Lewis + Donna Thomas: When Will We Cry Founders

After ten years of owning their own business, Donna and Lewis Thomas answered God's call to ministry as a vocation. From 1993 through 2003 Lewis served in the local church as a student minister with a big heart for missions.

Growing up, my mom would hold Bible Clubs every year in the poorest area of our town. Not only were we "drug" to church, but mom would drag us to these weekly Bible Clubs, and this had a major impact on my life. For nearly 15 years, Donna and I led mission teams from the streets of Chicago to the homeless in New Orleans, sharing the hope of Christ to our nation's poor and needy.

In 1998, while leading a team to Nicaragua I sensed another life-changing door of opportunity would soon be opening. We were part of a disaster relief effort helping provide shelter for those who had lost everything during Hurricane Mitch. One particular day as we were leaving the work site, my heart began to break for the people there. I wept that night and for many nights after. Though years have passed, the images of the people I met and worked with have not. The thought that gripped my soul forever is, "How can we, who have so much, turn our backs on these precious people, and how will they ever know the love of Christ unless they are shown and told?"

Returning home, I knew my life would never be the same again. My heart ached as I prayed for God to allow me to return. Opportunity came many times over the next few years as I led several teams to South and Central America. With each passing trip, my hunger for missions grew even stronger. By January of 2002, Donna and I knew that soon it would be God's timing to resign my position as minister of youth. Stepping down in November of 2002, we began our journey of living by faith one step and one day at a time. I must admit, at times fear grips my heart, but the Lord graciously brings peace and renews our faith time and time again.

We have now found our home working in the San Marcos area of Guatemala and taking the gospel to where few Americans have ever been. There are so many small villages of people who need to know Jesus and children who need education. With your help many are coming to Jesus, and we are planting churches and working against the illiteracy among the poor.

Donna and I are forever grateful for the opportunity to serve and humbled by all of your prayers and financial support.

Ely + Rosa Siebenhor

With tears in his eyes Ely said, "Lewis for 35 years we have worked and prayed for help, but no one has come until now. Thank you so much for coming!" To God be the glory!

We have now partnered with Eleazar and Rosa Siebenhor in carrying the gospel to some of the poorest people in Guatemala. Pastor Ely and his wife Rosa had planted some 40 churches in the San Marcos area (West coast) of Guatemala. Currently there are 52 churches.

When I first met Ely, I had been praying for two years asking God to direct me to where He wanted me to serve. With like visions we knew that God had brought us together for the purpose of building His kingdom among the poor.

Ely was born in 1953 in Piedra Partida, a small community 10 miles from the border of Mexico. Much of his family still lives in the area today. When Ely was just a child, his father became a Christian and soon began the first evangelical Christian church in the area, holding his first church services in their front yard. Ely prayed to receive Christ when he was 8 years old and preached his first sermon in the city of San Marcos at the age of 12. Many came to Christ that day, and this was the beginning of the first Christian Church in the city of San Marcos, which still meets today.

Though he pastors a church in Guatemala City, he spends most weeks making the 6 hour trip out to the coast ministering to the poor. He has taught me much about humility and generosity as he sacrifices so much to reach others for Christ.

The San Marcos region is one of Guatemala's largest counties by area and population. Many of the people there live in small remote pockets where no Americans have ever been. Currently we are the only American mission agency working solely in this area. There are still villages we visit where we are told that we are the first Americans to ever come there. Living conditions are very primitive with many living in dirt floor homes without electricity or running water and surviving on $2.00 a day. Ely's churches average in size around 40 to 50 adults. The pastors are not paid a salary and offerings are used to further the gospel. I have never witnessed such poverty and so much dedication in the work of our Lord's Great Commission.

Las Mercedes is one such area where there was no gospel at all. When Ely and I first came there the people thought we were spies from the government and were going to kill us. After much prayer, on my part, and some fast talking they decided to let us leave but we were told never to return. This is the area where we later poured a concrete floor in their little school and soon were allowed to come back again. To make a long story short, today, less than 1 year later, we have a church there and many are coming to Christ each week. To God be the glory!

David + Ally Mitchell

David and Ally Mitchell went on their first mission trip as a married couple in 1999. They attended First Baptist Church in Pulaski, Tennessee where Lewis was the Youth Minister. It was on this mission trip to inner-city Memphis that God called them into missions.

After running for several months from the call God put on their lives, they embraced the calling and went on another mission trip with Lewis. This time they went to Casa Aleluya in Guatemala. It was on this trip that God called them into full time ministry. After returning several times to Guatemala, they packed up and moved down there as missionaries in a children's home.

During those two years, the Mitchells and Lewis kept in close contact. Upon returning to the states, David and Ally felt the Lord call them into partnering with When Will We Cry? Inc. David has since returned to Guatemala with Lewis and created several promotional DVDs for the ministry. David also maintains the website and technical aspects of the ministry. David and Ally look forward to helping and supporting When Will We Cry? Inc. and Esfuerzo Cristiano by leading mission teams and creating more DVDs and promotional videos.

Guatemala is a special place for the Mitchells because, they not only lived there for two years, but they also adopted two children from there. In addition to their two biological children, McKenzie (age 6) and Emily (age 2), they adopted Nancy (age 13) and Fredi (age 9). The Mitchells look forward to serving as a family in Guatemla in the near future. Nancy has already had the opportunity to be a part of mission teams at her church.

Two years ago, Nancy and David traveled to Venezuela, South America . It was on this trip she realized that she knew who Jesus was, but had never accepted Him into her heart. Nancy was saved as a result of this mission trip and has since served on hurricane Katrina mission trips in Gulf Port, Mississippi. Fredi, McKenzie and Emily can't wait to join their parents on the mission field and partner with Lewis & Donna as well as Pastor Ely & Rosa in Guatemala.