In 2006 our family visited Tactic, Guatemala. Our purpose for the visit was to finally see our sponser children that we had been supporting for a number of years. But what became of our visit was more than any of us could have ever expected...a dream was kindled.
A dream of greater purpose, one that would affect the local people in such a simple, practical, easy and life giving way.
During our visit we were invited into many homes, it's there that we saw the true reality of their living conditions. It was so real, it wasn't just a commercial from World Vision where you could change the channel if you didn't like what you were seeing, it was real life, and we were witnessing it.
Some homes had dirt floors with open fires within their tiny four walls, where all 5-7 people would live.
Sometimes you could see through the boards of the walls to the outside. Tactic has a rainy season and we couldn't imagine living in those conditions, never mind without warm cozy blankets. We kept looking for them... where does everyone sleep? Where are their blankets?
Sometimes you could see through the boards of the walls to the outside. Tactic has a rainy season and we couldn't imagine living in those conditions, never mind without warm cozy blankets. We kept looking for them... where does everyone sleep? Where are their blankets?
As you often hear, and was true of our experience, the people had so little and yet were so hospitable. Welcoming us into their homes and offering us their best, even if it was a warm, watered down Kool-aid like drink, it was quite humbling.
Leaving Guatemala and flying back home, we didn't want to forget the reality of the peoples lives we were leaving. Their stories were deeply engraved into all our hearts...
a dream was kindled, the dream of gifting communities with the warmth of a blanket.
a dream was kindled, the dream of gifting communities with the warmth of a blanket.
My mom has a business called Forever Remember. She makes Bison Leather Journals and bookmarks. She decided to take all the proceeds from the bookmark sales and put them towards purchasing blankets.
While mom was working at that, I actually packed my bags and went back to serve with Impact Ministries in the same communities where we visited. My stay would be for 1 year. During that year while I was teaching in the schools, the dream of the blankets took another turn. We thought that gifting each student with a blanket of their own would be a great way to get them into the homes. Impact Ministries was so excited to embrace this idea and gladly joined our Blanket Dream.
Rita, co-founder of Impact Ministries, handing out blankets to over-joyed students in Chicoy.
Our goal:
6 schools, 1180 blankets!
Chicoy 100 Students
Mocohan 200 Students
San Antonio 100 Students
Purulha 200 Students
Chamche 250 Students
Chijacorral 250 Students
Together we can achieve it. Will you join us?
-Heidy and Kara
