Friday, August 19, 2005

Here we go again! I wrote the following paragraph last Saturday:

"If you followed anywheres close to what we do here in Guatemala you should have realized by now that every plan it seems is changed or a new mission is discovered. It's really actually a very great experience has God leads and we simply follow to places we had no idea we were going!"

Case in point. Tomorrow we have an appointment for little Pablito which requires us to go into the capital city of Guatemala City. Because my plane flight out was scheduled for Monday morning, I was going to stay in the city and not require someone to bring me back on Monday morning. But now that's changed.

At dinner tonight I saw an old friend named Otto who has helped us on many medical missions. What I saw nearly broke my heart. Otto, a small guy to began with, had lost so much weight he looked almost dead. in fact, I had to ask him his name as I couldn't believe it was really him. I invited him to join me and he explained that he had lots of problems. That turned out to be the understatement of the year.

Hector witnessing to Otto

Otto explained that he had family problems and needed some money. His family had locked him out of the house and he was behind on his payments in school. Understand that Otto is probably the smartest kid I have met and speaks impeccable English. He is about to graduate from his 12th year of school which is unheard of here. He will get a letter certifying him as a guide who speaks English, a very sought-after position that pays well.

I offered him some food and he declined. I asked him if he had a drug problem and he said no. Several times I repeated this question and he denied he had a problem each time. I suggested he go to our place, the Cisne, and talk with Hector. He didn't want to. At that point the phone rang. It was Hector. I hung up after talking to him and explained that God sent Hector to call at that very time. He agreed to go talk with Hector. I told him I would meet him there in 30 minutes, after finishing my dinner.

30 minutes later I entered the Cisne and Otto was nowhere to be found. We began talking about him, figuring he wasn't going to come when out of the blue he walk through the door. He sat down and the four of us, Hector, Pedro, myself and Otto began discussing his problems. Pretty soon he admitted that he smoked marijuana and did crack as well. He admitted that his family had locked him out of the house and that his problem was out of control. We all talked to him about help, but Hector was the real tool as he came from this environment. After 20 minutes or so Otto prayed with the four of us to accept Christ.

Otto at my house, HUNGRY!

Hector and Otto, at my house

After talking a bit, I discovered Otto is living in a crack house. During our witnessing I told Otto that he could stay at my house, that I would delay my return to the United States, to help him get "clean". Since we are taking Pablito and his family to the city tomorrow I invited Otto and Hector to spend the night with all of us at the house. 10 people! But it was worth it to see Otto chow down on the food. Three sandwiches, potato chips, cookies and Sprite. He should sleep well tonight! And tomorrow at 4:30 a.m. we take off for Guatemala City for little Pablito. Que bueno!

Needless to say, my plans to return home have changed since I now have a house guest! Please keep Otto in your prayers!

Saturday, August 13, 2005

Well, we went to the village of San Pablo we told you about yesterday but it turns out the reason we thought we were going is not the reason why we went. Go figure!

If you followed anywheres close to what we do here in Guatemala you should have realized by now that every plan it seems is changed or a new mission is discovered. It's really actually a very great experience has God leads and we simply follow to places we had no idea we were going!

When we arrived in San Pablo we were surprised to find that there were no students. Luis our new instructor was sitting alone in the classroom. He explained to us that today was the Special Olympics in the town so there was no class. So much for our surprise visit! However, on the way here Hector had told me about the little three-year-old boy with his seizures from our last medical mission to this village. It seems when we transported him and his father and sister to the big-city to go to the main hospital a month ago, the main hospital said they couldn't help, that he needed a neurologist. Free health care? Can't live with it...

And so we set out to visit this three year old and his family. But that's an exciting new story in itself! Click the link below to read about it now:

Go Visit Pablito

Pablito

If you didn't go visit Pablito please do it now!

Friday, August 12, 2005


Well, I come to the end of another day. In the past couple of days we've accomplished several things, among them the repair of the television here at the house. Now before you think that's no big deal, without that television I can't study my Spanish videos or watch my DVDs on the Gospel of John, The Acts of the Apostles, and Peter and Paul. I really need the TV! And it's fixed!

We have visited with Josefina and discovered that she and her brothers have a need for some uniforms for their school. This is so exciting because a year ago, before Barbie and Trent got involved, these kids weren't in school. They just wandered the streets. Now, Josefina is talking fluently, has friends and wants to wear the school uniform! And that is exciting!

Also, we have made tentative plans to begin the remodel of the old Baptist Church in preparation for moving our operation out of our current building in the next six weeks. The pastor has graciously offered to allow us to use the old church rent-free, saving us some $700 a month! We look forward to getting the remodeling underway soon.

The new Baptist Church is finished except lighting and the front doors. These doors are heavy wood and need time to dry thoroughly. They won't be ready until next month. But the pastor has offered to move into the building in its unfinished state so we can begin our remodel.

Tomorrow Hector and I go to the very poor village of San Pablo to visit our new English teacher in his class. Already he has outgrown his small room for his morning class and meets at the local school. We are excited about the opportunity to spread the gospel and teach these people English as well.

Also tomorrow we meet with an American nurse who resides in Panajachel, who has contacted us and offered her services. She has several other project ideas and we're looking forward to what God has in store for this meeting. Check back for more updates soon.