Celebrate the Light: Guatemala

A lush rain forest ruined by piles of garbage; cultures with long histories of gospel resistance; ancient Mayan spiritism; and the imposing shadow of a mosque.

This year’s Celebrate the Light promises to be another moving and inspirational presentation of how Light for the Lost assists missionaries in evangelism. This month we want to describe some beautiful things that took place while filming in Guatemala. Next month, we will share about the Albania trip.

A MOUNTAIN OF GARBAGE
In the town of Acatanango, AG missionaries David and Marie Turner use LFTL resources to reach people suffering from life-controlling addictions and the influences of Catholicism and traditional Mayan spiritism. Many times, the Turners find themselves with people who work in the local landfill, which is just a cliff side where garbage is tossed into the ravine below.

While filming, we observed the Turners and a local pastor, Ottoniel, tell a woman named Maria about Christ. Maria’s husband is an alcoholic and refuses to work, so Maria and her daughter spend the day sorting recyclables from the garbage so they can earn a living. It is difficult, messy, humbling work.

From the photo shown here, you can tell Maria was in no mood to hear about Jesus. But as the Turners spoke about how Jesus takes what is dirty and makes it clean again, the Holy Spirit broke through, and Maria began to cry.

As Maria prayed to receive salvation, her countenance changed. Later, the Turners gave Maria some books (printed with LFTL funds) that will help her grow in her relationship with Christ.

On Thursday, August 3, at a luncheon event at the bi-annual Assemblies of God General Council in Columbus, Ohio, we will premiere Celebrate the Light 2023. Email [email protected] to inquire about registering for the luncheon if you plan on attending.

If you are unable to attend, don't worry! Both the Guatemala and Albania CTL videos will go live at lftl.ag.org the afternoon of August 3 and will also be placed on social media platforms. Thank you for your prayers and faithful giving, which makes it possible for such powerful stories to unfold overseas!