Emma and Hector Thomas-Perez

I went to Guatemala in 2009 to work with children, young people, and adults living on the streets in Guatemala City.  In 2011 I married Hector who is Guatemalan, and we have been working together ever since, mostly on the streets, and then in 2021 we helped to start up a community project in a rural indigenous community, with a homework club, children’s Bible club, feeding programme, women’s literacy class and youth group.

In June 2023, I moved back to the UK with Maya for many different reasons. We are still in the process of applying for a spouse visa for Hector, which has been a very long process and a very hard time being separated. I have a job working at SIFA Fireside, a support centre for people who are homeless in Birmingham, specifically working with people who have no recourse to public funds.  Hector continues to work at the project in Guatemala.  The feeding programme continues, and around 70 children go each day to have a cooked lunch.  Before they eat, there is a daily devotional, with a Bible story, questions, memory verses, and then prayer.  Hector also runs a younger youth group (for ages 10-13).

We would really appreciate your prayers for our family as it has been a very difficult time being separated.  Please would you pray that the visa application would be successful and that we could be reunited again as soon as possible!

Please continue to pray for the project for all the children that go to the feeding programme, that they would be impacted by what they learn about God.  Please also pray for new volunteers and people who will join the team, especially when Hector leaves.

As a family we are so extremely thankful for all of Riverside’s support for all these years!