Welcome
In 2003 Russ, Linda, and their teenage children Sophie and Luke individually heard the call of God upon their lives to go to the mission field. Determined to accomplish what the Lord required of them and no matter what opposition came their way, they then spent the following two years in preparation. The family sold their home in Gosport, Hants and lived in 5 temporary homes travelling the U.K. at weekends and sharing their vision with other churches. Russ finally resigned from his teaching post at a comprehensive school in Gosport and the family left the U.K. in January 2005 to make their home in San Lucas Sacatepéquez, Guatemala.
As soon as the family arrived in Guatemala, they began to get to know the people and respond to the many needs that surrounded them. Shocked by the poverty and social injustice, they started helping families by providing food on a regular basis. They also witnessed many who were sick and unable to procure medical help through lack of finance. Right at the outset they decided to trust God for their financial support and gave to many folk in faith knowing that God would reward them in this. They value this part of the work greatly and today some twenty families are supported by the mission with food and medical help.
Within a year of being in Guatemala, the family felt strongly led to work in the indigenous town of Santiago, Sacatepéquez. Having very little money, the Lord miraculously provided a building in Santiago which has become their main centre. The doors of El Refugio Centro Cristiano (The Refuge Christian Centre) were opened on February 14th 2006. Together with other events like children’s outreaches, they started running classes for children that did not go to school and for women who could not read. From a handful of children, El Refugio and its sister building, Bethesda, now occupies 170 children of all ages who are able to study for certificates fully recognised in Guatemala.
During the past five years, the Lord has led this family to develop three areas of helping the people. These separate yet integrated areas are:
· The Church at El Refugio
· Family Sponsorship Programme
· Learning Sponsorship Programme
As soon as the family arrived in Guatemala, they began to get to know the people and respond to the many needs that surrounded them. Shocked by the poverty and social injustice, they started helping families by providing food on a regular basis. They also witnessed many who were sick and unable to procure medical help through lack of finance. Right at the outset they decided to trust God for their financial support and gave to many folk in faith knowing that God would reward them in this. They value this part of the work greatly and today some twenty families are supported by the mission with food and medical help.
Within a year of being in Guatemala, the family felt strongly led to work in the indigenous town of Santiago, Sacatepéquez. Having very little money, the Lord miraculously provided a building in Santiago which has become their main centre. The doors of El Refugio Centro Cristiano (The Refuge Christian Centre) were opened on February 14th 2006. Together with other events like children’s outreaches, they started running classes for children that did not go to school and for women who could not read. From a handful of children, El Refugio and its sister building, Bethesda, now occupies 170 children of all ages who are able to study for certificates fully recognised in Guatemala.
During the past five years, the Lord has led this family to develop three areas of helping the people. These separate yet integrated areas are:
· The Church at El Refugio
· Family Sponsorship Programme
· Learning Sponsorship Programme
