To our Proyecto Fe Family,

On November 1, 2018, we arrived in San Pedro La Laguna, with a truck full of our belongings, 3 very active boys, and high expectations and dreams.  It’s hard to believe it has been 4 years already, and what an experience it has been!

Like any family called into Ministry, we have experienced both great joy and fulfillment in being called; while also wading through the challenges that are always present as we adjust and plant ourselves in the community we have been called to. God has been so gracious to us and has helped us through the process every step of the way. We have had the privilege of meeting and getting to know so many of you as you have supported us over the years we have served. This year in our annual review we have decided to share how we have been blessed by the growth, boldness, and willingness our three sons have displayed during our time serving with Proyecto Fe as missionary kids. We are confident that you will also be blessed.

Upon arrival in San Pedro, we were so excited to serve but knew we had asked our children, once again, to say goodbye to their lifestyle, leave their closest family members, meet new friends, adjust to the changes.

Our boys are aware they do not live like the rest of the children, not even like their cousins do. They are Third Culture Kids (TCK), a term in sociology describing children who grow up in cultures other than those of their parents, or the culture of their country of nationality, or live in a different environment during a significant part of their child development years.

During our time in San Pedro, we have been in awe at their growth; emotionally, spiritually, physically. They have shown resilience and joy in the process and have given their hearts to San Pedro and the people we serve. We have seen them develop compassion, empathy and show great strength. Through transition, through COVID, through loss of family members and dear friends. We can even see now how the Lord was preparing us for their greatest challenge as our oldest Dany, age 15, was injured by being hit by a motorbike and was in critical condition. This was a trying time that challenged our faith.  Once again, the Lord has shown us that He is with us, and what the enemy meant for harm, the Lord came in like a river of healing and might, giving Dany a miracle. Once again, His name was glorified. There was nothing in our human power that could have changed Dany’s diagnose of brain injury, except God’s healing power.

There are 365 Bible references that encourage us not to fear. One for each day. Yet, in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by a massive 25%, according to a scientific brief released by the World Health Organization (WHO). If there is anything we can share with you through this letter, hoping that it would bless you as it has blessed us, is that the undeniable almighty presence of God is with each one of you, through your struggles, your anxiety, your decisions, and your trying times, just as much, or even more, as through the times of laughter and joy.

In a recent devotional with the boys, when talking about God’s care, Joaquín said “God’s care is there constantly, but not for use to just live in it and enjoy. It is there for us to be bold and go and share the gospel, so that other people can know He cares for them as well”. Roberto describes God’s protection as “A shield. When thoughts of fear or doubt come to our mind, His protection is a shield that keeps them away.”

As parents, some of our greatest lessons have come from our 3 sons. They are walking their own walk of faith. They are finding their call and purpose. They are bolder than they are aware of. And we are grateful for their hearts, their personalities, and the joy they bring.

In the same way, actually, even so much more; the Lord rejoices when he sees each one of you, dear friends. Every single one of you has the blessed assurance of calling Him “ABBA”, an Aramaic word for father to address God in a relation of personal intimacy. To put it in a more familiar way, you have the blessed assurance of calling him “Dad” or “Daddy” and approach Him with confidence. He is faithful.

Thank you for you love, prayers and donations. Beyond what we (Bernardo & Carla) have worked here in San Pedro, served God and others, experienced and learned these four years with Proyecto Fe, your support enables us to be the parents we are able to be with our boys; as we walk them through this process, and still do God’s work on the mission field. By supporting our positions, you are impacting the roles we serve in with Proyecto Fe and our family as a whole.

You have impacted our lives fully, and that makes you family.

Your family in Guatemala,

Bernardo, Carla, Daniel, Joaquín and Roberto (aka Tete).