Guatemala

This week, as Christmas approaches, pray for the youngest children, born into multi-dimensional poverty, just like Jesus. Please pray for: 1) Mums and babies with inadequate shelter and clothing 2) Babies born displaced from wider communities or families which would usually support them 3) Babies born without healthcare 4) Young families fleeing persecution and targeted acts of violence 5) Child refugees trying to make sense of life in foreign lands, cultures and languages.

This week, we continue to pray for our work in the slums of Guatemala City and for our Christmas Appeal. Please pray for: 1) Continued protection for our partners and the children they support in high-risk Santa Faz 2) Encouragement for children to continue in education despite multiple challenges and barriers 3) More mentors so we can support more children 4) A positive response to the appeal, so we can help more children 5) Wisdom and inspiration for our fundraising team as they seek to encourage donations.

Potter’s House in Guatemala has entered a new year of ministry as students begin their academic year in January. Pray for wisdom as the team carries out plans for 2026 and for unity and grace in every home connected to their programmes. Ask God to provide resources to equip classrooms in the Western Region and strengthen Community Centres across all three regions. Pray that parents will be guided to support their children well and that every activity, whether in education or health care, will reflect Christ’s love and bring lasting hope to the Treasures and their families.

On the 25th November we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women Please pray for: 1)our partners’ work helping abused women in Sri Lanka 2) protection for young women and girls in all our projects 3) justice / fair legal representation for abused women and girls, especially Dalit girls in India 4) efforts to tackle cultural practices condoning domestic violence 5) greater participation for girls so their needs are seen and voices heard.

Pray for our work in Santa Faz, a slum in Guatemala City. Please pray for 1) safety for Frank, Paula and the SKD Guatemala team as they work in this dangerous slum 2) continued protection from gangs, that they would continue to leave the project and activities alone 3) safety and progress for the children, at high risk from the temptations of street / gang life 4) a positive response to our Christmas Appeal, aiming to extend this project to help more children.

Potter’s House continues to expand its impact across Guatemala. Give thanks for the near completion of their Western Region Community Centre and the inauguration of new Services and Programmes offices in the Eastern Region. Pray for wisdom as the team welcomes their first group and seeks an educational advisor for the Treasures. Lift up students preparing for graduation and families newly involved in church life. Ask God to guide parents supporting their children and to provide resources for Potter’s House’s Health Centre, which has served over 25,000 people in two years.

Join us in prayer for our work with girls, remembering the International Day of the Girl (11th October). Pray for: encouragement and positive change for 350+ girls attending Girls Clubs at four primary schools in Rukungiri, Uganda our partners in Malawi and Guatemala and their work mentoring girls protection and opportunities for extremely vulnerable Dalit girls at our projects in India a bright future for sponsored girls at our projects worldwide.

In August, Potter’s House celebrated the opening of a fully operational kitchen at their Community Centre in Momostenango, providing space to serve surrounding communities with care and dignity. Over the summer, a second classroom was opened in Chiquimula, enhancing the education programme for sponsored children. Construction also continues on a new community centre in the Western Highlands. Ask God for provision as they build classrooms, bathrooms, offices and a kitchen, and for wisdom for staff as they welcome and support new families, including two recently widowed mothers receiving care through Potter’s House. Give thanks for these developments and pray that each one will be used to bring hope and healing to those in need.

Continue to pray that God would call the right people to do various job roles at Potter’s House in Guatemala, including an administrative assistant and partnership development officers. Praise God for the opening of Potter’s House’s first dental clinic in Chiquimula. Ask God for provision in raising funds for the necessary equipment. Following the recent increase in violence in Guatemala, Potter’s House have shared the need for security around their Community Centres, particularly in the central region. Please pray for God’s protection in this.

Ask God for healing for the children at Potter’s House in Guatemala, as many are struggling with illness. Access to healthcare is scarce and of poor quality in the Western Highlands. Praise God that 23 children remain in the Potter’s House programme despite the relocation of facilities in Momostenango. Give thanks that three children are continuing their education in high school, where many typically stop after year six. Thank God for the seven volunteers who run the discipleship programme at Potter’s House. Three of them are alumni, who give up their time as a small way of giving back what they received.

There is often little educational parental support for children, especially girls, in Guatemala. Pray for Potter’s House as they seek to show parents why keeping their children in school is important and beneficial. Praise God with Potter’s House for the life and legacy of staff member Josue Vides, who sadly died from leukaemia last month. May his wife, son and all who knew him know God’s comfort.

We pray for our partners in Guatemala. Our CEO John White is visiting this project until 7 Feb. Please pray for safe journeys, energy and good health for John, wisdom for the team at our partners SKD Guatemala. Good relationships within the team, with local churches, networks and connections, safety and improved lives for marginalised, high-risk, street-connected children and families. More volunteer mentors and more UK sponsors.