First Local Missionary of the Churches of Christ

On Saturday, Sept 26th I had the priviledge to travel with a group of men from the area of Chichicastenango and Santa Cruz del Quiche to the village of Chuisiquel in the mountains above Joyobaj. Besides having an adventuresome trip sliding through the muddy hills and eventually getting stuck and unstuck in a ditch, we had a great day and a day I think marks a great step for the local churches of Christ.

These 7 men that I traveled with represent 7 church elderships who have come together for the purpose of helping younger churches grow and become more self sufficient with their own preachers and elders. These elders have seen the importance of helping other churches become more mature and more evangelistic and as a result, have been working for the last few months in defining a way that they can work together to help these younger churches. About a total of 10-15 churches have decided to dedicate funding to the employment of a part-time to full-time missionary evangelist to be sent out mostly to the area of Zacualpa and Joyobaj. As a result, they have chosen a man by the name of Martin Turquiz from Choacaman 4 (some of you may remember Martin) to work as a missionary evangelist.

The first congregation they will start working with is the congregation of Chuisiquel which is about 3 hours from Chichi and around 30 min to 1 hour from Joyobaj, depending on road conditions and the way that you go. Martin will begin by traveling to the area twice a month and I think the plan is to increase his involvement, as they know they have the funding, to other congregations in that area. For Martin, his travel may be more like 4-5 hours as he will not have direct transportation available, but he will spend a few days at a time in the area.

Some of you may also recognize some of the churches involved in this endeavor, they include Chichicastenango, Patzite, Paxot 2, Paxot 3, Xepocol, Santa Cruz del Quiche, Pacaja Xesic, Choacaman 4 and I would bet some of the Mactzul churches as well. The Mactzul churches were not present on Saturday as the men who traveled are those that have been elected and have volunteered to serve on the board of directors.

Most of the congregations in this area have elders, preachers, evangelists, etc. who dedicate their time to the local church on a volunteer basis. This has been an extra step to help support a missionary who can dedicate more time to traveling to areas farther away for the purpose of strengthening and expanding the kingdom. This is very exciting for the church and we feel honored to be able to pray and support them through encouragement. This is a 100% local funded ministry in which the only request we have had is to support this work through the assistance of the minsitries we current partner in with the churches - clinic and education.

Please join us in praying for this ministry and in particular for Martin Turquiz and the elders who make up the board of directors - Franciso Ware - Patzite, Tomas Panjoj-Chichicastenango, Anastacio Alvarez-Pacaja Xesic, Juan Canil-Paxot 3, Gaspar Chan-Xepocol, and Tomas Salvador-Xepol.

Good Day

We had a good day in Xepocol today. Our first patient was a nurse I know from the local health department who can't get off work to come see us on Thursdays at the central clinic, so I picked her up in town and took her out to our mobile clinic for the day. We caught up on news from the health department and who's still working and who's not. She's had an interesting bout of inflammatory poliarthritis with labs unremarkarable except for an elevated CRP (nonspecific for inflamation). She is already enrolled in the government health clinics but doesn't have a follow up appointment set up for November so she is a little depressed as she has started flaring up again. (that's right all you pro-Government Healthcare folks--she is waiting 3 months to get a follow up appointment with a general internist, not even a rheumatologist.) So we tweaked her anti-inflammatory meds and prayed with her, which she really appreciated.

The rest of the day was primarily pediatrics. Lots of upper respiratory infections and newborn checks. Nothing like little babies to put you in a great mood. One little girl remembered the Johnson's baby shampoo that her baby sister received as a newborn and keeps asking Gaspar if he has anymore. Well today, he surprised her with her very own little sample bottle and spent a couple of minutes to talk to her about frequent hand washing and bathing 2-3 times a week.

One of the last patients, I found out later, is a real troublemaker in town. This woman seemed nice enough to me and said she would bring in her mother next time. But apparently has been violent with her mother-in-law, landing the poor little old lady in the hospital. Her husband, who was a known drinker, fell into the edge of the water and drowned a couple of years ago. But she has recently accused a very nice man from the area of drowning her husband in the river because a "prophetess" in town said so. This man is a friend of Gaspar, and he has been terrified that people are going to lynch him on her say-so. Gaspar has been praying with him and counseling him and although doesn't want to get into trouble himself, feels obligated to stand up for this man. The woman has pretty much backed off on the accusations lately but everyone is still on guard. Needless to say, Gaspar was shocked when she came to clinic today. We decided that maybe God was working on her heart a little so we will keep her in our prayers. You never know who God puts in your path to influence or pray for.

Team Work

Sheri and Juan and I headed out to Chutzerob today for clinic. Gaspar and Kemmel left early to go to a meeting at Ezell 3 hours away, so we were a little short handed. I got a call at 0600 from one of the brothers from Chutzerob confirming that we were indeed coming. About 0630 another brother called to say that they had 30 people already and wanted to make sure that was okay. We ended up seeing 38 and it ran very smoothly with the help of 7 volunteers from the church. We usually cap the number at 30-35 to be able to counsel and pray with each patient we see. But with the support of these brothers and sisters we divided up into two consult stations, one prayer station and taught one of the ladies to do vital signs. What a blessing to have such interest in the ministry by local church members. More than half of the patients were new to the clinic, which surprised us. The volunteers said that the word is getting out more and people are pleased with the care.

One thing I appreciate about this church is that the volunteers never miss an opportunity to invite the patient to worship with them, offering prayer, counsel with the elders and study of the Word. They are not judgemental or condescending and always speak respectfully and discretely with patients. We saw several interesting medical cases (anemia, an infected foot, postpartum endometritis, a couple with UTIs (possibly STD's??). But counseled and encouraged many more to begin deeping their prayer life and reading the Word and relying on God during struggles.

Well, Kemmel just got back home, so time for dinner! What a good day.

Sunday

We enjoyed a leisurely morning this morning, starting with our walk, then coffee and slightly crunchy but yummy monkey bread and catching up on stuff around the house. Then we walked up to town for lunch and worship services, enjoying good weather and a great sermon. We studied about the continued work of God in this world. That He did not stop when he created the world, or when he put his plan of salvation of the world into motion. He continues to work, searching for and recovering those who are lost. We as the body of Christ are instrumental in this work, seeking out lost sheep, lost coins, and prodigal sons. Brother Tomas told us of a conversation with a member of a small church, who told him that their church members were few but faithful. He commented that a church that stays small can't be too faithful! We were challenged to set goals and actively think about the people in our lives and keep our eyes open to recognize people who need to be sought out and rescued.

We wrapped up the afternoon, doing some shopping in the vegetable market and started to walk back home but thankfully saw a wall of rain moving up the street toward us--just in time to jump into a tuc-tuc before getting soaked!

Re-cap of our U.S. Trip

While in the States, we didn't always have ease of internet access, so we wanted to post some more pictures. We had such a good time seeing almost all of our family. My brother Drew's family wasn't able to make it, when he got stuck managing a flooded city sewage system after our weekend of constant rain in the North Texas area. That was a bummer (probably more for him!), but we hope to see them over the holidays. Here are some fun pictures we got on the rest of our travels.

My sister Anna and new baby Levi.

A rare sighting of baby Levi--AWAKE.

Olivia and Claire--up and at it early!

Allison and Uncle Kemmel enjoying a little breakfast before heading off to a big day at pre-K. Uncle Kemmel is always a big hit!

Allie in her boots and Hennesey Eagles shirt. Quite the football fan!

Aunt Lisa with her babies. We couldn't get this picture taken without the beloved monkey and duck!

Zane and Lance looking on as the chef fires up the griddle at the Japanese restaurant.

Who is that cute couple?

Zane and Lance tolerating their crazy camera-happy Aunt Lisa.

Brant and Aimee enjoying the night out.

Hot and heavy Nintendo action.

Corbin sporting the latest in fine golf attire.

Becky, cousin Sherry, Ron and Kemmel enjoying a cool 90 degree evening outside.

Yours truly

Kriss Kelli and Kyler (Yes, KKK).

Ahhh, Sunday afternoon on the couch with my Mom, Kyler and Dad!

"Come ON, Cowboys!"

Consolation prizes for the big sisters at Levi's baby shower.

Mama, Anna and Me at the shower.

Back Home

We made in back to Guatemala City on Thursday after a day and a half of relaxation in North Miami Beach. It feels good to now be home in Chichicastenango. We will be posting some more of our trip to the US probably later today but wanted to let everyone know we are back home. If anyone wants to take a trip to Miami this was a good area and not as busy as and crazy as South Beach and the hotel rates were much better, like less than $70 a night - small room but great location and there is a bus service that takes you everywhere in the area.

The hardest part of living here, eventough we are not that far away such as in Africa, is being away from family. It seems that now we probably spend more time with family when we go back then we did when we lived in the US, but nonetheless, I guess it is the idea of living away from family. Thank you to everyone who invited us into your homes and for taking care of us while we were there.

Today Lisa, Sheri, Gaspar and Juan are in Chuchipaca and I, Kemmel, and getting caught up on admin tasks at the house and plan to check on the vegetable garden at the clinic - hopefully it is taking off!

Enjoying Family Time

We are enjoying a rare rainy weekend here in the Scottsdale area--a cool 84 degrees. We picked up my cousin Bruce who is in town on a top secret mission with the government and headed to Pei Wei for some grub then back to Ron's house. Our niece Callie and I set up our annual beauty shop party while we all get caught up on our Facebook snooping. It's been a great day!

Kemmel, Ron, Lori and Rick
Mom and her boys

Callie's Beauty Parlor--Pop is getting the special treatment!

Satisfied customers!

Callie and Becky

Bruce trying to avoid a total makeover Callie and Me

Observations

Lori who is a neonatal ICU nurse has the week off and took us around shopping for much needed underwear and other clothes. I was blown away at the sale prices we found (70-80% off) on everything. We stocked up as we had not been serious clothes shopping in over a year. We laughed, because now all the sales tickets tell you how much you saved. At Steinmart, we saved more than we spent! In Guatemala, they have not learned the art of the "End of season sale" (maybe because they don't have seasons!). The steapest mark downs we see are about 30% off. Usually they try to entice you in with big sale signs of 10% 15% 20% OFF! Not exactly irresistible.

Also, we are blown away by the internet speed available here. We have been taking advantage of the broadband to download updates and programs at lightening speed! At home it takes us 4-5 hours to download a TV show from ITunes on a "high speed" connection in the City. If we try to do it in Chichicastenango, it shows a 36 hour download time! Here it took 50 minutes. WOW!!!

Today we enjoyed some fellowship with Duane and Roberta's church group and lunch at the Olive Garden--Yum. Now we are just vegging and watching NCIS. Having a great time so far.

Family Reunion Time

Monday was Kemmel's mom Roberta's birthday and I didn't get it posted as we were traveling to the City to fly out the great U.S. of A. for a little visit with our families. When we travel Kemmel is quite the airfare hawk, looking for ways to fly as inexpensively as possible. He found us some good fares to Miami and then connecting flights to Phoenix. We left Guatemala City at 10:00 a.m. and arrived in Phoenix at 12:00 midnight via Miami and Atlanta! Our second leg of the flight was terribly delayed and we were afraid we would miss our connecting flight to Phoenix, when the attendant asked us if we were going to Phoenix. She said don't worry then, because these pilots are too! So we made it, and Kemmel's sister Becky and niece Lori came and picked us up--what troopers!
We had a dinner last night with family here in Tucson, complete with tacos and tamales and the fixin's. It was so good to see everyone and catch up a little. We will spend a few days here in the Tucson area and all head back up to Phoenix for the Labor Day weekend. We will celebrate Roberta's birthday Friday with everyone, and I will get some good pictures up.

What a blessing to be back in the States! Cousin Edward and our niece Lori

Mom and DuaneDuane, Nancy and Sonny--everyone has on their very best Guatemalan pose on!

Aunt Ana, Kemmel and Uncle GeneAunt Karen and me in the foreground. Mom, Becky and Uncle Dick in the back.