Casa del Alfarero - Potter's House

"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water
to one of these little ones because he is my disciple,
I will tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
Matthew 20:42 (NIV)

Potter's House is ministering to some of God's most needy: those who call the Guatemala City dump home. This ministry started in 1986 with a couple from the United States who cared enough to buy some food and go to the city dump to feed those whose lives are spent scavenging through garbage from others' table scraps. That Christmas, they sent 350 blankets to be given in Jesus' name. God's call to His Treasures at the city dump could not be ignored any longer. Today, not only are these Precious Treasures of God being fed, but they are also being given an education as their way out of the city dump.

These Treasures did not choose to be born in the city dump and a life of scavenging for enough food just to get by one more day. Their way out is a helping hand from God's people, accepting Christ as their source of strength, and a basic education and trade that will allow them to meet life's needs.

The Potter's House celebrates God's Treasures through:

•  Education - Over 500 children are in tutoring and literacy training;

•  Health - Medical clinics, eye care, and pharmacy;

•  Family Integration - Uniting and building strong families;

•  Community Support - Providing food, clothing, purified water, etc., and;

•  Micro-Enterprise - Guidance for small business development.

The residents of the city dump are contemptuously called "the scavengers" because their work consists of scavenging through the filthy rubbish, collecting basic bits of plastic, cardboard, glass, and metal waste. anything that could have value, including a lucky piece of food to satisfy their hunger for the day. After 14 hours of grueling work in the harsh sun or pouring rain, scavenging among infectious and sharp objects and highly toxic materials, these people sell their findings for a few meager Quetzels.

Potter's House is tutoring and providing literacy training and assistance for those with learning disabilities. They are providing education programs aimed at children and adults with opportunities to improve their way of life. School supplies, uniforms, and class books are some of the needs necessary to help God's Treasures move out of the city dump and into a new life with Jesus Christ.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes.
There will be no more death or crying or pain,
for the order of things have passed away."

Revelations 21:4