In addition to working with partners in the Memphis area, Immanuel is also partnered with ministries in Colombia and Guatemala.

Our Colombia Mission trips and sponsorship program creates relationships which impact the lives of disadvantaged children and families a town North of Bogota Colombia, South America. This ministry is relationally focused, and does not seek to become involved in work projects. It is our hope to match children with sponsors. We have averaged approximately 25 sponsored children over nearly a decade. Child sponsorships have been shown to be one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty, and cultivate faith. We partner with a church in Gachancipa Colombia, a town North of Bogota. The ministry has had an impact in keeping disadvantaged children out of orphanages, their fragile families intact, and involved in the local church. Several of these children have grown into ministry positions within the church. They are now involved in leading worship, teach children’s church, and lead other children’s activities. Several have gone on to college or trade schools. We are training up the next generation of leaders.

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Immanuel, along with the Central American Lutheran Mission Society (CALMS) and our ministry partners in Guatemala, is dedicated to helping fulfill the Great Commission by making and growing disciples who make more disciples for Jesus. We do this by working collaboratively with people to help build the capacity of leaders, churches, ministries, and communities while addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, so that they can live in healthy ways to carry out God’s mission in the world.

We are currently working with Iglesia Luterana La Santa Cruz (Holy Cross Lutheran Church) at Lake Amatitlan (where we stay) and nearby El Durazno village – about an hour from Guatemala City. The “poorest of the poor” in Guatemala live near Lake Amatitlan. We focus on developing relationships as we experience and learn more about cross-cultural ministry.

We have prayer-walked, visited homes, shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and distributed Bibles to 400 village families; shared Bible stories and led songs with 400 children and mothers during Vacation Bible School / puppet ministry; taught the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, Bible stories, English, hygiene education, and music and provided books and school supplies to 300 students at El Durazno School; equipped / mentored older youth to be leaders in ministry; provided medical care to 162 families; provided dental care to 198 patients; and taught Sunday School, reading, and recorder and provided books and supplies to Santa Cruz children’s ministry. We pray with families and spend time discussing our experiences as a team each day.

For more information about Immanuel’s mission work in Guatemala, contact Ed Mell at emell72@bellsouth.net.  Go to www.calms.org for more information about CALMS.

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