April 2020 update

Isaiah 26.3  You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you. 
 
As the world began to turn upside down a few weeks ago, this verse came to mind and has come to mind often as the news changes on a daily basis.  Yet we know, and trust, that whatever happens, God is in control.
 
In the midst of all, we became grandparents to our 8th grandchild, Jackson Hayes Smith, born to our youngest daughter and son in law, their 4th child.  All are healthy and well and we look forward to the day we can meet him.
 
We've had a few people inquiring about us, so we wanted to send an update.  We are currently in Guatemala.  We made the decision to stay rather than expose ourselves going through some busy airports to try to get home and we also felt that the need for Gleaners food will likely be in great demand soon.  All public transportation has been shut down and many businesses are closed  Many people are without work, in a country that already had a high unemployment rate.  Many people here do not have transportation and depend on public transportation, and are now unable to get out to get basic supplies.  The requests for food have started to come in the last couple of days.  We are thankful that we have a good supply of Gleaners food here right now.
 
Right now in Guatemala there are 38 cases of Covid-19, one death, 10 recoveries. The borders are closed.  A curfew is in place from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m and it is being enforced strictly.  We have been advised by Sergio that we should stay out of the villages for now.  There is a lot of fear around this virus, and because of the lack of education of many of the indigenous, some of them think that the virus was brought in by foreigners.  
 
So for now, we are keeping a low profile.  We are providing Gleaners food to those who are requesting it.  Sergio has gone into one of the villages we have been working in to check on everyone and bring some food to one particularly needy family.  We also visited with another very needy family.  The only evidence of food in their home was a small bowl of soaking corn.  Covid-19 or not, we will extend ourselves when people are hungry and desperate
 
We are all well and healthy and are safe and secure.  We live a few minutes from the city of Coban on a small acreage.  We share our home with Chris and Leah and our three grandchildren.   We just take each day as it comes and are praying that the Lord will give us much opportunity to share His love in many practical ways.  
 
Some prayer requests would be for wisdom, for continued safety, and that we are alert to God´s leading in these next days, weeks or months, and that many are drawn to Christ in these difficult days, both here and back home.
 
Blessings to all.
Denis and Eileen Nogue

Jackson Hayes Smith son of Erin & Michael. Sitting on his big sister Emery
​beside his brother Jonah and sister Nora.

Beautiful had made quilt donated by the Gleaners’s

Widow living in extreme poverty caring for her elderly parents and 3 children (2 shown in picture)