June 2020 Ministry update...

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  -Matthew 6:27
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It has been an interesting journey over these last few months in Guatemala.   As difficult as some things have been since this virus crisis started, we have had some amazing blessings.  God has provided and we are in awe.  


When the crisis started, with all the restrictions and curfews and lack of public transportation, the need for food became very dire, so we turned our focus on to food distribution.  In January we thought we had enough food to last for a year however by April, the food had dwindled to only enough for a few more weeks.  Other missionaries were also turning their focus on to the great needs for food in their areas, appeals were made, and so we shared what we had with several other ministries.


As reported last newsletter , we put out the appeal for funds for another much needed container of food, and the funds came in within 24 hours, praise God for that answer to prayer.  That was blessing #1.  


The restrictions were tight.  Everyone in Guatemala was under a strict curfew, and we were not able to travel outside of the department.  As some of the requests for food were in other departments, we were able to obtain a letter by the head of SESAN, which is the arm of the Government that works in food security and malnutrition.    In fact it was all very formal.  We were invited to their offices in Guatemala City to meet a number of representatives and nutritionists that work there.  They then provided us a letter which allows us to travel for the purposes of food distribution, outside of the department and outside of curfew.  There are many many road checks, and it has been a breeze to pass through them with this letter.  Blessing #2.


The 3rd blessing was with our most recent container.  We asked Silvia (the woman who brings in our containers) if she could show this letter to customs to see if it might help release the container quicker.  She said “I will try”. When they saw the letter from SESAN they said that we could bring in the container tax free.  We had given up on the possibility of trying to bring in our containers tax free as we just couldn’t seem to make the right connections, so we are just so amazed at how God has been working in ways we haven’t even asked for.  In future, because of this connection, we will be able to bring all containers in tax free through a Christian organization called Evangelical Alliance.  Blessing #4.


Blessing #5 was the offer of free storage for our container in Coban and blessing #6was the moving of a partially filled container in Escuintla, to Coban, for free.  That is a 6 hour trip through Guatemala City with a semi.  God is so good and may we never take anything for granted.  


The container was released on June 8.  In port for a total of  25 days.  Quickest one yet.


We are returning to Canada on June 16.  We leave our ministry in the capable hands of our son in law and daughter, Chris and Leah Rozycki.  


We have a new grandson we are anxious to meet.  He is 3 months old already and we are anxious to see our other kids and grandkids.


We plan to spend some time at the Gleaners plant in September and are available to speak at Churches or small groups or even individually if you would like to have a visit.  We have many exciting new things on the horizon with our ministry and we would love to share them with you.  


Many blessings.
Denis & Eileen Nogue


P.S.  We were saddened to hear of the passing of two good friends, great encouragers, and supporters of our ministry earlier this year.  Joan Scheske and Hugo Reutlinger.  Although it was sad to get the news of their passing, we know we will see them again.  We knew Joan from our many years working with her at the Vernon hospital and Hugo was a faithful volunteer at the North Okanagan Gleaners for many years coming all the way from Salmon Arm with a van full of volunteers twice a week.  Both encouraged us greatly and they will be missed.