For some years now, CSM has been a small part of the work of Impact Ministries in Guatemala. In the year 200, God gave Les and Rita Peters a desire to serve the people of Guatemala. So, they left their home in an old Windstar van loaded with their three youngest children and all of the possessions that they thought would help them begin their ministry in the city of Tactic. They drove through Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, and arrived in Guatemala. They soon begin the process of learning Spanish and of becoming part of the community. They soon founded Impact Ministries and started a school. What began as a small school of 78 students has today grown to include 12 day school programs with over 1900 students, along with a nutrition program, a medical clinic, an agricultural program, several churches, and a children’s home for orphaned and abandoned children.

We became connected with Impact a dozen years ago when they became part of our “The Little Book Escaped” story. We had completed the book in English, Vietnamese, and four tribal languages in Vietnam and believed the project was over. But, some months later, the chaplain of a Christian school took one of the English books to Guatemala, where his student group was helping with a VBS outreach. He gave the book to Les. A short time later, Les said, “We need this book here. Do they have it in Poqomchi’?”

We did not. But it was soon clear that they had competent translators able to do the translation. The book became one of their primary tools for training pastors and helping new believers get a good start on the road to following Jesus.

That is why, when invited to go to Guatemala in July 2025 with a team from our sending church, we quickly agreed. We will be part of a team of 12 adults and 16 youth. One of our responsibilities will be to help with a conference for pastors and church leaders from the region. Tom will be speaking and leading some breakout sessions to help the leaders know how to best use the resources that CSM has in Spanish (Simple Truths, Travel Guide to the Bible, Simple Stories, and Simple Answers to Not-so-Simple Questions).

Please pray as we prepare and manage the logistics of printing and transporting books to Guatemala. And pray for the team as they will be helping with multiple projects for Impact Ministries. If you would like to help with the printing and shipping of the CSM books to Guatemala, visit our Support page.