You may have noticed announcements in the South Jetty and in other places about fundraisers that First Baptist Church has been having for our summer mission trip to Guatemala.

I, myself, and First Baptist Church feel so passionate about our mission projects in Guatemala that I would like to share with you a little more of what we are doing, and even ask that you consider giving to a project in which your gift will have an immediate effect on people’s lives.

This summer ( June 25- July 2) we will be visiting an orphanage in Huehuetenango, Guatemala. “Fundación Salvación” is a Christian charitable organization. The foundation was established on the Oct., 1997, with 18 teenagers who had problems with drugs. It was a center for rehabilitation.

In 1998, the foundation received the territory in which it currently resides by the authorities of Huehuetenango under the condition to accept orphans. Therefore, with much love and God’s hand, the foundation was changed to an orphanage.

Currently it houses between 100 and 110 people. When the children arrive at the foundation most of them are dirty, have lice, problems with skin and teeth. They receive a bed, clean clothes, shoes and articles of personal hygiene. All of them receive spiritual, psychological, medical, and legal aid.

Some of the reasons why children end up at the orphanage are negligence on behalf of the parents due to drug or alcohol addictions; emigration to the United States without the possibility to take the children with them; extreme poverty; abuse by parents or other people, which is the majority of the children; children that are sent to the street to work by parents; sexual abuse by parents or other people; unmarried mothers who do not find work that permits them to stay with their children, and children whose parents cannot pay for their education.

This specific orphanage is a non-governmental orphanage - meaning, it does not receive governmental funds. This means that they have more freedom to teach without governmental restrictions.

A couple of items that we want to provide for them are an industrial washing machine and industrial refrigerator (with so many people, these are absolute needs). We can purchase them once we land in Guatemala City. If you would like to help financially in the purchase of these items and others, please contact the office of First Baptist Church at 749-6479.

I say all of this, not to beg for money, but to let you know that there are people in our community that are practicing the words of Jesus to “go into all the world and preach the good news”... Mark 16:15.

Even more than your finances, we would like for you to pray for us and the orphanage. We believe that God hears our prayers and can do amazing things without us, but even more when believers allow Him to use them.

William Campbell is pastor at First Baptist Church of Port Aransas.