9 Years in Guatemala

 It is hard to believe we have been in Guatemala 9 years. We moved here June 20, 2012. Caleb our youngest boy was just 2. How things have changed. We did not really know what we were getting into when we moved to Guatemala. God has done more than we could have imagined or thought. Here are a few of the things God has done:

• Moved us here: Not an easy task to sell everything and pack up 21 suitcases with 5 boys and head to a foreign country. Many challenges along the way living in Guatemala but we wouldn't have it any other way.
• Learned Spanish: Well still learning but that will be the rest of my life.
• Helped further Establish Love Guatemala: Before we arrived our home church and other missionaries and mainly Carlos and Telma Lopez had established the Art, Cooking and Carpentry School and we came to support and further establish things. We were able to help further develop and implement devotionals, a sponsor programs, teams program, expand staff etc.
• Purchased Property: In 2013 we bought property which was a miracle in and of itself for a small ministry with very little resources.
• Built a 10,000 sq ft facility: Then God surprised us again by miraculously providing over a half million dollars for a new building to house our growing ministry in 2014.
• Started some new schools: In 2015 with our new space we started an English School and Literacy program which has now become a primary school for older youth/adults. 
• Started our Feeding Center in 2015.
• Started New Life Church in 2018.
• Bought more property and built our multi-purpose space in 2019. (The Lord knew we would need this space with the pandemic coming!)
• Started Bible Institute in 2020 with 10 students graduating this year.
• We have seen the Lord transform countless lives.
• Our family has grown by 2 soon to be 3 more. (See pics of family changes over the years below) 

To God be the glory! Great things he has done!

Thanks for supporting and praying for us over the years!

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Psalm 36:5

We are so grateful for God's faithfulness!

Our commissioning service in June 2012.

2014

2015

2016

2017

2019

January 2021

Easter 2021

Jennifer and Jake's Trip Stateside

Traveling these days is challenging. So we were glad that Jennifer and Jacob could get back for a quick trip to visit Levi and family. Check out some pictures below.

Lots of fishing for Jacob.

They celebrated Levi's graduation as well while they were there.

I can't believe Levi is finishing Highschool!

Brothers

Joel made them a welcome home cake.

Dad held down the fort while Jennifer and Jake were gone. Joel and Caleb helped quite a bit. Joel likes to cook so he helped with that and they both helped with the girls and Luke. We are grateful for our family and it makes me (Ben) even more grateful for my wife after she is gone for a while.

Sofia doesn't look to happy here but we had a good time for the most part.