Happy Fall! We hope you are enjoying the change of seasons. Speaking of which, the women in our weekly Zoom Bible Study have just finished another study book and are heading into a new one this week! This study has become such a blessing for our staff and the women involved. We have 22 women who sign on weekly for a time of study, meditation, and fellowship. Though we wish so hard to be able to meet with the women face-to-face we must say, the virtual study has allowed women from the lake region, Guatemala City, and Zacapa to all unite. This is something we had not been able to do because of distance, now we see each other once a week! Spending time with these women, sharing our burdens, sorrows, joys, and praises has been a wonderful experience.
Our Bible Institute has also continued to grow tremendously! We have surpassed the 100 student mark. The teachers and our staff have been meeting to discuss the growth and how we can better serve the students. It is so exciting to watch everyone grow, learn, and ask questions; they really and truly are hungry to learn more. While our wish is to meet in person, we, like the women’s study, have been able to expand by meeting virtually. We have students from all over Guatemala, different parts of the USA, Mexico, and will be expanding into Honduras in the next few days! We have clearly seen God’s hand and how He has led the way in this ministry. It has become bigger than any of us imagined and we give all the glory to God!
“...Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe....”
John 11:14-15
OH JESUS, YOU ARE LATE!
Do you believe that Jesus is late sometimes? My answer is yes. He arrives late, according to our clock. The name of our time is Chronos, and the time of God is Kairos. He is never late on His time but in my time, He is late sometimes.
There are two times in the Bible when He was late, but He did that to give glory to God. John Chapter 1, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Martha and Mary were suffering the death of Lazarus and Martha said to Jesus: “if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (v.21) but Jesus had said in verse 4 “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” So, Jesus was late on purpose – so that all the people would believe in Him (v.45) and see God’s power and that all would give the glory to God.
The other story where Jesus arrived late is in John Chapter 9, A Man Blind from Birth. Jesus was 34 years late! The disciples asked Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (v.1) “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.
So, let’s remember during our times of crisis, when we think that Jesus is already late in helping us, to trust that He will arrive in His perfect time [Kairos], and through our crisis, God’s glory will be displayed.
JAIL MINISTRY
“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” Hebrews 13:3
Most of you will remember that in 2018 our staff had a glimpse of jail life in Guatemala. Knowing what we now know, our hearts have been moved to compassion for the prisoners. In the verse above, the Bible calls us to not forget those suffering in prison and during the pandemic prisoners have been forgotten. Families are not allowed to visit. Some, because of job losses, cannot send funds or care packages. Hearings continue to be postponed as everything is running behind schedule.
Yet, we have heard God’s call, and though we cannot do anything to aid in their physical freedom, we will fight for them to know freedom through the Salvation and forgiveness only Jesus Christ can offer.
Though visitations are restricted, we have been able to be in constant contact by phone. We have sent care packages filled with many things. We try to help with basic needs such as staple food items, especially those easy to make and store. We also send many hygiene products, over the counter medicines/first aid kits, reading glasses, and Bibles. We send these packages as often as we can and continue to pray with prisoners over the phone, relay Bible verses, and give as much hope as we can.
We cannot wait for the day that restrictions are lifted and we are able to sit with them face-to-face and share the love of Christ through the Gospel. We will sit and pray, laugh, and cry. We will share their burdens and love on them as Jesus would.
Many of us traveled a hard road back in 2018 and though we can now see many of the reasons why we had to travel this road, comforting others is high on our list.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 1 Corinthians 1:4
So thank you, for when you prayed with us and supported us we are now able to do this for others.
A REQUEST FROM PASTOR LUIS
Many of you know that Pastor Luis plays the accordion. He has used his until it has worn out and cannot be repaired! This instrument has traveled with him as he's visited churches because most churches have no musical instruments. He knows many hymns from memory and played for the congregation to sing. Now, sadly, he does not have one.
If you have an accordion that is stored away somewhere not being used, or if you know of one that is stored away at your church, or a friend who has one stored away somewhere, please prayerfully consider providing it to Pastor Luis to be able to take and use for God's glory!
Let us know and we'll give you instructions for getting it to Pastor Luis. Thank you!
