It’s hard to put into words just how challenging this past month has been. To say it’s been difficult would be an understatement. The last week and a half especially has felt like a whirlwind of obstacles. And yet, even in the chaos, we see God at work—guiding, providing, and reminding us that He’s with us every step of the way.
Construction Progress
Water Room
We’re so close to completing the new water room! We’re incredibly excited for the day we can begin producing clean water directly from our own property. If all goes smoothly (and let’s be honest—it rarely does!), we’re hopeful it will be ready within the next week and a half. After that, we’ll face the big task of moving all the pipes, filters, and machinery into the new space. It’s a lot of work, but once it’s done, it will be a major step forward!
Bathroom
This past week, we also kicked off another exciting project: building bathrooms! We were blessed to host an amazing team from Living Stones Church in Nevada, who jumped in to help build a bathroom facility on our property. This space will serve not only our team but also the many people who come to eat with us each week.
They worked long, muddy days without a single complaint, and through their dedication, they truly reflected the love of Jesus. What a gift their presence was!
Tool Shed
In the midst of everything else, we’re also continuing to make slow but steady progress on finishing our tool shed and storage area. Once it’s complete, it will help us bring much-needed organization to the property. Right now, things are a bit chaotic with so many projects happening at once, but we know this mess is only temporary. In time, the space will not only be functional—it will look great too!
Health Education Classes
In addition to construction, members of the same team came alongside another local ministry to lead two medical classes last week for the community. One focused on women’s health, and the other taught dental hygiene to children. They even handed out 102 dental hygiene kits to all the children that attended the class! The classes were practical, engaging, and filled with fun—songs, games, and lots of learning.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make these classes possible. We love being able to offer resources that empower and educate the community.
Water Distribution Setback
Now for some tough news…
Our faithful old van—a 1999 Hyundai Grace—has officially given out. After years of hard work, it finally reached its limit. And unfortunately, this has completely halted our water distribution efforts.
While there are other sources of clean water for the people in Aceituno, they come at a higher cost. We’ve always sold water at cost to keep it more accessible for everyone in the community, so this has been a hard hit for many families.
We are currently praying for donations to purchase a 3-ton truck, which would allow us to resume deliveries—and even expand to harder-to-reach areas up the mountain. This type of vehicle is better suited for the terrain and would help us serve more people, more efficiently.
Though we haven’t received the funds yet, we’re choosing to trust God. We believe this is the next right step, and we’re holding onto hope that He will provide.
If you feel led to be part of this effort and help us purchase the truck, we would be incredibly grateful. This investment would make a significant impact on the ministry and greatly increase our ability to serve the community effectively.
Personal Update
I (Taryn) am currently in Utah for a two-week trip to support Maudilio’s sisters, one of whom just welcomed a new baby in late September. It’s been a sweet time with family and our precious new nephew—but it’s also been difficult being away from Guatemala.
Just two days after I left, the van broke down. And two days after that, the team arrived. That meant a very long, very full week for Maudilio—and not being there to help made it even harder for both of us.
We’re also walking through some personal challenges that are difficult to process, especially while apart. But even in the hard, God has been good. He’s given me meaningful time with family and small moments of rest in the midst of everything else.
I’m definitely enjoying the crisp, cool weather, the stunning snow capped mountain views, and the beauty of fall leaves—something I haven’t experienced in over 15 years. It’s been such a gift to soak in autumn again.
Prayer Requests
- Emotional strength and physical energy, especially for Maudilio, after a demanding and heavy couple of weeks.
- Financial provision for a 3-ton truck to resume water distribution for the community of Aceituno.
- For the ongoing construction projects—for progress, safety, and endurance.
- For safe travels as Taryn returns to Guatemala this Saturday.
Thank you so much for reading all the way through and for being part of this journey with us. We are truly grateful for each one of you—for your encouragement, your prayers, and your support of us and the ministry of Aliento.
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or want to learn more. We love hearing from you!
