A wonderful chapter in my life has just been completed. I am in Florida after two very eventful and blessed months in Guatemala. I am still waiting for my heart and "spirit" to catch up with me. A very deeply engaging eight weeks is behind me and I am really looking forward now to taking a few good siestas in the Florida sunshine. Here in the wonderful hospitality of Alv and JoAnn Sakrisson and other dear brothers and sisters. Adios is of course 'Good Bye' in Spanish and means "to God".
The most unforgettable part of my stay in Guatemala were the repentances and renewals of faith that God allowed us to experience there. It was powerfully refreshing to see that God's hand has not been shortened, even in that part of the world. The reason why Christ came to this world and why God is still pouring out His love on mankind is that "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations". That men and women everywhere should TURN and experience the wondrous power of regeneration in their lives through the power of Jesus' name and blood.
In my first article on Guatemala I introduced you to a dear man named Julio (pronounced 'Hulio'). Struggling in his life he had never before agreed to come to church "until God would touch his heart", as he put it. On my first day of home visits with Pastor Giovanni in the village of Juan Ponce Julio received the grace to turn to God in prayer with a penitent heart. God touched that heart as He led me to assure him that he could believe all of his doubts and weaknesses, guilt and sins forgiven through that amazing Gospel of peace. And Julio did come to church after that. Many times. His battles are not over completely. Alcohol still hounds him but he has been able to be "dry" for much longer periods. Not many days ago when I visited him in his home again he wanted to be assured once more that the blessing of God's forgiveness in Jesus was his. And even on the very last evening I was in Guatemala, two nights ago, he was there at church once more with his wife and little boy, shining with joy and hope.
One special service we had while I was there stood out from most of the others in that it was a combined one with all three congregations - Zacapa, Juan Ponce and Peidras Azulas - set apart to celebrate the women in the congregations and their contributions, which are often remarkable. Here Pastor Giovanni is preaching to all of those assembled in the Juan Ponce church.
In the village of Piedras Azules a home service is held each Tuesday. Here are several mothers join in singing with their children, who they faithfully bring. Once again emphasizing the importance of women in these congregations.
One of the ways these women were assisted and trained to help themselves and their families better was to learn to bake bread more efficiently in a huge clay oven. In this oven 20 loaves could be baked at one time. The instigating force behind this project was Maria Garner from Wisconsin (next picture).
Here Maria (second from left) also works with some of the women in Juan Ponce on another project - learning to sew. This they did for their own needs and then to donate other things they have sewn to less fortunate mothers and children from the congregation in the neighbouring village of Piedras Azules. Maria arranged for all of the sewing machines and even the material to be brought from the States.
Then on one joyous day in February the ladies of Juan Ponce came to a home service in Piedras Azules and donated the pyjamas they had sewn specifically for each of the small children in that congregation and a lovely backpack for each of the younger school age children. From the left Maria, the pastor Giovanni's wife Magaly and Dahlia, the main local seamstress. I had the honour of speaking at that well-attended occasion and was reminded of the commitment of women to women in the Bible, like that of Ruth to Naomi.
Ashley Van Dyke is a mature, dedicated and creative young lady from New Hampshire who has primarily served children and young girls in Zacapa, Juan Ponce and Piedras Azules for over a year. She consistently demonstrates a stable commitment to the Bible and the mission efforts there.
Lynn Wirkkala appears to be making even a much more long term commitment to Guatemala. Here with her fiancé, Emmanuel, and some of the members of his family.
I love kids!! Here I am with a class of "middle school" students in Juan Ponce. I visited this school twice and spoke to each of the three classes there for 30-45 minutes each time. The students were serious, disciplined and interested.
These were the oldest class of students at the same school. They wanted an "official picture" with me and begged me to come back. I dealt with some pretty direct issues about making the right choices in life according to the Bible - even in sensitive areas.
No photo presentation from Guatemala without another "baby picture" of Ryan with one of his beloved little tykes. Melts the heart.
One day while on home visits in Piedras Azules with Ryan we happened on a remarkable musical family. These three boys - David, 17, Melvin, 15, and Saul 14, pulled out their guitars and proceeded to play and sing some of the loveliest Spanish style spiritual music I have ever heard. There are nine children in the family. The father, who is a pastor, is their teacher and mentor. In this picture they plugged in for a 'private concert' for us in their church. Totally incredible talent at such a young age. They are called the "Voces Angelicas", that is the Angelical Voices. How appropriate. But you'd have to hear them to believe it.
And then there are all of the natural wonders in Guatemala. Here Salomon Archila (son-in-law of Antonio Salguero) - with his hands raised - took his son Bryan (right), Rony Aldana and me up to this waterfall - a magnificent natural arrangement of God's handiwork. Rony is a promising servant of God, devoted to the living Word. He earlier served his congregation in Juan Ponce more often, but now he has to work full time, often 24 hour shifts at a gas station. Bryan is a very talented young poet, song writer and singer.
None of these men can speak any English, by the way, so our trip that day was one of total Spanish immersion. These three brothers were some of the main reasons I was really able to pick up a lot of the language while in Guatemala.
And then there are all of the natural wonders in Guatemala. Here Salomon Archila (son-in-law of Antonio Salguero) - with his hands raised - took his son Bryan (right), Rony Aldana and me up to this waterfall - a magnificent natural arrangement of God's handiwork. Rony is a promising servant of God, devoted to the living Word. He earlier served his congregation in Juan Ponce more often, but now he has to work full time, often 24 hour shifts at a gas station. Bryan is a very talented young poet, song writer and singer.
None of these men can speak any English, by the way, so our trip that day was one of total Spanish immersion. These three brothers were some of the main reasons I was really able to pick up a lot of the language while in Guatemala.
Another mountaintop experience. A visit to the high area of Agua Fria. Here with Denis Garcia, Ryan, Ashley and a new young man for all of us, Edgar Linares. Brought to the church by his friend Bryan (in the foregoing picture) he was touched by the very hand of God. Just days before this picture was taken he received the gift of grace to believe and repent!! What rejoicing there must have been in the presence of God's angels in heaven!!!!
Walking up to visit a home for a time of prayer in Agua Fria. Imagine the inspiration of this richly verdant setting - with Edgar right behind me.
A view of the church we visited in Agua Fria. That's the building higher up. Quite a place for a church!
And then we made a most memorable visit to Jalapa (pronounced 'Halápa') to see the dream and vision of an orphanage and mission center becoming a reality. Paul Somero and Ryan Ruotsala first spearheaded this vision, which is now shared by many other people. In this picture the new guardhouse has just been completed on the 120 acre site in the most magnificent panorama of mountains, hills and valleys. Jalapa is about three hours from Zacapa.
Just look at this setting! Here the big mission house is being built on a promontory above the area where the orphanage complex itself has been planned, with its dormitories, medical office and other service buildings. This house is not far from the hill on which the proposed church will stand.
Back in Zacapa we find Edgar with his happy Sofia and little Brianna. Please pray for this little trio.
On my last night in Guatemala for this time, there was a most touching farewell service for me in Juan Ponce. God filled the church and then some. Most remarkable for me was that many young men were there whose lives have been touched by the hand of God, some quite recently. I can prayerfully imagine them as some of the future leaders of a church which has had very few men in it up to now. The Voces Angelicas trio was there, too, with their dad and little brothers. Edgar (center back) even came with his younger brother Eric (to his right) - now also very newly active in the church. And Julio was there too, although he was not in this picture.
My gift to the church was this new altar table, with a big family Bible and bible stand as well as vases "from the potter's shop". God also made it possible to donate songbooks that the congregation needed and a table to put them on by the door, as in the other two churches. Ryan brought many new Bibles for members of the congregation. I spoke from my father's favourite text, Isaiah 55. We all joined in singing "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder (We'll be there!) in Spanish of course. Later the ladies served Guatemalan food. And of course some of our future church leaders had to join Ryan and me at the altar before we all said goodbye! It was a real celebration.
"Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters!"
The new Bible on the altar table was opened to Isaiah 55....the text God laid on my heart for the evening.
On my last night in Guatemala for this time, there was a most touching farewell service for me in Juan Ponce. God filled the church and then some. Most remarkable for me was that many young men were there whose lives have been touched by the hand of God, some quite recently. I can prayerfully imagine them as some of the future leaders of a church which has had very few men in it up to now. The Voces Angelicas trio was there, too, with their dad and little brothers. Edgar (center back) even came with his younger brother Eric (to his right) - now also very newly active in the church. And Julio was there too, although he was not in this picture.
My gift to the church was this new altar table, with a big family Bible and bible stand as well as vases "from the potter's shop". God also made it possible to donate songbooks that the congregation needed and a table to put them on by the door, as in the other two churches. Ryan brought many new Bibles for members of the congregation. I spoke from my father's favourite text, Isaiah 55. We all joined in singing "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder (We'll be there!) in Spanish of course. Later the ladies served Guatemalan food. And of course some of our future church leaders had to join Ryan and me at the altar before we all said goodbye! It was a real celebration.
"Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters!"
The new Bible on the altar table was opened to Isaiah 55....the text God laid on my heart for the evening.
But no farewell to Guatemala - however it moves the heart to tears - would be complete without a sunset from Juan Ponce. We always had evening services there just as the sun was setting over the mountains and I would hum to myself, "Over the sunset mountains, someday I'll softly go, into the arms of Jesus, He who has loved me so!" I am planning to stay here in Florida until March 20 when I go to New Hampshire until the 28th. I must be in the USA this month in order to get my visas for Ghana, Togo and Liberia, where, as God wills, I will spend most of the month of April and then go to the Philippines in May.
Of course I must mention the vital role that the Foreign Mission of the Apostolic Lutheran Church of America has in everything I did there - in fact their decisive role in all the work I am called to do and in all the places I am sent to serve. Your support to the Foreign Mission makes and of course the Lord allowing it, makes this possible, and I thank you and Him for it!
Stay close - in God's wondrous peace,
Dennis
