Last Day on the Mountain

Hello to all of our church family and friends!

First of all, we want to thank you for your continued prayer and support this week, as we wouldn’t be here without you. We thank you for your faithfulness to pray and encourage us  on this journey.

This was our last day on the mountain and in the villages…and what a day it was! We were also thankful to have Regina, Cruz, and Ben join us today!

After a great breakfast of eggs, beans, fresh fruit…and COFFEE…Nathan shared a few verses of encouragement for the day, during team devotion time, and then we loaded up and headed towards our first destination – Jocotan.

In Jocotan, we visited with Jane, the Principle of the school – El Olam. It was a blessing to be able to pray with her this morning. We were welcomed there by children saying, “Ah, Americanos”! Cruz White, David & Regina’s eldest son, actually attended there for 2.5 years, and enjoyed every minute. Jane is full of life, and of Jesus! She is from El Salvador, and started the school 6 years ago. She is giving the children a bilingual education, and teaching them that God created them. She knows that the word of God grows! Please pray for the teachers there (18 teachers) to also have a heart for God, and please pray that she’ll be able to offer more scholarships to some of her older students this coming year.

After visiting with Jane, we had a few moments to walk around the town square and through the market. The Catholic Church is in the center of town, and the market is full of very interesting things to purchase – for example: chicken, tomatoes, toothpaste, doctor remedies, jewelry…the list goes on.

Our second stop was in La Libertad. We visited with the pastor’s family there. Nicolas is the pastor, and his wife is Prudencia. They were extremely thankful for the encouragement and our prayers of support for their church and their members. They went through a period where some of their members were not active; however, some have recently returned, which is a blessing. Also, the pastor hasn’t been in good health, but is getting better. A big thank you for Miguel for translating for us during this visit! Continue praying for more people to attend the church. This reminds me of a song:

“You are my strength when I am weak, You are the treasure that I seek, You are my all in all. Seeking You as a precious jewel, Lord to give up, I’d be a fool, You are my all in all. Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is Your name, Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is Your name. Taking my sing my cross my shame, rising again, I bless Your name, You are my all in all. When I fall down You pick me up, when I am dry, You fill my cup, You are my all in all. Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is Your name, Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is Your name.”

After a stop for lunch, we drove up to Nearar and prayed over the new land, right across from the school that will soon be the location of the new church building! What a praise! Women of the village joined us there to pray. How awesome is it that we were standing on the very ground where the word of God will be preached for years to come?!

We then headed higher up, parked, and continued hiking on foot, up to Bible Study time with the church at the pastor’s home. The pastor’s name is Anaclato, and his wife is Nelba. We were welcomed with open arms to share the word and worship with them. Mike & Jennifer shared a Bible Story with the adults, with David interpreting; while Laura, Nathan, and Miguel enjoyed time with the children. Mike & Jennifer both spoke from the book of Hebrews, on Faith, and on people in the Bible that had great faith. They are examples for us to follow in our daily walk with the Lord. It is impossible to please God without faith. He rewards those that seek Him. Faith is a confidence that what we hope for will actually happen. Our faith is in God, and our Hope is in Heaven. How great is it to be able to worship outside, with fellow believers in Christ, on the side of a mountain?! This reminds me of the following song:

“Alleluia, alleluia, the majesty and glory of Your name!”

After a long day, we settled back in for a pasta dinner, and devotion team time with Cruz & Ben! We sang “Your Name”, and “How Deep the Father’s Love For Us”, Cruz prayed, and Ben recited Bible verses for us!

Just a remarkable day, one we will never forget, seeing God’s great creation, and worshipping with the people of Guatemala. It reminds us that one day, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. All praise and glory be to God, forever and ever!

Please pray for our safe travels tomorrow, back into Guatemala City, with anticipation of our journey home on Saturday. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to continue working in the lives of the people here. Please pray for David & Regina as they continue to bring the Word of God to the villages.

-Heather