Hope and Health for Moms and Babies in Mexico
During this workshop, mothers in the Survival program learned to prepare baby food using seasonal vegetables and how to cook them in a way that preserves the most nutrients.
Thank you, Awaken City Church.
Your gift is helping mothers and babies thrive through the Survival program, based at Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana Puerto del Cielo in Chiapas, Mexico. Your support is providing proper nutrition, access to medical care and a broad range of life-saving support for 15 infant-caregiver pairs. Your gift ensures babies born into extreme poverty have the opportunity to thrive, setting them on the path to a healthy, hope-filled childhood.
This report includes recent statistics, photos of Survival program activities and additional highlights. We hope you feel blessed to read this report, as you are such a blessing to mothers and babies living in difficult circumstances.
Mark Pellingra
Ministry Progress at Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana Puerto del Cielo
July 2023 – June 2024
13
babies and mothers served
7
pregnant mothers
received prenatal care
6
babies were treated for acute malnutrition
Recent Activities at Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana Puerto del Cielo
Survival staff at Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana Puerto del Cielo organize and conduct monthly activities and classes to help mothers learn and build on skills including parenting, child development, health, hygiene and child protection. With practical lessons such as guidance in exclusive breastfeeding and early stimulation activities for developing their babies’ motor skills, moms gain knowledge and confidence in child-rearing and maintaining a safe, loving home. Every activity is infused with God’s Word and prayer. Here are some of the recent activities benefiting mothers and babies in the Survival program:
The Survival program hosted a picnic for the participants and their caregivers. In addition to delicious food, the staff shared a devotional message about the value and importance of each person in the Body of Christ.
To share the Word of God with their community, caregivers in the program created signs with Bible verses that could be placed in the surrounding neighborhoods as an encouragement to others.
A nutritionist leads a training session on proper nutrition and cooking methods. Mothers learned about healthly hygiene habits and boiling water in order to prevent disease.
During this activity, the mothers worked in pairs as they learned how to make a cold dessert that could be sold to generate income. At the end of the training, all the mothers and babies enjoyed the dessert together!
Meet the Youngest Compassion Participants
For babies born in extreme poverty, turning 1 year old is an important milestone. The Compassion Survival program exists to come alongside mothers raising their babies to help them reach their first birthday. Once they are 1 year old, these children are eligible to join Compassion’s Sponsorship Program at the church’s child development center. They and their mothers will continue to receive caring support from the church and program staff, as well as sponsors who will support them as they grow physically, cognitively, emotionally and spiritually. Pictured below are three of the newest and youngest Compassion participants at Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana Puerto del Cielo who are waiting to be paried with a loving sponsor.
Dominga
Elian
Oseas
Survival Program Spotlight: Spiritual Development
Compassion and its Frontline Church Partners are committed to making Christ the center of ministry efforts. Jesus is the core of our ministry, and his life and teachings shape our programs and reflect the spiritual commitments of our staff. They also guide how we love people, respect communities and cooperate with nations.
For Survival mothers, this crucial emphasis on spiritual development includes Bible study, prayer, hearing the gospel message, spiritual growth and discipleship, and opportunities to follow Jesus. During monthly home visits, the Survival Specialist encourages mothers and provides spiritual support and counseling as needed. In addition, mothers in the Survival program gather together to fellowship and worship, and often share the spiritual insights they have learned within their circles, influencing neighbors and, in turn, their community.
Your Gift Matters
Thank you, Awaken City Church! Your gift is making an eternal impact on the lives of vulnerable moms and babies in Mexico. Thank you for investing in them and partnering with Compassion International to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. May God continually bless you!