NLAI Ministry Update | July 2020
Dear NLAI Friends,

We know that this pandemic has changed life for all of us, and our NLAI missionaries are no exception. For our July ministry update newsletter, we wanted to highlight a few of our missionaries and how the Covid-19 crisis has affected their daily lives and ministries.

Thank you so much for all of your on-going prayers and support. We daily feel the Spirit working on behalf of your faithfulness.

We invite you to connect with our NLAI missionaries, as well as think about supporting them and their unique ministry role with NLAI.

And lastly, please make sure you scroll all the way down for a video update from NLCH.

Love and blessings from all of us!

Kendon Wheeler
NLAI President
Rob & Kristy Mehner:

Living in Quarantine and at the Mercy of His Timing

Just four short months ago, we were supposed to be beginning a three-month furlough. Unbeknownst to us, the coronavirus crisis would dramatically change our plans.
Shortly (as in less than a week) after we arrived in the US, Guatemala closed its border, and we have no idea when we will be able to return.

Like so many, we’ve been living the quarantined life. Our plans to connect with current supporters and develop new ones went out the Covid-19 window along with travel plans to visit our son in Denver. We are grateful for this time with our parents and our daughter, who graduated with her Masters degree in May. But, we struggle with a sense of purposelessness and a low-grade feeling of guilt for being absent from our coworkers and the kids at New Life Children’s Home . We are doing what we can to help from a distance, but we still wish we could be in Guatemala. 

The remedy has been our daily time with the Lord, and remembering that He will use this time for His purposes. We need only stay alert for the assignments He brings to us. We have helped Kristy’s mom move to a new home, counseled people seeking help and prayer, and even done some dog-sitting (while missing our own pup back in Guatemala).
Kourtney Nance:

Supporting Young
Adults in a Time of Uncertainty

Here at NLCH, our young adults have been greatly affected by all that is happening surrounding Covid-19.
Several of our young adults that had full-time jobs are now unemployed. Although they are looking for new jobs, employment is not readily available without transportation and prior experience. Two of our young adults are in their last year of high school and two others are in their first year of University, and they continue their studies with online classes and homework turned in digitally. 

Many of our young adults started 2020 with a vision of transitioning away from NLCH and into their own apartment or house this year. However, because of loss of employment, these transitions for the most part have been put on hold. We still hope to see them preparing to launch and starting the next phase of life in the near future, but we will continue to support and care for them during this time of uncertainty.
 
In Guatemala, call centers are a popular place to work if you speak English. So, several of our young adults are taking advantage of the time at home and spend several hours a day studying and learning English with the hopes of being hired at a call center in the near future.
 
The missionaries are doing what we can to support our oldest kids as they continue their studies, stay busy, and try to not get discouraged during this time. We are doing one-on-one English lessons, weekly devotionals, game and movie nights, and helping them stay focused on their future goals. Thank you for your support during these uncertain times.
Tommy & Marilyn Todd:

Showing Love and Support for NLCH and Guatemala

What an interesting spring and summer we are having. It has blown all our mission teams off of the calendar!
This turn of events and the absence of mission teams has really disappointed all the kids here at NLCH as well as the staff, they love you all so much!!

Even though serving on a short-term team is not currently an option, you can still play a vital role in caring for our kids and our facilities. A portion (around $150) of all short-term team members' trip costs goes to cover facilities upkeep and upgrades. Work is in short supply in Guatemala right now, and we want to continue employing our Guatemalan staff so that they, in turn, can take care of their own families. If you are able, would you consider donating toward facilities upkeep? Click here to donate and select "NLCH Facilities" in the fund drop down menu.

You might also send the kids a card or letter letting them know how much you are missing them this year and that you will still be thinking of them and praying for them. Thanks again and God bless each of you!! 

Address for letters to kids: New Life Children’s Home QB-0087 Attn: NLCH Kids
PO Box 25368 Miami, FL 33102-5368  (letters only, no money or gifts, please)
Prayer Requests
  • Rob and Kristy Mehner: Please pray that God makes His assignments clear to us each day, and that He gives us patience as we await our return to the field. Pray that He allows us to see our son before we return, and of course for health for our families. Finally, that His provision for us continues through our amazing supporters who are facing difficult economic conditions.  
  • Kourtney Nance: Please pray for our young adults as they navigate how to best use this time to prepare for the future. Pray against frustration and fear that can so easily overwhelm each of us. Pray for job opportunities to open up so that they can continue pursuing their employment and educational goals.

Personnel Need

We are currently looking for an LVN or RN who feels called to care for the medical needs of ages 1-23. Visit https://nlai.org/serve/long-term for more information.
NLCH Video Update
New Life Advance International | 832.242.7750 | PO Box 903, Stafford, TX 77497