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[Page 8 of our Fall 2006 mission trip to Central America]

(21) [Oct 12th continued]  After the Children's Crusade at Cayo Quamato we sailed to Patty's home at Las Palafitos where we met with Berto, her brother, a minister who often walks for miles through the mountains to evangelize the Mayan Indians.  We presented him with a gift Bible which contains the entire English and Spanish text with study helps.  We also had one for Patty and two of her important teachers.  In addition we gave over 50 Spanish New Testaments, puppets, school supplies such as notebook paper and crayons, and witnessing tracts.  The highlight, though, was once again the solar-powered Spanish Bible radios that could be carried high into the hills where there is no electricity or hope for replacement batteries and where the native people neither read nor write.  Praise the Lord!

David explains to Patty how the solar Bibles work.

Reverend  Berto's new Bible. Please keep him in your prayers

(22) [Oct 14th]  We had a special opportunity to visit with Mike Rhea, a missionary who, with his wife Karen, established a medical clinic but now were building a children's home just outside of town.  What a great vision and what a lovely place it will be!  To learn more about this project and how you can help go to www.RayodeEsperanza.org

Brother Mike opens the gate

Much progress already made

David & Mike talk about the only obstacle that can slow down or halt any missionary's vision - money.

One of the garages planned to provide vocational training

This will be a very special home to many children

Each unit will house a couple and 8 to 10 Guatemalan children

(23)  [ Oct 17th]  Debbie and I were given a special invitation to travel with Berto and his pastor up the Rio Lampara river towards the towering Mico Mountains to attend a special Christian worship service of Kek'chi Mayan Indians.  It is dark as we arrive so the photos are few but what a sweet and genuine spirit of praise awaited us.  And such a novel experience to hear two complete sermons, one in Kek'Chi, then one in Spanish.   Richard was with us and I had a wonderful time telling him which scriptures were being read and subjects talked about [though I don't speak either language - the Holy Spirit made everything so clear to us]. 

We begin up the river past primitive homes and precious souls

The tiny generator that ran the sound system and a few bare light bulbs kept cutting off, so each time I stood up [having the brightest flashlight] and provided illumination for a service that never lost tempo!  And as my upheld arm covered in mosquitos and other winged 'critters' [being drawn  to now the only light] I felt a unique humility to be able to 'serve' in such a way - the servant's attitude we all should have always.

We arrived as darkness fell

Richard makes instant friends everywhere he goes.

Berto gets a blessing

David sits with the pastors after the service and tries Kek'chi food for the first time.  How was it? Well, he survived to write this report!

(24) [Oct 18th]  During the Kek'chi worship service, David was touched by the faithfulness of the people even as they struggled with their tired little generator so he pledged to donate ours to the pastor.  The next day we met with Berto and he carried us to the island where we saw his church and presented the gift.

Las Palafitos where Patty & Berto live - a lovely place we would like to return to.

It was a quick ride in Berto's launch

And we saw more prcious children and the houses they had to live in.

We had seen this mother and her newborn during the children's crusade and felt led to bring to her a package of Huggies diapers and a whole case of vitamin enriched baby food which had been donated by a thoughtful church member back home.  What joy to be able to share in so many ways!!

Berto's church - the Mount Olive Evangelical Church

David presents our generator to Berto's pastor.

We have learned that there is an effort to revive the Mayan pagan religion with all of its rituals and sacrifices.  Pray fervently for this pastor, for Berto, and for all the Christian ministers who are laboring throughout these rivers and mountains to bring true hope through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Pray for Guatemala !!!

[Please click here to follow us on the next leg of our journey as we sail to Honduras.]

It is a joy every time the Lord instructs us to give away something of ours because we know that He will always find a clever way to replace it.