Back to the East again...

So why are we headed to the east again tomorrow?

Currently, we are researching the C'horti' who live in eastern Guatemala in the Chiquimula Department and the Copán Department of Honduras. The C'horti' in Guatemala, numbering over 55,000, live in regions surrounding four large towns (municipios): Jocotán, Camotán, Olopa, and San Juan Ermita. As part of our research, we visit and study these towns and each aldea (village) of the municipio, learning about the culture and any presence of a Gospel witness.

During our last visit, we focused on the municipio of Camotán which has 29 aldeas and 59 family communities surrounding it. The Friends Church, (Iglesia Amigos) or Quakers, have sought to evangelize this area for many years and have established several churches. A few Pentecostal churches also have been started. We learned that eight aldeas have no evangelical church.

We are returning to Camotán to continue our work. Maps are poor, so we will map the location of each aldea, which means traveling to each village. We will continue to identify the areas that have the greatest need for the Gospel. After we have completed our work in Camotán, we will move on to the other three cities.

A new missionary family has arrived in Honduras to work with the Ch'orti'. From our research and recommendations, they will come to the area with the goal of planting new churches in the area.

The Ch'ori'are very poor people. This area of Guatemala is very dry and the soil is poor. Illnesses and death related to malnutrition are common. The Catholic Church is dominant in the region, mixed with the influence of the old Mayan practices.

Please pray for the Ch'orti'. Please pray for us!

As you pray... People in this region can be suspicious of North Americans. In past years, North Americans have been accused of kidnapping children to sell for adoption or for body parts. In 2007, three local women were accused of kidnapping a young girl to sell to North Americans. The mutilated body of the child was found with body parts removed. The crime was settled with vigilante justice. We will travel in the community where this atrocity occurred. As we enter these aldeas, pray that we will communicate a spirit of peace and not suspicion.

As you pray... We are aware that the enemy has already sought to intercept the advance of the Gospel to the Ch'orti'. We really need prayer warriors who will come against this stronghold of Satan expressed in a very specific way. Will you be one?