David and Glynis on Mission in Guatemala

What it is all about...

2012-02-10T15:27:00.000-08:00

When friends visit us we try to take them to places they have not visited before and expose them to new avenues of insight to expand their prayer ministry for Guatemala. As we traveled with Jim and Patsy in the Chorti area, their eyes were opened to the task in that area of the country, and gave them personal insight into how to pray for us as we travel the roads there in ministry. After we returned to our home from those days of travel, we decided to focus on closer areas. We renewed some friendships of theirs and ours with venders in the markets and shops here in Antigua and even enjoyed lunch in a favorite place of all ours from many years in the past, Hotel Antigua.

But Tuesday afternoon, we took a short trip to see the mayan ruins at Iximche outside Tecpan. We have been there before and have been amazed. Although much smaller than the ruins in Tikal, they are well worth the view. We had forgotten that the gates close at 4, so we only had about an hour to walk the area. According to Wikipedia, Iximche was the home of the Kakchikel who broke alliance with the K'iche' and founded their own center in Iximche in 1491. It survived wars, human sacrifice, locusts plaque, fire, smallpox, but it could not survive the greed of the Spanish conquisadors in 1524. I really recommend the reading of the brief history on the Wikipedia site linked above as it gives much insight in the maya world.

As we walked the rear of the ruins, we noticed a family coming up from the woods. We decided to explore a little more, thinking it might be a picnic area. However, instead we understood more fully just why we are "on mission in Guatemala."

This sign says, "Ceremonial area - no climbing the temple."

Yes, it was a mayan temple and the family had been there to make sacrifices.

Here you can see the candles, the flowers, and the food and fruit offerings on the altars.

This is an up close photo of one of the altars with rose petals and pine needles scattered around.

In front of the altars and encircling the entire temple were rings with burning fires in the center.

A fire burning in one of the circles included pine branches, flowers and something else.

As we approached the temple, we saw several dogs atop the altars eating the food/fruit offerings.

They even were scratching in some of the burning circles;

evidently the "something else" was some type of food.

As we stood here, my heart was broken for those who walk in darkness.

So many generations have been deceived and do not know the love of the Father.

Their sins separate them from the One True God and thus they try

to appease His justice by useless sacrifices.

But these burning sacrifices attest to the fact that once in their history

they knew they were guilty sinners and sacrifice must be made for their sins.

Yet, however many sacrifices any man tries to make to satisfy the justice of Almighty God

will never bring peace and forgiveness of sins.

Jesus, God's only Son, paid the sacrifice for all sins for all mankind.

That eternal forgiveness can only be received through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

So why are we "on mission in Guatemela?"

We are here to share the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those

who have not heard,

who do not know,

who have never received the forgiveness of sins.

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."

Revelation 7:9

I trust that this post will challenge your prayer ministry.

Pray the lost peoples of Guatemala and around the world

will have the opportunity to hear and receive forgiveness of sins through Jesus alone.

Ride alongside us for awhile...

2012-02-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

Just had to post a video so you can enjoy the ride alongside us. Remember that Patsy had prayed for an adventure, well, she certainly got one as we rode some of our more "interesting" roads in the Chorti area.

She said that she knows better how to pray for us now.

So instead of praying for us once a day, she's moved it up to at least twice a day.

When we ask for your prayer covering for us as we travel, we are comforted knowing that you are holding us up to the Father for His protection over our car and us. Indeed we would not know how to tell anyone to reach us if they have not traveled in this area but He surrounds us with His angels giving us peace as we travel by faith in His covering.

Remember to call our names to Him...we depend upon it!

Time is passing...

2012-02-07T08:16:00.000-08:00

and we have already had to two trips to the Chorti area in the east. We have a medical team arriving February 11 to work with our church in Chimaltenango in some new Chorti areas. Since we needed to make hotel and restaurant reservations for the large group (there will be 27 for the team, translators and drivers) we took a little trip to settle those plans. While there we were able to visit with David and Regina White and little Cruz. They have recently moved to Camotan to begin working among the Chorti. We were so excited to spend some time with them and get a little lovin'

Check out their blog and pray for them as they begin the task among the Chorti.

Then Thursday, long time friends Jim and Patsy Brannock, arrived for a visit. They are dear friends who first came to Guatemala with David in 1991 and have continued coming at least once a year ever since working throughout the country. But they had never visited or ministered in the Chorti area, so off we went to catch the vision to share with their home church as they pray about becoming partners.

The whole earth is filled with His glory!

When we travel in this area, we are amazed at its beauty.

It is so different from the lush green of our area

but still is such a gorgeous place, resplendant with His majesty.

Patsy said that she had prayed that God would give them an adventure this time,

something they had not experienced in the past.

As we road these roads, she knew that God had answered her prayers.

We were reminded that even the rocks will cry out that He alone is God!

Continue to pray with us for Guatemalan churches who will accept the call to reach the Chorti for Christ.

We have many US churches ready to partner but we need the Guatemalan ones who will lead the way.

Pray with us that God would lead us to the right ones ready to lauch out into the deep.

You just don't know 'til you don't have it...

2012-01-26T09:05:00.000-08:00

You just don't know how dependent you are on the internet until you don't have it.

We left the states January 13th to return to Guatemala. We spent the first weekend in the capital at our annual mission prayer retreat before coming to our new home here in Antigua Sunday afternoon. Welcome to the WORLD of boxes!

In a perfect world of thought, while I unpacked boxes Monday, David would go to town, complete paperwork for cable and internet (we already had telephone service for use in country) and by nightfall, in our almost completely unpacked home, we would be able to call the children and my mom and chat for awhile. hahaaa - pardon me while I laugh some more - haaaahaaaahaaahaaa. Should have known better, but it was a dream, or was it a fantasy?! Anyway, reality hit quickly! But in one way, it was probably better (? don't know if that is the appropiate word) that we didn't have internet because we were able to work on making our house a home...it's not there but definitely on the way...without checking emails, or facebook, or chatting on the phone. But now thanks to Claro, we do have cable and internet - only a week and a half later, but really quite quickly in latin terms. David was able to get the "official" (had to be signed by our LC here in Guatemala, even though we are the ones responsible for the bills) signed papers back to the office on Friday afternoon, and then we had cable Tuesday afternoon and internet Wednesday afternoon...really not too bad. Wow! how dependent we are on these technologies. But we are so thankful for communication...just remembering the years when missionaries went for weeks, some even months, before being able to communicate with family, friends, and co-workers. Thank you, Lord, for this gift.

I haven't taken pictures of the finished product of making a home for us; we still need a couple more pieces of furniture - cabinets for the office (didn't realize how much storage we had in the other office/bedroom), another bed for the third bedroom (enough space for you to come visit) and a few other odds and ends - and yes, the stuff sitting in our crate there in the states waiting to be released. I promise I will get some updated shortly but I will leave you with these...

view from the upstairs door to the patio, Volcán Agua

It's been inactive for hundreds of years, Wrena.

view out the front door downstairs

along the railing of the patio

atop our front gate

Come sit a spell and enjoy the view!

Miller Sibs

2012-01-04T18:12:00.000-08:00

For a few days during the New Year's holidays, the Miller sibs gathered for the first time in a LONG time. As they "mature" they are looking more and more alike.

back row -

David, Earl, Loy, and Doyle

front row -

Wrena, Ruth, Lynn

In the beginning there were 10.

Byron, died a few days after birth

Marlyn, died in 1991

Virgina, died in 2010

Ruth

Elmer Doyle

Loy

Earl

Wrena

Lynn

David

What a special time was shared - lots of reminiscing, lots of laughter, lots of memories.

Mama was happy

2011-12-27T19:52:00.000-08:00

For the first time in 9 years, all of our kids were in our house on Christmas day. And what a time it was!

David's family has always gathered on Christmas day. So again this Christmas morning, from far snd wide, we all converged in Adrian. Then Sunday evening, Mom and Dad, Miriam, Stephen, Rebecca, and Deborah headed home to celebrate. Mike was far away at work, David was at home sick, but Chris was able to take his dinner break and join us for a hour. We missed them terribly!

This year we decided to do something a little different. In addition to the gift card exchange, we had "favorite thing" stocking/bags. Everyone brought 8 of their favorite things and put one in each bag. We had fun going around the circle choosing one to open. Very creative thoughtful gifts were there.

My bag was a Christmas tree because I love Christmas trees.

Miriam and Mike - tervis cup.

We each got our favorite SEC football team ;)

Deborah - favorite Christmas candies.

She also made a brown sugar scrub just for me.

Chris - dipped chocolate spoons for cups of hot chocolate.

Rebecca - bottle of yum! Nutella for each couple.

David - knife

Rebecca - Christmas decoration (mine's Noel) and toothbrush/toothpaste

Stephen - $5 Subway card for the special $5 subs.

Dad - toothbrush

Mom - salsas

I didn't get one of those though.

Yep, Mama was happy having all her kiddos in her house on Christmas.

An extra special Christmas blessing...

2011-12-19T19:16:00.000-08:00

Daily we are getting updates from churches where we have recently visited

that they are reaching or surpassing their Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goals.

We are honored that we could put a face on the LMCO to these churches.

At work around the world...reaching the world for Christ.

Continue to Pray, Give and Go.

You are...

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2011-12-16T00:00:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

God blessed times...

2011-12-14T19:50:00.000-08:00

Our time in the states has been God blessed.

We have been blessed with the opportunity to share our story. As we have shared our heart, many have been challenged to seek out what God has planned for their lives. Knowing the influence of missionaries in our lives, we pray that our life story will challenge and encourage as God directs their path in His service.

Knowing that God-sized plans can only be accomplished with prayer, we are so blessed that over 600 have committed to pray. We can go out in strength knowing there is a force behind us covering us in prayer. As a reminder, these are the five things that we listed for special prayer especially during these days before we return.
Pray for:
     1. National churches and pastors to catch the vision of God as Great Commission Christians to reach the lost pockets of Guatemala for Christ.
     2. US churches and associations with similiar heart and vision to come alongside the nationals bringing specific outreach ministry to these indigenous mission fields.
     3.  Us that we will have the understanding of the mind of Mayas in order for them to have the mind of Christ.
     4. Ch'orti' to be saved and discipled.
     5. Lost pockets of Guatemala tobe reached with Gospel of Christ.

And we have been blessed with memory making family times.

Well, that was a flash

2011-12-08T18:21:00.000-08:00

November was a blur and December is a flyin'!

We have enjoyed these two busy months and the opportunities they have provided for us to share the vision to reach the world. As you are aware this is the time of year that Southern Baptists are challenged to give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. It has been a blessing to walk among these folks and be challenged by their sacrifical giving. Together we are

How will you respond to God's challenge to you?

Reach out and

It's time for another celebration...

2011-11-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

It has been great to be stateside and enjoy special days of celebration with our kids.

This time it's Christopher's birthday.

And because we can, we enjoyed a celebratory dinner Friday night.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Christopher!

One of the things about which we prayed for our kids was their future spouses. And God brought three fine men to our girls. Each one is different but designed perfectly for each daughter.

Mike and Miriam

David and Rebecca

Christopher and Deborah

God knew what each one needed and He brought them together. Though Mike and Miriam have been married the longest (8 years this past July) Chris has "been hanging" around the longest - 10 years. We thank the Lord for His gift of godly men who love our girls and with whom our girls can serve Him.

More Memory Making Times

2011-11-10T17:48:00.000-08:00

Recently we spend some memory making time at Whitestone Inn

with special friends, Ron and Margie and Wendell and Jane.

Both of these couples invested in our lives as we traveled to Guatemala as volunteers.

Now we are priviledged to serve alongside them.

Ron and Margie are completing their stateside time before returning home.

Wendell and Jane, retired from full time missionary service,

have recently returned to Georgia after spending several months in Guatemala as volunteers.

The beauty of creation was overwhelming.

We visited the Scottish Highland cattle at the barn.

Ms "Curly Horns" stopped and posed for the camera.

We were able to feed them, even by hand.

Can't you tell that Margie really liked feeding her?

David chose a less slurpy manner.

He posed so gallantly as well.

Friends making memories.

Life Investers, Life Impacters, Sweet Memories

2011-10-29T19:38:00.000-07:00

On a recent trip up through Alabama and Tennessee, we were able to spend time with some more life impacters.

Jeanne and I first became friends at BMA summer camp when I was 11 and she was 12.

Oh the pages and pages we have written as we fueled that friendship,

sharing the tales of youth, young adulthood, marriage, family, and ministry.

She has poured godly influence in my life since that time many years ago.

In 1986 we moved to Huntsville with four young children - ages 6, 5, 3 and 6 months old.

Kelly was one of those dear friends who invested in our family's life.

Thanks for the many hours of keeping kids entertained!

How can she look just like she did back then?

Pat and Charlie poured into our family in so many ways.

They poured special love and concern into the kids life, especially during the days

of my dad's illness and his entrance into eternity.

Charlie took his first foreign mission trip with us to Guatemala.

and continues influencing others in missions today as a pastor.

Nita and I shared life. There weren't many of us mothers of four children around.

We kept each other "sane" though our kids often wondered about that sanity, but we knew.

Don't think I could have made some of those days without her!

Doug and Kimber were a young couple who often took Rebecca on special outings.

Guess we have them to "thank" for her becoming such an Auburn tiger.

Kinda of hard for us Georgia bulldog parents!

But then she must have influenced them as well...

here they are posing with four of their seven children.

Vicki is the sister of a long time friend, Cathy.

David and I attended Cathy and David's wedding not many months after our own.

I remember well when Cathy asked us to pray for her sister,

that God would bring His choice of a husband to her.

Then about 15 years later after moving to Augusta,

we met Vicki and Bill, God's perfect choice for her.

Oh, the influence these dear friends have made in our lives!

Kim and Jerry were a young couple who first impacted our lives in Augusta.

We have followed with special interest as God blessed them with David and Andrew.

It has been exciting to watch as God continues to direct their paths and use them to impact others.

As we returned home, we enjoyed a tasty lunch break at the Blue Willow in Social Circle.

We are thankful for those who have invested in our lives,
impacting us and our children in the ways of God.

Week Long Celebration

2011-10-13T07:50:00.000-07:00

Last March when planning our stateside time we scheduled a family vacation. It just so happened that their best time schedule corresponded with the week of Glynis' birthday.

Now that was quite a CeLeBrAtIoN if you ask me.

He's not Goldilocks but...

2011-10-02T05:59:00.000-07:00

We are on vacation with our family in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. While David was getting the grill ready to cook for dinner, he suddenly came running to the door...up lumbering the hill, right up toward him was...

Mama Bear

and

her two baby bears!!

Don't know if they smelled the coals and thought supper was a'comin' but for sure, David didn't want to be that supper. So, he's definitely not Goldilocks but it WAS the three bears! You just never know what we might find in these thar' hills.

Rebecca's Narration.

This is just a preview of the fun times ahead for the Millers this week.

Sharing the Vision...

2011-09-26T13:13:00.000-07:00

We are priviledged to be able to share our work and vision with folks throughout the southeast - North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee - while we are in the states these six months. We have already shared in 20 different locations with about the many more ahead of us. Not only are we sharing what God has done, we are casting a vision for the future while recruiting a larger network of prayer warriors. It is comforting to know that as things come to us, they can only pass through that prayer covering that surrounds us. It is encouraging to know more dear folks are coveting to broaden that covering over us. Thank you for calling our names to the Father, asking for His peace and direction is our lives.

Guess where this weekend's journey carried us...

Before speaking at the international dinner at Bull Street Baptist Church,

we were able to enjoy a few minutes on the river walk in Savannah.

We enjoy being able to share our heart with folks, but we are also delighted when our engagements allow us to spend time with dear friends from the past as well as family. Our time in Savannah included friendship refreshment with Ed and Adrienne before heading to David's sister's home in North Carolina to speak in their church on Sunday.

We were delighted that it is close enough that Loy and Claudette

and Miriam and Mike were able to join us for the day.

Couldn't tell these three are siblings, could you?

Think we are enjoying the "life of Riley"

...well, atleast the life with Riley :)

Yes, we have been celebrating...

2011-09-22T17:24:00.000-07:00

Before we headed to Rebecca and David's to celebrate her birthday, we spend a little time with some of our strongest prayer warriors...the AWANA clubbers at Abilene Baptist Church.

Truth and Training kids are grades 3, 4, and 5.

Sparkies are grades K5, grades 1 and 2.

Cubbies includes ages 3 and 4.

It is special a blessing to see little ones hiding God's Word

in their hearts at such young age.

it was fun to arrive in Greenville in time to celebrate Rebecca's birthday lunch at Ford's Oyster House and Cajun Cooking

where Rebecca enjoyed this Buffalo chicken po'boy.

Yes, the weekend included food,, fun, and football on Saturday. Sunday was special as David spoke at Marietta First Baptist Church and then we visited Mt. Airey Baptist Church and reconnected with friends, Victor and Amy and their beautiful girls. Monday included at apple pickin' time

which ended up in a couple of dozen jars of

Millers Apple Butter.

Another highlight of the weekend celebration was a visit to visit our special little ones,

Anna Grace and Ben and mom Leigh Ann.

Dad Ryan hadn't arried home from work in time for our visit.

Ben loved his Davy Crocket movie.

AG loved her new cowgirl hat and had to get her horse to make her outfit complete.

AG looks like she's been riding a LONG time...look at those bowled legs!

She and Ben are enjoying the gummy worms and bears.

Though we didn't take this pic, it just shows such pretty smiles.

Great birthday celebration, Rebecca!

We're celebrating again!

2011-09-16T04:35:00.000-07:00

Yep, it's another birthday celebration that we get to enjoy!

Happy Birthday Rebecca!

You continue to spread the joy of the Lord wherever you go.

We are looking forward to sharing your special day with you!

Happy Faces...

2011-09-11T14:43:00.000-07:00

The family here for Sunday lunch

Dad and Mom, Miriam, Stephen, Rebecca, Deborah and Chris

Dad and Miriam

Dad and Stephen

Dad and Rebecca

Dad and Deborah

David's all-time FAVORITE dessert, snack, meal,

well, his all-time FAVORITE anytime food

His all time FAVORITE drink - coffee, new grinder and coffee gift card

And his all-time FAVORITE team...GeOrGiA,,,

two new shirts

dollar choclate bar

and

hnnd created Go Dawgs painting

Yep, there's been a whole lot of happy faces during this weekend...haha

And we keep celebrating...

2011-09-11T05:04:00.000-07:00

Today is David's birthday, the daddy of the bunch. AND we get to celebrate with all the kids in our home! It has been "many a year" since we have all been together to celebrate his birthday and we are enjoying it to say the least. And the neat thing is since it is during a weekend, it is not just a one day or one meal celebration, it is all weekend long.

Happy Birthday David!

Pictures will follow but it is time to make sureeveryone is up and getting ready for church...so neat to be able to worship together as we celebrate life.

And the Celebrations continue...

2011-09-04T06:24:00.000-07:00

Standing on the shores of Lake Atitlan, December 2010...today he celebrates his big 3-0 day.

Today, David joins the ranks of those in the "new" decade...that makes four from our crew now that have "crossed over" the line. God did a good thing when He designed you as a perfect match for Rebecca. We prayed for you without knowing your name or your face but now we pray for you by name and love your manly face.

Happy Birthday to our second SIL!

We love you!

Sharing and Caring

2011-09-02T19:53:00.000-07:00

During the past two weeks we were able to do alot of sharing and caring...two of the fun things about our stateside time.

Sharing five different times laid the foundation for at least two separate connecting commitments. We are excited to see how these commitments will continue to develop to connect Guatemalan churches and US churches to continue to reach the lost pockets of Guatemala.

And then the "caring time" is great. We have reconnected with long time friends, begun new friendships, been refreshed as we have stayed in quiet restful places, and been revigorated as we spent time with family.

These next two weeks will be spent with some special family time. After celebrating Stephen's birthday in August, we will now celebrate David D's birthday (SIL number two), Daddy David's birthday and then Rebecca's birthday...so it is Party Time with the Millers. We are loving that we can celebrate with the fam...storing up those memories for when we are back in Guatemala. Until then, we are sharing and caring.

Celebrations - Stephen's Birthday

2011-08-22T13:58:00.000-07:00

Our trip to the Phenix City area coincided with a BIG celebration - Stephen's 30th birthday. I still don't understand how these children grow up to become the age of their parents...how can it be?!

We asked Stephen what was something special that he would like to do...so Friday morning we headed to Atlanta for an overnight trip to the Braves game. It was a great time as we celebrated...

Yes, he says he is not celebrating any more birthdays, only anniversaries.

It was a very good night of baseball as the Atlanta Braves began a three game winning streak against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 4-2 win.

And then they even presented a spectacular fireworks show for his birthday - well, a Friday night Publix firework display.

Before the game, we had enjoyed lunch at The Broadway Diner near our hotel where we were staying...a definite place to visit if you are in the area - check out the menu. Of course, we had to enjoy the traditional hot dog at the ball field...nothing quite like it at the game.

We spent the night at a neat hotel across the street from the Fox Theater. Saturday we toured the Jimmy Carter Presidental Library, even snapping a photo in the Oval Office.

Great time of Celebration!

We treasure these times and will store up the memories

to enjoy in the upcoming years away from family.

We sure do love this "growed up baby boy."

Happy 30th Stephen!

Rewalking some former paths...

2011-08-22T09:56:00.000-07:00

One of the rewarding things about our stateside journey is being able to renew long time friendships and rewalk some of the former paths of life.

Recently we returned to Phenix City, Alabama to Central Baptist Church.

David was called as Minister of Education in April 1978.

These were very special years in ministry, friendships, and family.

Then seven and a half years later, we launched out to New Orleans, Louisanna

for David to complete his seminary degree.

Ministry was fruitful -
      * we began AWANA and it still flourishes today
      * many children entered the family of God and some are the key leaders in the church today
      * many lives were impacted for Christ and continue faithful today.
Friendships were laid that still run deep -
      * some friends still live in the Phenix City area and we were able to renew special friendships on this visit
      * some friendships continue from distant cities and are continued with email, facebook, etc.
      * some dear ones have transitioned to the eternal home and await renewed times around the Throne.
Family memories are treasured -
     * Miriam, Stephen and Rebecca were born here.

It was here that God first opened our eyes to Guatemala. Early in our Christian lives, we had each laid our life on the altar for service with no preferences of location. As we continued to follow God's path, we ministered faithfully in churches and as He allowed, on mission trips on foreign soil. We planted mission seeds in the lives of our family, in the lives of church family, in the lives of any who would listen. Then finally, God said, "Buy a one way ticket." What a priviledge it was to Guatemala - our heart since those days at Central.

It was such a blessing to return "home."

How sweet to hear of their love for us and of their continued prayers,

calling our names to the Lord on a regular basis.

How blessed we are to have life investers like these dear friends.

Life Shapers

2011-08-21T15:20:00.000-07:00

Recently I read this phrase and I stored it away to use in this blog...Rev. Inman Gerrald is a Life Shaper.

David came to know the Lord when he was 15 years old. At that time, he began to attend the Baptist Church in Adrian, GA where Inman Gerrald was the pastor. Bro. Gerrald began being a Life Shaper - investing in David's life, tutoring him, and mentoring him. Over the years, wherever God's path took David, he knew he had the prayer covering and love of Bro. and Mrs. Gerrald. Whenever he returned home, one of the folks with whom he wanted to spend time was Bro. Inman. After we married they continued to invest in our lives - encouraging and loving us. This past year, Mrs. Gerrald walked her last journey into the Father's presence. It probably one of the most difficult times that David experienced on the mission field - when he was not able to return home to preach her funeral as that had always been her request.

Bro. Inman is growing older but continues faithful in ministry, pastoring a small country church about an hour and a half from where we are living during stateside assignment. Recently we were able to visit the church and share with them of our ministry in Guatemala.

Thanks, Bro. Inman Gerrald for making eternl investments as a Life Shaper!

Celebrations

2011-08-13T18:15:00.000-07:00

We are enjoying the opportunity to celebrate some important milestones.

On the sixth, we celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary with a trip to Florida.

Yes, many years have passed since we said, "I do," but the love has only grown deeper.

Deborah and Chris joined us for a few days of fun and sun. They took us to one of their favorite places to eat...

If it wasn't the sun blinding us, it was the wind blowing

but it was fun and oh so good!

One of those places where we want to return.

Then this weekend, we enjoyed another big celebration

...the wedding of a Guatemalan missionary "all grown-up kid."

Many of her Guatemalan "family" was able to attend and what fun it was to be gather together

and celebrate the love of Rebecca and Grant.

Nice of them to get married so we could have this big party...haha.

Isn't this a spiffy bridal portrait? Just like her Dad, only quite a bit prettier!

Rebecca's sister in law, Claudia, made the cake...isn' it it pretty?

It was a dessert reception complete with homemade ice cream.

Chocolate...vanilla...peach...peppermint

What a neat idea for a hot summer evening!

"Recuerdos" for all the guests - fans, and little momentos, and then

light sticks to light their way to the "get away car."

Love Sharing the Vision of Reaching Guatemala

2011-08-02T18:47:00.000-07:00

We are loving sharing the vision of reaching Guatemala with churches in the US.

Our first Sunday in the states, we shared at Pine Ridge Batist Church in Zebulon, NC. we had a good time spending time with long time friends Nick and Stephanie Bates and meeting little Levi for the first time.

Then a couple of weeks ago, we shared with a WMU group at Daniel Baptist Church in Richmond Hill, GA. It was a delight to begin new friendships that will continue through eternity.

This past Sunday, we renewed friendship with Dan and Sylvia Zellner and spoke at their church, Clito Baptist Church. What a joy it is to see others catch the vision of praying for Guatemalans. One day they will see the ones for whom they prayed gathered at the Throne with them. Are you making the same eternal investment?

Family Times continue

2011-07-27T14:39:00.000-07:00

Before we left Guatemala, we planned a full speaking engagement calendar around being able to visit family and friends. We are enjoying these days of speaking, sharing God's vision, and seeing those we love.

Some pictures from memory storing times...

My dear sweet mom

Mom, Gayle, and me

Miller Ladies Weekend girls checking out things at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville

Lynn, Claudette, Ruth, Rhonda, Diane, Deborah, Rebecca, Miriam and Nancy

Rebecca, Miriam and Deborah beside the creek at Ole Guacamole

Rebecca, me, Deborah and Miriam

Almost a month has past...

2011-07-14T17:55:00.000-07:00

since we arrived in the states. Time has really flown by. And now we leave Saturday for another long road trip.

God has blessed us with a wonderful home in which to live these next six months.

We are living in the mission house of Warren Baptist Church,.

We spent about a week in Virginia in mission meetings being refreshed in spirit and soul and seeing some long time friends. Then were able to take a leisurely trip back to Augusta visiting family along the way.

We were able to enjoy weekend and Independence Day with Mike and Miriam.

We spend a couple of days at Lynn and Leon's enjoying family time.

I really enjoyed rocking and loving on little Ryland, Ben and Kelley's newest little boy.

From Lynn and Leon's, we headed to South Carolina and spent some special time at Loy and Claudette's.

Can you tell these three are siblings?

Ending and beginning...

2011-06-25T18:35:00.000-07:00

Goodbyes are difficult...

our next door neighbor, my dear friend, Lupita, and I were sad to say goodbye for these six months.

Lupita and her youngest daughter, Sofi, and I were able to get a final pic together.

Priscila, her older daughter, was at work and was not able to join us.

Final pic at the "old Home."

We arrived at the airport at 5 am, bright and early Sunday morning, only to find out our flight was delayed. The flight was Atlanta had not arrived until 3am and the crew had a mandatory rest time so we were now leaving at 12:10 pm instead of 7:50 am. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, computer time, and a little

"people watching time" before boarding the "quick" flight to Atlanta. I say "quick" because there is a two hour time difference - we left at 12:10 and arrived at 5:25 on our 3 hour flight.

We were greeted by Deborah, Rebecca and David. What a fun surpriseto have them meet us. We picked up our Macedonia Call (a wonderful group who have cars for furloughing missionaries to use), and enjoyed dinner together at Cracker Barrel before Rebecca and David headed back to Greenville. Welcome to the South with sweet tea, grilled rainbow trout, barbeque pork, turnip greens, green beans, mashed potatoes, fried apples, biscuits and cornbread! YUM!

So sad that I didn't get a picture of all of us at the Cracker Barrel :(

At breakfast the next morning, the kids had planned another surprise...

special cookies welcoming us back to the USA,

(Looks like David is still a little sleepy here beside bright-eyed Deborah haha)

welcoming us to summer time in the US, where "flops" are the shoes of choice.

(There he is...all bright-eyed too)

Monday we moved into our new home - the mission house of Warren Baptist, Augusta.

What ministries to missionaries - a wonderful mission house as home and a great car to use!

Thank you Lord for providing these blessings to us!

Wednesday, we met Stephen at my mom's for some more family time.

Can't deny they are father and son, can you?

Stephen and I with my mother.

Friday, we headed to Raleigh to spend some time with Miriam and Mike for the weekend
before we head to Richmond for meetings. Good times...good eats.
Friday night...b-b-q ribs - AWESOME, Mike -
baked sweet potatoes, white pease, baby butterbeans, hot relish and sweet tea :)

Saturday morning, we headed to

Mike had one pancake (note the size of that thing) and smoked sausage biscuit.

Miriam had french toast and a bacon biscuit.

David enjoyed eggs, smoked sausage and grits with red-eye gravy.

I had the "healthy" eggs, link sausage, and fruit...

and the LIGHT, fluffy biscuits...YUM!!

And then tonight we splurged "family style" at...

Need I say more?

This week has included goodbyes, hellos, family, and food.

Now that we have "rolled' through our first week back in the states,

we are not eating another mouth full...

at least until tomorrow!

The Countdown is Getting Closer...everyday!

2011-06-11T09:10:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of Vacation Bible Schools happening throughout the states at this time, and in honor of our quickly approaching arrival for 6 months stateside assignment, our daughter Rebecca reminded us of this often sung VBS song from Child Evangelism Fellowship:

Somewhere in outer space
God has prepared a place
For those who trust him and obey

Jesus will come again
Although we don't know when
The countdown's gettin closer everyday

Ten and Nine

Eight and Seven
Six and Five and Four
Call upon the Savior while you may

Three and Two
Comin' through the clouds in bright array
The countdown's getting lower everyday

How's your eternal countdown? Are you ready?

1. God loves you and desires to give your life and peace.

Life - John 10:10

Peace - Romans 5:1

2. Man is sinful and your sin separates you from God.

All man is sinful - Romans 3:23

Sin separates from God - Romans 6:23

3. Although you may tried many ways to win God's favor, He has already provided the method for you to enter into this relationship with Him - Jesus Christ, God's own son, His only provision for your sin.

Jesus died in your place - Romans 5:8

Jesus rose from the dead - I Corinthians 15:3-6

Jesus is the ONLY way to God - John 14:6

4. You must individually receive Jesus Christ by faith as your Savior and make Him the Lord of your life.

Ephesians 2:8,9

Romans 10:9,10

5. Then you will begin this personal relationship with God and will be ready for the eternal countdown.

I John 5:11-13

What a little trooper...

2011-06-04T20:14:00.000-07:00

We drug him from pillar to post, up the mountain, down the mountain, around the mountain, across the dessert, through a few streams, b*u*m*p*i*n*g along the rocks and boulders, alongside the mountain edge, beside the drop-off ledges...and he was still a T*R*O*O*P*E*R! We had some great fellowship with David and Regina White and some baby lovin' with big one year-old baby Cruz. Love spending time with the family of missionaries :)

Some documenting photos

2011-06-04T20:07:00.000-07:00

Small helpers

Late night makes little eyes very heavy.

Looking and...

watching and...

falling asleep...

with a tree as a bed.

Heart warming smiles...

big sisters carry the weight of helping to raise baby sisters.

Our first morning we awoke to mother hen and

biddies walking on our beds.

This little hen spend the night in the corner of the room
but still ended up in the pot for lunch.

There was food distribution,

clothing distribution

and toy distribution.

Waiting on the steps of the outhouse to see what might be happening.

Mom and daughter getting some clothing and a stuffed toy.

This little fellow came to "work" with his dad...

This little man was David's special friend for the day.

Pastor Apolinario is taking a short break.

He really enjoyed climbing on the truck.

The men and their little helpers.

Crowd gathered for worship.

Those who stood outside, watching, and at times, heckling.

Learning new songs...songs of worship and praise.

Pray for Regis, father of 7, who is one of the leaders of the new group.

The young man in the middle prayed to receive Christ during the service.

Pastor Victoriano and Pastor Nahum singing together.

Pastor VIctoriano praying before we left the community.

Clyde was weighed down as we headed down the road toward home...we did drop a couple of these guys at the entrance to Honduras and didn't ride the whole way home like this.

It still stands...

2011-06-04T17:23:00.000-07:00

It was with GREAT excitement and joy that we headed out with a group from La Iglesia Canaan on May 17 to return to La Cumbre de Nearar to construct a building to hold once a month discipleship training/worship times and future evangelical meetings. As you read in our June newsletter, that building was completed in two and a half days. It was a time of rejoicing and yet spiritual warfare. We realized that when we received the news of the robbery in our home that afternoon. We realized it as we held some opposition that afternoon before the meeting. We realized it as we saw some young men gathered in front of the door, one with his gun in his belt, others with their machete. We realized it as we saw Manuel standing guard behind our truck during the service. And yet at that first service, two young men accepted Christ as their Savior. We all understood that satan did not want to give up ground that satan has held for generations. And so again before we left on Friday morning, we prayed for La Cumbre de Nearar, for its inhabitants, for its new building, for the believers, for those who had heard but had not yet believed, for satan to be bound and for Christ to be glorified.
And then you read in the prayer update that accompanied the June newsletter about the murder of Manuel, the man of peace, who assisted us in so many ways. We still do not know much about the details of the murder, nor the reasons why, but we are trusting God to be glorified. Victoriano and several men from our church will be going this week to find out answers, to encourage the believers, and to continue sharing the Gospel.
            PRAY for them as they go.
                        PRAY for God's protection.
                                   PRAY for God's wisdom.
                                              PRAY for God's outpouring of the Holy Spirit and
                                              conviction of sin for those involved in the murder.
                                                         PRAY for salvation for this village.

God is NOT finished with this aldea.
                    God is NOT finished with His salvation for the Chorti.
                                        God is NOT finished.

This past week, we accompanied another missionary couple for them to become familiar with the Chorti area. They minister among the K'ekchi. They were looking for possible opportunities to connect the K'ekshi believers to begin new works among the Chorti, much like our church has begun but in different areas from the Nearar area. Pray that God will reveal His plan and timing for their involvement.

In one of those long rides, we did pass through La Cumbre de Nearar, although we did not stop we did see that the building still stands, undisturbed. As we passed in front of Manuel's home, we didn't see any one and the gate to his home was closed. We don't know what all that means, other than, it is evident that the Gospel has been presented there and some have believed. Continue to pray for the believers for their safety, for growth in the midst of persecution, for the spread of the Gospel.

Who's in Control?

2011-05-22T14:19:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-13T14:33:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-04T16:09:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-02T19:26:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2011-05-02T17:46:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning we arrived in Jocotenango to join the caravan to a river outside of town toward Esquintla. At the present time, La Iglesia Bautista Torre Fuerte has no pastor. Our friend, Luis Garcia, leads the group of believers but is not able to baptize because he is not ordained so he requested assistance from David.

We traveled about 20 minutes down the mountain from Antigua before exiting the main road to Guadeloupe. From here, we crossed the river Achiguate

one time

two times

three times

and arrived at our place, a mineral springs, only to find it was closed due to a lack of water. So we continued across the river

one more time to a deeper area of the river where we could hold baptism.

Walking down the trail to the river

Praising the Lord

Devotional

First baptism

Second baptism

Third baptism

Fourth baptism (the man to the left is his father)

Fifth baptism

Sixth baptism (husband of the fifth person baptized)

Sweet precious couple with three young daugthers

David praying after the baptism.

David and Luis with people who were baptized.

This lady was overcome with emotion at times, the last young man was her son.

After the baptism, it was time to enjoy the swimming.

Obviously these young boys come to this place quite frequently...

because they climbed up the mountain backwardly and jumped into the water.

We leave you with a portion of David praying with the roar of the river as the background.

Encuentro Indigenous 2011

2011-04-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

Encuentro Indigenous 2011 will be held this week, Tuesday through Saturday, in Cobán, Guatemala, the seat of the K’ekchi. Since many IMB missionaries have invested into the work, discipling K’ekchi believers into a growing church planting movement, it is a joy to have them coordinate the conference this year and share how they have planted over 400 growing, reproducing churches and missions. Some of our own first “on field” mission work and exposure was among the K’ekchi, so we are excited to hear as they share and motivate other indigenous to reach out in evangelism.

During the Encuentro Indigenous 2010, David shared from our research among the Ch'orti', an indigenous group near the Honduran border, of their extreme lostness and the numerous aldeas without any evangelical witness at all. As he shared, the Spirit gripped our pastor's heart. As a result, Pastor Victoriano began to lead our church in a year-long preparation process of teaching missions, of praying, of giving to missions, and of planning and executing mission trips.

In November 2010, David accompanied a group of about 15 six hours to the mountains to begin a relationship and ministry among the Ch’orti’. A brake problem with one of the trucks proved to be divine intervention to cause them to remain in Nearer, rather than their original plan of the village of El Limón. Being stranded there for two days, the team began to minister and the door to present the Gospel opened quickly.

Then in January 2011, they returned without us, as we were working in Honduras, and traversed the mountain side going house to house sharing the Gospel, holding evening services resulting about 15 people being saved.

The week of Semana Santa (Holy Week of Easter), a group of us returned with a doctor, 2 medical students, and 2 nurses to facilitate a medical clinic, continue the house to house presenting of the Gospel and following up with the those who had accepted Christ, and holding evening meetings. Pastor VIctoriano contracted land to construct an open air structure to begin the first evangelical church, a Baptist church.

We will return the third week of May to help them, along with the believers from Nearer, construct this structure. Then groups of 3 to 4 will return will return at least once a month to continue discipleship and evangelism. As this area begins to grow in their faith, our church will lead them into reaching out into other areas already receptive to the Gospel, offering not a religion, but hope for life, eternal life. They will continue evangelistic outreach to other areas with the goal of planting a Baptist church in every village without an evangelical church.

This is what our desire had been all along...not just putting numbers into our mission data base, but using our research to lead Guatemalans into investing in the kingdom by evangelizing villages in Guatemala without an evangelical witness and ultimately reaching out into the whole world.

Pray with us that as Pastor Victoriano, pastor of La Iglesia Bautista Canaán here in Chimaltenango, shares among the pastors and leaders that others will catch the vision of cross cultural missions reaching the nations. Jeronimo, the Mam pastor who spent more than a year and a half in jail unjustly charged with murder will be there with his wife. It will be our first experience to see them since his release.

Marvin and Britani

2011-04-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

You have read as we have shared about visits with Marvin and Britani but we have never taken the time to explain who they really are. So below is the story of Marvin and Britani and now, baby Jacob. God is being glorified and praised as they live their life of faith. Pray for them as they continue to seek medical attention and care for Marvin.

Marvin is a young man from Ixchiguan in whom Lily, one of our IMB missionaries, has invested for many years. He and Britani met in the summer of 2009 while she was on a mission trip from her church in Oregon...and the old story continued...they fell in love and then were married last summer.

Sometime this past fall it was discovered that Marvin had a mass of blood vessels at the base of his skull cutting off his blood supply to the brain and he began having seizures (during the night) which of course, terrified Britani, who was pregnant. The doctors were able to diagnose his problem and prescribe medication to control the seizures but, of course, the best possible solution was/is to have surgery in the US. They wanted to spend some time in the US with her family anyway but this just made things more urgent. They began working on his visa early in the fall - following all the processes here and her parents assisting from Oregon. Her dad has a couple of businesses so he will have a job there and Britani can return to her former job as well. They have such a heart for the children in Antigua, especially the children in the park, so they want to return to continue the work here. They were hoping he would have his visa in time for them to leave in December when her visa expired. But she had to return to the states without Marvin, however, she returned 10 days later and they continued the process.

Their new hope was that all would be completed before the end of February/first of March in order to leave and have the baby in the states. When they realized that this wasn't going to be the timetable, her mom came March 15 to have some time before the baby’s arrival, be with them for the baby's birth, and a little while after his arrival. Even during this time, they continued working on the process. Jacob arrived Wednesday afternoon, April 6th. Since she had a c-section, she remained in the hospital until Friday. On the way home from the hospital, we took them to RENAP to get his Guatemalan birth certificate even before we took them to their home. Saturday night, his mom and one of his brothers came from Ixchiguan to stay until Sunday. They live upstairs in an efficiency apartment. Their mattress and box springs with a blow up mattress for her mom already on the floor, the others slept on the floor in the kitchen area.

Tuesday, we picked them (M, B, and baby J) up at 8 and traveled 45 minutes to the capital to get Jacob's Guatemalan passport. They were finished by noon and had passport in hand! Wednesday, (one week after Jacob’s birth), we picked them up at 5 am to return to the capital to the US Embassy to present Jacob for his US passport. Britani had scheduled this appointment several weeks before anticipating Jacob’s birth to at least be “on time.” If she had not been able to present him this day, it would have been three more weeks before she could present him. After waiting in line about an hour and then presenting Jacob, she was told that she needed more documentation – an additional 3 more years of back taxes to prove her US citizenship. She had presented 4 years worth, her US passport, her US driver's license, their marriage license, and other documents but needed still more. (Isn’t that always the case?!) Back home to call her dad and to find the additional forms and send by email in order to be printed and bring back the next day. Thursday, we picked them up at 5 am again and took them back to the US embassy. It was the day of Marvin's interview for his visa (talk about NERVOUS, he was terrified!!); the date had been scheduled for three weeks. Although his appointment was at 8, numerous others had that same time slot, so he had to arrive very early to get in line to get a number to determine the order of the 8 o'clock appointments. Since it was too early for Jacob to be in the morning air, David and I took him with us to eat breakfast and pass the time. We returned around 7:30 and kept Jacob until they went into the Embassy around 8:30. They returned a couple of hours later with good and bad news. They had all the paperwork completed for Jacob's passport and we could return in about an hour to pick it up. However, the US lawyer had not sent some of the required paperwork to the embassy here, so it was another call to dad to get the lawyer's office to over night the needed paperwork to the embassy. Marvin was given another appointment for Monday at 2, but they returned home that afternoon with their one week old son having BOTH his passports.

David and I left Monday morning with a group from our church in Chimaltenango for a three day mission trip to the Ch’orti’ and were unable to assist them during these final steps. Since Britani's mom was returning to the states on Monday, so they accompanied her to the airport and went to the embassy. With all the paperwork in hand and in order, Marvin was given his visa. Talk about EXCITEMENT!!!! Well, then the timetable moved even faster if that is possible.

Since, we didn't return from Nearer until Wednesday night, and had the plans for Thursday in the capital, they made arrangements to leave on Friday. His family (his mom, 2 brothers, sister and her baby of 2 years) came to visit on Wednesday night and to accompany them to the airport. Thursday afternoon David picked up the mattress and box springs to return to the folks from whom they had borrowed it. So Thursday night they slept on the blow-up mattress with the family sleeping elsewhere on the floor. Friday, only the BUSIEST day of the year in Antigua (the Friday of Semana Santa), we arrived at 7 to get them at 7:30. They loaded all the bags, said goodbyes and headed to the capital. We met the family at the airport (they had traveled in a taxi) for a brief moment. We took all the bags inside to check them and their bags (I got to hold Jacob and enjoy him a little more), and then we kept the check in luggage while Marvin and Britani went back to say goodbye and take more photos. Then finally, we sent them on their way! It was Marvin’s first airplane trip, his first immigration check, his first meeting of many of her family, and so on. It was a LONG emotionally challenging day for them all but they arrived safely in Oregon around midnight. Praise God!

It has been so exciting to walk alongside them in this journey. I must admit, I really didn't expect it go as quickly as it has. True, it has been so quickly in a day count, but in the processes of governments and with the challenges of his records, etc. it has gone much quicker than I ever imagined. It has been so sweet to watch them and walk beside them as they continued stedfast in their walk with the Lord and trusting Him every step of the way.

Continue to pray for them as the journey ahead is still very long for Marvin and his medical issues. God is faithful and sufficient, not only for them, but for you as well. How is your walk of faith?

He is Risen!! He is Risen Indeed!!

2011-04-24T07:05:00.000-07:00

In Christ alone my hope is found,

He is my light, my strength, my song;

this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,

firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My Comforter, my All in All,

here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh

Fulness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones he came to save:

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied -

For every sin on Him was laid;

Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain:

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave he rose again!

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,

For I am His and He is mine -

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath.

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

A whirlwind beginning to a WHIRLWIND month

2011-04-16T19:50:00.000-07:00

This week has been quite a beginning of this whirlwind month ahead of us...there were five (yes, count them, 5) trips to the capital.

Monday - the trip was a fun trip as we ladies celebrated another birthday lunch (and several of the husbands enjoyed food and fellowship together too) at the new IHOP! Yes, you read that correctly - IHOP has recently opened here in Guatemala and they are already working on the second one.

Tuesday - the trip was to get Jacob's Guatemalan passport which went without a hitch at all as we left town with his passport in hand. Jacob's parents, Britani (North American) and Marvin (Guatemalan) are sweet friends of ours that you have seen before on our blog. Marvin has a VERY serious medical issue and he desperately needs to get to the states for medical attention. There have been SO many hurdles and hoops to jump through, but through it all, they have had such sweet spirits even in the most difficult of circumstances. Please continue to pray for them as they continue the process and as he receives the medical help he needs.

Wednesday - the trip was to present Jacob for his US passport. We arrived at the US embassy at 7 am and left a couple of hours later without his passport. One More Hurdle - a few more documents were needed which her dad was able to email that afternoon and have ready for presentation on Thursday am when we went back.

Thursday - the trip was for Marvin's interview to receive (or deny) his visa. We arrived at 6 am and dropped Marvin and Brittany at the gate to wait for a number. He had been assigned an interview time, along with many others, and this number would be the order in which they were called for the same interview time. The embassy does not open until 8, the 8 o'clock interviews do not start until 9, but they were in line at 6 to be first (he was second). David and I felt a little like, no, a LOT like, Abraham and Sarah as we got to enjoy a leisurely breakfast with Jacob before rejoining them around 7:45 for Jacob to accompany them to the interview. Marvin was very nervous, very nervous, very nervous but he did well, however, Another Hurdle, they were told that several documents that the US attorney was to have expedited, were not in the file here. After several phone calls, she assured them that this time the documents would be here in time for his return appointment on this coming Monday at 2 pm, Although we all left a bit discouraged, not all was lost, for we left with Jacob's US passport. So this little guy, only a week old, now holds his two passports...a miracle in itself!

Friday - the trip was to purchase supplies for the upcoming Sinergia conference in May. Sinergia is a mobilization conference for the encouragement of, and training of latin believers to launch out as missionaries into the world, especially in the unreached areas of the world.

Then in the afternoon, we were able to leave home with our friend Carol and her sister Kim, who had just arrived for a week's visit for a little R&R and head to Lake Atitlán. Enjoy some of the pics of 24 hours friend time :)

A little shopping is always in order

The beginning of a parade

No parade is complete without the beauty queens

Here they come...the volunteer firemen

There they go...yeah, the volunteer firemen with a couple of the trucks.

It was just a fundraiser parade.

We stopped at a new place on the way home.

Just couldn't resist this little fellow, notice the tear in his eye and the trail of tears on his cheek.

Special friend time with Carol and Kim.

Whew! Early mornings (two of those days were 3:30 AM wake ups to leave home before 4:30). Capital traffic. Throw in a little "friend time." Just the beginning of this whirlwind month.

Second Whirlwind Week Ahead: Please continue to pray for us this week as we head out early Monday morning with a group from our church as we minister in Nearer. We covet your prayers. Pray for those who will hear the message of salvation and receive forgiveness of their sins. One day, you will see them around the throne praising God because you prayed them into the kingdom.

Some Radical Prayer Needs

2011-04-09T11:34:00.000-07:00

Recently in our reading of Radical by David Platt, the following statement really struck home with me: "In our quest for the extraordinary, we often overlook the importance of the ordinary, and I'm proposing that a radical lifestyle actually begins with an extraordinary commitment to ordinary practices that have marked Christians who have affected the world throughout history."

I know that many of you have read the book and have been challenged to "take back your faith from the American Dream" and live radically changed in your Christian walk by committing to those ordinary practices, including radically challenged prayer for the world.

The week of Semana Santa, we will be accompanying a medical mission team from our church to Nearer. Although David accompanyied them previously, this will be my first time to go with them. I am listing some prayer concerns that I am asking you to specifically lift up for the next two weeks. If you will commit to pray for these, please leave a message either here, on facebook, or by email to let us know of your prayer covering.

1. Remaining fruit in those first believers from the trip in January
2. Discipleship of these new believers
3. Fertile ground for others ready to receive Christ as Savior
4. Medical clinic to meet needs of people of Nearer and open new doors of ministry
5. Raising up of a missionary to live near/in Nearer to continue the ministry fulltime

I look forward to sharing with you amazing answers to your prayers. God is at work and we want to be a part of what He is doing and continue the cycle of growth.

On the hill...

2011-04-04T19:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon was special. Our young friends, Marvin and Britani wanted to take us to Casa Santo Domingo del Cerro.

Casa Santo Domingo was one of the grand old convents of Guatemala. Today it is a very nice hotel we often pass as we enter Antigua from the capital. Rosary prayers and Mass is still held at the Chapel of our Lady of the Rosary every Sunday. The Casa Santo Domino Cultural Center includes a Colonial Museum, Archaeological Museum and displays of Pre-Columbian Art and Modern Glass. The Casa Santo Domingo del Cerro (of the hill) is located on a hill just outside Antigua. Here beautiful gardens are set on the hillside overlooking Antigua. A giant bird aviary houses some local and African birds. Contemporary art is scattered throughout the grounds. We spent time wandering the grounds and salon areas for services, weddings, receptions, etc. We were ending our time at the restaurant for a delightful dinner only to find that it closes on Sunday at 5 pm…we should have gone there first! But we had such a neat time walking the gardens, looking at the views, and just being together.

At the entrance to the garden was this beautiful carpet made of sawdust and vegetables. Since it the time leading to Semana Santa (holy week), we see these carpets throughout Antigua.

Denise is here to spend time with Marvin and Britani as they await the arrival of Jacob. She's one proud grandma :)

This beautiful waterfall was the setting for several photos.

This wooden carving was quite touching...the foot of Jesus with the nail. He died for me...for you...for each one in Guatemala and around the world.

This is an unusual carving of a quetzal.

We couldn't eat on the hill, but we found a neat little restaurant not too far from their apartment where we enjoyed delicious food and sweet fellowship.

And off we went...

2011-04-01T00:05:00.000-07:00

The white outline is the country of Guatemala and the pink lines are the areas where we have traveled these past two years. As you can tell, much time has been spent on the road. It makes us remember the part of our job description…”A couple that likes to travel; that likes to travel together.”

Indeed we have traveled, but as we have, God has continually opened our eyes and hearts for the great need within Guatemala. We will travel back to some of these areas with the purpose to plant growing reproducing churches in areas with little or no light of the Gospel of Truth.

Begin praying with us now:

1. For a united strategy of purposefully planting growing reproducing churches throughout Guatemala.

2. For Guatemalan pastors and churches to have a heart to reach their own country with the Gospel of Truth and ultimately the world.

3. For the salvation of people.

4. For the raising up of men to be leaders and pastors in these new works.

How did I do that?!

2011-03-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

Arriving at "el campo" this morning for our church service, I realized that I had left our camera at home. How did I do that? I knew that it would be a special day and I forgot it?! Oh well, words will have to suffice since there are no photos to document the day.

About once a quarter or so, our church has a special day of worship. Last July 4, we went to Escuintla to a water park for worship, baptism, and fellowship. About four months ago, another one was held at the campground a little ways out of Chimaltenango. (We were unable to attend.) We had been anticipating attendance today. Again this service was held at the camp area. We arrived as the service was beginning.

One of the young boys encouraged us to sit in the chairs. Later, Pastor Victoriano was encouraging others to sit in the remaining chairs - those who were pregnant and the elderly. haha. After a time of praise and worship in song, prayer, and reading of the Word, we were divided into groups - married/older men, married/older women, single young adult men, single young adult women, teenagers, children. It was a good study time as the men studied the importance of men before God, with his wife, and in his home; and the women studied the importance of women and dispeling the lies that Satan casts upon women and the freedom found in Christ.

A small cement pool had been half way filled for the baptism of three new believers. The water had been added one bucket at a time from the nearby well and had not been greatly warmed by the sun. But what a sweet joy to watch as two women and a young man displayed their passing from death in sin to life in Christ through salvation. The husband of one of the ladies who does not attend church was present and heard a strong message the difference between "presentation and baptism," the declaration of baptism, and the deliberate life of the disciple. Pray that he too will come to faith in Christ.

Since tomorrow is Pastor Victoriano's 49th birthday, we sang Happy Birthday. I must admit I did not know there were that many different Happy Birthday songs. We must have sung four or five totally different ones. And of course, the songs were accompanied with the traditional firecracker explosions. David was asked to pray for Victoriano and his family. During the repeat of one of the Happy Birthday songs, folks came to him to give hugs and presents.

People scattered around the campground for lunch. Such good tastes were shared with a special treat for everyone...a strawberry ice cream cone. I must admit though I saw several folks (and not just the kids) going back for seconds. Why not? It was so good!

Felt like we had been to an old fashioned campground meeting ---good singing, good preaching, good food, sweet fellowship. Probably a little picture of what it will be in heaven.

Submission

2011-03-19T16:04:00.000-07:00

Recently, when confronted with two options for us when we return to the field in January 2012, we struggled with the choice to make.

Our hearts were first stirred for Guatemala in the eighties, and we have prayed for, visited, brought others to share the work and vision, have taught/preached missions, and rejoiced as we saw others develop a heart for and ministry in missions around the world.

“Have not I commanded you? Be strong and be courageous.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged for

the Lord your God will be with you, wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

When the door opened for us to continue our ministry in foreign missions, it was an extra blessing that it was in Guatemala. We delighted in doing the work of researching the indigenous of Guatemala, riding the back roads, the high cliff sides, the dry winding trails, the slippery muddy ruts looking for those areas of lostness with little or no Gospel witness. It seemed only natural that upon completion of that work here in Guatemala that we would move to southern Mexico to continue research.

Lord, send me, O send me forth, I pray;

The need is great, Thy call I will obey;

Thy love compels me I must go

I’m willing, ready, longing to go.

We were totally unprepared for the entrance of another possibility of ministry. The opportunity to remain in Guatemala and work as Catalytic Connectors, connecting US and Guatemalan churches for the purpose of long term partnerships to plant and develop doctrinally sound reproducing churches was a surprise and a bit of an inconvenience. Now we had to seek God’s direction, not just take the next step.

Not what I wish to be, nor where I wish to be,

For who am I that I should choose my way?

The Lord shall choose for me, ‘tis better far I know;

So let Him bid me go, or stay.

This new opportunity would be a step out, a challenge for us. The move to Mexico, though leaving the familiar territory to move to the unfamiliar, the job itself was the same confidently familiar research. With over 140 indigenous groups without reliable research, the need is great! Our neighbor’s question, “Is God finished with you in Guatemala?” caused us to pause and reflect. Who will reach these areas we researched where little or no vibrant Gospel witness grows? With the Baptist mission force redirecting personnel to darker areas of the world with less than 2% evangelical witness, who will partner with Guatemalan believers to continue the task? In many areas, doctrine has become a mixture of everything so that Truth becomes unrecognizable. Guatemalans need to be challenged to be doctrinally sound, to reach their own people, to reproduce strong churches that continue to preach the Gospel of Salvation around the world. The need is great! It involves so much more than we have done before. It is a massive undertaking of researching, training, teaching, developing, praying, growing, going…oh, Lord it is too much!

“But now be strong…declares the Lord.

Be strong…. Be strong…declares the Lord, and work.

For I am with you, declares the Lord Almighty.

This is what I covenanted with you when you came out…

And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.” Haggai 2:4, 5

Many have covered us in prayer, asking God to give neon lights to light the way. God continues to work and bring release and peace. We will return to Guatemala after our stateside assignment to continue the work for which He brought us.

No sweeter joy could my heart know

Than this that He’s called me

To spread abroad His wondrous grace

That makes blind hearts to see.

Songs include: Lord, Send Me by Wilda Savage and Submission by unknown

Happy Birthday to our first born!

2011-03-16T01:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Miriam!

Where have the days gone when we first held you in our arms and wept in gratitude to the Father for you? We have watched you grow and develop into a precious young woman. Your obvious desire for others to know and serve Jesus continues to bless and encourage our lives.

We love you and wish you a very special day of celebration. Happy Bday, sweet lady!

It's the time of PURPLE

2011-03-12T07:10:00.000-08:00

Jacaranda trees are blooming everywhere with their beautiful purple blooms and as they fall they leave a gorgeous purple carpet below. This one is seen from our office window and shines so beautifully against the backdrop of pine trees. Enjoy the beauty around you and let it cause you to praise the Great Creator!

Doing ALL in the name of Jesus...

2011-03-09T01:00:00.000-08:00

Always giving a witness of the Life within you.

While in Santiago, we were walking back to the hotel when we passed a lady carrying wood into her house. She looked at us, smiled and jokingly said, "Ayúdame (help me)!" [Wood is such an important daily need here as much of the cooking is still done on a wood fire, especially these wonderful tortillas.] Well, David and Ron looked at each other and said, "she asked us for help, we can do it." Margie and I loaded their arms and they carried wood...and carried wood...and carried wood until it was all inside. The ladies (mom, grandmother, and daughter) were surprised that "the gringos" would stop and help them. We shared with them that Jesus loved them and desired a relationship with each of them. We prayed with them and then returned on our way back to the hotel.

Just down the street, we passed another load of wood, probably three times the size of this wood pile, and we didn't stop to help them. This time, there were four young men well able to carry it all inside. Plus they didn't say. "Ayúdame."

Come apart for awhile...

2011-03-08T01:00:00.000-08:00

Intermissions is the organization comprised of missionaries from all over Guatemala. The last weekend in February is the annual retreat held at Lake Atitlán. It was a wonderful time of spiritual renewal and refreshment. It was a breath of fresh ointment to sing and worship in English and to hear God’s Word shared without having to decipher verb conjugations!

Afterwards, we spent a couple of days across the lake from special friends praying and seeking guidance for our future. The little stone cottages, beautiful gardens, and stunning views of the lake provide a places of sweet rest.

Come apart and rest awhile as we seek His face.

The flowers here are so pretty. I hope you enjoy them as much as did.

Special friends...special times...special memories.

Happy Birthday to our first SIL!

2011-03-06T01:00:00.000-08:00

Leading the others into a new decade, our first Son-in-Law celebrates his birthday today. We prayed for him for many years before we knew his face or even his name

Happy Birthday Mike!

We are so thankful that God created you and brought you into our lives as the godly husband for Miriam. We are blessed by your smile, your love, your life.

This is the year that God has planned for you

to bless you and to give you a future.

Long time friends...

2011-03-03T14:50:00.000-08:00

Long time friends are those special folks you have known for a long time and with whom when you see them again, you begin right where you left…almost in the middle of the last conversation.

Well, long time friends, Jim and Patsy came to visit us again this February. But this year they traveled alongside us up the Rio Dulce to Livingston to gather information on the Guatemalan Garifuna.

The views on the Rio Dulce are so pretty at sunset.

The water taxis like to go back up river for folks to see the old Spanish Fort Felipe.

Herons, by the thousands, live on the river.

This young girl wants us to buy her shells, note that large starfish in her boat.

The bevy of boats...

Young boys net fishing...

Sea gulls, by the thousands, live around Livingston.

We watched as these men put down their nets and then circled back to gather their catch.

Obviously it was quite a heavy load.

These were hoping there would be some left for their dinner as well.

These folks were hoping for some of that dinner too.

Happy Birthday Sweet Momma!

2011-03-02T01:00:00.000-08:00

Today my sweet momma celebrates her 92nd birthday!

Mom is a wonderful lady who is a reflection of Jesus whom she has loved and served for nearly 70 years. She was a guiding influence for my sister and me to come to an early understanding of the Love of God and the acceptance of His free gift of salvation through Christ alone. She taught many others as well and rejoices to hear how and where they continue to serve the Lord.

Today we will miss celebrating together but the love we share will always be celebrated. Mom, I love you and thank you for the life you have lived before me.

Happy Birthday baby girl!

2011-02-25T07:46:00.000-08:00

Twenty five years have passed since we welcomed Deborah into the world. She is our only non Georgian born...our little "cajun" child born while David was completing seminary. Happy Bday sweet girl!

We are thankful for each of our children and the ones whom God brought to them to complete their life's ministry. Love you all! Just missing them a little bit today.

Pray the Lord of the Harvest...

2011-02-10T15:11:00.000-08:00

Thank you for your prayers for David as he spoke to the church in Copán Ruinas. He did a great job. However, the pastor must have thought David did not preach long enough because after David finished he got up and re-preached the same sermon, point by point, line by line and then re- preached it again. We were glad that he at least understood it and could repeat it. The people heard it three different times so we trust God will use it to send forth labors to the indigenous of Honduras and to the ends of the world. We were impressed with the number of men in the service. Following a yummy light lunch and fellowship, we came back together to share the Lord’s Supper. For some it was their first time to celebrate the finished work of Christ for their salvation as they were new believers.

Continue to pray that God would call men, women, and families from this small congregation to reach the Ch´ortí, the Garifuna, the Lenca, the Miskitos, the Pech, the Tawahka, the Tolupanes, the Bay Island Creole.

Our time in Honduras was well spent as we traveled and made many contacts to gather the needed research on these people groups. There is evangelical work among each group, but there are many still to hear and follow the Light of the Gospel. Many of the groups live in remote and difficult to reach areas. Not just anyone will go to these areas…only those who have a burden and a desire that these people have an opportunity to hear, to respond, to be discipled, to become missionaries to continue to reach others for Christ. It is a continuing growth cycle, not a one shot in the dark.

Continue to pray that God would call men, women, and families from your congregation to continue the growth cycle of faithful believers who will continue the process until Christ returns.

Sharing what it is all about

2011-01-28T15:00:00.000-08:00

Much of our work is advance-preparation. We travel the roads, the byways, and even sometimes the hedges, to find the areas where the Gospel has not penetrated the darkness. We rejoice when we find the Light shining brightly in cities, towns, villages, communities through the lives of His people scattered throughout the lands. And we grieve in those areas where darkness still holds men bound in lostness without hope. It's true that many of those areas have "churches" but most offer a false doctrine that doesn't present the message of Salvation by faith alone in Jesus Christ. It is here where we gather as much research as much as we can.

As we add our research into the database of the International Mission Board, it is with understanding that the future missionaries are being commissioned to areas with a less than 2% evangelical witness. Most areas in Central America are considered 2% or above. But is Central America evangelical? No, not by any means. But if it is to be totally evangelized it must be reached by the national believers. So it is with great joy that we are able to share our research with national churches in order for them to catch the vision of global outreach.

As with many of our churches in the states, churches here in Central America have become complacent.
Their thoughts include:

Someone else will reach the lost.
I don't have the training.
I don't know the language.
I don't have the funds.
The missionaries are there to do the work.

As their thoughts have turned inward to themselves and to what the missionaries or mission teams can bring/give them, they have a tendency to shrink, developing a consumer mentality...just like in the states. God did not intend for us to focus on ourselves but to continue the work throughout the world until ALL have heard and responded to the Gospel!

Last year as we shared our research from the Ch'orti', Pastor Victoriano and our church caught the vision and have begun working there with the goal by the end of this year to have a church planter from our church living among the Ch'orti' presenting the claims of Christ to those walking in darkness, longing to know the Truth.

As we have shared our goal of what we do in our research with Pastor Nahum here in Copán Ruinas, he has asked David to share with two different congregations this Sunday. David will share the areas we have discovered where the Light of the Gospel is non existent or dimmed with the goal that his people will catch the vision of going, sharing, and living wherever God calls. Everyone is sent!

Pray for David as He prepares - it takes much time to prepare to share your heart and God's vision in another language.
Pray for Pastor Nahum as He hears the call.
Pray for the people as they are challenged to walk in obedience.
Pray for those will be called to serve in areas that are foreign to them that the path will be illuminated as they go.

The oft' traveled roads of Honduras

2011-01-27T09:38:00.000-08:00

Since pictures are so difficult to upload on our computer while we are in Honduras I haven't shown you any of the beautiful scenery that we are enjoying as we travel. But I did want you to see where all our journey has taken us.

Follow the blue wider line on the map below and you will see out first journey. We left Copan Ruinas and went to San Pedro Sula then on to La Ceiba on the Caribbean Sea. From there we traveled further west and then headed down south. We stopped in El Carbon and then spent three nights in San Esteban. We traveled south then west to the capital city of Tegucigolpa for a couple of nights before heading north to San Pedro Sula and back west to Copan Ruinas. That was the long trip about which you recently read.

One day last week, we traveled with Pastor Nahum on the red line down to town of Gracias. We left about 7 in the morning and returned about 6 in the evening.

Earlier this week we traveled back to San Pedro Sula to El Progreso and back to La Ceiba. We left on the 9:30 am ferry on Monday to the island of Roatan and then on over to West End. Wednesday we took the 7 am return ferry to La Ceiba and returned to Copan Ruinas. That is the purple line on the map.

Now we will leave next Tuesday with Pastor Nahum again and take the orange marked route over to Orica. It will be a hard 8 hour drive from Copan. We will stay there overnight and then travel about 3 more hours to meet with another brother to gather the information we need and return to the same place to spend the night. On the return trip the next day, we will stop in San Pedro Sula to get our car before returning to Copan Ruinas. Then a couple of days later, we will be return to our home in Guatemala.

As you can see from the map, we have done alot of driving (thanks to my wonderful "chafeur") and alot of bumping along the way. But along every mile we have seen the glory of the Lord. As we have traveled some of the roads for the second time (or more) we often say, it sure makes a difference when you know where you're going! We appreciate your prayers for us; we do not take it lightly that it is indeed God who goes before us, behind us, beside us, beneath us, above us and in us.

As you contiue to pray for us as we travel, pray for those along the way who still need to hear the message of Salvation in faith alone in Jesus Christ.

Another one of those days...Life is good!

2011-01-26T15:13:00.000-08:00

I just love the way David shared with our kids about a recent day...

"We needed to talk to someone in the nearby village of Coxen Hole about the people group there. We heard that there is a Baptist church in the village, but didn't know anything else except public vans go from where we are staying to the village. So we got in a van that morning and headed out. A little boy was the helper on the bus and took a liking to us. As we neared what we thought was the town, we asked him if there was a center of town where we should exit. He said there was. When we got there, a man from the people group we were there to research who was sitting behind us on the van said, "I noticed that you asked about the center of town. Where do you need to go?" We told him the Baptist church. He gave us exact directions to the church. We walked there, and found an entrance on the side of the church. We knocked on the door, and a lady came to the door, who just "happened to be" the Spanish pastor's wife. After explaining our reason for being there and needing to see the main pastor of the church, she said he lived nearby. She offered to walk with us to his house, but she needed to put her shoes on. In a few minutes she came back to tell us that the pastor was on the way. In five minutes, the pastor was there, he spoke perfect English, and we spent about an hour with him getting lots of good information! Just another one of those days when we set out, not knowing where we are going or how to make it work, and the Lord goes before us and works out all the details. We could not have planned it better.

It's happenings like keep us going because He goes before us every step of the way. There's nothing any finer than following where He leads!

My, how time flies when you're having fun...

2011-01-18T10:06:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago, we loaded up our vehicle and started out to a new land. Little did we realize the places we would go and the things we would see. Wow, what a wonderful two weeks it has been!

We arrived in our little home away from home and settled in and adjusted to the town of Copán Ruinas, Honduras. Then on Friday, the 6th, we began our jaunt, returning home on Saturday, the 14th. We traveled about 810 miles (representing 26 hours of hard driving); passed through 25 police checks; saw mountains, rivers, and the sea; tasted deliciously fresh seafood and Honduran hearty shish kebabs, tasty KFC, Popeye’s chicken, Quiznos subs, and Baskin Robbins ice cream; enjoyed the warmth of the beach, the chill of cool winds, the arid dust of the flatlands, and the mist of the mountain fog; developed new friendships and renewed treasured ones; passed alongside fincas of coffee, of bananas, of palms, of oranges, of pineapples, of sugar cane, and of cows; at times overtook vaqueros (cowboys) herding their cattle along, at other times, just a young boy with a sharp stick prodding the cows down the road, and at other times, just carefully drove past the freely roaming animals; maneuvered highways of asphalt and POTHOLES, of narrow one lane curves, of wide level smooth dirt, of deep creviced dried/wet mud, of white cement, of well maintained roads, of interstate like roads, of highways offering great possibilities for future use or demonstrating years of abuse. We rejoiced at evangelical churches we passed where the message of salvation was proclaimed. We were greatly burdened at the many areas we passed where seemingly no evangelical witness proclaimed salvation by faith in Christ alone instead where only is heard the oppression of a works based salvation yet they know they can never do enough or be good enough to receive entrance into the presence of the Father.

Pray with us that those who have found the forgiveness of sin and entered into the Light will live and share the Truth so others may experience eternal life. Garifuna, Lenca, Miskito, Pech, Suno, Chorti, Tol, Spanish…all are precious in His sight…all can receive the free gift of salvation...all must hear!

What is it about January?

2011-01-03T18:32:00.000-08:00

This morning in my devotional book, Jesus Calling, I preread a little. Actually it is from tomorrow's devotional but I was in a reminiscent mood as I recalled January 4th, 2010. Little did I realize the full impact of remembering the past.

Remember last January 4th, the day that we recalled God's faithfulness, a day in which we said "We trust You Jesus. We trust in your Peace that passes all understanding."? Throughout the year we have continued resting in that Peace. Then today I read..."I want you to learn a new habit. Try saying, 'I trust You, Jesus' in response to whatever happens to you." Thank you Jesus for your Peace that is REAL.

David went to town this morning to complete a few errands before we finished the day packing and getting ready to leave for Honduras tomorrow. At one of his stops, he realized that the car doors wouldn't lock...very unusual. When he got home, he found the reason. He had parked close to one of his usual parking spots downtown and was gone maybe five minutes to deliver something to a friend. Evidently it only takes a couple of minutes to jimmy a locked car with a screwdriver, take out a radio and GPS and car phone charger!

Well, our day's plans obviously changed! Off to the capital we had to go to get the door locks working for this trip to Honduras. Several hours later we returned home but thankfully we won't be leaving until Wednesday for Honduras. Since we were headed in to Guatemala City, we returned Heidi to her permanent home and got to visit with her parents, Ron and Margie, (what a special treat!) who returned early this morning from Christmas holidays in the states with their family. But we returned to an silent house again, we miss this little furry ball of love and energy.

How good to KNOW that He is the One in control!

How good to KNOW that He is the Author of Peace!

How good to KNOW that "When you view events from this perspective - through the Light of My universal Presence - fear loses its grip on you...Your continual assertion of trusting Me will strengthen our relationship and keep you close to Me."

Welcoming in 2011

2010-12-31T22:17:00.000-08:00

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...

2010-12-30T17:26:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-12-23T15:30:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-08T06:12:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-04T18:49:00.000-08:00

God leads where no man can plan

2010-12-02T20:38:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-20T15:29:00.000-08:00

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.