Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Adios Guatemala


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

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

(B)Ryan in Guatemala

By Dennis Hilman

Many of you know who Ryan Ruotsala is, have heard of him or even know him personally. For over a month now I have had the privilege of serving with him here in the mission in Guatemala, so even if you don't know who he is I think that it is time for me to share this experience with you.

Everywhere as we travel around in Ryan's truck or on his motorcycle people call out "Bryan, Bryan!" Bryan is a common name in Guatemala but Ryan is not so most people use the more familiar version. Whatever they call to him, though, it is most obvious that he is a beloved member of the communities that he serves here and it is quite touching to see that he has time for everyone.


Ryan came to Guatemala for the first time in 2003 as a 19-year-old totally through the leading and provision of the Lord. Read penniless!! He fell in love with the country and its people and experienced a deep calling to live and serve here full time, again as God opened doors. For over 5½ years Guatemala has been his home. He is supported by the ALCA Foreign Mission. His residence and home congregation is in the small city of Zacapa which is about 160 km (100 miles) east of the capital of Guatemala City. He also serves congregations in the outlying areas of Juan Ponce and Piedras Azules.There are churches in all three of these areas. In the congregation of Piedras Azules he has been leading the services and preaching regularly. In the other two churches he also coordinates the youth work, teaches, preaches occasionally and leads the singing as a powerful and talented musician. He serves together with Pastor Giovanni who is full time.




With young people and children Ryan is totally in his element. First with the warmth of his smile and hugs and then as he engages them in a spiritual song or more.




After that come the heart to heart lessons and talks about faith, the Bible and and God's plan for a "life more abundant".




But nothing goes up against Ryan's love for babies. He has an inimitably special rapport with each one of them he holds - and he holds many. This one is little Juan Francisco whose young mother we were visiting in preparation for his baptism.




We got into the Word to make sure that Juan's mother could more fully understand the sacrament of baptism. Infant baptism is not so self-evident here as it is in our churches back home since it is often considered a "Catholic" practice.




And so on Sunday morning Juan Francisco was duly baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Unfortunately in this somewhat unclear cell phone photo the baby's mother is hidden behind me and even Ryan is shadowed, but Pastor Giovanni can be seen assisting and the sponsors or godparents are looking on.




A true mission on wheels. Ryan's truck seems programmed to stop at the cry of every heart along the way. And like I said before, he has time, a smile and a comforting word for each one.




We often make home visits in the villages we serve. Here with a family in their hillside home in the village of Piedras Azules. (Yes, Ryan makes sure that I get my exercise up and down those hills!) The family's little Down's syndrome boy, safely tucked into Ryan's arms, is a real jewel - a veritable bundle of joy and friendliness. Of such is the kingdom of heaven!



Every Monday morning I have been meeting with the church leadership group (only partly present here). Ryan with his most fluent Spanish effortlessly makes sure that everyone is following. Also in this picture are Lynn Wirkkala, Salomón Archila and Pastor Giovanni (whose English is excellent). This time only Salomón was not versed in English but recently there have been others who need translation since about 8 of us have been meeting each week for evaluation of the mission, weekly planning, development of the congregations as well as a kind of Bible-based seminar session which I lead. Lynn is living here on a long-term basis and assists with the work of Sunday Schools, youth and with the power point during services among other things.



"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor!" Luke 4:18
In this and the next three photos you are welcome to visit the impoverished shack village of Pueblo Modelo with Ryan and I. This "camp" is not far at all from Paul Somero's home where I am staying and is notorious for its not infrequent shooting deaths. Here a little retarded girl finds a safe refuge in Ryan's welcoming arms before we pray for the whole family and their very difficult situation. Don't let the nice clean clothes fool you. These people can live without almost any material things or creature comforts, and even lack food, but they keep themselves washed and their clothes clean. Maybe that is why in their humility they seem to understand the cleansing power of the Gospel somehow more easily!



All smiles, but these are four of five siblings have definitely known pain and depravation. They live with their parents in that tiny one room (brown) tin shack behind the papaya tree in the background. By the age of 16 many - or even most - girls in villages like this have their first child, a child who is often not claimed by the father and so the cycle of hopelessness and despair continues. Do you wonder why Ryan is so often here to bring the message of hope?!



And then there's Alba. A 24-year-old girl who cannot stand alone, walk or talk. She lives her days scooting around in the dirt outside this shack, often left in neglect by her mother. But oh the unmistakable cries of joy when Ryan pulls up and she comes scooting through the yard, froglike, as fast as she can, covered by grime. Ryan helps her up as far as possible as she clings to him with joy and he hugs her close, seemingly oblivious to the grime. "For the joy of the Lord is your strength!" says Nehemiah (8:10)



Look Ma, no sanitary engineers!




In an entirely different village meet Ernesto - a 99-year-old who has had good friends like Carl Niemitalo, Richard Barney and many others who have served here. Ryan just dwarfs him but his stories of the old days are certainly not dwarfed.



Ernesto never really stopped talking, even though he didn't seem to hear much, and provided a rather fascinating interlude in our home visits in Piedras Azules that day - here with Ryan, Ashley Van Dyke (from New Hampshire) and Lynn.



Ryan is a gifted and Spirit-led speaker who is well-versed in the Word. He not only talks about but lives out his inspired ideas about bringing the Gospel to the people of Guatemala especially, as I mentioned before, since he is completely fluent in their language (and customs). Furthermore he can translate either way when necessary. Like Proverbs 18:16 says, "A man's gift maketh room for him..."



And he is equally gifted when it comes to practical things - like organizing a soccer game, or fixing the lighting system at the church, or building a handsome wooden projector table...you name it, he can do it.



But his "mission on wheels" is still one of the most impressive aspects of his ministry.


An eye for the need, an ear for the pain!





With the picture above I will close this short focus on the life of Ryan Ruotsala which blesses so many here in Guatemala. Ley us pause with him and Salomón and Pastor Giovanni as the elements of Holy Communion are consecrated at our service last Sunday. Here is where we all can meet in the very presence of Jesus as we partake of the holy sacrament our Lord instituted. At this table I know that Ryan, too, finds himself as a humble and unworthy servant of the Living God.

Another unworthy servant in the vineyard of the Lord,

Dennis Hilman

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

God is SO good!

The mission team is just finishing up a wonderful trip to Sri Lanka. Here is the trip described in facebook status updates from Kathy!


February 29: After almost 7 hrs. of hairpin curves, crazy traffic, tooting horns, passing whenever you can, lush tropical greenery, majestic mountains, rushing waterfalls breeze in our faces (no ac) we arrived at our friends’ house tired but blessed. :D Had a wonderful day with them today!


March 2: Hiked into the jungle today. Climbed lots of stone stairs, walked over a rusty, boards missing swing suspension bridge, walked a balance beam concrete wall, dodged a bull, saw the most beautiful lush tropical views with beautiful mountains, rice fields, waterfalls, finally arrived at the house we were to visit. Had a special time with the family in their humble abode. God is good!


March 4: Today’s adventure: Left the house at 6 a.m., drove for almost 4 hours passing on hairpin curves (just honk your horn) hopefully the big tourist bus you meet pulls in before you hit :D, with beautiful views of mountains, tea plantations, banana trees, waterfalls, no guardrails with sheer drop-offs that look like a few miles below. Watched them pull a man out of a 25 ft. ditch he had drove his motorcycle into the night before. He laid there all night. He was walking with help. Hopefully he’s alright. Went into the area where the fighting had been going on for 30 years and had ended about a year and a half ago. We were told we wouldn’t have been able to go there if the war hadn’t ended.

Had a great time with prayer, praise and teaching in a home there. God is good!


March 5: Our outreach for today brought us back on the twisting, turning roads passed tea groves, down a narrow bumpy road to the first house we had fellowship at. In the rainy season you have to walk through water up to your ankles, by the time you get to their house your feet and legs are full of leeches. Thankfully it is the dry season! They fed us a delicious Sri Lankan lunch and we were on our way to our next visit.
Had a time of prayer, fellowship and more Sri Lankan food. Was delicious! Hiked down a mountain as the sun was setting to visit a woman who had found a baby in the tea bushes about 14 years ago! He is in 8th grade now. Wow, amazing how God wanted this baby to grow up in a Christian home! Their homes are so small & sparse but they welcome us with open arms as they want fellowship with the Christians and have a hungering for God’s Word and need of prayer. God is so good! He has blessed us over and over again on this trip!

Please continue to pray as most of the team heads home in a few days. Greetings to all of you from the wonderful Christians here in Sri Lanka!