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Dear Friends,
I just returned from the United States a few days ago. Wendy, Michelle, and I attended the Little Peoples’ Conference where we – especially Michelle – were reminded of how powerful a face-to-face visit can be. This week, as I write, NLCH is hosting a short-term mission team from Lubbock, Texas (our fourth team since the beginning of June), and Echo Reach Ministries hosted a team from the States earlier this month. Again, I’m reminded of the importance of personal visits from friends – old and new - who share our passion for missions. It is incredibly encouraging to be near those who have sacrificed time and money to serve one another and come alongside us in our efforts to rescue children, make disciples, and change families and communities for the glory of God. I could talk about that blessing more, but I want to focus my comments about mission teams on our theme for 2023, TRANSFORMATION.
I should mention the transformation of property and buildings as teams take on projects to paint, clean, repair, landscape, and build. But the more important transformation is the one that occurs in the hearts of those we serve, and the team members who come to serve them. Through the love they show, the testimonies they give, and the activities they make possible, mission teams have a transformative impact in the lives of the children and staff here in Guatemala. I have seen it almost every time a team comes; one or two of the team members and their stories connect in a special way with a child who then gains hope that their future can be different with the help of Jesus.
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