WOW!!!!! Really is the best way to describe the events of today. We started our day rather early…up by 5:30am to have breakfast and be on the bus by 6. From casa Emmaus we traveled 1.5 hours to a jail called Canada. Canada is one of Guatemala’s 4 jails and houses around 1300-1400 inmates. We arrived at the jail and as we walked in we handed over our Passports to the authorities there. Truth be told, walking behind these bars and giving someone the lone document that represents who we are in this country was not the most comfortable of feelings. Once inside we were given a tour of the jail so we can get a sense of how these individuals spend their time behind bars. After our tour we began to set up for the worship and church service. Today at Canada it was family day. You can only imagine how difficult it is to see these men, hopeless and broken, hugging and loving on their families. And even harder to see are the ones who have been abandoned by their own families and cast out by society. The brokenness and pain are extremely evident in this place. The worship and church service were incredibly powerful as chains were broken and individuals were released from their past. Men ,woman and children on their knees crying out to God as the missionaries and pastors prayed over them. I think all the missionaries would agree that it was one of the most powerful services we’ve ever witnessed! After the service we distributed lunch and drinks to all this inmates and their families and spent some time fellowshipping with the people.

From the jail we headed to a city called Pasaco, which is about 2 hours past the jail. Pasaco is a small town off the mountainous coast in Guatemala. Pasaco is a beautiful town but is not known for such beautiful things…it is the kidnapping capital of Guatemala. But God is doing great things here through the works of Pastor Jose and the local pastors in the area. When we first arrived the team separated into different groups. Some did children activities in the church while others set up the stage and chairs in the street for the worship and church service. When we say stage we mean a makeshift stage composed of long metal strips and uneven planks of wood….not the most stable of platforms. Our main concern was for our drama team due to the explosive nature of the skit. God is good and it went off without a hitch….they were awesome!!!! After the worship and service we did a food distribution, had dinner and packed up the bus for a 3 hour bus ride to Guatemala city. Today chains were broken in Canada and tongues were loosened in the streets of Pasaco all for the glory of GOD! Thank you Jesus for giving us the opportunity to come to this beautiful country and spread the good news of your kingdom…..to him be all the glory!

Al