[News] Guatemala mission, Feb.12, 2009

[Berkshire Mission]

Greetings beloved of the Lord,

 

Jesus is alive and working in Guatemala!  The work is on and what a great
feeling that is, it brings such hope to know there will be stories to tell
that will reverberate throughout eternity.

 

The medical clinic started off today with about 200 people coming.  It will
be exciting to see how many more people will come tomorrow.

Stuart thought there were about 75 pairs of glasses given out today.  He
said there were so many children coming looking for sun glasses.  Of course
these little ones are wanting them more for fashion than actual need so the
30 or so that we have are being given only to the adults.

 

A sweet little man of 83 years of age came to the pharmacy for medicine. His
name was Felipe and after his script was filled he then went on to recite a
special blessing upon the lives of Gladys, Tresa, Sue and Lynn for their
kindness and work.  One thing is for certain, when you set out to be a
blessing for God he makes sure it comes right back upon you.  Who can out
give God?  

 

One little 7 year old girl came in to the dental clinic with a very serious
tooth situation.  Her teeth were badly decayed and Dr. Turner worked on her
and was scraping out some pretty "funky festering unknown things".  Carol
and Stephanie said some parts of the matter looked like pieces of old
chicken bones that got shoved into the tooth and gum the rest was not
identifiable. One thing is known for sure, that little girl left the dental
clinic in a much healthier condition.

A little boy also came in to the medical clinic with a cut over his eye that
needed to be stitched at the hospital.  A woman who lives close to the
clinic was bitten very badly yesterday by a monkey.  She also required
stitches and was taken to the hospital. 

 

Today the evangelistic team had a multitude of blessings poured upon them as
they went from home to home talking and praying with folks.  They were
praying in the homes of about 40 families and also were received very kindly
by people walking on the streets who stopped to hear about the love of
Jesus.  Pastor's Dwight, Jon, and Mark spent the day finding out about the
physical and spiritual needs of the folks and interceding with prayer on
their behalf.  One particular woman and her child were in such desperate
poverty that it might be we will need to step in and help her some.  She has
a job but her monthly wage is only half of what her rent alone is.  It is so
hard to decide what and who to help like this when the vast majority has
almost nothing.  May the Lord help us to make the right decision and be good
stewards of our limited resources.

Berkshire Mission has sent 2 Bible workers ahead of us to canvas the area
and study with these folks. Rubin and Jose are the 2 young men who have
faithfully been working in this area for a month and a half now.  Pastor
Mark said it was incredible to witness the discipleship of these men as they
set out to make disciples of others for Jesus.  They are using the "Faith of
Jesus" bible studies and most of the 40 families are finished with them and
the remainder is close to the end.  One couple who are not married but
living together has decided to wed as her desire is to be baptized into the
fold.  You know the Holy Spirit has been raining on this town and great
things are about to happen in His name.  

Jose and Rubin were with our Pastors today as they went from place to place.
Tomorrow the 2 men will go home to see their family of whom they have missed
so dearly for the last month and a half.  But they will be back on Sunday to
go through the evangelistic meetings for the week.  

On Friday the youth with us will be going to local stores and restaurants to
put up the flyers we have made to announce the meetings starting Sunday
night.

 

This morning the tropical rains came down like a flood gate was opened.  It
only lasted a short while and even though the rain was hard most did not get
soaked as the leaves on all the trees here are so large that they act as an
umbrella.  The heat and humidity is very hard on some of our folks and
others don't seem to mind it at all. Towards early morning the temperature
drops into the 60's but regardless of the temperature everything stays damp
to the touch.  The bird spotting is fabulous and everyone seems to be
spotting something with little effort.  We eat our meals in an open gazebo
or sorts.  Very tropical and fits right in with the jungle theme.  You only
have to glance over to a flower to eventually spot a hummingbird.  There is
a rock pathway leading to each of the rooms and out buildings and on your
walk to where ever you are going your senses are overwhelmed with sweet
smells and sights of flowers that look like they are made of wax. There is
also a round large gazebo with hammocks strung all around.  You can usually
find the youth in them.  Although tonight after work many of them went in to
the cold river for a refreshing dip along with a few other folks.  I think I
was wrong about a bar being across the river. The loud music lasted all day
today but did stop before night fall and we were allowed to be serenaded
solely by the sounds of the jungle.

 

Pray for us that we will make great use of the time and talents the Lord has
given to work for Him and relieve the suffering of His children.

 

"The end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober and watch unto
prayer.  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves; for
charity shall cover a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:7, 8

 

Still smiling,

Jennifer Young, Mission reporter

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