We are so grateful for God's continued provision, blessing, guidance and love for us! Thanksgiving Day we drove up the mountain to celebrate God's goodness with 70 other CAM missionaries at Philippi's casa in Antigua. Regular turkey fare, but all the tables were set outside in the beautiful Guatemalan sunshine and cool air. After dinner, we all met to sing traditional Thanksgiving hymns and hear testimonies of how God is at work, not only in Guatemala, but also in the families of our fellow missionaries. It was a very good day!
Following the weekend, we were visited by our son, Aaron, and three of his compatriots from Mitchell Road Christian Academy in Greenville, S.C. They only had a short stay, but their main mission was to meet with the school board members from the Patzun Alfa & Omega Christian School about forming a partnership with them. I think they left there with a vision for how they can be of benefit to them and how MRCA students can be involved in ministry. Of course, it was great to see Aaron even for a short time, and he brought us an ultrasound picture of our first grandson! What a joy! The group brought with them a multitude of items that our little CAM church here needed for VBS. We bagged up the items by class (glue, scissors, crayons, markers, prizes, etc.) and took them with us to our VBS meeting this past Tuesday. The church people were thrilled! After we put out all the stuff on the tables, the pastor had a special time of prayer just to thank the Lord for the help that He had sent. Then, everyone took their turn and came to hug each of us. Honestly, without these items, they would have nothing. I don't know how they would have put on a VBS at all. I also donated some items that other friends and family have brought down with them during our stay here and Niel and I donated the curriculum.
A great big "Thank You" to our supporters, who made it possible for us to donate the curriculum by their consistent monthly giving. Please pray for this VBS, as it is the biggest evangelistic event of the year for this church and the opportunity to present the gospel to many kids in Panajachel who are either unchurched or Catholic. Especially for the kids who sell indigenous crafts on the street. They are heavily influenced by gangs, drug users, and mean tourists. And several of them have promised me that they will come. They may just come for the food and to steal whatever they can, but God can still touch their hearts.
We will take lots of pictures and post them on our next blog.
Diana