Who's in Control?

May 22, from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
When things don't go as you would like, accept the situation immediately.  If you indulge in feelings of regret, they can easily spill over the line into resentment.  Remember that I am soverign over your circumstances, and humble yourself under My mighty hand.  Rejoice in what I am doing in your life, even though it is beyond your understanding.
I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  In Me you have everything you need, both for this life and for the life yet to come.  Don't let the impact of the world shatter your thinking or draw you away from focusing on Me.  The ultimate challenge is to keep fixing your eyes on Me, no matter what is going on around you.  When I am central in your thinking, you are able to view circumstances from My perspective.

I looked back through the devotions for the past week and found these tidbits of truth to solidify this truth in my mind and heart:

As you sit quietly in My Presence, remember that I am a God of abundance.
It is impossible for you to comprehend the lavishness of My provisions: the fullness of My glorious riches.
Trust Me enough to let Me guide you through this day, accomplishing My purposes in My timing.

I am sovereign over every aspect of your life!
I want you to know how safe and secure you are in My presence.  That is a fact, totally independent of  your feelings.

It is through awareness of My Presence that Peace displaces negative feelings.
Come close to Me and let My Light envelop you, driving out darkness and permeating you with Peace.

What more could you need?

These truths made my heart sing.  They were confirmations of His Presence this week.  As many of you know, while we were accompanying a mission group from our church in Chimaltenango, La Iglesia Bautista Canaan, in the construction of a church building in caserio, La Cumbre, in the aldea Nearer, our home was robbed. 
We had left early Tuesday morning on our journey, arriving early in afternoon and began the work of clearing and preparing the construction site.  Working later into Tuesday night, all day and into the night again on Wednesday, the team completed the structure early Thursday afternoon.  While taking a much needed break (and very MUCH needed baths) at nearby hot water pools, we received the news. There was the immediate confidence that God is in Control, all we have belongs to Him, and it was really His stuff they took.  Really, what can you do when you are 7 hours away from home and not able to leave to return home until the next day anyway?  Rest in Him and wait on Him.  Sure there were the thoughts of wondering what they had taken but there was/is the underlying confidence of God's Peace.

The next day, after returning the part of the team who had ridden with us and supplies, we returned home.  Evidently, these guys had "cased" the street throughout the week, walking along ringing doorbells, accessing who was home and who was not.  Our neighbors were gone about an hour that afternoon and returned to find our gate door open and our car not parked inside. Knowing we weren't expected home until later, they knew what had happened.  They accessed the damage and responded quickly to inform our mission office for our notification,  called our mutual landlord to have the locks changed, contacted the local police (who did show up about 5 hours later), and even slept in their downstairs living room that night to be closer to hear and respond should the robbers return.  But even sweeter was the fact they cleaned up the mess and put things back in drawers and shelves so we didn't have to return to total chaos.  And to top it off, they brought lunch for us, then graciously left for us to access the damage and rest while they prayed for us. 

Yes, they took things that inconvience our lives - a computer, a hair dryer, a camera. They took things that hold some memories - jewelry.  They took things that provde for our health - 6 months supply of medicine we had purchased for our time in the states. But we also found they took some things that can change their lives eternally - two of David's Bibles - one Spanish, one in English.  After the initial "Ah man, not my study Bible," we almost laughed as we recalled one of our nieces's comments on facebook: "to the people who broke into my aunt and uncle's house in Guatemala...shame on you...here they are bringing the love of Jesus down to you...I hope you stole a Bible and God works in your heart. Trying to remember now that my sin is no different and God's grace is the same for me...praising the Lord for their safety and that material possessions can be replaced." 

In both major robberies, our Bibles have been stolen.  It is an unusual method of getting the Gospel out to the world around us, but our prayer is that God will complete His promise that His Word will NOT return void but will accomplish that to which He has sent it.  Can He use His Word even if it was stolen?  Absolutely, it has the power to bring conviction of sin and understanding of forgiveness of sins through His son, Jesus Christ.  We pray that one day around the throne in heaven, we will meet these thieves and/or whoever received the Word and praise God together that He has redeemed sinful man.

Who is really in control?  Christ alone in whom is our Security and Hope for tomorrow.

Sinergia 2011

The week following Encuentro Indigena 2011 we assisted at Singeria 2011.  Sinergia is also a mobilization conference but with the goal of opening eyes of nationals to the world of missions.  Ron and Margie Carothers have led in this conference for several years and have done an excellent job in providing wonderful breakout sessions for small group instructions in preparation of overseas missionary service in addition to the large group sessions.  They have had everything running smoothly even with last minute notification in this world of laid back latin culture.

Worship services were held each evening.  A local Baptist church led the praise and worship time.  The first evening the middle and high school student band led.  They had only been practicing for about 4 months but they were great as they led with praise choruses and hymns.  The next evening their drama teams prepared several skits emphasizing the mission task is a believer’s task not a “missionary” task.  If you are a believer this task is your God ordained task.  The final night a trio of ladies led the praise time and, as each night before, led us before the throne to adore our Lord.

Each service emphasized the task before believers…reaching the world with the Gospel of Christ.  At one close of one service many stepped forth affirming God’s call on their lives to the world.

“God is Calling Us Out”



Another method to bring the reality of how each one fits into the plan of God to reach around the world was the introduction of native clothing.  The wearing attire from differing countries across Africa, Asia, Indonesia, South America helped visualize that these Latins could easy “fit into the culture” providing opportunities to present Jesus as Savior.

Young friends from Honduras –

Carlos's clothing is from Eygpt and his wife, Rina's is from India.

Flor, also Honduranian, is dressed in clothing from Indonesia.

The final night included a prayer for the nations of the world.  As prayer was lifted to the throne for the nations to repent and call on Jesus, flags of many countries were lifted high throughout the area…God reach this country…bring salvation to the people.   

What do you lift as your call to prayer that all nations of the world come to salvation in Christ alone?



A Final Look at Encuentro Indigena 2011

On Wednesday everyone was assigned a different K'ekchi' village and they traveled there to visit and be a part of the evening worship service. Some stayed overnight and others returned to Coban. Thursday as they returned, each person was given a chance to share about their experience.

K'ekchi pastors assigning people to the different churches.

Willie and Edgar, along with our pastor Victoriano and his wife, Kristy,

atteneded from Chimaltenango.  Both of the young men

were asked to preach in the evening worship service in the

churches they attended.  It was the first time for each but they

were rejoicing in the opportunity. 

It was a wonderful experience for each.

We expect to see God launch them out into the world as fulltime missionaries.

On Friday everyone was able to share personal/ ministry prayer requests and then the group as a whole prayed over them. It was an encouraging time for all.

Our group from Chimaltenango shared how God is using them to reach the Chorti in Nearer.

Pastor Victoriano shared how God began a new work in the life of the church

as they grasped the vision of what God had in store for them. 

Willie is holding a poster highlighting photos from

 the recent medical trip.

Edgar is holding a poster which details the Mission and Vision of

La Iglesia Bautista Canaan, Chimaltenango.

"Mission:  We are a church the glorifies God with

faithfulness, obedience, and commitment to the

five functions that are established in the Word of God."

"Vision:  To be a church focusing on the

proclamation, teaching, service, fellowship,

and worship of God.:

"This is my commitment."

David sharing how God is using Guatemalans as missionaries to the Ch'orti.

Each of the attendees received a diploma to commemorate their attendance.

They are always proud to receive their diplomas.

New friendships and relationships were formed which may lead to

shared working relationships in the future as they reach

Latin America for Christ.

Encuentro Indigena 2011

Being part of the family of God means eternal friendships.  It  is good when we are able to renew those friendships each time we "remeet."  This week was one of those times of enjoying frienships.

We have missed being able to see Cruz. 

He was busy being a investigative little boy,

crawling around on the floor of the conference center.

I love this picture...he is just a blur, going all the time, keeping his mommy busy. 

 It won't be long before he is walking all alone though.

You can tell he really enjoyed his crawling time.

I think he was a bit surprised at his dirty knees.  haha

One day for lunch several of us went to Ashley's. 

It is a hostel located next door to the mission apartments. 

I often call it the Orchid Place beause of the abundance of beautiful orchids.

There was Ms. Fran,

SIL missionary who has invested about 55 years in Coban.

She and her partner translated the Bible in K'etki, and numerous other study helps.

There was Richard (Dick) and LaHoma Greenwood, retired IMB missionaries,

who invested 33 years among the K'etki.

It was back in 1980 that God used Dick to open our eyes to Guatemala.

There were David and Regina White who as the newbies invested three years as ISC'ers,

then were appointed as career missionaries and returned to the K'etki with Guatemlan born Cruz.

All of us around the table.

Pastor Apolinario and his wife Maria from San Andres Izapa were able to attend.

Pastor Nahum came from Copan Ruinas, Honduras.

Fellow missionary Ron Carothers led several sessions,

casting before the believers the lost around the world

and the vision for Guatemalans to go, tell, baptize, and disciple.

Fellow laborers, Keith and Penny Stamps,

between Pastor Apolinario and Maria,

led in the planning and facilitation of the conference.

And we got to hang out with them all. Precious friends!

And speakng of precious friends, can't leave out "Precioso."

Wondering why he is on the outside looking in...

"If Cruz is eating, why can't I?"

"I think I understand why that ice chest is there now."

Encuentro Indigena 2011

We had asked you to pray for the Encuentro Indigena 2011 and we saw God broaden the vision for reaching Central America.  It was exciting to see hearts stirred and new visions given. 

The K'etki leadership had prepared well to receive the brothers

attending from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.

 
 

In small groups, many were beginning to express,

"Yes, their 'Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the utermost parts of the world'

was further than their family, their neighborhood, their town, their department."

After missionary Ron Carothers shared of the need for Christ in the Muslim world,

prayer time included praying in like manner

- open ears, open hands, to the right, to the left, bowed knees, and prostrate.

                     The evening service was attended by many from nearby churches

                                           and was a wonderful worship service.

Music included marimba bands from several K'etki churches.

 Following regular practice in K'etki churches, representatives from each attending group gave greetings. This is the pastor from the attending church in San Marcos,

far in the west of the country.

Pastor Jeronimo, for whom many of you have prayed for his release from jail,

gave greetings from his church in the west and praised the Lord for his release.

Greetings from the brothers from Mexico - a two day ride by bus.

Nahum, our pastor friend from Honduras, gave greetings for himself, his oldest son,

 and another pastor who attended from Copan Ruinas, Honduras.

The highlight of the evening was the challenging sermon from Richard Greenwood,

 retired missionary who had invested 33 years among the K'etki. 

He preached in Spanish and a brother translated in K'etki. 

At times, it was very difficult for Dick, he slipped into K'etki

 and the brother had to translate into Spanish.

Pastor Jeronimo giving his thanks to all of you

who prayed for him and his family during his imprisonment.

Oh what a day of worship it was...part two

The Sunday night service at our church was missions emphasis with a special presentation from the recent medical mission trip to Nearer.  One of the Sunday School classes for children dressed up as different parts  of creation as they sang a creation song.  They were so cute.

 These fish and elephant had such cute smiles.

I know this photo is blurry, but I loved the creativeness in this chicken costume.

 Edgar is a young man that has a heart for missions and a zeal for serving.  He used his skills in preparing a wonderful powerpoint presentation of the mission trip.

Miriam is a widowed pastor's wife who has a passion for sharing the Gospel.  As the people completed the medical exam and received their medicine, they moved to another area where several of us ladies shared the Gospel and prayed with them.  At least two ladies received Christ as Savior.

Christy, our pastor's wife is standing in the background, as I spoke.  This was the first time that I have  spoken without notes.  At least David understood everything I said...hope everyone else did too.

One song we sang really touched my heart:

This is my desire to honor You,

With all my being to worship You,

With all my strength to praise You,

My adoration is you.

Today I surrender to You my being,

I give you My heart,

I live for You

In every heartbeat

While I have life in me,

God do Your work in me.