The Church in Cahabon, Guatemala

Yesterday I received an email from my brother asking how the Church was progressing in Cahabon.

 

To better understand my response, it is important to remember that when we arrived in Cahabon, a year and a half ago, there was no official recognition of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  As members of that Church, we were desirous to be able to have Sacrament meetings, and other Church activities, available to the people of Cahabon.

 

Covid was an international pandemic, at that time, so gatherings for any kind of Church meetings were limited.  While Cahabon was relatively free of the disease, national mandates periodically stopped Church gatherings.

 

Last Sunday, in Cahabon, there were 42 people in attendance at Church.  While there are two missionaries serving in Cahabon, the meeting was under the direction of a local Group Leader, Juan Carlos.  Both of the men who blessed the sacrament are new members of the Church, and the sacrament was passed by deacons who live in Cahabon.

 

The meeting was held in a lovely house with a large gathering area, and several rooms for Sunday School classes, etc.  The house is rented by the Church.  The missionaries also live there.

 

Representatives of the Church real estate department have visited Cahabon, and a recommendation has been proposed for the building of a Church meeting house in Cahabon.   We do not know the status of that proposal, but the very fact that it is being "evaluated" is major progress.

 

Another baptism is scheduled for Sept. 24th, with at least three people planning to be baptized, and several other possibilities. 

 

Prior to our arrival in January of last year (2021) it had been 40 years since the Church had an official presence in Cahabon.   The Coban Mission has submitted a request to make Cahabon an official Branch of the Church.   We are hopeful that decision will be announced soon.