The challenge that the U.S. confronts is magnified for the people here in Guatemala. The transmission of the virus to the villages would be catastrophic, where many people already have compromising health issues. The mandatory shut down of businesses removes employment for those that were already living day-to-day with very little income. Our family is doing fine as we are able to plan ahead and buy enough food to ensure provision during uncertain times. But there are many around us who do not have that luxury.

During this time, I bought many pounds of coffee from various villages. I processed and sorted the coffee by hand to bring to coffee roasters in the U.S. I hoped to present these coffee samples to potential buyers who not only demand high-quality coffee but also have clients that are willing to pay more for the assurance of improving the lives of coffee farmers in Guatemala. These partnerships are more than just a business transaction, but an investment in the mission to truly improve the lives of the downtrodden and oppressed in our world. A planned trip to the U.S. to share these samples is now on hold. 

This article appears in the Sept/Oct 2020 issue of Missionary Messenger. Sign up to receive more inspiring stories like this one in our magazine.