[News] Guatemala mission, Feb.17, 2009

[Berkshire Mission]

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009

 

Greetings to the beloved of God!

 

We pray that you are being blessed as much as we are.  Our God is so
merciful and just longs to walk hand in hand with us.  All we need do is put
out our hand and He takes it from there.  With Him holding our hand we can
go through the darkest of nights and be assured that we will be lead into
the light.

 

Last night our evangelistic meeting went incredibly well.  There was
standing room only.  We had 185 souls longing to hear about the good news of
the 2nd coming of Christ and what it will be like.  Doesn't that thought of
His return just thrill your soul and make you long for home? It won't be
long now, hold tight.

The children's ministry was equally a success with over 150 little ones
learning about Jesus and His love for them.  This is such a thrill for these
children and so hopeful for what it will do for their future.  Once you have
reached out and touched Jesus nothing will ever be the same.

Tonight the adult meeting had even more attending; it was so full that it
was almost impossible to get a correct count.  Dr. Roy did a health nugget
section before the sermon.  HE talked about diabetes which is a very serious
and common ailment amongst the town folks, but not in the Mayan villages
where they have kept to a more traditional diet.  He opened the floor for a
question time and there were many asking question and wanting to change
their health status.

Pastor Rigo was passing out  various books to those who are new tonight and
then for those that bring 3 to 5 guest receive a special beautiful Bible as
a gift.

The children's ministry had 175 little ones tonight and oh my how they love
the puppet ministry and all the singing.  They are learning the "B-I-B-L-E
song in English for the theme song and are really enjoying that.

 

The medical clinic saw 160 patients yesterday.  The village they were in was
extremely poor but the people were very respectful and thankful.  The need
was great in that area.

The clinic moved to a new area today and they saw 272 people and
pre-registered another 110 for tomorrow.  Our Doctors had exam rooms made
with love if little else to work in.  Sheets were strung up around rope to
make privacy for each patient. But believe me, no one there was complaining,
they were all just so happy to have their troubles addressed and receive
medicine to help them. Stuart and Nancy said there was a Mayan Indian who
also spoke Spanish and he volunteered to stay all day and help keep the
lines in order and to translate.  He said he will be there tomorrow to help
out too.

The official medical building is coming along fine with more tiles being put
down today. Today they put on the second coat of paint at the storage
building.  There certainly is a lot of work being accomplished.

Paul M. got a great picture of a coral snake today.  It was at the worksite
under a piece of wood.  Such a beautifully colored snake, so attractive to
look at, but at the end the result is death.  Just like sin, it might look
like it is nice and innocent at first, even very attractive and then when it
gets you in its grip it is definite death unless you have the anti venom
waiting to save you.  Working in these countries we have seen the results of
viper snake bites on people.  Those that live are still badly mangled from
the scars and they fight the results of that bite for years and years. Some
times they have to have a limb amputated.  At the very least, things are
never the same as before they were bit.  Good spiritual lessons here.

Art and Dave were busy plumbing in the showers and installing electric
fixtures.  There will be about 13 showers and 6 toilets in one of the
buildings so that in the future when mission groups come here to help they
can stay right there.

 

Thank you to all you at home who are praying for me.  I should be well
enough to resume my regular day tomorrow.  I am still in pain and certainly
don't look so great but my fellow missionaries still seem to love me. No one
ran the other way when they saw my face.  I am so grateful for the tender
way in which our doctors and others cared for me and for the wife of the
herbologist who covered me with a honey mixture that would take down some of
the swelling.  She has put this on 2 others who have twisted their ankles
this week and it really has helped. Our hosts are wonderful Christian
people, very caring.  Mary M stayed with me at all times that Bob had to
leave, even when I said it was alright she insisted she was not leaving me
alone.  Love heals faster than anything.  

 

 

"Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left house, or parents, or
brethren, or wife, or children, for the Kingdom of God's sake, who shall not
receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come, life
everlasting." Luke 18:29, 30

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