Welcome to the Jungle!!!!!!!!!!

Last week I had the experience of a lifetime. 

I was able to go to a village near Coban, Guatemala with Chus (Hermano Jesus), Pablo, Isidrio, and Imigdio (all four are pastors).  We went to the aldea (village) Nuevo Porvenir to visit with some of the pastors that will be coming to the mission base for the Timateo (Timothy Lay leadership training) Seminario.  We also were to help host three church services for the two villages that were close by (picture OC and Alton…and you have Nuevo Porvenir and La Promisea).

Our 6 passenger plane we flew in to Coban

The four days and three nights were a rush.  Why?  At first I was told we would be staying in Coban in a hotel and it might be cold.  Nope.  We stayed in the village.  Ate their food, slept in their houses, bathed in their “bathroom” (I basically did the Ice Bucket Challenge every time I showered.  Plastic walls and a 5 gallon bucket of rain water).  Besides this…it.was.hot!

Some of the views we saw on our flight

Walking through the jungle at night with only a flashlight, being the first and only North American to visit the village, and knowing very minimal Spanish brought together a cool experience.  What really made it sparkle for me was this:  The discipleship with the pastors that were preparing to make the 5-hour trek by bus to Chimaltenango to study was amazing.

We flew there on Wednesday the 27^th (took 36 minutes) and rode in a 23-passenger shuttle on Saturday (5 hour drive through the country side). 

The village felt very much like a Coastal Village (even though it was in the central part of the country), which means, coconut trees, pineapples, HOT weather, and non-traditional attire (usually). 

walking in Coban to the bus stop.  We took a bus 22 kilometers to the village

The idea and dream that makes this a really cool trip is this:  This village only gets it water from the rain.  Non-rainy season means a 2-hour truck ride to a river that has “good water”.  There is no electricity in the village as well.  So here it is:  What would it look like to come back there with a team for a medical clinic (2 of them as the village is 120 families) and bring water filters?  There are pastors already in the village, many of which are going through Timateo, to help with the follow up/discipleship, they are all sick and in need of meds.   Oh my mind is spinning (in a way good) of how the second part of PBM, the Timateo side, can be greater connected to the side of the house building and medical clinics with the teams.  We can get both the evangelistic side and the discipleship side meshed together beautifully.  Much planning and research needs to be done before this can be a reality.

baby Pineapple

The friendships, the memories, and the sights will be burnt in my mind for a long time.  Teaching Hermano Jesus how to sing “I Love You Lord” and then both of us doing a duet in two languages.  Seeing multiple people slain in the Spirit the third night of church services (with each service lasting about 3 to 4 hours), eating food that was amazing….and one thing that I have no clue what it was!  Discovering new fruits and vegetables.  Seeing Gum trees for the first time.  Doing the Ice Bucket Challenge in the river Dolores (and trying to explain what I was doing to the Guatemalans who do that every day for their bath, was entertaining)….sorry video will not be posted due to various reasons.

All in all, I felt like I was able to glimpse…truly glimpse at how God is working in the lives of many, in other parts of the world.  Even in the jungles of Guatemala, OUR GOD IS NOT DEAD!!!!! 

on our daily walk from the house to the church

Dios te bendiga mi hermanos.  Con mucho gusto le doy una bendición. Amar al Señor con todo tu corazón, tu mente y tu alma.

Hermano Jesus teaching

Its a jungle out there!

power of prayer.  Paulina was cured!!!!

worship team starting the first night of worship

any body know what this is?  I DO I DO!

Fried Chicken, rice, and unlimited tortillas...

This lone palm tree struck my eye

 chatting in the dinning room of the house I stayed in.

second church...Imigdio can BRING IT!!!!!

The next Timateo class (part of it) from Nuevo Porvenir.  Can you spot the Americano?

sugar cane ready for harvest

Raw

The past few days I’ve been looking for direction and an answer.  With that answer will come direction.  BUT, I keep looking for an email or call on the phone, yet I know that the answer can only come for my HEAVENLY FATHER.  Why do I keep reverting to fulfillment from this earth?  Why can I not find my identity in CHRIST alone, the Great I AM?  I am struggling with my inability to answer my kids’ questions of why?  I am wondering why I am task oriented and teeter between wanting to be fun and super mom with my kids, yet I want to finish my project first.  My heart is stuck between this world and the world my FATHER has designed for me to live in. 

I typically like to keep my feelings tucked inside, yet,  this time I need your help to pray this family into peace and joy.  We need to have calm spirits filled with joy and direction.  My Heavenly Father will give the answer and direction I am assured of that.  I just need to rest in HIS arms and wait upon the Lord!

Vicki

Our place this past week...

So this past week, the kiddos started school.  This adventure has been one that both Vicki and I have been saying, “okay Lord, this is in your hands” as this is new territory for us (homeschooling).  So what did we do?  Well, each kid has their own desk with their name on it; they have been jumping into reading, language arts, math, science, and Bible.  We took two field trips (on the first two days of school!); and having a blast!

 FIELD TRIPS:  First day we went on a hike on a mountainside to the Pump House One to change the oil in the pump.  This fresh water spring, which has been dammed up to allow a collection of water to exist so we can get water at the base is tucked into the mountain side and proved to be a beautiful hike!

The second day found our little tribe heading to Iximche, one of the Mayan Ruins in this beautiful country.  God truly blessed us with GOREGOUS weather, an easy route to the place, AND an English speaking guide so we could get a more deep and rich tour experience. 

The kiddos are enjoying school so far, but dearly miss their classmates.  Vicki has done a wonderful job of getting things started, but is looking forward to some extra assistance with the formation of this.

Me?  Well, this Wednesday I leave with four other pastors for Coban, Guatemala until Saturday to meet with some other pastors in the discipleship program. This flight leaves early Wednesday morning and the drive back is about 6 hours.  For these four days, Vicki will be a single mom, I will not be able to speak any English, and both are ready for why God has placed this experience on our plates.

This past month I have been able to witness a new Church dedication, have a meeting with pastors about joining forces (a 12 year prayer finally answered), and continue to build relationships and infrastructures here within the ministry.  A lot of cleaning has been taken place…..little nooks and crannies and ministry approaches.

This place away has led me to really focus on one word: place.  What is a place?  Do we really think about place?  When people ask about where we are, the easy thing is to say is Guatemala….yet what does that entail? It does not mention about our place on the staff.  It does not mention our place with our family.  It does not say anything about how and where we are living.  It does not touch the daily routine of life in another country.  Can’t drink the tap water and we only have 3 hours of battery power for the base before the lights go dark and we need to fire up the generator.  It does not tell any of the stories that have been shared in the kitchen among friends….stories all spoken in broken Spanish.  Guatemala.  It tells someone one location on this earth.  It does not address anything about what it is doing for our souls and the connection to our Creator for an eternal presence. 

Place.

What is your place in this life?  What is your place in the Kingdom of the Lord God?  Your will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven…..

Eternity starts now, NOT when we pass on into the next life.  Our place is in the center of God’s Will.  His Will does not commit us to one location, but to one place….in His hands. May you find yourself today saying, “okay Lord, this is in your hands”.   There is no better place to be.

Dios te bendiga,

~Justin

Gathering of Pastors in La Bendecion

12 years of prayer led to this meeting!

Mission Base in La Bendecion

In San Rafael for church dedication!!!!

new pastor friends

Caleb by Pump House One on first day of school: Field Trip # 1

Field Trip #1 hike

going for a hike?  Then we need a stick...

Caleb and Grandpa fixing Duke's dog house.....or horse house?  :)

Gemelas!!!!

Tour Guide at Iximche

Naomi taking pictures at Iximche (notice what camera she brought)

Iximche (field trip number 2!)  a VERY fun day...well worth the drive

Promise me you won't Judge!

As I sit and type I initially hear uplifting music to refocus my soul.  But, in the background I hear little voices playing together.  Before, I tell you what they are playing you have to promise me not to judge my parenting.

 <<< PROMISE? > > > 

They are playing Zombies and Hunters.  It is a game they have created.  They have used their imagination to make a fort complete with curtains for the windows, girls after my own heart.  They have created the guns out of scrap wood, cut them out with a jigsaw, sanded, and painted these weapons.  They have even gotten out the paint and painted each teams faces with different color paint.  Can you go back to this time of imagination in your younger years?  Can you see it?  Can you feel the excitement?  I hope so. 
I hope you can also bring yourself back to that child like imagination of our HEAVENLY FATHER.  HE is so mysterious and grande to a child.  When did I lose that awe of my creator?  I need to remember that excitement and invite others to enjoy the wonder with me.

As one of the kids is a leader and is coordinating the play today, I think of our leading and coordinating.  God, you have divinely gifted each one in our family, whether its immediate, extended or church family.  Please allow me to see people as YOU see them.  May I remember to include them in my play and daily walk.

Vicki

Ps~ we have had family here and truly enjoyed each moment.  That’s the cause of the radio silence :_)

PPS ~ I also have a non-functioning camera otherwise I would have blessed you with a photo of the kids playing.  I think the camera has gone on and needs to be replaced.  

The Alma Matters

 Learning a new language can be a difficult thing, trust me I know first hand of this.  Having received the call to move my family to Guatemala to serve and work has been a wild adventure.  Throw in the aspect of not fully comprehending the language and you have a memorable experience.  Little by little we are picking up the language, the expressions, and the understanding of why things are said the way that they are here.

One word that has truly stuck to me is Alma, or Soul.  All through the Scriptures, the authors mention the presence of our soul.  Yet, looking at our world today, we do not spend much time thinking or dwelling on our soul.  Our heart can lead us into some crazy fun places.  Our mind can make us think critically and deeply.  Yet, the third aspect of what Christ says is the greatest commandment (see Matthew 22:34-40), is often not carried out.  I believe that we do not fully engage the soul out of defiance, rather out of ignorance.  To truly know what it means to love the lord our God with all of our soul, means we need to know that our soul is a part of us.  Our soul….that part of us which will never be buried below the ground.  Our soul, the link we have between the here and now, and the eternal.  Our soul.  That fire in our chest, that inner peace, that spirit within.  We need to care for our soul, but way too quickly, we try to simply cure the soul.  There is a difference.  To care for the soul means we are not looking for a quick fix.  Care for the soul is time consuming.  When we are not familiar with the language of the soul, we try what we think is best.  Good intentions, poor results. Like learning a new language, we need to take the time to examine, we need to surround ourselves with people that are familiar with its ways, and we need to want to learn and grow.

How is your soul?  Does it even matter to you?  Proverbs talks about guarding our hearts, because it is the wellspring of our life (Proverbs 4:23).  In Romans, it talks about how our mind, when renewed will reveal the way and will of God (Romans 12:1-2).  Yet, in Hebrews, it mentions that Hope is what exists as the anchor for our soul (Hebrews 6:19).  At its very core, our souls long for hope in a land and time where it is hard to find.  When we live with Hope, we find that the Alma is alive and it matters.  May your hope be in the Hope of all Hopes…..Jesus Christ.  Take the time to care for your soul, not cure it.  Surround your self with people who are familiar with its ways.  In doing so, we will then be able to love the lord our God will all of our heart, with all of our mind, AND all of our soul.  Learn the language of the Creator and find that your Alma will be well and all things will be well with your soul.

~Justin