Back in School!

Well, we went back to our first school this past Friday. I had such a great time with the boys. We played a game with them and then I spoke to them on "How to treat others." The teacher told me that they are starting to fight a lot and hit each other. So I taught them on the love of God and the command that God gives us to love. At the end, they were able to repeat to me that if we do not obey God's Word, then we do not know God. And if we do not love others, then we can't love God. Some of the boys started pointing out other "bullies" in the classroom saying, "He is a liar and does not love God!" Hahaha I thought, "Oh my! I hope this kid doesn't pound him later for saying that." But I had fun with the boys. I also learned that slapping a guy on the backside here does not mean that you are a big tough athletic jock like it does in the States...I won't be doing that anymore. Josh, who is a missionary living here now with his wife Jessica, came and helped me at the school also. He is like 6'3 and all the kids were talking about how tall he is. Many are calling him Goliath! Haha


Then we went to our second school in San Juan yesterday, and it was a little tougher crowd! Nancy, who works with us in the ministry, and I taught on the same subject, and we played games and had a great time, but these students seem to really be struggling more with stealing, fighting, and disrespect. I actually had one 8 year old boy yell out while I was speaking that I didn't know how it was here because I am a gringo and live in the States. He also kept yelling out the wrong answers and being a distraction throughout the entire lesson. I thought about using some of my police moves on him, but I decided to minister to him instead. Good choice I thought. Anyway, after Nancy and I told him that I had lived in Guatemala for a while and after telling him that one day he was going to get the snot beat out of him, he at least kept quiet so the others could listen. Please pray for these kids in the public schools. We have had several people tell us that many of them, like in the States, live with just their moms or with grandparents. The problem is though, the government does not support families like this like they do there. Many of the children are working by the time they are 6 years old, and because of this, they are put in great danger. One child that was selling candy in one of the communities here was stolen and murdered just a couple of weeks ago. So, to tell you the truth, I probably do not have a clue what these kids go through. Please pray that God will use us in the way He wants to minister to these kids and pray that our eyes will stay open to how we can help them in every way we can.

Update on one of our pastors and friends

We have asked for your prayers for our friend where we built the church on the rock. He had a mini stroke about three weeks ago and has had to stop working his construction job. He is taking medicine to help balance out certain levels in his body that are thought to cause strokes. He had to stay in bed the first full week and now is getting back slowly with therapy for his left side which was effected. He is able to move the left side but has no strength in his left hand and pain on the whole left side of his body. He is able to move around now and do a little throughout the day. He has not been able to work to provide for his family. We asked y'all to pray and those who could, to give money to help pay for medicine, medical bills, and food for his family. Well, the Lord provided through your giving in a big way!!! We received $460 to give to him!! PRAISE GOD!! He and his wife were soo excited! They told me that they had to borrow money from other people to pay for the medicine and the medical bills and that would cover that payment and give them plenty to live on while he can't work. They said over and over that they would be praying for all of you who are praying for them and also helping them financially! They were very appreciative and prayed for God to bless each of you! So thank you very much for your prayers! I have received many emails from many of you saying that you are praying or that the church is praying for him. I have relayed all those emails to him. Thank you! And thank you to all who gave money to help them out while he recovers. Please keep praying for a complete and fast recovery for him! He is still preaching too and leading his church and working there for the Lord while recovering, but I have to keep reminding him to slow down and recover while he can! Thank you again!

Seminar Pictures (Feb 2nd & Feb 23rd-25th)

First one day seminar with Pastor Alex Rodriguez on February 2nd. We were all challenged with Alex's presentation on how it is our responsibility to spread the Gospel where God leads us!












Second seminar of the year with Pastor Jendrick Lobos on February 23rd through 25th. He, and a team of pastors, taught about administration in the church and encouraged the pastors to push their congregation to grow spiritually. Also, he gave many ideas on how to better organize their churches and be better administrators in that which God has entrusted to them. They also gave food and other items to each pastor at the end of the seminar as a gift for their families. They all were such a blessing!