Ximena Herazo, Assistant Director of Icthus in Colombia, is part of the transformation in her country:

“Icthus has impressively changed my life. My love for His work with children has grown significantly. I’ve learned to put myself aside and serve others as Jesus would. Love my neighbor as myself  is not only a motto, it has become my lifestyle.”

Rev. Glen Thorp saw your impact in the lives of these Icthus children in Monteria, Colombia.

Icthus children entered wearing orange T-shirts with white sashes. The sanctuary was full. Worship was led by two Icthus kids. Ten Guides, including pastor Edwin and his wife Mirna were thanked, and given pins. These guides volunteer to help the children experience and apply what they are learning. Several Icthus Kids wanted a picture with me because I knew Don and was from the USA. I heard one of them say: “I am sad we won’t have Icthus until January,”

Memories of 58 years ago flooded my mind of that Summer I did my Seminary Internship in Nazareth, Colombia. On my return trip to the USA, we visited my parents in Guatemala, where I met Donald Weisbrod. He had been an Eagle Scout and God was leading him to use his scouting skills to create a program for youth with a Christ-centered emphasis. My Father, Robert Thorp, recommended using the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17) instead of merit badges.

From that first visit to Colombia, and meeting Don in Guatemala, I saw the fruits of all those who prayed, visited, financially supported, and served in Icthus ministry. Thus, the tears.

God’s Sovereignty came when I told Luis Yon about my visit to Colombia and he contacted Samuel Ramos, National Director in Colombia who hosted me. He drove me to Nazareth church for their 50th Anniversary Celebration. I invited Samuel to share about ICTHUS.

Sunday Afternoon, I went with Samuel and Julieth Martinez, the coordinator for Monteria, to deliver Christmas gifts to a family in a poor neighborhood. I saw how our gifts, through Icthus, brought joy to the family.

It was an honor to participate in Icthus.

Glen encouraged some families who received your help. This is one of over 800 families that received a Christmas Care package in December thanks to Amigos like you.

The first and foremost goal of our non-profit organization is to make a difference in as many people’s lives as possible. We strive to improve the living conditions for those who need the help, who can’t do it themselves. Have you ever thought about how much you could change things just by volunteering?

This Icthus Newsletter Fall edition has been specially prepared for you.  Here you’ll find out about our experiences at the International Conference in Honduras and the lives you are changing in Latin America.

Helping one kid, impacting hundreds. 

By Luis Yon, International Director. 

You are changing the lives of these children in Siguatepeque, Honduras.

Pastor Walter, sharing about the impact of Icthus on his community with visitors from the International Conference.

During our visit to Honduras, I visited Alcance Misionero (missionary outreach), a church in the middle of a poor barrio in Siguatepeque, Honduras.

The church’s Pastor, Walter, often worried about the children in that community.  If kids coming to church face challenges like domestic abuse and addicted parents, imagine the challenges of the other children!  He realized they lacked a program to help those children.

In early 2022, Yolani, a former Icthus kid, seeing the need for children’s ministry, told Pastor Walter about Icthus.  She explained how Icthus changed her life and help her overcome challenges in her own life.   He decided to try Icthus, and they started in March.

Today, after 6 months with Icthus, the church is helping 120 kids weekly!  Children are giving their lives to Christ, and families are being healed.  The generosity that reached Yolani a few years ago is impacting hundreds today.   When you give Icthus to a child in need, you trigger a chain reaction that impacts entire communities for years to come.    

THANK YOU!  Let’s keep changing the lives of children in need through Icthus!

Meet Katherine, from Honduras

By Amy Jacinto, Icthus International Office. 

Amigos like you, are transforming the lives of Icthus kids, like Katherine and her grandma, Elvia.

Having family from Guatemala, I had an idea of what to expect in Honduras. But I was impacted by things I won’t forget.  Children who, instead of being in school, were out selling candy for income.  That’s their reality; they can’t just be children.

There are many experiences I’d like to share with you about this trip, but this story stands out.

 I visited Katharine, a 12-year-old girl from Siguatepeque, Honduras.  Katherine’s mom is an in-home nanny where they live.  Her grandmother Elvia always needs guidance because she is almost blind.  A regular day for Katherine includes helping her

Grandmother get around and reads her Bible study to her.  Katherine told us that she desires God to heal her grandmother.

 Katherine has taken on a lot of responsibilities early in life. But in Icthus, she can be a child and play with other kids. She said, “I love to learn about God in my Icthus group, especially because I have friends there that are learning with me.”  Her grandma told us that she’s thankful for Katherine’s big love for God; it shows as she devotes her free time to help her. 

It was a blessing to see how much Katherine loves Icthus and that the lessons she’s learning bring her closer to God.  I’m proud to be part of a ministry that is changing lives, and I’m thankful for Icthus amigos like you, who are transforming lives all over Latin America.

“What do you have to offer?”

By Charlotte Mishler, Board member. 

Charlotte, Icthus International Board member with Ruth, National leader of El Salvador.

I happened to be around when Icthus started in Guatemala 58 years ago.  Don Weisbrod asked my dad, missionary John Shackelford, what he could do that was more meaningful than cutting grass and painting cabins.  Daddy asked Don what he had to offer, and Don said, “I’m an Eagle Scout.”  Daddy responded, “Perfect!  We need a program for boys and girls to learn about God and serve others.”  So… Icthus was born!

Fifty-eight Years later, I was in Honduras at the Icthus Leaders’ Conference.  I was stunned!  The leaders from 8 different Latin American countries were dynamic, strategic, and passionate

I have been serving on the Icthus International Board as Secretary for 4 years.  It was just a way to help carry on Daddy’s legacy, but my viewpoint changed when I attended this conference.  Job 42:5 says, “My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You.”  That’s how I felt: I’ve experienced the work God is doing.  Now I see it as an honor, not a responsibility.

At the conference, we had training sessions, fellowship meetings, and team building.  We also participated in Icthus group meetings, visited families, and witnessed firsthand the way God is changing lives.

Through prayer, we (the Board) set a goal of raising money this year to serve the 9,750 children, their families, and their communities that are being changed by Icthus. Right now, there is a huge gap in our budget.   Please ask God if He would have you help fill that gap by donating and telling others about the need.  Your help is needed!

Thank you for helping change kids’ lives through your prayer and donations!

Icthus National Leaders and members of the International Board, in Comayagua Honduras, during the Icthus International Congress. They impact the lives of thousands of kids weekly, thanks to you!

Greetings Icthus Amigo,
Because of Amigos like you, children in need in Latin America are receiving consistent ministry from as young as 4 years old to 17 years old. These are the programs you help provide to Icthus children:

Pecesitos (little fish), ages 4 to 6

Icthus’ youngest program is called Pecesitos, which means “little fish” in Spanish. This is fitting because Pecesitos are children ages 4 to 6.

Each week they learn about 12 values found in the bible: charity, obedience, support, conservation, responsibility, honesty, dedication, integrity, wisdom, respect, communion, and loyalty.

Shaina, Adriana and Juliana, Pecesitos from Colombia

This Pecesitos group in Valledupar, Colombia is being taught the significance of the letter “C” in Icthus. The “C” in Icthus stands for Christ.

Heroes, ages 7 to 9

Next, in the Heroes program, Icthus kids ages 7 to 9 can grow in their relationship with God, others, and themselves. This program is based on 7 Heroes in the Old Testament: Abraham, Esther, Joseph, Ruth, Noah, Deborah and David.

There are three sub-sections in the Heroes program: Knowing God, Serving others, and Personal Development.

Knowing God encourages Icthus kids to use and apply the Word of God in their everyday lives. Love and Serve Others challenges them to awaken their Christian conscience to help those in need; it also includes teaching First Aid knowledge. Lastly, Personal Development helps children cultivate necessary daily habits and appreciate and takes care of the body as a temple of the Spirit of God.

These photos are of Heroes in Venezuela. They are learning about camping, nature, and how to overcome challenges

Legionaries, Ages 10 to 13

This was the very first program that was developed in Icthus. The Legionnaires program is based on the Armor of God explained in Ephesians Chapter 6:   

“Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, the breastplate of righteousness in place, and your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

 Above, a photo of Legionnaires in Táchira, Venezuela wearing the Sandals of the Gospel, spreading the good news. On the far left is Valentina. She is holding a sign that translates to “For a world in confusion, Jesus Christ is the SOLUTION.”  She is walking the streets of her community, sharing about Jesus.

Because you give Icthus, children, like Valentina, learn to show their Christian love, concern, and respect for their neighbors and companions at school.

Youth, Ages 14 to 17

This program helps them to remain in church and to strengthen their identity in Christ. As they go through the program, they study the 7 “I am” which Jesus used to describe himself: Bread of Life, Light of the World, Sheep Gate, Good Shepherd, Resurrection and Life, The Way the Truth and the Life, True Vine.

Icthus Juvenil program focuses on the development of their Christian character, by getting to know Jesus through prayer, bible memorization, and putting leadership principles to practice by serving others.

Below is an Icthus group in San Carlos, Costa Rica, who recently completed a service project for their community. 

The Icthus group went to the Department of Development for their city to offer their service. They were not only encouraged by the department, but were given materials for cleaning and painting the park.

The group cleaned the community park by washing down the playground, and painting various garden beds. They also picked up the garbage around the park. As the youth were cleaning and painting, they talked to the kids in the
community about God and spread His word through little cards they made and handed out.

Icthus Youth standing next to a sign they made, that is now hanging at the front of their community park. It reads Matthew 22:37: “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”

Icthus kids and youth all around Latin America are spreading the love of Jesus with others through acts of service, and word of mouth.  Thank you for being an Icthus amigo, and helping children in need to become passionate Christian leaders that transform their communities!