Thomas Blog

Friday, 14 December 2007

...THE COFFEE IS RIPE, AND THE AVOCADOS ARE PLENTEOUS,
IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME IN GUATEMALA!

I wrote this update twice now, and lost it somehow when software problems raised their ugly heads. Praying that this will get through. We will be forwarding this on to you as an update, request for prayer, and thanks for all your support.

We have been on the field six months now, and we hope we have been half the blessing to those we serve as they have been to us. The last six weeks at Las Buenas Nuevas have been really busy, and our service workload has increased. Additionally, we are in the midst of Vacation Bible School at the little local church we go to. Diana recently completed teaching a very successful course of E.S.L., then we were set apart to help with this. Translated, we provided curriculum and handwork materials for over two hundred kids, much of it with your help, and they do thank you! Special thanks to Mitchell Road Christian Academy for all the stuff their students sent down.

The men's discipleship study was kicked off in October, and we have a real good core of guys attending. I do my best struggling to communicate, but our format of Q and A helps me hide my linguistic inadequacies. We really see as primary the need for leading folks, especially men, toward a deeper understanding of who God is and of their purpose.

Since September we have ministered to 250 pastors, missionaries, and families. Many of the indigenous pastors are especially appreciative as many of the places they serve are very primitive and difficult. We also seem to be a favorite stopover for honeymooners. They have obviously heard of the warm and lasting love of myself and Diana, and want to start their journey close to us!

We will be in the U.S. beginning 2 Feb. initially to attend the Center for International Training in N.C. for four weeks. We will also be visiting some of our supporters and a couple churches during Missions conferences. We are somewhat behind on monthly support, so we will additionally be making presentations to remedy the situation, Lord willing. We shall also prepare our house for rental, and be there for the birth of our first grandchild! Please put these items on your prayer lists on our behalf.

Let us know how we can pray for you as well. We are so aware and humbled in God's plan of using us in Guatemala, and for how He uses you in the critical role of resource and prayer support.
Our God is so good!
Serving for His Glory
Niel & Diana I Cor. 10:31

Please forgive us if you recognize the above. It was suggested we pur a recent mass e-mail to our partners to the blog.

Just spent a couple days in Guat city for a meeting w/ other missionaries, and to advance the paperwork toward our permanent visa, with a lawyer. Wow! What a task, and expensive, too...but necessary. Did our monthly shopping, too. Should do it til Jan. now.

Will write again soon. Please let us know if this is being read! Thanks....niel.

Posted by Niel & Diana at 9:27 PM BRT
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Saturday, 15 December 2007 - 11:48 AM BRT

Name: "Carl and Pat Wallace"

Hi Niel and Diana,

I look everyday to see if there is a new letter from you. Our hearts are still there and we wanted to come again this February but the Lord seems to have other plans for us. You are so blessed to be full time missionaries so you have the time to develop some of the things you are doing. Don and Marlene Taylor really did a lot for that church you are serving in now.

Our desire was to have Bible studies with some but our limited Spanish and lack of time there kept us from doing some of the things we would have liked to do. Three months once a year isn't enough time to develop to much.

We too loved the honeymooners and enjoy looking at their pictures occasionaly. LBN has really played a big part in so many peoples lives. Glory to God for His provision of that place for the refreshment of those who need it.

Maria Coker included a picture in her blog of the porch there with the rocking chairs in it and it made me really home sick for the people there as we always set there to visit with so many.

Greet Martha and Marco for us. Tell them we were really looking forward to being there this year but I have some physical hinderances that won't make it possible this year. Hopefully we will be able to come another year.

No one has mentioned any building going on so I assume you haven't started the building project yet.

We are leaving this morning for our daughter's in Wisconsin. Keep those letters coming, we enjoy yours, Cokers, Spaughs, and Stewart's letters very much.

Did Victoria's leg heal alright and how is that family?

We thank God for the network of workers He has placed in Guatemala so the Word can be known there too. You are so privileged to be one of them.

Pat

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Friday, 21 December 2007 - 11:53 AM BRT

Name: "Glenn & Jane Geer"

Merry Christmas to you Niel and Dianna. Yes we are reading your blog and are thinking and praying for you daily. We are especially excited that this men's group was established. We were praying specifically for that. Also, sounds like your VBS was a success! We look forward to being able to see you in March when our mutual first grandson comes along!

Glenn and I will be driving down after Ruthie has the baby and I will be staying on for 2 weeks to cook and clean so that Aaron can go back to work and Ruthie can enjoy her little son!

We want to thank you again for your generosity in allowing us to stay at your home in Greer! It was great!

Praise the God and Father of creation and us for sending His only Son to rescue us. Have a wonderful Christmas!

Love in Christ, Jane and Glenn

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Sunday, 23 December 2007 - 8:27 PM BRT

Name: "Bill & Linda March"

Feliz Navidad Niel & Diana!

We are always checking to see your new postings and are so excited about the successes you have been experiencing as you minister there! God has certainly blessed you both and we have no doubts that He will continue to provide for you and enable you to carry on His work. We think of you and pray for you often and hope that we will be able to catch up with you again. We wish you all the blessings of this most glorious season. Take care, God Bless. In Christ's Love, Bill & Linda March

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Monday, 24 December 2007 - 7:55 PM BRT

Name: "Niel and Diana"

Carl and Pat,

Great to hear from you both! We are sorry to hear that your health problems are keeping you home.

Had a Christmas party, kind of, for the staff here this morning. Gave a little gift to each one and made a coffee cake and fruit. It was nice.

Martha is definitely slowing down. She really needs another helper so that she can only supevise and not do the actual work, but she refuses. Paul and Ruth will have to make that decision for her one of these days soon. But she still says she wants to die here. This is her life and she wants no other. I really think if they actually moved out to their land, she would die of boredom. Marco is the same, but you can tell that he gets frustrated with her a lot, I think because of her being so much older and slower these days. 15 years is a big difference in age. Anyway, we will tell her and marco that you send your love. Have a great Christmas and new years! It is a bit lonely for me here without my children for the first time ever. I am fighting it, but would appreciate your prayers.