Ex-Guerrillas

As a result of the 36 year civil war that ended in ’96 there is an entire generation of ex-guerrilla fighters in Guatemala. They spent most of their lives hiding out in the mountains. Units that fought together in the war against the government settled on the available land in Petén. Now they are trying to live peaceably. Their new communities are co-ops with a socialistic mindset. Churches are currently prohibited in their villages but God has opened the door for us to hold adult and children’s Bible studies each week. We have been kicked out many times, sometimes we get back in, sometimes we do not. No matter the end result, during the time that we are in there, people who would not otherwise have had the opportunity to hear the Gospel do, and many come to know Him. Even after we leave the Holy Spirit is still at work in their hearts.

In July 2007, we began working in the ex-guerrilla community of New Horizon. We started holding a kids Bible study in August and then an adult/youth Bible study in September.

We were kicked out in March of 2008, but that same day God provided a house for us to meet in that allowed us a loophole.

In September of 2009, we were kicked out again. This time it stuck since we lost our meeting place. Several of the believers have moved outside of this stronghold of Satan and are growing in a church in their new communities.

In December of 2008, we were given permission to hold Bible studies in Santa Rita.

In February 2009, among threats of being kicked out, a lady from New Horizon who owned land in this village let us borrow her house for our Bible studies.

In February 2010, a new believer gave us half of his land in the community on which to build a permanent meeting place. We began construction on this new building.

In March 2010, the town council kicked us out. This went against the community's individual property rights. We believe this is just temporary and are waiting for the door to reopen.