Dear Pastor Dave,
Greetings from Guatemala. My name is Sarah Smith. Fairport has been generously sponsoring the ministry that my family runs in Guatemala for many years now. Pastor Neale gave me your email address so that I could contact you. I wanted to introduce myself and send my heartfelt thanks to the congregation for the support they have given over the years.
The past few years have been difficult times for us. This country (like many developing nations) was ill-equipped to deal with the pandemic. COVID has left a lot of suffering in its wake. Thankfully, in large part because of your church’s generosity, we have been able to extend a hand to help many families in dire circumstances.
I am attaching a few pictures that you might enjoy. I have included a picture of a meal served at our Center. These meals have made a huge difference for the families we serve, many of whom suffered great financial challenges over the past few years and could not afford to put food on the table.
There is a picture of a family that we have been supporting during the past 7 weeks as the dad recovers from surgery which kept him from work (and also from an income) then on top of that their 15 yr old daughter passed away. The surgery plus the funeral have put them in a lot of debt. While we can’t pay their debt, we have made sure they have food and meds. We have visited often to pray with and for them, to grieve with them, comfort them, and encourage them.
I also thought you might enjoy a photo of some of the kids playing a game during our last birthday celebration. At the end of every month, we celebrate everyone who had a birthday during the month. It is great fun.
I hope you enjoy the photos. Please pass along my greetings to the congregation.
many blessings.
—
SARAH R SMITH
