May was a joyous time of celebration as Ana (our youngest daughter) graduated from IWU and I was honored to be the baccalaureate speaker for her graduation. Then, in October, Ana accepted a proposal of marriage from Jeremy Armiger. They are planning a June 2012 wedding -- busy times ahead!

In August we said goodbye to one of our own, Antonio Mendez. Throughout his illness, he showed that gentle spirit, warm smile, and deep faith that made up the man everyone both liked and loved. He is greatly missed, yet we rejoice that he has crossed over to where he no longer suffers. Many of you may not have known that Antonio had a beautiful bass singing voice. We can imagine him sing praises and smiling as he worships in heaven. Thanks to everyone who prayed and contributed to help pay his medical and funeral expenses.

On October 31^st, we got to say hello to David Antonio Mendez! Another boy for Tony & Andrea, weighing in at 7 lbs 2 oz, and we all rejoiced over his birth. Antonio knew this little one would carry his name. Dinora and I, and Lucy Mendez, are overjoyed that we now have two little grandsons to bring such joy into our lives. Big brother Luis Daniel is happy to have a brother…most of the time!

The summer months were harder than usual due to the illnesses of several team members who came to serve in Guatemala and Antonio’s steady decline in health. I spent many nights in the hospital with family and pastors of team members as one faced surgery and one had a major battle with malaria that he contracted in Africa two weeks prior to arriving in Guatemala. Tony and Andrea spent many nights in the hospital or at Antonio’s bedside. Dinora carried a heavy load in leading the teams during my, Tony and Andrea’s absence. Ana, Fredy, Sarah and the interpreters also took on extra responsibilities. Had it not been for the prayers of all of you, it would have been even more difficult. We felt your prayers lifting us up and the Father’s arms holding us through these difficult days.

Teams this year were simply wonderful! God ruled supreme and provided the grace, patience and flexibility needed. God blessed us with several teams coming to serve and minister in Guatemala and with allowing me to visit, preach and share in 13 different churches and conferences in the States during 2011. 

The three weeks of VBS in November were wonderful. God blessed us with great teams who served with much joy and gusto. During the three weeks, around 3,000 children and 180 ladies were ministered to by the teams and Impacto staff. We give all the praise and glory to God for the many souls won for the Kingdom.

In August, the first Pastors Congress was held with over 130 participants. Five men (pastors, a professor, a missionary and a church administrator) came from the States to lead sessions on stewardship, sermon preparation, church administration, leadership, and spiritual discipline. Impacto provided each participant with handouts from the leaders, a new study Bible, spiral notebook, pen, calculator and canvas conference bag, daily transportation, snacks, meals and lodging. Evening worship services were open to the public. Praise God for this opportunity to provide training. Many of the participants have never had any formal training. The surveys taken at the end of the Congress gave testimony to how blessed the participants felt to have been able to attend and receive such good training and resources. We are planning another Congress in April 2012.

In the love of Christ,

Pastor Luis