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!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
My, how time flies when you're having fun...
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!
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!
Monday, January 3, 2011
What is it about January?
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."
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."
Friday, December 31, 2010
Welcoming in 2011
New Year's Eve 2011 demands a really special place for lunch, especially if you're not planning a fiesta. So off to Hotel Antigua we went to enjoy not only a Delicious lunch but beautiful views of Volcano Agua and the gardens. I really like the start of 2011 :)
We wish for you a wonderful new year, 2011. May it hold for you an abundance of God's blessings of peace and joy as you continue to walk in His paths.
We ask for your concerted prayer covering as we travel to Honduras. May God give us eyes to see, ears to hear, hearts to love, and voices to share the majesty of the Father and His great love for all to receive His free and eternal salvation.
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.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
A new "do" for the new year...
Since 2011 is right around the corner, I decided that the blog deserved a new look for the new year. Hopefully I will change it several times throughout the year but thought I would start with a little black and white sparkle.
Yesterday, while visiting with my neighbor we were discussing just how quickly this year has passed. I thought it was just me, but she agreed...2010 has been a fly by. Besides all the travel we have done throughout the country there have been other highlights each month.
January...the infamous car jacking and several trips to the east
February...the visit of dear friends Jim and Patsy and several trips to the east
March...the homegoing of David's dear sister, Virginia, and several trips to the east
April...a visit with our daugther, Rebecca, and her church as they ministered during the Encuentro Indigenous and a quick trip to the states while David was in meetings in Colombia
May...visits from special friend Barry and his dad, from special missionaries Jane and Wendall, and Adam and Jennifer with their three children
June...the planning of and first visit to the Ch'orti' by a couple of Guatemalan pastors with David in anticipation of evangelistic work and planting of a church and several other trips
July...baptism observance at a water park with our church and several trips
August...our 33rd anniversary, welcoming new missionaries, and several trips
September...celebration of David's birthday and several trips both in and out of country
October...celebration of Glynis' birthday and several trips both in and out of country
November...a short trip to the states to share the heart and vision for work among the Ch'orti', and mission vision trip for David and several from our church to the Ch'orti' area
December...a visit from ALL our children and fun times with them and planning, planning, planning for our travels to Honduras for research there.
I think you can get the idea of what this year has been for us...TRAVEL. When we first surveyed this job assignment, it was listed for a couple with no children (at home, anyway) who liked to travel and who like to travel together. Well, that has been us. I wished I had kept a journal of all the miles traveled this year, you would be surprised at the number. But we know that as we have gone, we have gone with the covering of your prayers, the protection of the angels, and the guidance of the Father. Each step of the way, we have been renewed in our vision of reaching this world for Christ. And we look forward to this new year, we know that as we go, wherever we go, we will go in the power of our Father. Continue to hold us up in prayer as we travel among the darkness of lostness.
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.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Miller Family Time wishes you a Merry Christmas!
Recently all our children were able to come for a visit. And what a time we had!
First off, the mission van we anticipated in using wouldn't start in time for us to head to the airport, so, fearing we might be late if we kept working with it, off to the airport we went in our Terracan. Well, we were able to get almost all the luggage and most of us in the car, "Guatemalan style." The rest of us traveled in a taxi to the Arkansas House to try the van again. So rather than a leisurely lunch at a local mall's food court, we had a hurried up picnic lunch, loaded the van again, and off we went...chug, chug, chugging up the mountian...until it stopped. Thankfully David was able to get it to a good (that is a relative term here) place on the side of the road that had recently been repaired from the latest landslide until the towtruck could come. Have no fear...he was able to pull the van up onto his flat bed truck, we were able to climb back into the van (David rode with the driver to insure we got back where we needed to go) and off we went. Kinda felt like riding in the "Beverly Hillbillies truck." Yep, we were the talk of the road as we headed back into the city.
Ok, now to a different plan, we loaded all the folks up in a minivan and off we went home. This time we easily made it home, enjoyed a chili/cornbread dinner before David and Mike headed back to the capital for all the luggage. Finally much later, we were able to get repacked for the start of travel on Sunday and settled for the night. Well, travel did improve as David was able to travel back to the city early Sunday morning for sister mission's van, remarkably just like the first van with which we started. And after Sunday worship, we ate at the local Piccadilly cafeteria and headed out to new and exciting travels.
We spent a couple of days at Lake Atitlan...the most beautiful lake in all the world!
That's the Miller kids all grown up!
Back home for a night and dinner at the "diner" down the street
before heading to the Pacific for a couple of days.
Home through the capital to "crash" the mission Christmas Party and to sleep for a few hours before the hike up Pacaya
and shopping in Antigua
and Christmas gifts before bedtime.
It was a short week but FULL of much activity and LOVE.
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!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
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