A Note From the Director… 

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. "~ Hebrews 3:13

I circled as long as it is called “Today” because it seems like “Today” is so long that it will NEVER end. So encouragement is more important than ever.

I want to encourage you first by reminding our supporters that they are being prayed for by the children, families, and staff of Kids Alive Guatemala. Our team in Guatemala sees and hears the same news you do and we know that many are touched by the tragedy of this pandemic. No one has ever experienced anything like this.

I also want to encourage you by saying that your support contributes to significant Kingdom work. I just spoke with one of our social workers at our Escuintla care center. She is in constant contact with families. Yesterday she drove 1.5 hours each way to get 20 days of food to one of our families. This child has a supportive family and could remain at home while we walk a path of restorative justice with her. Her stepfather normally makes about $9/day to feed the family of 5. Now he makes $0/day with the lockdown here in Guatemala. In small, remote villages there is no government help. With no money, no public transportation, no hope, stress could overwhelm even the best parents. But our team was there to bring hope, to relieve stress, to counsel an 11-year-old rape victim, and say “you are not forgotten by God.”

Your support makes that possible. Like that social worker in Escuintla, most staff are the only source of income for their own families now. We are deeply grateful for our support team who keeps this great team in the field, in our classrooms, and in our residential homes.

Beyond that one family and our staff, you are providing support for 115 families in Zapote, dozens of Families Together families scattered throughout Guatemala, and 70 girls in our residential programs.

At this time, we all feel bewildered. A few days ago I read Matthew. I am always struck by the verses where John’s disciples came to Jesus seeking assurance. Times were tough. John was in prison and they needed to know of God’s coming Kingdom.

As a final encouragement, I want to paraphrase Jesus’ response.

“Go back and report to John [and each of us] what you hear and see: The blind [those who can see no hope] receive sight, the lame [those who would be crippled without education] walk, those who [feel filthy from rape] are cleansed, the deaf [hopeless] hear [hope], the [soul] dead are raised [to live as children again], and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”

The Kingdom is still being proclaimed and is still coming. In the end, COVID-19 is a temporary affliction that does not compare to the glory of the Kingdom.

God’s Peace,

Corbey Dukes, Guatemala Country Director, Kids Alive International