October was packed with progress and blessings, and we can’t wait to fill you in on everything that’s been happening!
Feeding Program
For a couple reasons, we had to take a one week break from giving lunches. It felt very strange, but we made the most of it and got a lot done! We made it a housekeeping week. We finished the stool shed and got all the construction material and tools moved out of the kitchen space and into the shed. Opening up that space, we were able to do a good cleaning and expand the kitchen. On top of that, since we weren’t using the stove to cook the huge pot of food, we were able to sand it down and get rid of the rust and repaint it. We feel like we have a new stove now! We are now able to keep the kitchen area cleaner and more organized and running smoother. It has made a huge difference!
And of course, after that week, we jumped right back in to giving lunches three days a week. And several people told us how much they missed it during that break. That was encouraging to hear as sometimes the enemy puts thoughts in our heads and makes us wonder if anyone even cares or would miss us if we weren’t here. It was nice to know that we were missed.
Construction
Progress on the water room has been much slower than anticipated. However, it is basically done now!! The last few touches on it are happening over the weekend and it will be done on Monday! We are so excited about this! It is a huge step forward in our vision. This coming week all the work of moving the filter system and pipes over to our new water room will happen, and then we can start producing the water bags and jugs on our very own property! This is not only more practical, but it will also save us money as we have been paying rent across the street where we have been producing the water up until this point. This is going to make a huge difference in how the ministry operates and distributes and we are so excited to see how God uses it!
Some of you already know this, but others probably don’t. In our last update we shared that our beloved van is officially done. We ran that van into the ground trying to get every last bit of life out of her, and I believe that we did. She is officially retired now, which means that distributing water in town has been on pause this whole time. It has been a month and 10 days since we have been on this break. However, we were blessed from some dear friends with an interest-free loan. With the loan and all of our savings, we were able to purchase a brand new Isuzu flatbed truck! We are so excited about this step! We have been thinking for a long time that this day would come where we would need one of these, we just didn’t expect it now. But we know this isn’t a surprise to God!
That being said, we still need all of your help! We need to be making payments on this loan monthly, and if donations don’t come in, we will be making the payments out of pocket. We are prepared to do this, but also praying that we don’t have to. We are praying that we can get this loan paid off faster than any of us expect! Would you please pray with us? And if you are able, please give toward this need!
We are hoping a praying that as soon as the water room is done, our truck will also be ready. We have still been waiting for the paperwork to get done with that. But, truthfully, this break from distributing water has kind of been nice. It has given Maudilio and the other workers a bit of a break from the stress and long hours of producing and distributing the water. On top of that, they have had much more time to finish a lot of other smaller projects that they didn’t have time for before. They have gotten so much done around the property in this time!
Right now we have paused progress on the bathroom in order to get the water room done as soon as possible. But, as soon as the water room is done, we will jump right into finishing the bathrooms. This will also be an exciting day as we do not have a place for any of our little friends to relieve themselves. This bathroom will make many people very happy!
Personal Update
After getting back from Utah, I jumped right back into life and ministry here. I felt like I hit the ground running. There was much to be done! But, it’s been wonderful being back with Maudilio again. Even through the hard, at least we are going through it together.
There are days that it feels like there is so much happening and the ministry is growing and God is working, and there are days that feels like we are making no progress and we see more problems than change. I know those discouraging days are from the enemy, but they are very difficult days to work through. We would really appreciate prayers for those hard days!
Also, because of legal stuff with buying this truck on a loan, we have to buy it personally instead of as a ministry truck. This is unfortunate in some ways, but more convenient in other ways. But, regardless, this is how it has to be. So, if you would like to donate toward this truck, you will have to send the money through our “personal support” link on our website.
Like I said, we had to put our savings into this truck, and we will be paying back the loan monthly, that being said, finances are going to be pretty tight until this is paid off. And of course, right after we made this purchase, multiple unexpected expenses came up like car repairs and included having to buy a new car battery. This makes things even tighter. But, we trust that God will provide one way or another!
On another note, some of you may remember that each year in Colorado some supporters put on a fundraising banquete to raise funds for us for the following year. Well, this year they have asked me (Taryn) to fly there for it to speak! The banquete is on the 14th, so I will be flying out on Monday! Please be praying for the event! Every year it feels a bit nerve-wrecking, because this is where the vast majority of our support comes from. So please pray for a calmness and peace for all of those involved with putting it all together. And pray that God works in big ways on Friday!
Another prayer request is for my flights. Because of the government shutdown, the FAA is canceling many flights going into and out of major airports. Up to this point, I have not gotten word about my flights being affected, but I am flying through Miami and Denver, which are both airports that are being affected. So I feel very nervous about it. Also, because I leave Denver directly following the banquet and travel through the night in order to be here in Guatemala for my close friends’ wedding the following day. And I really don’t want to miss that! Please be praying for safe travels and calm nerves.
Prayer requests
- For wisdom and strength as we continue to lead this growing ministry.
- For Donations to come in so that we can pay this loan back faster than anyone ever expected.
- For the completion of the construction projects going on, and also for a smooth transition of the water room.
- For safe travels and for God’s blessing over this banquete on Friday
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this update and for continually keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. Your love, encouragement, and support mean more to us than we can express. We’re so grateful to walk this journey together and pray often that the Lord blesses each of you just as richly as you’ve blessed us.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions—or if you’d just like to connect! We always love hearing from you.
