Greetings from Guatemala: April 2023 Newsletter

Monday, April 3, 2023

April 2023 Newsletter

Holy Week
Holy Week is upon us. It is by far the busiest and most celebrated week of the year in Guatemala. Our City of Antigua is the hub for activities here. Hundreds of thousands will pass through here between now and next Sunday. People from all over the world come to see the processions and the beautiful saw dust carpets that brightly decorate our streets. What a great opportunity we will have to be on mission!

Pray for us as we wander our streets over the next several days that we would do it in a spirit of prayer for those around us and that we would take advantage of opportunities to share the good news of salvation through Jesus.

Volunteer Team Update
A highlight from the month of March was hosting a volunteer team from Easthaven Baptist in Brookhaven, MS. A group of twelve arrived mid-month and spent a week with us working alongside national pastors. We made many home visits offering prayer and encouragement. In the afternoons they did a health checkup clinic at the Baptist church in Itzapa. Throughout the week they shared the gospel many times, sang, read scriptures, and gave their testimonies. They served well and it was a joy to host them. They not only loved on the pastors but they also loved on the communities where those pastors serve.

Thank you for praying for this team. Continue to pray for God to work in the hearts of each one we encountered. Pray that the pastors would see growth in their churches as a result of the outreach this team did.

Bible Study
The Saturday afternoon Bible studies at Parramos are going well. Please continue to pray for this weekly church-wide outreach. Pray for Pastor Juan as he leads his congregation and seeks to advance the Gospel in his town.

After a recent study, there was a surprise baby shower for the pastor's wife. It was fun to be a part of it and strengthen my relationship with her and the other ladies in the church.

Baptism
This same church recently held a baptism service. We thank God for these new believers and ask you to pray for their spiritual growth and discipleship.

Team Leader Presentations
We spent much time behind the computer last month on video calls. In addition to our regular monthly video calls with our Northern Indigenous team leaders, we participated in a week-long team leader presentation that included colleagues throughout the Americas. Each team leader was given an hour time slot to present their plans for reaching their people groups this year. They also gave an update on their teammates and shared challenges and celebrations. It was wonderful to hear about the Indigenous work taking place throughout the Americas and to learn more about the families and where they serve. We closed out each presentation with prayer and encouragement for the ones presenting.

Would you pray for our Indigenous cluster colleagues? Pray that God would strengthen them, encourage them, and use them greatly to advance the Gospel all throughout Central and South America and beyond.

Summer Sojourners
We are continuing to make plans for hosting seven Summer Sojourner students this upcoming summer. They will be with us from May 26- June 19. We have three students coming from Mississippi, one from Tennessee, one from Texas, one from South Carolina, and one from Georgia. Pray for Bella, Karsyn, Melanie, Olivia, Mollie, Isaac, and Trey. Pray for them as they finish their college semester and prepare to come serve. Pray that God would prepare us all to work well as a team. Pray for God to begin working in the hearts of those they will be encountering and sharing the Gospel with while here.

Upcoming Travel
Later this month David and I will be making our first trip to southern Mexico to visit with some of the families we are now working with. We are looking forward to being in their homes and seeing where they serve.

Would you pray God's protection over us as we travel. In addition to flying, we will have an eight hour road trip to get to one of the areas.

Pray that it would be a great time of relationship building. Pray that the trip will help us better know how to serve, lead, encourage, and pray for our missionary families.