Welcoming in 2011

New Year's Eve 2011 demands a really special place for lunch, especially if you're not planning a fiesta. So off to Hotel Antigua we went to enjoy not only a Delicious lunch but beautiful views of Volcano Agua and the gardens. I really like the start of 2011 :)

We wish for you a wonderful new year, 2011.  May it hold for you an abundance of God's blessings of peace and joy as you continue to walk in His paths.

 
We ask for your concerted prayer covering as we travel to Honduras.  May God give us eyes to see, ears to hear, hearts to love, and voices to share the majesty of the Father and His great love for all to receive His free and eternal salvation.

A new "do" for the new year...

Since 2011 is right around the corner, I decided that the blog deserved a new look for the new year.  Hopefully I will change it several times throughout the year but thought I would start with a little black and white sparkle.

Yesterday, while visiting with my neighbor we were discussing just how quickly this year has passed.  I thought it was just me, but she agreed...2010 has been a fly by.  Besides all the travel we have done throughout the country there have been other highlights each month.

January...the infamous car jacking and several trips to the east

February...the visit of dear friends Jim and Patsy and several trips to the east

March...the homegoing of David's dear sister, Virginia, and several trips to the east

April...a visit with our daugther, Rebecca, and her church as they ministered during the Encuentro Indigenous and a quick trip to the states while David was in meetings in Colombia

May...visits from special friend Barry and his dad, from special missionaries Jane and Wendall, and Adam and Jennifer with their three children

June...the planning of and first visit to the Ch'orti' by a couple of Guatemalan pastors with David in anticipation of evangelistic work and planting of a church and several other trips

July...baptism observance at a water park with our church and several trips

August...our 33rd anniversary, welcoming new missionaries, and several trips

September...celebration of David's birthday and several trips both in and out of country

October...celebration of Glynis' birthday and several trips both in and out of country

November...a short trip to the states to share the heart and vision for work among the Ch'orti', and mission vision trip for David and several from our church to the Ch'orti' area

December...a visit from ALL our children and fun times with them and planning, planning, planning for our travels to Honduras for research there.

I think you can get the idea of what this year has been for us...TRAVEL.   When we first surveyed this job assignment, it was listed for a couple with no children (at home, anyway) who liked to travel and who like to travel together.  Well, that has been us.  I wished I had kept a journal of all the miles traveled this year, you would be surprised at the number.  But we know that as we have gone, we have gone with the covering of your prayers, the protection of the angels, and the guidance of the Father.  Each step of the way, we have been renewed in our vision of reaching this world for Christ.  And we look forward to this new year, we know that as we go, wherever we go, we will go in the power of our Father.  Continue to hold us up in prayer as we travel among the darkness of lostness.

Miller Family Time wishes you a Merry Christmas!

Recently all our children were able to come for a visit. And what a time we had!

First off, the mission van we anticipated in using wouldn't start in time for us to head to the airport, so, fearing we might be late if we kept working with it, off to the airport we went in our Terracan. Well, we were able to get almost all the luggage and most of us in the car, "Guatemalan style." The rest of us traveled in a taxi to the Arkansas House to try the van again. So rather than a leisurely lunch at a local mall's food court, we had a hurried up picnic lunch, loaded the van again, and off we went...chug, chug, chugging up the mountian...until it stopped. Thankfully David was able to get it to a good (that is a relative term here) place on the side of the road that had recently been repaired from the latest landslide until the towtruck could come. Have no fear...he was able to pull the van up onto his flat bed truck, we were able to climb back into the van (David rode with the driver to insure we got back where we needed to go) and off we went. Kinda felt like riding in the "Beverly Hillbillies truck." Yep, we were the talk of the road as we headed back into the city.

Ok, now to a different plan, we loaded all the folks up in a minivan and off we went home.  This time we easily made it home, enjoyed a chili/cornbread dinner before David and Mike headed back to the capital for all the luggage.  Finally much later, we were able to get repacked for the start of travel on Sunday and settled for the night.  Well, travel did improve as David was able to travel back to the city early Sunday morning for sister mission's van, remarkably just like the first van with which we started.  And after Sunday worship, we ate at the local Piccadilly cafeteria and headed out to new and exciting travels.





We spent a couple of days at Lake Atitlan...the most beautiful lake in all the world!



That's the Miller kids all grown up!

Back home for a night and dinner at the "diner" down the street


before heading to the Pacific for a couple of days.



Home through the capital to "crash" the mission Christmas Party and to sleep for a few hours before the hike up Pacaya



and shopping in Antigua


and Christmas gifts before bedtime.



It was a short week but FULL of much activity and LOVE.

Merry Christmas from All the Millers...

David and Glynis, Miriam and Mike (Adams), Stephen,

Rebecca and David (Durham) and Deborah and Chris (Slater). 

May your celebration reflect the real meaning of CHRISTmas!

Faces of Ch'orti' Challenge to Give so others may hear

God leads where no man can plan...story in video

God leads where no man can plan

The timing was not our choosing – late night arrival from ten days in the states one day to early morning departure the next day.  His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

The vehicle situation was challenging. After the cancelation of a couple of other vehicles at the last moment another truck was secured. God even uses "things" to perfect His plan.


The original plan was to make a couple of stops along the way, but reach El Limón Wednesday afternoon, begin some ministry there, spend the night, and do more ministry on Friday before launching out into nearby areas. Yet, even the stops were God timed.


Stop #1 – Guatemala City – tire repair on “the truck” – about an hour into the trip


Stop #2 – El Rodeo – rest break – about 3 more hours later


Stop #3 – Chiquimula – visit the pastor at the Baptist church – about 2 more hours later


Stop #4 – San Juan Ermita – visit the mayor’s office for approval of the trip; purchase of tortillas and use of their fire to heat water for ramen noodles and coffee for lunch – about 1 hour later


Stop #4 – Nearar – “the truck” brakes stopped working – about 1 hour later


God’s Plan: Car trouble and Ministry in Nearar


Included in the group of 15 were two seminary students, one of whom was a mechanic. As he worked on the truck and the evening began to darken, it was obvious here was where they would pass the night. Victoriano received permission to use the schoolhouse to house some of the team and part would pass the night in the man’s home across the road. Kristina, Victoriano’s wife, and the other woman on the team quickly set up their campfire with the use of a couple of cement blocks close by (and right before the man’s house entrance!) and prepared the dinner of handmade tortillas, black beans, and scrambled eggs and coffee. Friendships were begun with the surrounding children but it was too late to do anything but go to bed…on the concrete slab. Victoriano had neglected to share this tidbit of information with David but God had placed a rug in the back of Clyde “for such a time as this.” The usually warm Nearar was now cool…cooler…cold but with his jacket over his long sleeved shirt, blue jeans, socks and boots, and a cap, plus a towel for cover, laying on the rug using his small duffle as his pillow, he passed the night.


After a chilly night and a breakfast of black beans and tortillas and eggs, David and the guys working on the truck went to get supplies while the others began the outreach. Games, clowns, and clothing give-a-ways were inroads to the real reason for coming – the presentation of the Gospel. When David returned, Pastor Victoriano came and told him to come to the front of the group with him. While he was away, a man with a machete came from the community saying that the gringo was there to steal their children. Pastor V introduced David to the group saying that David was a member of his church, had come with the group to help, is a missionary, and that indeed “he did not come to steal children.” Wow! We had heard of this happening in other places but never where we actually were. But from then on, wherever David passed through Nearar, the children called “David, David!” We have passed through Nearar many times in the past but now he is known.


Securing a chicken in the neighborhood and preparing it (yes, that included the beheading, the plucking, all that “stuff,” as well as the cooking), the ladies added the meaty broth to their lunch of ramen noodles. Now with the truck repaired, it was on to El Limón! David needed his navigator, but alas she was at home, so instead he was taking the long way around to El Limón when he noticed there were no followers. Not a good sign. Going back, he discovered "the truck" was stopped – dead stopped. Needing to continue on the way before night fell, David and Victoriano put as much and as many as they could in their vehicles and headed on the journey with David to return to help. Continuing the long journey around to El Limón, David inquired along the way – everyplace was El Limón! They stopped at a school to stay for the night as David journeyed back to assist the other truck and found no vehicle! Definitely not a good sign! But he found the guys had pushed/sputtered their way back to the previous night’s schoolhouse lodging and parked it for continued repair in the morning. Now when they arrived back at this night’s lodging it was dark but the meal of black beans, tortillas boiled eggs, and warm coffee was delicious.


God’s Plan: Car trouble and Ministry in El Limón

To say this area was backward might be an understatement. Maybe it was the heavy amount of rainfall they have had, maybe it was the continuous drizzle, maybe it was the cold chill in the air, maybe it was the lack of bright lights, maybe it was the red muddy hill climb to the outhouse…whatever it felt really “third-worldly” that night. After some ministry time with the children and distribution of clothes, they all slept in one room. (This night was a warmer as one of the guys shared his blanket with David, however, it didn’t stop the breeze flowing from the window.) The next morning started with a quick breakfast of ramen noodles. They discovered that instead of being in El Limón, they were actually in Limoncita, a small village of El Limón. Here, as in Nearar, they were well received and open doors presented themselves.


On to El Limón they went which they discovered is actually Timoteo. The whole area is El Limón with many caserios (small grouping, kind of like a farm community). Though the people were friendly and some outreach was held, there was not the warm reception they had received before – probably not the place to begin to plant a ministry.


Next day, they returned to the broken truck and sputtered it back to the nearest town and to discover it was lunch time and the mechanic was closed. Knowing they all needed some nourishment, David took them to lunch at a place we have frequented several times. The mechanic diagnosed the problem as being the fuel pump. And after a couple of hours of trying to find one nearby and some other confusion, the driver decided that they could make it back to Chimaltenango. "It was probably just some bad gas that needed to spray out." So leaving about 4:00 in the afternoon, on to Chimaltenango they headed. With rain, lots of traffic, road block in the capital from a truck driver demonstration, the ride was interesting to say the least. But they arrived home about 10 pm – road-weary, tired, and rejoicing in the foundation that had been laid for future ministry among the Ch’orti’.


So what do you need to have a successful mission trip?


Well, at least for this one – 3 cases of ramen noodles, a case of #10 cans of black beans, a bag of maza, 5 flats of eggs, a bag of coffee, a bag of sugar, several large jugs of pure water, and 17 people anxious to be about God’s business.

The foundation has been laid.  Continue to pray for fruit to blossom...Nearar, Limoncita, El Limón...and to the ends of the earth!

Three Weeks at a Glance

Just reading our daugther's log and I find that it has been indeed three weeks since we lasted updated the blog and what a three weeks it has been!

First of course, was the training meetings in Lima.  I'll finish off the pictures with some special time with some friends and flowers.

We were home for a few days catching up on some work, taking a couple of short trips, and getting ready for a short vacation to the states. Before we left, our pastor's daugther celebrated her 25th birthday and we joined several families for the celebration and delicious homemade tamales.  Included are some pictures of some of the children at the party...don't you just love the little girl in her traditional clothing? 

While we were in the states, we shared several times about our ministry. I was glad that Kristy, our pastor's wife, had given me pointers on dressing in traditional attire.

We enjoyed our time with new friends, long time friends, and family. And evidently we enjoyed our time so much we forgot to take many pictures. But here are a few that bring some smiles as we recall these sweet memories.

And the fun continues...

Henry is REALLY enjoying all things American!!

He hasn't seen these goodies in three years!

Tina and I made sure we got our pic today.

We enjoyed lunch together again today;

this time at a Peruvian sandwich shop.

Tina says, "It is the little things that count...

especially when you're sitting in meetings all day!"

Old Friends...

Having a good time reconnecting with some old friends.  From the photos you'll realize that they are really "long time" friends...and we're the old friends.  haha

Henry was our Big Brother when we arrived for language school. 

He and Tasha were a wealth of information and encouragement,

as well as neat friends. 

He was definitely enjoying...

We missed you Tasha. 

Enjoy your FILL of everything American in CR in December!

Tina ate lunch with us too.

I forgot to get a pic of us...silly me...tomorrow.

Tonight we enjoyed dinner with good friends,

Jeff and Liesa, Hayley and Jackson,

good Old Miss folks

What a view of the Pacific!

It was beautiful in both directions.

Then the nightly view with the Cross shining in the distance.

Enjoying our time!

Springs of Water

Recently as we returned home, we took a side journey in Aguacatán to the Fuente San José, the wellspring of the River San José.  It was amazing to see the bubbling up from deep inside the earth the beginning of the great and mighty river.

Isaiah 12:3

"Therefore you will joyously draw water

from the springs of salvation."

Revelation 21:6

"Then He said to me, 'It is done.

I am the Alpha and the Omega,

the beginning and the end.

I will give to the one who thirsts

from the spring of water of life

without cost.'"

John 4:14

"...but whoever drinks of the water

that I will give him shall never thirst;

but the water that I will give him

will become in him a well of water

springing up to eternal life."

I am reminded of the old Gospel song,

Springs of Living Water,

by John W. Peterson.

I thirsted in the barren land of sin and shame,

And nothing satisfying there I found;

But to the blessed cross of Christ one day I came,

Where springs of living water did abound.

Drinking at the springs of living water,

Happy now am I, my soul they satisfy;

Drinking at the springs of living water,

O wonderful and bountiful supply.

How sweet the living water from the hills of God,

It makes me glad and happy all the way

Now glory, grace and blessing mark the path I've trod,

I'm shouting Hallelujah every day.

Drinking at the springs of living water,

Happy now am I, my soul they satisfy;

Drinking at the springs of living water,

O wonderful and bountiful supply.

O sinner, won't you come today to Calvary?

A fountain there is flowing deep and wide;

The Savior now invites you to the water free,

Where thisting spirits can be satisfied.

Drinking at the springs of living water,

Happy now am I, my soul they satisfy;

Drinking at the springs of living water,

O wonderful and bountiful supply.

Seek the Lord while He may be found;

Call upon Him while He is near.

Let the wicked forsake his way

And the unrighteous man his thoughts;

And let him return to the Lord,

And He will have compassion on him,

And to our God,

For He will abundantly pardon.

Isaiah 55:6,7

The Journey Back to Huehuetenango

There were some interesting shots on the journey back to Huehuetenango that afternoon. 

• Wood is so important in Guatemalan culture.  It provides heat and fire for cooking.  All along the roadside, we see people with loads of wood of their backs or heads.  It is a constant daily chore.  This particular tree had been "trimmed" and the wood stacked to be carried home another day.
• We passed several houses and tiendas with some beautiful doors and windows.
• The "hill" is actually made of garbage...tons and tons of garbage stacked high. 
• The fog continued falling and lifting off and on the journey.
• Again we passed through the high altitude.
• I love the shot of shepherds and sheep. 
• Then the afternoon sky gave another brillant display.

Beside the Road...

These random shots from beside the road were taken as we drove Central American highway 1,

but most of them are seen throughout the country, as well.

Poincianna or Flamboyant Tree

Derrumbes

Gasoline for sale in plastic jugs

This is the first time we had seen this sight.  And there were gas stations up and down the highway.

Interesting.

Coffee growing on the hillside

Derrumbe on the hillside

Huge rocks as results of derrumbes

Crosses marking the place where a loved one died

Huge cliffs

Typically dressed women

Baby coffee plants growing under the shade of vines

More gasoline for sale

Man and woman

 Note that she is dressed in typical clothing and he is dressed in western clothing.

Brillant poinsetta tree

They are not just for Christmas around here, but it is the beginning of the "flowering" season.

I just love the many different varities.



Our Journey to San Miguel Acatán

Last week we were in the deparment of Huehuetenango.  One day we traveled over to San Miguel Acatán as we researched the Acateco.  It was indeed a beautiful day...filled with the splendor of His handiwork.  We never knew what we would find around the next curve.

The journey into San Miguel Acatán took us from about 5000 feet (mas or menos) in Huehuetenango to over 11000 feet.  It took us from a nice paved road through the dirt, sometimes mud, road to the paved streets of San Miguel.  It took us through the fog.  It took us over the mountain to the high plains. It was another reminder of the diverse geography of this wonderful country in which we are priviledged to live.  It took us among some of God's blessed saints who will join us around the Throne.  Praise God for those who have carried the message to the Acatecos!

Come ride with us...

In 2010 Guatemala has received a record amount of rainfall.  Many times we have mentioned the damages to the roads from the rain and often show photos for you to better understand how to pray for us as we travel. 

Central American highway 1 is the major corridor from Mexico to Panama.  It enters Guatemala in the northwest and passes through Chimaltenango to Guatemala City and then heads south to El Salvador. Some of it is four lane and provides wonderful passing lanes.  We travel it often and are very thankful for it.  However, it is also very dangerous, due to many landsides causing the roads to be covered in mud, dirt, and/or huge rocks.

For several days this week, we traveled on CA1 in the west.  Yesterday, as we were returning home, I took this video of some of our travels again to say how thankful we are for your prayers and God's covering of protection.  Sorry it is not the best video but it will give you an idea of the road and dangers. We never take it for granted! 

Prayer...World Impacting Prayer...Prayer

Today I want to share parts of an article from Dr. Roy King, Professor of Leadership and Church Health at CIU. 

The Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Cape Town South Africa begins on Sunday Oct 17, with 4,000+ church and mission leaders gathering together from around the world to pray and strategize to reach the world for Christ.

"Praying Scripture and praying for more than my own needs called me into identification with those outside of Christ and a desire to see the church of Christ bold and intentional in spreading God’s good news. A disciple is made by expanding their vision of God and modeling a bold and yet humble prayer life. After tasting how prayer changed me I began to teach others to pray. I began to see that what a person or a congregation prays shapes motives and prioritizes attitudes and actions. Prayer is one of the first seeds to grow as a person follows of Christ.

"I do not dismiss the importance of research and planning for engagement in the work of world evangelization. But they are not the end or the critical means to God’s work being accomplished, in God’s way, by his power. Prayer is the critical foundation. Hebrews 11:6 teaches we can only please God as we live with expectant faith. Prayer is to be faith in conversation. Prayer is to be hope in enduring seeking. Prayer is to be love flowing out to others.


"Perhaps we should see the Cape Town 2010 event as a call to prayer and be intentional in training every Christian we know to see the harvest, the need for laborers, and how prayer in faith brings partnership with the global work of the Spirit in planting a church among every people."

October Breezes

Yes, it is finally October...pretty days, cool nights, maybe the "endish" of rainy season and KITES. Such a joy to sit at our desks and listen to the squeals of children as they flew their kites.

But alas, this little fellow went home sad.  Time to make another kite to fly tomorrow.