December, 2006

This Season we celebrate the new life that followers of Jesus share together because of Emanuel, God’s coming to earth to live among us. As we walk with Jesus, we celebrate the new life that he gives us each day and the new life we see in those around us who are learning to know and walk with the Jesus who lives among us.

SHARING THE LIFE

We thank God for the mentors in our lives.

One afternoon when we went shopping we met our dear Baptist missionary friends, Wendell and Jane Parker, who have been mentors to us through the years. They had only a few days left before returning to the States so we scheduled a time to meet with them. We listened to their stories and shared our journeys with them. We felt so loved and cared for as they talked with the wisdom that God has given them. They encouraged us to be slow in speaking into the lives of others. They reminded us that even though we know things aren’t the way they should be in someone’s life we can’t address these things unless God’s Spirit leads us at a time the person is ready to hear and receive.

The children love to hear.

Everywhere we go Phyllis fills every spare moment ministering to the children who always gather when we enter a village. First she blows bubbles or plays a game. Then she sits them down for a Bible story after which they memorize a verse.

In one community we visited, Phyllis spent an hour interacting and teaching the children. The pastor put some benches outside of the church. In that way the neighbor children who don’t attend church felt free to come and listen. Their mothers came too to see what was happening. It was a fun way to occupy Phyllis’ time while the pastor’s wife was busy preparing our meal. The children repeated their verses in the church service that night. The neighbor children came and participated too. Later the pastor requested SS materials so the children can be taught regularly.

Victory through struggle

We had the privilege to attend a Graduation service at Bezaleel School. One of the students, Efrain, hugged his parents and wept with them when he received his diploma. The teacher asked for an extra applause for his parents. Efrain had been a very rebellious son and his father, Brother Andres, and his wife had worked hard to guide their son through the many struggles he faced. His teacher watched him grow stronger in faith from the support of his parents during the years he attended school.

New fellowships are being developed.

The community of Se’amay has a new group of believers and a building in which to worship. Several families had accepted Christ over the past few years and began to worship in one of their homes. They found favor with their neighbors and a man who has not yet believed donated land for a church building. In three months they had built a small wooden building. During a recent visit to Se’amay we participated in a wedding of one of the believers who was marrying his third wife. The first two had died because health care is not available in this remote village. We were encouraged when one believer bought a Bible for his two sons who have been faithfully attending the services.

Encouraging pastors

Galen recently felt lead to encourage the pastors from two different denominations in the same community to meet together for prayer and encouragement. Little did he know that this very community was hurting because of division among them regarding a community project. As the two pastors talked together they began planning how they would call the whole community to pray and work together. We praised God for that nudge from his Spirit and the response of the pastors in obedience.

In our work here in Guatemala, we want to THINK with God. In practicing God’s presence we want to hear what He is saying. We want to NOTICE what His Spirit is doing and ask ourselves, “How are we called to participate?” Pray that we would listen and obey with earnest willing hearts.

Praise and Prayer items

We’re been blessed with the arrival of another nurse, Keri Swartzendruber, on our team.
Pray that Keri would be given grace and peace as she continues to adjust to her work.

It’s been a blessing to have Phyllis’ brother, Mahlon, his wife Ronda, Charlie and his friend, Spencer, visit with us here. We set aside work and did some fun things together.

In January reporting and decisions about church leadership happen at the annual Kekchi Church Assembly. Pray for God’s Spirit to unite the leaders in those decisions.

Larry and Helen Lehman will be staying with us for several weeks over the time that Larry will be teaching the pastors. Pray for health and strength. Pray that the Spirit would use the teaching to promote spiritual maturity and unity among the pastors.

Have a Blessed New Year!

Love, Galen and Phyllis Groff