The Hastings Family

Dear Friends,

Sometimes I hesitate to write about difficult situations here in Guatemala, but they are a present reality and there is no better way to deal with them but to have many lift them as prayer requests to our Lord....who is in control of everything.
Recently, following the inauguration of the new President here in Guatemala, there has been a rash of violence particularly against bus drivers and public transportation workers here in the city. Here is an exerpt from a news article today:

"The situation in Guatemala City worsened on Thursday, when new attacks against public transportation left a driver and his assistant dead, triggering a halt in service over extensive areas. The attacks occurred in areas six and twelve, in northern and southern Guatemala City, bringing to 10 the number of workers from the sector killed in two days.
The kidnapping of a driver's son during a protest on Jose Marti Avenue was also reported.
President of Guatemala Alvaro Colom denounced that this string of attacks is part of a plan by organized crime to destabilize the government and unleash chaos in the country.
According to the president, this is a response to steps taken in the last few days to fight violence and investigate public security corps, allegedly infiltrated by criminal groups.
Luis Gomez, from the urban public transport workers union, demanded more measures to protect workers and users. He warned that if this situation continues, service might be totally paralyzed."

Public transportation is how the majority of people get to work each day here in Guatemala City. Our employees are no exception to this and nearly all of them ride public buses each day to get to and from work.

- Please pray for this situation to be resolved quickly.
- Please pray specifically for the safety of AMG's employees here in Guatemala City. Nearly 200 of our employees ride buses each day.

Thank you for your continued prayers.