In November 2006 GHI traveled with Initiatives International on site visits in Guatemala. "Iglesia Cristiana El Camino Escuintla y Misión Oasis Escuintla" was one of the ministries visited. 

Dr. Joel Lara is a Guatemalan "tentmaking" medical missionary. While maintaining a limited practice in the city to support his own family; Dr. Lara, his wife and his family have been actively involved in building a church and medical clinic in the town of Escuintla.

Click here to view a video recorded by Dr. Joel Lara to Eagle Brook Church.

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While this ministry began by using borrowed space; by December of 2004, they needed to move and begin the search for a permanent home. Dr. Lara told me in August, 2005, as he watched a team from Eagle Brook Church in MN break ground on their new property that he was amazed at all that God had provided: a piece of land; a team to help begin the work; and money to buy materials. It was proof to him that God had not abandoned them. Now in 2006, the new dental and medical clinic is almost finished, and continues to provide care at extremely low prices to people who have no other access.

Construction is finished on the first open air multi-purpose facility that the church is currently using for its worship services. Construction needs in the future include sunday school classrooms and a more complete church building. Doctors, dentists, nurses or medical students are all invited to come serve in this important ministry. This is a church that grew out of the medical clinic ministry among the poor, and has had a tremendous impact in the community.