[News] Guatemala mission, Sat. Feb.21, 2009

[Berkshire Mission]

Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009

 

 

Greetings to the apple of His eye,

 

Oh what a glorious Sabbath experience we have had.  Pastor Jon spoke about
heaven at church this morning and it just wrapped us up in glory.  To be
able to watch the faces and expressions of the parishioners just puts an
added spark to a love ignited long ago. There were people who came forward
and took their position in front of us all, ready to announce to the world
that they have chosen who they will serve in this life and for eternity.
Then a young boy runs to the front and pleads to be among the candidates for
baptism.  His parents are not part of the church but his grandma is and she
came forward saying she would take responsibility for this boy growing in
the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Praise God for Grandma's. I wonder how many
souls have been rescued from a path of certain destruction because of a
praying grandma.   Then when you think you your heart is ready to burst with
the emotion of what you are witnessing, comes the last candidate.  He is
being held up on both sides by the 2 young Bible workers who have studied
with him.  This man slowly shuffles his almost useless legs to make it to
the front where he is placed in a chair.  He then raises his hands in
agreement with each of the statements to follow Jesus and be part of his
church.  After this we all headed down to the river where the crippled man
was carried down in a plastic chair and into the water.  With the men on
each side of him he was put in and under the water of baptism.  Oh my, what
a touching sight it was. That little crippled man had put his total trust in
men he had not known that long, to make sure that he went in and would come
out safely from a watery grave.  If they were not with him he would not be
able to have saved himself.  It reminded me so much of the paralyzed man
whose friends hoisted him up and cut through the roof to be healed by Jesus.
The faith and dedication that it all involved is just overwhelming.  After
this, all of the Pastor's went into the water and they baptized each one who
had made the commitment to follow Jesus.  The local Pastor told Bob that he
expected another 20 baptisms from this effort. And in front of the
congregation he told Bob he was going to e-mail him about it.  There are 3
couples who have decided to follow Jesus but who were living in open sin, so
they will be married this week and baptized next week along with some
others.   All the Pastor's came forward and laid hands on the crippled man
at the end of the worship service, praying for his healing.  Each of the new
members was given a new Bible and a church hymnal. Many Bibles were given
out this week, a donation from the Deltona  Eng. Adventist Church in
Florida.  It is the Sabbath school class of Anita Whitney.  This class is
very missionary minded and send donations for something each year.

Ross had to wear his flip flops to church today as his socks never made it
back from the laundry lady. I am sure this was already arranged by Jesus
though as Pastor Rigo borrowed those flip flops to walk into the river with.

Well once again we have proved that ole saying "boys will be boys."  It must
be something that is just encoded genetically with boys.  There is a little
room next to where we held VBS.  There is a bed in there and lots of dust
and spider webs, but no electricity.  Kim had stored the supplies in there
and even though it would give her the creeps to go in for them she dutifully
did it each night.  Well all the teens have been having lots of fun teasing
her this week but this one takes the cake.  Ross had gone in that room after
dark and crawled under that old dusty, spider web bed and just waited. He
knew it would only be a matter of time before Kim would be going in to get
her supplies.  You probably guessed it by now.  At the perfect moment when
all was quiet, a strong hand came out from under the bed and grabbed Kim's
ankle as she past by.  So if you have heard more than one strange muffled
noise seeming as if it is coming from very far away.well that one would be
Kim's scream this time.

This afternoon our team went to the orphanage as planned.  All the gifts
were given out at this time.  There were 15 various types of balls donated.
Soccer, foot ball, kick balls, and basket balls.  Many people had brought
clothes, shoes and toys to hand out at this time.  Also donated were
pencils, and pens along with spiritual literature.  Each child received
their own copy of Steps to Christ. Each child sat spell bound as they
watched our wonderful puppet ministry tell their stories from the Bible. The
stories were fun and light hearted and yet hit the nail on the head when
getting the spiritual lesson across. This is probably the biggest thing that
has happened to these little ones this year if ever. Kim also showed a slide
show she made for them.  She showed on a map where they were now in
Guatemala and where the United States are and then where Massachusetts is
and her home.  Pictures of snow and apples and of her family. She talked
about the 4 seasons and what they are like. These shows usually leave the
children spell bound as they have never seen snow or even an apple tree.
Next it was on to the Adventist Academy where they had dinner and shown the
school.  When it came time to present the money that was sent by the Canaan,
Ct. Church for sports equipment the students started cheering, clapping and
then chanting "America, America. America."

Next Art presented the various the various balls his school donated and the
chanting and cheering started again.  Eric came next to present to the
mechanical class a brand new tool box completely filled.  This was donated
by Jeff Walter.  The boys roared with cheers and once again, America,
America, America! Eric also presented them with a multi meter for that
class.

Bob was the last presenter and that was of the Bibles.  More chanting and
cheers.

To you Americans, can you hear and see in your mind the chanting America,
America, and stand a little taller?  To all you Christians of what ever
country, can you also hear  and see in your soul Jesus standing at the
finish line cheering you on?  You are almost there, hold on and give it that
final push now.  He is waving you on. Waiting with arms opened wide for you,
and with every breath He chants your name.

 

The Lord has blessed us with peace and has renewed our body and spirit with
a rest that only He can give.

 

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.  Teaching them to observe all
things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even
unto the end of the world.  Amen" Matt. 28:19, 20

 

Love and smiles across the miles,

Jennifer Young, Mission Reporter

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