Home is Where the Heart Is

Our Medical Evangelism Training students are officially tucked into their new host familes.  Here are some shots from the drop-off day.  These familes sure know how to make people feel at home.  They do the "practice hospitality" thing like pros!

Jonathan will be with Carlos and Marina.  Belinda was anxious to welcome him!  They have a baby brother named Jonathan, too. 

Amanda at Juan and Lucia's house after a welcome hug from sister Carla. On of the little boys nearby asked Amanda her name, and with all seriousness said, " What a pretty name!"

Maggy at Manuel and Juana's house with Roxana and Sara to show her around. 

Weston is staying with Jeronimo and Juana--last year Easton stayed with them.  Get it?  Weston and Easton?

Brittney at Sebastian and Dominga's house--she gets the luxury new mattress and box spring! 

Carli at Tomas and Juana's house.  They even have a guitar for her to play!

Welcome MET Interns

We have spent the weekend with a great group of students.  They are here to be a part of the Medical Evangelism Training program offered by Health Talents.  Having just finished a week in language school in Quetzaltenango and we gathered together for a few days of misiology classes.  Our time is spent studying mission theory and approaches and led by former misisonary Roger McKown.  Tomorrow we separate the team of 12 into two teams of 6--one to stay here in the coastal area of Montellano and one to go up to the Highlands area of Chichicastenango with us.  They students with live with familes from the local churches and go to work with our staff each day, getting a taste of cross-cultural life and work. 
Although we are now the ones with real life experience on the field we can still remember our days as MET students over 20 years ago, worrying about how we are going to communicate and fit in.  But they will do fine and their host families are so excited to meet them!  We will keep you up to date on the adventures we have this month!

Agua Viva - Water of Life - Baptisms in Mactzul I

This week marked the last few days of dry season.  Everything and everybody was restless and anxious for the rain to come.  Before the rains, dust just clings to every surface and the air is heavy with heat and haze. 

Monday started out no different in Mactzul I with bright sun, hot dusty air, but we were all excited because we had come together to witness the baptisms of 10 people.  We began at the building with a worship service and then packed at least 8 pickup trucks full of people to head down the road to the river.  Since it’s the end of dry season, “river” is an overstatement.  But, earlier several of the young folks had gone down and reinforced a little dam to build up the level.

Hop in!

We jumped out of the trucks and gathered along the banks.  The ladies washing clothes on the rocks also glanced over from time to time, and people driving over the bridge would slow down or stop to watch as these 10 new brothers and sisters committed to following Christ in his death, burial and resurrection. 

Gathered at the River in Xalbaquiej

The two elders entered first to pray and then begin their work.  One by one, they received each person, counseled them and baptized them.  The water must have been cool and refreshing on such a hot day!  Six of the 10 were youth from the ABC program. 

That night we had a long, drenching thundershower—such relief! Jesus said that whoever believes in him will have rivers of living water flow from within. (John 7:37-39) What a relief to go from sin and failure to a new life led by God's own Spirit flowing through us like a sparkling river. Thank you Lord!

Getting ready

 

Carlos

  

 

 

Marta

 

 

 

Alicia Josefina

 

 

 

Josefa

 

Gabriela

 

How beautiful the feet of those that bring good news.

 

Getting ready to enjoy a meal together--it takes two men to lift this pot of tamalitos off the fire!

 

 

On Friday, we were invited to attend a service in Xepocol for mother's day in Guatemala.  Mother's day here is always on the 10th of May.  This small service was a home service in the house of Gaspar, one of the promoters/evangelists that works with HTI.

We have never had children so do not know of the experiences parents have as they see their child grow and mature in their christian faith, but today we had a small glimpse of that in the home of Gaspar.  We have been here now for 8 years which is the longest we have ever been in one church or in one house in our married life and for me (Kemmel), possibly my whole life, which we praise God for as we would not change a thing with the experiences we have had with the diversity we have had in our lives.  As we have been here for 8 years we have been able to follow the growth and spiritual maturity of many of these young people in Xepocol and on Friday we had a glimpse of what that experience is during the church service.  You see, this church service was all directed by the young people you see below.

These pictures were taken 6-7 years ago and now these boys who were between 8 and 12 back then,  lead the worship of the congregation, one a song leader, one leading prayer, 5 helping leading the singing as a worship team in front, and one giving a message of encouragement for the women of the church.  What a joy to see how God works in the lives of those who serve him and make disciples. 

Some of these young men were ABC children, some are siblings of ABC children and some are still ABC children.

Here, Tomas, in the black jacket kneeling down, is a current high school scholarship student and lead singing today.  His brother Julio, green shirt, was part of the singing group and is also in high school.

Here Daniel, a graduate of the ABC program and a teacher, on the far right with the hoodie, gave the message.

Here, Noe in the white t-shirt far left, an ABC graduate and current Physical Therapy student, his brother Manuel with the red shirt, also a graduate from high school and a teacher, and their younger brother Josue, other white shirt, were all part of the singing group.

As we fellowshiped after the church service with some of the members and the young people, they told us how they are involved in the church, how they have 2 singing groups, how they encourage and help each other as a church family to finish school, how they seek out other young people who they have not seen in a couple of weeks to encourage them, how they bring each other together to support each other without someone telling them to do so, how they have encouraged some who have dropped out of school to return to school, and how some have opted out from university for now as they are working to help get their younger siblings through middle school and high school.

Wow, God be glorified.