángel, él ha sido un abuelito muy activo y muy alegre pero en el mes de febrero el enfermo del estómago y tuvo que ser internado en el hospital de la localidad, lo fuimos a visitar al hospital y el entrego su vida a Dios ese día que oramos por él, su situación era bastante delicada, pero cada miércoles el equipo de Pure Joy tenemos un momento de alabanza y oración a Dios y tenemos oportunidad de presentar nuestras peticiones.. y durante la alabanza pude imaginar el rostro de don Miguel Ángel así que no dude en ese momento de poner su vida en las manos de Dios y también lo manifesté al equipo y oramos juntos para que Dios tomara el control de la vida de Don Miguel Ángel, y es aquí donde yo veo la mano de Dios porque la siguiente semana que visitamos el asilo él ya estaba ahí, había salido del hospital, y la última semana que visitamos el asilo antes del COVID- 19 él se levantó de su cama para ir a cantar, orar y escuchar la palabra de Dios todos juntos, pido tengan a don Miguel Ángel en sus oraciones y por cada abuelito del asilo. Petición de Oración: 1. Por cada abuelito del asilo de ancianos de la 22 calle y mis Años dorados por la situación del covid-19 en Guatemala que ahora se extiende el estado de calamidad por 30 días mas eso quiere decir que los estaremos visitando aproximadamente en mayo, digo aproximadamente porque no sabemos si después que pase el estado de calamidad nos dejaran ir a visitar a los abuelitos ya que ellos son muy vulnerables a esta enfermedad, pido a que pronto podamos ir a visitarlos los extraño mucho 2. También por los niños del orfanato para que Dios los guarde de este virus 3. Y por cada país en donde el covid-19 está cobrando vidas. 2da. Crónicas 7:15 mantendré abiertos mis ojos, y atentos mis oídos a las oraciones que se eleven en este lugar An update from Francis & Andrea: What an interesting new year we have had with Pure Joy! Having worked alongside Pure Joy a few times in the past, it has been a true pleasure to join the team properly this year and get to be a part of the day to day work that this ministry is delivering to those in need here in Puerto Barrios. We appreciated being able to start in January whilst everything was being put together to get ready for the year, as it gave us the opportunity to become more familiar with how everything functions without being thrown in at the deep end (in comparison to if we had started at some point in the middle of the year when we would have had to figure things in out in the midst of them happening). We are grateful to be a part of the ministries to the kids with Club Exploradores on Mondays and visiting the Orphanage on Thurdsays. Both of our kids have been along with us to the club, though it can be a distraction having to deal with our own kids whilst trying to focus on the kids the club is reaching and so we are still trying to figure out the best way to balance both of those responsibilities. Our youngest loves going to the orphanage (whilst his older sister is in school) to play with the little kids since they are close in age to him. As with the rest of the staff, we have both enjoyed the opportunities to serve the older generation through the ministries at the retirement home on Tuesdays and the senior centre on Thursdays and we all miss that at the moment since it is not safe for any of us to visit them. The tutoring program on Wednesdays and Fridays is the most involved of the ministries, both in terms of time and effort, but it is so encouraging to see the impact that is having on all of the young people that it is helping. Unfortunately, at the end of January, during one of these times, Andrea had a big fall and broke her wrist when she hit the floor. Needless to say this necessitated some changes to how we have been balancing which of the two of us is at home and which is at ministry, but we have been doing what we can to continue to support all of the projects as much as possible. And now, of course, we are not only the both of us staying at home but the entire team, as we try to figure out what, if anything, we can do to offer any sort of support to those we would normally be reaching. We’ve been able to do a little from home, as well as focus on our kids a bit more, and are continuing to have videochat meetings to talk about what we can be doing. Please keep praying for us – for Andrea’s arm to heal completely, for our time in self isolation, for our entire team doing the same, for all of those we cannot see through ministries at the moment – and thank you for your support of Pure Joy! God bless Francis & Andrea  Francis at the nursing home  Andrea with Wendy & Ana at the senior center
Si prefiere leer en español abajo está en español. Hello! My name is Brianda, I’m 29 years old, and I am a volunteer with Pure Joy Missions. I was born and raised in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, in a Christian home with parents & siblings that have always supported me, shown me the right path, worked in an honest manner, and over everything, showed goodness, helping whoever needed it as much as possible. I have always had a good relationship with God, but over the years, even though I always have and still remain sure in my convictions as a Christian, my church attendance had been up & down.  In 2017, there were hard times with my dad’s health, my heart was in a very emotionally unstable way, my brother moved to another country with his family, the economy in my home was not the best, and in the end different factors that had a big impact on my frame of mind led me to alienate myself from the church. However, God was there in every moment. That year I decided to become a volunteer with a foundation that constructs homes for those in need. I met all kinds of people and had all kinds of thoughts that made me see life in another way, and my happiness returned. I learned that using my own hands to help build a roof for someone that didn’t have one made me immensely happy.  Then came a new year, 2018 & 2019, with the blessing of a lot of work. But although there was a lot of stress (too much stress!) everything came together! University, more work! Despite this, I managed to graduate from university in 2018 (I obtained a degree in education) and in 2019, due to almost reaching a tipping point of stress, I decided that in 2020 I would slow down – I would dedicate myself only to my morning work (teaching adolescents) and I would return to my life as a volunteer in some foundation or mission. A week later, I received a call from Yeni (the current Director of Pure Joy Missions, Guatemala), inviting me to volunteer at the Bible School and without thinking I said YES!!! I didn't know much about the mission then, but I knew I wanted to be a part. So in 2020 I joined Pure Joy and met Kathy Jacobs, such a great person, humble but above all a heart of gold, and in meeting her I learned about her vision for mission and really liked it. Of all that Pure Joy does, what I love the most is visiting the nursing home. At first I left crying after talking to Doña Marita (an elderly resident of the home), a mother of many children of whom none visit. It broke my heart – how is it possible that she gave everything for them and now they leave her like this? ... I knew that my place was there, bringing love, laughter, a hug, a talk – it is so easy to make them happy! The day I liked the most was when we celebrated Friendship Day (Valentine’s Day), and we exchanged cards, ate cake and learned a new song (which we decided we will sing every Tuesday we visit!). It was a very beautiful afternoon, full of a lot of love & blessing.  Pure Joy gave me the opportunity to get closer to God again, and feel full helping people. It is great to be close to God – to attend church and worship him – but outside there are also many needs that we can reduce if we take the initiative outside of those 4 walls ... There is the challenge! Among all the havoc, God in his immense goodness sent me a boy who supports me and admires the work we do at Pure Joy, and we decided to attend church again. My youngest niece is part of this volunteering now too and so life becomes better. So I invite you to support us, help is always welcome, and I ask you to please include our friends from the nursing home in your prayers, since they are the most vulnerable to this virus (Covid-19). Also for this mission, that its purpose is to bring joy and happiness to those who need it most, I have faith that this will happen, and our faith will be stronger than ever. And I have faith that we will visit my friends at the nursing home again, we will sing again and hear the word of God !!. God bless you! Historias Misioneras {Brianda} // EspañolHola! Me llamo Brianda tengo 29 años y soy voluntaria en Pure Joy Missions. Nací y crecí en Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, en un hogar cristiano, con padres y hermanos que siempre me apoyaron, me mostraron el camino correcto, trabajar de manera honesta y sobre todo, a ser bondadosa, ayudar a quien lo necesite dentro de las posibilidades. Siempre he tenido buena relación con Dios, pero con los años, aunque siempre estuve y estoy segura de mis convicciones como cristiana, hubo mucho ir y venir con respeto a la asistencia en mi iglesia. En el 2017, pase etapas muy duras, la salud de mi papa, un corazón muy inestable emocionalmente, mi hermano se mudo a otro país con su familia, la economía en mi hogar no fue la mejor y en fin, diferentes factores que hicieron cambiar mucho mi estado de ánimo, el mismo me llevo a alejarme de la iglesia. Sin embargo Dios estuvo en todo momento, ese año, decidí unirme como voluntaria a una fundación que construye casas para personas que no lo tienen, conocí todo tipo de personas, todo tipo de pensamientos, que me hicieron ver la vida de otra manera, y la felicidad regreso, supe que ayudar, y construir con mis manos un techo para quien no lo tiene, me hacía inmensamente feliz. Llego un nuevo año, 2018 y 2019 mucha bendición laboral, pero todo con mucho estrés, demasiado, se me junto todo! Universidad, mas trabajo! A pesar de todo logre graduarme de la universidad en el 2018 obtuve una licenciatura en educación, y en el 2019 tras un casi un punto de derrame por el estrés, decidí que el 2020 bajaria el ritmo, me dedicaría únicamente a mi trabajo matutino (docente de adolescentes) y regresaría a mi vida de voluntaria en alguna fundación o misión. Una semana después, recibi un llamado por partede Jenny (Directora actual de Pure Joy Mission Guatemala), invitándome como voluntaria a la Escuela Biblica y sin pensarlo dije que SI!!! aun no conocía mucho sobre la misión, pero sabia que quería ser parte. Asi que en 2020 me uni, y conoci a Katy Jacobs, una persona tan genial, humilde pero sobre todo un corazón de oro, en una reunión, conocí su plan de trabajo, y me gusto mucho. De todo lo que hace Pure Joy, lo que mas me encanta es visitar el asilo de ancianos, al principio, Sali llorando, al platicar con Doña Mariita (adulto mayor que reside en el asilo), madre, de muchos hijos, y ninguno la visita, me partio el corazón, como es posible que diste todo por ellos y ahora la abandonan asi? … supe que mi lugar era ahí, llevar amor, risas, un abrazo, una platica, es tan fácil hacerlos felices! , el día que más me gusto fue cuando celebramos el dia de la amistad, e hicimos intercambio de tarjetas, comimos pastel y aprendimos un canto nuevo, que decidimos que cada martes que los visitemos lo vamos a cantar! Fue una tarde muy linda, llena de mucho amor y bendición. Pure Joy me dio la oportunidad de acercarme a Dios de nuevo, y sentirme llena ayudando a las personas, es genial estar cerca de Dios, asistir a la iglesia y adorarle, pero afuera también hay muchísimas necesidades que podemos minorar si tomamos la iniciativa, fuera de esas 4 paredes… Ahí esta el desafío!. Dentro de todos los estragos, Dios en su inmensa bondad envio me envio a un chavo que me apoya y admira la labor que hacemos en Pure Joy, y decidimos asistir de nuevo a la iglesia, incluso e incluido a mi sobrina mas pequeña en este voluntariado y asi la vida se torna mejor. Asi que te invito, a que nos apoyes, la ayuda siempre es bienvenida, y te pido por favor que en tus oraciones, incluyas a nuestros amigos del asilo de ancianos, ya que son los mas vulnerables a este virus, también por esta misión, que su fin es llevar gozo y alegría a quien mas lo necesita, tengo fe que esto pasara, y nuestra fe estará mas fuerte que nunca. Y tengo fe que volveremos a visitar a mis amigos del asilo, volveremos a cantar y escuchar palabra de Dios!!. Dios te bendiga! Due to the spread of COVID-19 in Guatemala and in conjunction with the President’s orders, Pure Joy Missions has decided to suspend all activities for the next three weeks. This includes Club Exploradores, the Project Valor Tutoring Program, and our weekly visits to the nursing home, senior center, and orphanage. We deal with some of the most vulnerable populations, and although it is still very early in the outbreak, we want to act in an abundance of caution in order to protect those we love.
Supporters, we ask that you keep Guatemala in your prayers. The president of Guatemala has taken tremendous efforts in preventing a serious outbreak of COVID-19. As of this week, all borders in Guatemala are closed. Schools are closed for at least 21 days. Like in the USA, they face physical, social, and economic challenges as a result of the virus. We ask that you pray for wisdom for their leaders, provision for families and medical centers, and guidance for the Pure Joy team as we attempt to meet the now even greater needs of our community while practicing social distancing. Students, we ask that you stay home. Use this time to help your family and study your school material. Follow the requests of the President and health officials. Pray for our country and the world. For the communities we serve, please contact us if you have specific needs. We are praying for you. Amidst the confusion and fear, rest knowing that we serve a faithful and good God. Jesus promises us that He will give us peace, that He will work ALL things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. Look for the good, look for God, because He is there. He is always there. -Kathy Jacobs, Director of Pure Joy Missions ------------------------------------------------------ Debido a la propagación del COVID-19 en Guatemala y conjunto con las órdenes del señor Presidente, Pure Joy Missions ha decidido suspender todas las actividades de las siguientes tres semanas. Ésto incluye el Club de Exploradores, el Programa de Tutorías Proyecto Valor, y nuestras visitas semanales de el Asilo de Ancianos, Centro de Retirados (Mil Años Dorados) y Orfanato. Nosotros trabajamos con los más vulnerables de la población y aunque es un poco reciente en la propagación del virus, queremos actuar con la mayor de las precauciones para proteger a aquellos que amamos. A nuestros apoyadores, les pedimos que mantenga a Guatemala en sus oraciones. El presidente de Guatemala ha hecho muchos esfuerzos grandes para prevenir la propagación del COVID-19. Desde ésta semana todas las fronteras de Guatemala estarán cerradas. Las escuelas permanecerán cerradas por lo menos 21 días. Así como en los Estados Unidos, ellos enfrentan retos de modo físico, social y económico como resultado de éste virus. Pedimos oraciones para que sus líderes obtengan la sabiduría necesaria, provisión para las familias y centros médicos, y guianza para el equipo de Pure Joy para tratar de suplir ahora las grandes necesidades de nuestra comunidad al mismo tiempo poniendo en práctica la distancia social. A nuestros estudiantes, les pedimos quedarse es casa. Usen éste tiempo para ayudar a sus familias y estudiar sus contenidos escolares. Sigan las indicaciones del Presidente y oficiales de salud. Oren por su país y el mundo entero. Para las comunidades que servimos, por favor contáctenos si tienen necesidades específicas. Estamos orando por ustedes. En medio de la confusión y el miedo, descansen sabiendo que servimos a un Dios fiel y bueno. Jesús nos a prometido que Él nos dará paz, que todas las cosas nos ayudan a bien a aquellos que lo amamos y hemos sido llamados de acuerdo a sus propósitos. Busquemos lo bueno, busquemos a Dios porque Él está con nosotros y siempre lo estará. -Kathy Jacobs, Directora de Pure Joy Missions  The month of December is a very special month. It is particularly special for me because I am involved in ministry. The ministries help me to be reminded of the immense love of God. To see the children enjoy their activities prepared for them fills me with joy. To see them listening to the message we teach them and to see little by little the transformation that they have gone through in this year. I know that many of the children have gone through several difficulties this year but I know that it was the will of God and I am happy to have been part of their lives through it.  For the elderly this month it is hard and brings back a lot of memories but also is a celebration. I am happy to be able to share with them. It feels very gratifying that they share their needs, sadness and also their joy and laughter with me. I see how much they appreciate our visits and how their faces light up when they see us. I feel satisfied to be able to help them see how much God has for them and let them know that they are an important part of His Kingdom. They need to know how much God loves them through us and that it is a treasure that I keep in my heart.  I visited the orphanage for the first time and I felt very happy and joyful to see the children receive their gifts. To see their smiles full of happiness was a beautiful experience. Pure Joy Missions is a ministry that has helped me this year to learn more about the love of God and share that love with others. It has made me stronger spiritually and has allowed me how to do what I promised God (to serve God for all my days). This I can do through this ministry.  January was a very busy time, with many activities, but thank God for very good experiences, but also with many difficulties since there were many changes in the ministry. It was a month where I started teaching the group of children from eight years to eleven years at Club Exploradores with Alex. It was quite difficult for me because I have to take responsibility for the group, but God has been good and has given me wisdom and strength to achieve his purpose in my life and ministry. This month was my first experience in the tutoring program. It is something very different, I am getting to know the teens and am learning how to work with them. I know that with God's help I will be able to give my best so that they can get ahead in their studies. En Español:
En este mes de diciembre es un mes muy especial también para mi porque ser parte de este ministerio me ayuda a reconocer el inmenso amor de Dios hacia la humanidad ver a los niños disfrutar de las actividades preparadas para ellos me llena de alegría verlos disfrutar y estar atentos al mensaje que se les lleva y ver poco a poco la transformación que hubo este año en ellos, se que hubieron muchas dificultades durante el año pero todas fueron resueltas bajo la voluntad de Dios y agradezco ser parte de sus vidas durante todo este año. Para los ancianos es un mes de mucha nostalgia pero también de celebración, compartir con ellos es muy gratificante, conocer sus necesidades, sus tristezas pero también sus alegrías y anécdotas me anima a seguir queriendo ser parte de sus vidas, el ver sus rostros durante este año y ver lo mucho que agradecen nuestra visita y que los tengamos en nuestro corazón; me siento satisfecha de poder darles a conocer el amor que Dios tiene para ellos y que ellos son importantes en su reino y el saber que ellos se sienten amados por nosotros es un tesoro que puedo guardar en mi corazón. Visité el hogar del niño por primera vez y me sentí muy contenta y gozosa al verlos niños recibir sus regalos, esas sonrisas llenas de felicidad viendo sus regalos; fue una experiencia muy bonita. Pure Joy Missions es un ministerio que me a ayudado este año a conocer aun mas del amor de Dios y compartir de Él con los demás; ha sido de mucha fortaleza para mi vida Espiritual y para enseñarme lo que un día le prometí a Dios (servirle hasta el fin de mis días) lo puedo hacer a través de este ministerio. Enero fue un tiempo muy ocupado, con muchas actividades, pero gracias a Dios de muy buenas experiencias, pero también con muchas dificultades ya que hubo muchos cambios en el ministerio. Fue un mes donde tuve que tomar junto al profesor Alex el grupo de niños de ocho años a once años del club ya que seño Ana tuvo que tomar a los niños mas pequeños. Fue bastante difícil para mi porque tengo que responsabilizarme del grupo, pero Dios a sido bueno y me ha dado sabiduría y fortaleza para lograr su propósito en mi vida y ministerio. Este mes fue mi primera experiencia en la tutoría, es algo muy diferente, estoy conociendo a los chicos y como se trabaja con ellos. Se que con la ayuda de Dios podre dar lo mejor de mi para que ellos puedan salir adelante en sus estudios. On Valentine's Day, our missionaries wanted to do something special for the elderly. They each made cards for the elderly, reminding them how special they are and how much we and God loves them. We brought some yummy goodies to share too!
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