We have felt your prayers this past month. Thank you for praying for all of our activities.
The anniversary service in Nearar went very
well. They had a great turnout for both services. It blessed our
hearts to get to worship with them again. It was good to see that they
are doing so well and continuing to grow and reach others. Pray for
Pastor Rafael and his wife Luz as they lead out in reaching their
village for Christ. Pray that this next year would be their best year
yet.
We went a day early so we could make home
visits with some of our old contacts. One of our favorite visits was in
La Libertad. Many of you have prayed for that area and specifically
Nicolas and his family. As we hiked up the hill to their home the first
thing we noticed was the smiles on their faces. The joy that had not
always been there seemed to have returned. We had a wonderful visit
with them and they just beamed as they shared how the Lord is working
not only in their lives but the church as well. In the month of October
they had seven new believers and had already baptized five of them.
What an encouragement that was for us to see and hear. Continue to lift
up this work, family, and village in prayer.
David enjoyed getting to attend the
Guatemala Baptist Convention in early November. It was a time for him
to form new relationships with pastors and also a time to renew
relationships with others including the many Kekchi brothers who were
there. The Kekchi will always be dear to our hearts and we are thankful
for times of fellowship with them.
A highlight of the convention was the
Pokomchi being recognized as their own association and being accepted
into the convention. Here is IMB missionary to the Pokomchi Jeff Thomas
with them as they are being recognized. Pray for the Pokomchi work and
that God would continue to bless it. Pray for these leaders as they
strive to reach their people with the Gospel.
Thanks for praying for David's trip to
Orlando to attend the Florida Baptist Convention. It was a great
experience and he enjoyed getting to meet and visit with several pastors
and leaders while there. He also had the opportunity to preach in the
Sunday morning service at First Baptist Church, Titusville, FL. We
enjoy getting to be in churches and saying "thank you" in person for the
way Southern Baptists support their missionaries.
Just this past week we hosted a small team
from Alabama. We have worked with the Browders many times over the
years. They are a precious couple who are big supporters of missions
both at home and internationally. While here we spent a few days
working alongside a local pastor making home visits. We encouraged,
prayed, and loved on many. They also spent a lot of their week just
loving on our family and encouraging us. What a blessing it was to us
to have them come down and just want to be a part of what we are doing.
You do not have to be a part of a large team to serve. Small groups
like this really do breathe life into missionaries.
We attended a goodbye party for the Thomas
family who are returning to the U.S. after serving 17 years with the IMB
in Guatemala. Pray for their family as they readjust to a new life
there. It can be a very sad and difficult time. Pray that God's grace
will carry them through the days ahead and bless them with ministry
opportunities in their new area. We will miss them and their friendship
but are thankful for our years together on the mission field.
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day
celebrating with other families at our mission house in Guatemala City.
In addition to eating, we spent time singing hymns, reminiscing about
mission times over the years, remembering those who have served before
us, and praying for one another. It is always a special time that we
look forward to each Thanksgiving.
This month you can pray for the Indigenous Conference that
will take place December 2-4. This year it is being hosted by the
Kekchi in Coban. It is an annual event where indigenous pastors and
leaders gather for a time of worship, training, and fellowship. Pray for
those leading and attending that it will be a wonderful time of growth
for each one.
As we enter the Christmas season we would
like to ask you to prayerfully consider giving to the Lottie Moon
Christmas Offering. Your gifts go to support missionary families like
ours all over the world. Many are hearing the gospel for the first time
and lives are begin changed and transformed. It takes everyone doing
their part to make this happen. Some pray, some give, and some go.
Together we are reaching the multitudes.
This Christmas season you can be a part of what God is doing around the
world by giving. You can give through your local Southern Baptist
church or online at: Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
On behalf of IMB missionaries around the world we say thank you! Because you give, we can go.
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