Children Visitors

We have, of course, a steady stream of visitors to Las Buenas Nuevas.  This past week, our visitors were Menonite missionaries who work in the outback of Kiche land.  When Menonites come to Las Buenas Nuevas,  it reminds me of what LBN used to be like many years ago when our CAM missionaries came with their families for vacation.  They don't come with mission teams.  They don't come to shop.  They come to relax with their families and get away from their work for a little while.  The kids take off their shoes and play in the grass.  They fix all their meals here.  It was a joy to minister to them.

And then, we have national visitors to our own home.

This precious nina is the daughter of our former pastor - Odalis.  She enjoyed playing with our cat, Eva.  She and her 3 brothers feel quite at home in our house, as they spent some time  here when they lived in Panajachel.  They are always looking for "cookies" from their gringo grandma!  They now live about 3,000 feet higher than we are, in Santa Lucia.

"Volcano in my yard."

Another rainy afternoon on the lake.  It's been a wetter than usual rainy season marked by many landslides making it really hard on villages built on the mountain slopes and anyone who tries to travel.  Some of the areas we minister in are now 4 times further by the clock.  Our routes now go through areas known for many robberies and kidnappings, so much prayer is in order for our protection. 

Thursday we got on the little boat for a 30 minute ride to San Lucas in that the road there is impassible due to a washed out bridge.  They are aiming to have it rebuilt by late spring....(don't know what year..!)  We went to Iglesia Bethany C.A. to dedicate the water purification system we installed so badly needed there.  We have held medical clinics there, and Pastor Morales and his elders are thankful for our help as they minister and spread the gospel there. I'll be traveling there more now to check and repair the systems, and work with the elders to encourage using the system as a tool for evangelism.  "Pure water is important, but Living Water is eternal!"  This gives me seven systems of responsibility, and much thanks is due First Pres of Visalia California for their generous provision of much of the equipment and for the installation team. 

Band of Brothers

At long last, the main event for the new men's ministry occurred last Sat.  night!  12 hombres came, including many youth.  Niel started off the evening with some cool games from the TV show "Minute to Win It".  

A big hit!  An important element in team building as well.
The guys were encouraged to choose an accountability partner to meet with once a week, study a discipleship course together, pray and share.  In six weeks, the whole group will come together again for another "event". 

Maybe it won't be raining and they can play soccer!  Niel told them that it would  not be easy, but it would be worth it!  Time will tell.                                                  

Serious prayer is also on the agenda, and the guys understand its importance....

Food always helps!
While Niel was working with the guys,  Diana had 12 teenage girls in our house for a separate time of fellowship.  After a short study ,  they enjoyed some craft time!  I am always looking for different crafts for them, so if anyone has any ideas, please let me know.

Our eyes are opened!

We have learned from other missionaries that even many of our Mayan Christians still have Mayan core beliefs and that keeps them from really trusting only in Christ, and have seen evidences of it at times, but this week, we are really facing the reality of how it affects total families!  Actually one of our families at Iglesia Emanuel is struggling with a situation with their 5 yr. old, who has for about 3 months been crying at night for no reason, complaining about pain in her body, and saying that "the devil is in this place."  Her mother has taken her to a local "healer" for a remedy, which is really dangerous and yet they feel very comfortable doing that.  They believe that they are being oppressed by the enemy of our souls, and they want our prayers, but there are members of the family that have allowed their sin and unrepentant heart to open up their family to the spirit world.  We are facing a spiritual warfare here that is real, but we know that our Savior is already the Victor and we pray for the wisdom to know how to handle situations like these.  Thank you for your prayers for this family and especially for their precious daughter, Gabriela.

Friends are leaving Guatemala!

Last weekend we drove to Guatemala City, the first time in two months.  We were out of a lot of stuff that we can't get here in Panajachel.  But the reason we went was the "despedida" or going away open house for our best friends here in Guatemala.  Maria and Johnny Coker, who have been the missionaries on site at the Campamento Centennial ( a camp for Guatemalan kids) for the last five years and our closest (in distance) CAM missionaries. Maria's mother is not well so they need to go home to Decatur, Alabama. We are very sad to lose their fellowship here, but definitely will not lose their friendship!