White Flags in Guatemala
Posted on April 29, 2020
When Rich and Cherry Smith moved from Indiana to Guatemala, they were on a mission to make a lasting difference. Rather than coming with their own assumptions about how they were going to help, they chose to look for what the greatest needs really were. Their conclusion? The greatest need was pastoral training.
Everywhere they turned, they encountered desperate situations. But they soon realized that investing in the local church would make the most significant difference in the lives of the Guatemalan people. That’s why they decided to start helping Global Action train pastors.
In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, urgent physical needs abound. Many families simply have nothing left. They have begun hanging white fabric from their doors or windows to indicate that they are out of food and desperate. These white flags waving in the breeze are now a common sight across the country.
But Rich and Cherry are there, hard at work helping fill hundreds of packages of food to help hungry families and a local orphanage.
And the beautiful thing is, they’re not alone.
Because they made the decision years ago to invest in local leaders, today their relief efforts are multiplied as they partner with well-trained Guatemalan leaders. Through their combined efforts, far more people are receiving the emergency help they need, and lives are being saved.
When you support national pastors and leaders through Global Action, you are giving hope to Guatemalans who are literally waving the white flag. The need for godly local leaders has never been greater. To help in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, your gift will be doubled through a generous $25,000 match. Give hope to a hurting world by making a special gift today.
Thank you for spreading hope.
Lionel Young
Bonus: Arecely’s Story
On June 3, 2018, Arecely was attending a funeral outside of her Guatemalan village with her two young daughters and her mother. While she was away, a large volcano erupted and destroyed her entire village – along with everything she owned. Through a Guatemalan friend, Rich and Cherry learned about Arecely’s devastating situation and helped build her a new home. They continued developing a relationship with her and her family, along with the people in her new town. Last August, Fernando and Luis Misteco partnered with Rich and Cherry to help improve her kitchen, install a smokeless stove, and add a new living area.
Today, this single mother is partnering with Rich and Cherry to help provide food packages for the people in her town who are facing a dire situation. She understands what it’s like to go through a crisis, and she is thrilled to be able to give back to her community in their time of need. Praise God for these ripple effects of generosity and Christ-like service!
