Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and recognize your father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
The focus of the Guatemala Mission is on helping the Pokomchi people, one of 23 distinct indigenious groups of Mayan descent in Guatemala. They are mainly subsistence farmers with limited access to higher education. The Pokomchi suffer from the highest mortality rate in all of Guatemala.
The partnership between Hope of the Pokomchi (a Guatemala based non-profit organization) and FUMC carries out projects directed at health, safety, education and infrastructure. These have included the installation of safe, efficient wood-burning stoves, the construction of water tanks and the building of latrines. Additionally, we support spiritual growth classes, health education and a weekend school for teenage students. Hope of the Pokomchi is committed to the education, employment and empowerment of indigenous people. Eight of the ten employees come from local villages.
The Guatemala Mission team believes that we are the heart, hands and feet of Jesus Christ, and the tangible sharing of his love must reach our brothers and sisters across the globe. The team is committed to building a bridge of understanding, hope and shared community with the indigenous Pokomchi people of Guatemala.
Since 2001, FUMC has sent 17 mission teams, built cisterns for over 70 families, installed or paid for more than 150 stoves, and provided 80 latrines. Our church and individual members have donated over $200,000 to these programs to create a regional health clinic run by two local nurses, a nutrition program that has saved the lives of many children and agricultural training for village farmers which has tripled their crop yield.