Life of a Pastor in Guatemala

We've moved...

2011-01-10T07:58:00.006-05:00

This is the final post for this blogger address. I have moved the blog to a new name -

pastormikeinantigua.com

You are invited to go there to read the continued articles of an amazing life in Guatemala.

Team Visit - 727Warehouse...

2010-12-31T06:57:00.006-05:00

We had some good friends come by for a visit this last week. A sister church to the IDC - 727Warehouse - made their first venture into the world of short term missions.

They did a lot of painting in the Colonia - El es El Camino and "The Club in San Lucas...

They took a roadtrip into rural Guatemala (Xesuguan, Rabanal, Baja Verapaz) and gave away water filters to a community that will now have better drinking water...

They help to facilitate a children's street event with Pastor Gabriel in Santa Maria de Jesus...

and they met many new friends. Yea God!

Christmas Eve in the IDC...

2010-12-25T14:55:00.004-05:00

Christmas in the IDC - The reason for the season.

The light of the world - Jesus the Christ.
Merry Christmas!

Toys in Pastores...

2010-12-24T14:54:00.008-05:00

With a little help from Florida Baptist Children's Home - Okay a lot of help! - Iglesia Del Camino was able to bring toys and school supplies to the community events of Christmas in Pastores.

On the 23rd of this month, the toys were given out (the school supplies will be handed out in January). It was wonderful to see the smiles in the spirit of Christmas.

Children's Christmas...

2010-12-19T14:53:00.005-05:00

I love watching what God is doing. And as always I am in a front row seat. This year as we approached Christmas there was a group in the church that wanted to help others.

We had our first Angel Tree event helping others that would not otherwise had a Christmas. This was a wonderful event. Thank you to all who made this happen.

The Current Status...

2010-12-18T14:54:00.010-05:00

This year has been incredible for the church and we are not even finished.

Here are some fun facts to brighten your day.

A link to download a before and after composite of our building renovations for the year - about 20megs.

Our cafe has been operating successfully.

We began the year with an attendance of 150 people - our average attendance for the year as of this month is 235 persons - that is a 27% growth in attendance from last years average.

We had 4 men in pastoral seminary training in the Seminário Bíblico de Guatemala.

We started the Jóvene Ministry (Youth Group) this year and they typically have 25 - 30 people in attendance on a Friday Night.

Our EFL classes have expanded to a satellite class in Pastores.

With the exception of Saturdays, there are activities and events that are teaching and/or demonstrating the love of God in this building every day of the week.

The ministry to the National Police of Guatemala has now expanded into 6 stations throughout the valley teaching biblical values in weekly meetings.

We have baptized 19 people this year. There have been numerous professions of faith in Jesus Christ and/or life re-commitments this year. Most recently, an officer of the national police, just this past week.

Feeding the Hungry...

2010-12-15T18:38:00.003-05:00

These past three weeks, every Wednesday, we did something as a church. We fed the hungry. I know this sounds rather simple, but basically we sent vehicles into the streets of Antigua and brought homeless and hungry people to the church and fed them dinner.

The people in the for ground of the photo were the volunteers preparing plates of food for the guests at the tables in the background. We did end up feeding about 140 people plus volunteers that final night. This was not only with food, but with the Word of God as well. Putting it all into action... what a concept.

Hand Over the Keys...

2010-12-11T14:51:00.009-05:00

This week we saw the culmination of months of work. If you have been reading this blog you have seen several articles for "El es El Camino" - a new neighborhood in Pastores, Sacatepèquez built to provide homes for 12 families that lost all or nearly everything in the Tropical Storm Agatha that hit Guatemala this past year.

Utilizing relief homes from Gulf Coast Supply via Hope Haven International - we also helped in matters of initial design and layout taking what was once overgrown land and converting that into a community.

We, Iglesia Del Camino (IDC), were blessed to have a hand in helping these families. In addition to IDC's part, there was the help of many others both national and international - Grace Community, Palm Coast Community, Eagle Baptist, South Tulsa Baptist, Calvary Baptist, The Ridge Association, Sharon Baptist - just to name a few.

This past Saturday December the 11th, the families received their keys to their new homes. Yea God!

PNC Breakfast...

2010-12-02T18:37:00.003-05:00

Continued ministry expansion...

What a blessing it is to serve.

The Co-Op...

2010-11-24T10:19:00.003-05:00

In September of this year we we given the opportunity to serve a group of home school students studying in co-op with other home school students. What seemed like a simple process of a couple students grew quickly to accommodate as many as 25 students studying a variety of classes, from sciences to the arts.

Every Thursday, the building is hopping with students in activities. What a joy it is to serve these students and their families.

The New Offices...

2010-11-15T18:44:00.006-05:00

These past weeks have been rather busy. It has been the final push to move the church offices into the new and final location in the church building. We are now there.

Yea God!

Tour of things to come...

2010-11-02T10:36:00.007-05:00

This week Bill Losasso came for a visit and he brought with him several men with agendas from seeing what was happening in the IDC to what products may be good to export. In the middle of this time were visits to the Pastores computer labs and leather shops - bringing National Baseball leagues paraphernalia to Guatemala - Tipico fabrication in Santiago Zamora - a church in Santa Maria de Jesus - just to name a few.

Time will tell how this investment will produce good things...

Going to Mexico...

2010-10-28T10:13:00.005-04:00

So, every 6 months, we have to cross the border to get a passport stamp. Since Nancy has been to the states recently we were out of sync with our passport stamps. So off to the border I went for a 385 mile round trip run to Tapachula, Mexico. It was fun.

There was nothing out of the ordinary to mention other than I found a Home Depot. All of the signs were in Spanish - go figure.

EFL Graduation...

2010-10-26T10:14:00.004-04:00

One of the foundations of this ministry has been English as a Foreign Language. April and her team have done a great job in this ministry. This week we ended our school year of classes giving certificates to 70 students and graduating 10 from our highest level.

It is wonderful to serve.

El Es El Camino Workday...

2010-10-24T10:14:00.004-04:00

Just after services today, we (being 30 of our best friends from IDC) took a couple of hours to dig drainline trenches in the colonia for Pastores. While we always have welcomed the help from churches in the US on this project, it was fun to be a part of the construction as a church - Iglesia Del Camino.

Yea God!

Team Visit - Sacred Heart University

2010-10-18T18:39:00.000-04:00

Thank you ladies for all you did...

El Es El Camino continued...

2010-10-13T10:16:00.001-04:00

12 homes finished... and now to finish the infrastructure...

... this is the continued work to replace housing and lives taken during Tropical Storm Agatha.

Office Renovation Continues...

2010-10-12T10:15:00.002-04:00

The new floors are going down...

PNC Breakfast...

2010-10-07T10:17:00.002-04:00

Round three of an event that we are already seeing God use to open doors, breakfast with the National Police of Guatemala, Station 74. Yea God!

The great guys...

2010-09-30T10:18:00.003-04:00

We have been blessed these past couple of months to get to know James and Seth. They put their lives on hold and came to Guatemala to see what God would show them here.

Wanting to be connected they plugged into the work of IDC. They are nothing short of amazing.

Of their less than glamorous work was building houses, digging ditches and sorting medicines.

Family Reunion...

2010-09-24T10:19:00.002-04:00

This week is a blessing to have the family back. Nancy has been in the states for the past several weeks to bury her brother who had been battling cancer for the past 18 months. On her return flight came Matt and Ale. Neither of them had been to Guatemala for almost the same period of time - 18 months.

It was a wonderful homecoming.

Team Visit - Calvary Baptist Winterhaven...

2010-09-19T10:50:00.004-04:00

Once again our good friends from Calvary Baptist of Winter Haven came down for a productive week of ministry.
There week included general help in serving a nearby orphanage...

Building a house for the new colonia in Pastores...

time in the Malnutrition Center in San Juan...

time with children's out reach events...

and contributing to the local boot industry... Yea God!

Office Renovations continue...

2010-09-16T10:29:00.004-04:00

This week is new floor preparation...

Julio is anchoring the pins for the new security door...

We will celebrate the progress when we can...

El es El Camino - Progress...

2010-09-16T10:28:00.005-04:00

The process has been slow and deliberate. But God has brought the right people to make it happen. El es El Camino, the new neighborhood being built to replace lives other wise destroyed in Tropical Storm Agatha, is making progress.

The cistern is an interesting process...

Members of the city workers making the project happen...

Yea God!

Team Visit - South Tulsa...

2010-09-12T10:30:00.005-04:00

This week is nothing short of amazing. South Tulsa Baptist Church has stepped up in a big way to help in the Agatha Relief for Pastores. Not only have they sponsored the majority of the new homes, they also came to build them...

share with the families other tangible evidence of God's love...

and look for other expansion of ministry through IDC...

Yea God!

Co-op in la iglesia...

2010-09-09T19:50:00.005-04:00

A year ago, I never saw this coming. A month or so ago we were approached to facilitate a co-op group of American students that are here because there parents are here in Guatemala. By facilitate I mean provide space.

But this is such a God thing for us to see his children growing. And we get to offer such a small part. The students are coming together to study science, art, music...and just have fun!

This photo is from Jessica Otto's posting on Facebook. And for sure a hearty congratulations goes to Dayle Annand for her making this happen.

The church was robbed???

2010-09-07T00:08:00.009-04:00

This past Sunday, a good friend of mine approaches me with a very concerned look on his face. The tone of his voice was very somber and deliberate. He asked me directly, ¨Did the church get robbed this past week?"

I looked at him, not sure if my internal Spanish translator was functioning. It seemed so out there, that I must have not understood him correctly.

Again he asked me, "What happened at the church? Did anything of consequence get stolen?" He went on to explain that his friend that works in the University next door to us, saw all of the Police coming and going from the church street entrance and was very concerned. Why else would the police be in our church except that they were there to investigate a robbery.

It turned out that he had been referring to the 7am-9am time slot when we host motivational meetings with Valor and Service for the National Police of Guatemala. Why else would police come to the church? I can tell you it was because they accepted the invitation to come for breakfast and hear the teaching of Biblical values. Woof!

Renovations continue...

2010-08-31T22:30:00.004-04:00

Fernando painting with a smile...

Giovanni base coating the back wall...

Yes, they are still on going. We are however beginning to see the diamond from rough starting to polish out. This week we took a staff work day to attack different areas of the painting and continued work in the new offices.

The new door way for the "pastor's Office"...

April, Maria Dolores, and Ana - they would be queens of the beautification committee - if we had committees...

Julio, whose personal story of returning to his faith since working at the church, is finishing the new roof in the new office area...

Yea God!

Baptism w/ a Twist...

2010-08-29T23:00:00.006-04:00

This past week we were blessed to add a new feature to the IDC services. prior to being this building, we had very little option but to rent a pool recreation facility and go have a church party. While this is certainly a good idea it is also expensive. With a little bit of creative thought from members of the church counsel and more so the wisdom of God, this is what we came up with.

1. Buy a 5,000 liter cistern...

2. Cut the top off - build some stairs to get in and out...

3. You have yourself a baptismal pool...

4 more made a public profession of faith in our first in service baptism.
Yea God!

Passing of a friend...

2010-08-29T10:34:00.004-04:00

This week I said goodbye to good friend. Etty Gracia Guerra - an elegant lady with an odd connection to my family. First meeting her 4 years ago, she showed an incredible interest in the young church of Iglesia Del Camino. As conversations pursued we found out the connection that she had traveled to the United States as a young women and attended Bob Jones University at the same time my parents were there. Small world.

She is survived by her two daughters and three granddaughters who are a part of IDC.

Pastores Housing...

2010-08-26T12:45:00.007-04:00

Since our encounter with Tropical Storm Agatha, we have been working with the city of Pastores looking for solutions to provide opportunities to restart the lives of the 12 families that lost nearly everything. The help provided for the short term emergency was enormous, but after that time, the Mayor of Pastores approached the church to help with beds, stoves, homes - life stuff. The solutions have been presenting themselves.

We are helping to build a new "colonia" to house these families. We still find of the $60-65,000 estimated for the total project that we still need $25,000 to complete it. Since July, we have been blessed to have teams bringing support and manpower and this will continue on through to completion. But cash will be needed for the furnishings of the homes.

Should you wish to give assistance here is how to do so... Click Here - and follow the directions.

Happy Anniversary Baby...

2010-08-19T22:27:00.005-04:00

So after 26 years of marriage, my wife still wants to do stuff with me. So we zipped down to the coast for a couple days to celebrate the anniversary. As it would happen when you go the the beach to unwind a tropical depression came to meet us. It rained more on than off for the majority of the time.

The exciting part was the fact we took the moto. This is both sweet and sour as it flooded and we would not have been able to leave had we had a car. The water was deep enough to flood the top of my boots. At one point the seat on the moto was covered with a wave.

As we were working to get home before sunset, we were hit with another thunderstorm. The good news is that we had the rain gear - as well we made it home safe.

Rockin' the PNC Academy...

2010-08-11T22:14:00.004-04:00

Last night we spent the evening with about 700 or more of our new best friends. Members of the worship team, Antonio and myself and others took a trip up to the Academy Training Center in San Juan, Sacatepéquez. This is where they train approximately 1200 of the 1500 students/candidates for the National Police of Guatemala every year.

We were blessed to be able to share the word in praise and worship and the spoken word, followed-up with the 100-150 men that asked or personal prayer. Yea God!

Intern Lindsey...

2010-08-10T22:15:00.008-04:00

This is both a sweet and sour. This year we were blessed to have with us Intern Lindsey - who also happens to be mine and Nancy's niece - Lindsey Bandy from Elgin, Illinois. During her summer break from Hope College, she chose to come and spend some time with her favorite uncl... I mean Iglesia Del Camino working with our international missions program and also the social services of Pastores.

She is helping us to develop our internship program even farther. What a blessing. Unfortunately, her 6 weeks with us had to end so that she could go on with her life (or something like that). Be blessed Lindsey.

Team Visit - PCC College

2010-08-07T22:24:00.003-04:00

PNC Breakfasts in IDC...

2010-08-06T22:13:00.003-04:00

Once again, God is opening doors that I never would have thought possible. A couple of weeks back we were asked to host Prayer Breakfasts for the National Police in Sacatepéquez. Working along side the leadership of ¨Valor y Servicio¨, we have approximately 75-100 men coming and hearing the word of God. Prayer is a good thing - please keep it coming.

Fernando's and Lorena's Wedding...

2010-07-31T22:20:00.004-04:00

This weekend we saw the beginning of new life together in marriage. What a day - Fernando is one of the family serving in the church as our Facilities Engineer. Both he and his new wife attend Bible Seminary where they met. What a privilege to be a part.

Family Visit...

2010-07-17T22:17:00.007-04:00

This week that family came to town. While not everyone of the possible 21 members were present - we were ecstatic that each of the (Watkins) siblings' families were represented. In order of birth that would be Kolosey, Watkins, Bandy, Watkins, Watkins... Yea it's sometimes difficult to get it straight in my own mind as well.

As you can imagine, the week was more of show and vaca in Guatemala. So what did we do? as much as we possibly could have. Cultural tours, coffee farms, the backside of Aqua, the beach with volcanic sand, pre-visits to ministry opportunities, museums, ruins, the market and that is pretty much the short list.

This was Nancy in her element with the market tour...

This was one of the fancy museums...

That would be coffee...

Elaine found a friend...

Gringos on parade in Ixmche, Tecpan...

That would be a big bus coming very close to us...

Fresh grilled corn from the roadside BBQ...

Gary and crew are learning to make tortillas...

This is the Jade Factory showroom...

This is obvious... what is not obvious is my sister's knee firmly planted in doggy feces...

Gary and Jordan diggin' the view...

Yea, that's my family. Yea God!

Team Visit - Eagle Baptist

2010-07-11T22:24:00.004-04:00

This past week were blessed with the help from Eagle Baptist Church from Florida. This group got their hands dirty with malnutrition-ed children, more church renovations, and digging ditches for the new housing project for Agatha Relief victims. They found the mass graves from tragic epidemics a hundred years ago.

Oh the things we see here in Guate... This is a rural taxi...

This team played a significant role in a Agatha Relief clothing and food distribution. We were blessed to partner with Hope Haven International, Eagles's Clothing donations, and a new mission plant just the other side of a mountain or two... from Antigua, you can't get there from here.

Job well done team. Yea God!

This Café Rocks...

2010-07-11T21:26:00.004-04:00

This month the cafe had been doing quite well. Of course the World Cup has certainly helped. We have been full and rockin'! Yea God!

San Pedro Las Huertas...

2010-07-10T21:27:00.003-04:00

This afternoon I sat in a meeting in San Pedro Las Huertas. An aldea of Antigua. This had to be one of the most beautiful days I have seen recently for the valley. I guess the location and the purpose of the meeting are what I found the enigma.

Still reeling from Tropical Storm Agatha, the details of life - post disaster - are still with us. There are people whose lives will ever be changed from this storm. There were 14 homes destroyed in this aldea just kilometers from more death and destruction in the neighboring community of San Miguel Escobar. While the Mayor of Antigua has replaced the land to the home owners that lost everything - to a different location - the children living with their parents, the home owners are now out on the street (if there was one - figuratively speaking) because the new land space is smaller than what the parents owned before the storm. Their grown children have no place/space to live with their parents as they used to.

This meeting was with these families, some 21 or so (approximately 100 people), in the very river bed that their homes were once located in.

From this vantage point you can see Antigua in the background.

Rain and Sand Don't Mix...

2010-07-09T21:28:00.002-04:00

This last week I visited a friend's church in Zone 21 of the Guatemala City. You can walk out the front door of their church and see the Volcano Pacaya in all of its fury. They received a significant amount of the volcanic ash that fell after the eruption. Before they could clean it off, Tropical Storm Agatha soaked the ash with rain. Bad things ensued.

The roof collapsed during services. Thankfully, no one was hurt. But this is a church that needs a roof. They have packed into a provisional roof half the size of what they need. A replacment roof is estimated at Q30k - Q35k - this is about $4500 dollars US. As of today , they do not have the means to replace it. If you would like to help, please contact me I will show you how. mike@iglesiadelcaminogt.com

Why Bother...

2010-07-07T22:35:00.002-04:00

It makes you wonder why would someone spend money on a car that is not much bigger than a motorcycle. It's either that or they washed and dried the car on the wrong cycle. This car often parks out in front of our house. Thank you God for something to laugh at almost every day - and you bring it to me.

Team Visit - Sharon Baptist...

2010-06-26T21:25:00.002-04:00

This week was outstanding with the team from Sharon Baptist Church from Georgia. With a team of 19 they made it happen. Fed the homeless, taught some children, gave away clothes and much more.

Again it was marvelous to see a team with passion and action and hearts challenged to change up. Yea God!

Games and Ruins...

2010-06-25T21:29:00.003-04:00

About 45 minutes - 22 miles as the crow flies to the north/northwest of Antigua are the ruins of Ixmche just this side of Tecpan - the original capitol of Central American Colony. Here you can find a worship/retreat center that was begun 1500 years BC. If you were to look at a Biblical time line, that dates these ruins to the time of Moses and the children of Israel leaving Egypt.

These ruins included recreation and worship of the Mayan gods. They were in operation for nearly 3,000 years. They "coincidentally" stopped about the time the Spaniards arrived roughly 1500 AD - imagine that.

This first photo is of an ancient Mayan Ballgame field that resembles in some ways the modern day soccer/fútbal. The exception being that as we use our feet primarily, they used only shoulders and hips with protective gear made of armadillo shell and such. They could not use their hands and the goals were rings mounted on the sides of the pay area. For us the losing team goes home sad. For them the losers were killed. It is my understanding that this game played a significant role in the spiritual/religious traditions.

This next photo is of an active section of this ancient worship/recreation center. Here they still practice sacrifices to the Mayan gods - without the human sacrifice element. Too bad they are still playing games with God - the losers though lose more than their lives.

Kid's Getting it Done...

2010-06-20T21:29:00.002-04:00

Today was a special day as honored the children's ministry with the quarterly awards. These children were waiting for their partner in class to arrive on the stage. This particular group is the "Bosques" or "Rangers". What a blessing to see these kids actively involved in learning how the Bible applies to life.

Your prayers and financial support help to make this happen. Thank you.

Team Visit - Palm Coast...

2010-06-19T12:44:00.001-04:00

Team Visit - Grace Church...

2010-06-12T12:43:00.000-04:00

Cruisin' the Coast...

2010-06-11T21:30:00.004-04:00

We have a few teams coming that require different team activities for the "ya-ya"day as we call them - this is the tour or rest day at the end of the week for our visiting teams. it was "required" of me to do some scouting out for the groups - check the timing and distance, road conditions, costs, etc. I got to do the following:

- See a group of men lift my moto onto the shuttle boat and have a 20 minute conversation with these ladies with whom this is everyday life -

- See a group of kids just swimming and enjoying the bayou that has flooded their house since Tropical Storm Agatha -

- Pass a serious section of road washed out from the storm -

- then be able to enjoy a soda break in a Guatemala tienda.

170 Miles - 6 hours - Beautful Day - Yea God!

Thank you again to those of you that made the trip possible on the KLR650.

Post Agatha Beauty...

2010-06-05T21:32:00.007-04:00

About a week after Agatha hit Central America, my wife was feeling cabin fever for not being able to get out and run. Her usual running partners were not able to run with her this day so I was blessed with riding angel shadow via moto. I was struck with the multiples elements of nature and persons of beauty that I was privileged to watch.

Husbands watch out for your wives - treat them like fine china - honor God.
(1 Peter 3:7 - I love the NVI translation best.)

Steppin' Up to Agatha Relief...

2010-06-05T21:31:00.002-04:00

This is what can happen when you step up and are willing to serve...

Days after Tropical Storm Agatha hit Guatemala there was a couple from Switzerland that happened to be vacationing in Central America - at the wrong time? - I think not. They happened into the Cafe hearing that we (IDC) might know of how they could help.

In short, they returned later that day with cash resource to buy food and water for people in the shelters - they also sent out an email to 20 or so friends back home in Europe. This care for those in need generated food, water, and medicines - for people they did not know - totaling in excess of $3,000. Way to step up. Yea God!

This week - post disaster...

2010-06-03T07:57:00.013-04:00

I live in another country form my birth and this has given me a much larger perspective for the life I have been given. I grew up with the understanding of options. I was taught to see things beyond what is in front of me. These are some of the reasons that I am blessed...

Unlike my my friend in the National Police of Guatemala - the roof of my church did not collapse under the weight of volcanic ash.

This week, I have not had to suffer the loss that so many in this world or those in my back yard have suffered.

This morning, I didn't wake up to put my feet in the water that filled my house.

Today, I haven't had to dig out the mud from my house - or bury a loved one that was killed in a mudslide - or give up hope of finding them because they have been missing and assumed buried from the mudslide.

The Mayor of my city was not told by the national government that because of limited funds there would be no monies available to help him rebuild.

I didn't leave my home to escape the pending Tropical Storm only to return to a hole where my home used to be.

When I was blessed to take water and food to an emergency shelter - I was also just as blessed to have the option to leave and come home.

This posting is not to bleed guilt as much as to realize blessings and wealth are so much more than only what we have. If you are so inclined please go this website - agatharelief.iglesiadelcaminogt.com - Prayerfully consider what you can do to share your blessings.

The times are a comin'...

2010-05-29T14:09:00.007-04:00

This week has certainly been interesting with Volcano Pacaya erupting and technical is still erupting . San Vicente is the city at the base of Volcano Pacaya. Now Tropical Storm Agatha is pouring her heart out. Even while writing this post, I can hear Volcano Fuego - the volcano just 10 miles from the house - roaring.

Just a few photo memories to mark the occasion.

I have never seen an airplane with a Mohawk. One more item to add the the surreality of my life.

These photos are from the southern part of Guatemala City. Up to 3 inches of ash fell from Pacaya - as of this posting 65 were injured and there three known deaths.

Then the rain... this is Saturday and we are looking at the next 5-6 days that the storm will be with us. It makes you wonder if these were the conditions before the earthquake that tanked Ciudad Vieja - the then capitol of the Spanish colony - some 500 years ago.

To start the week...

2010-05-10T22:28:00.002-04:00

This was an interesting way to start the week. Monday morning we needed to move the Bibles that had arrived last Friday to the church. Early we met up with the crew helping in the remodeling of the church. Church member Bob Kornegay brought his big truck - we loaded the crew and went to get the Bibles. It was halfway there it registered in my brain that the six of us in the bed of the truck and the two in the cab would need to return back to the church with 22,000 or so Bibles and books - 5,000 stayed with Brazos de Jesus for them to distribute.

Because my legs were the longest I got to sit in the Parade Marshall's seat on top. You might as well have stuffed an apple in my mouth and put me on spit - I received quite the stares from the locals as we passed. "Hey look! A big gringo on a stack of boxes!"

Seen in the normal back of the truck seating are Edgar, Abner, Fernando, Luis Fernando and Rudy - others on this expedition that are not seen in the photo are Bob and Luis. What a great team.

IDC Baptism...

2010-05-09T09:21:00.003-04:00

Great Day!!!

The Hand of God - Part 2...

2010-05-08T17:32:00.004-04:00

Yet again, we are blessed to have front row seats watching what God is doing here in Guatemala. About this time last year we received 25,000 New Testaments primarily for the benefit of the National Police of Guatemala. Well, God did it again.

With the help of Empower Ministries out of Canada and others - just yesterday we have received another 25,000 Bibles - for the police - Brazos de Jesus and IDC. In addition are about 500 "Words of the Prophets" books and the "The King", the story of Christ in a comic graphic format - both of which are in Spanish of course.

Shown is the unloading of the Bibles and books at Brazos de Jesus. The Police were nice enough to bring them over to us. If the process holds true as last year, they will take about 6-9 months to disperse. Yea God!

The quick trip...

2010-05-07T17:45:00.001-04:00

Nancy and I made a quick trip back to the states with the express purpose of updating my motorcycle endorsement on my license and clearing out a storage unit we have maintained the last 3.5 years. It coincided with our 90 visa as well - yada, yada, yada... We hadn't plan to mention the trip and for those of you wondering why we didn't call... sorry.

Not to bash any particular airline... however the irony of the moment did not escape my laugh zone when all at the same time that I was being a dutiful patron reviewing the safety information pamphlet - an announcement offering the "big chair" in the front of the plane for only a $75 upgrade payable only by credit/debit card - while taxiing to take-off - and the blatant opinion expressed by a previous passenger/aspiring artist on the cover of the safety information pamphlet.

Renovations "R" Rolling Along...

2010-04-29T19:50:00.000-04:00

The back view...

The view towards the front...

Staff work day! The pictures say it all. Yea God! we have taken the renovations to a new level!

Too bad we couldn't have made a patio on top. This is the view toward La Merced...

The reminder of before and after...

Team Visit - Northside Baptist...

2010-04-26T17:17:00.000-04:00

Still jazzin' from all that was accomplished. Our team this past week comes from New York - Northside Baptist. This church is a supporting church for one of our staff and then some.

This week included feeding the homeless - sharing the word with children - more renovation work at the IDC - holding babies - as the rain continued their first service project was to mop the floor before dinner. If a picture is worth a 1,000 words, then here is another 4-5k.

A lot of energy and much to be thankful for. Thank you team and of course Yea God!

Team Visit - Dunwoody Baptist...

2010-04-18T16:26:00.006-04:00

I want to give a shout out to the team from Dunwoody Baptist, Gainesville, GA. This team came and got it done.

We had a few last minute adjustment and they still managed to remove phase 1 of the new roof project in our grand hall - help feed the homeless - bring the message of "Daniel and the Lions Den" to children in Pastores and "The Oasis" girls home - washed babies - mopped the floor - painted "calc" in what will be the new offices - and built a house... are you tired yet?

Thank you Dunwoody and yea God!

The Week of Diversity...

2010-04-17T14:37:00.013-04:00

As I am sitting in the sudo-pastor's office listening to the the sound of workers making renovations to this "Old House" - It makes me reflect on this week's events. For reason that I cannot explain, I had documented with photos many of these times.

1 - A wonderful surprise was a team from Dunwoody Baptist, GA. One of their focus points was to begin the renovations for part of our roof over what we call the Grand Hall. Much demolition would be required and rainy season doesn't start for another three weeks. That sounds good we have then do that...

after removing the old false roof leaky gutters on Monday, it has rained everyday since Tuesday night. This 2:30am Wednesday morning after 3hrs of steady rain and no gutters to catch the rain.

2 - A brother in the church passed away Monday night - Armando Perez was 55 years old - he leaves his wife Marta and their 8 year old son Josue. He died from long term effects of mismanaged diabetes.

3 - The same rain flooding our Grand Hall brought in a unique cold front that iced the top of Volcano Acotenango.

4 - I got to build a shelving unit from this shipping crates for the home the team from Georgia built, . This is sequence from left to right and down... It first worked as a bench - was upside down - then I built what was to be painted.

5 - Because of the onset of the rainy season early we have ramped up the efforts fix the many leaks on the building.

6 - Friday I got to take the team to the Malnutrition Center and then to visit the Ruins of Ixmche. It was a full week and it is a good tired. Yea God!

A birthday Card from my Son...

2010-04-15T09:18:00.006-04:00

It makes me laugh - especially living in Guatemala.

Gifts to Pastores...

2010-04-13T16:46:00.002-04:00

This past week a fabulous gift to the City of Pastores was finalized with a shipment from Miami. Backpacks and schools supplies from Florida Baptist Children's Home and 40 Computers from St. Petersburg College.

Mayor Lopez was like a kid on Christmas day as he could see how much others cared to help his community. That is cool! Thank you Florida Baptist Children's Home! Thank you St. Petersburg College!

Blessings abound...

2010-04-11T21:44:00.003-04:00

Today was rather unique to date - 354 in Sunday Services @ IDC...
'nuff said - Yea God!

IDC Joven/Youth...

2010-04-10T21:33:00.003-04:00

After many years of prayer and looking for when, God made it happen.

Yesterday, Friday - April the 9th, saw the birth of a new ministry for IDC. it is for our new youth ministry. Headed by new staff members Abner and Katie, along with Mark, Dayle and Clay, it has begun. Way cool. Yea God!

They have a Facebook Group if you would like to learn more and be a part of it.

Easter...

2010-04-05T14:41:00.002-04:00

Easter Week – Another moment to sit and breath if only for a day holiday. Today was nothing but amazing. Simply starting with where God has brought us in the last 5 months since moving into the diggs...

Our first Sunday – December 6th, then, was sparse in context that we had no power in the sanctuary. God brought 150 to the worship then. The general condition of the new property was not preferred to be politically correct.

December 6th 2009 – before services:

April 4th 2010 before services:

Today – Easter Sunday – We have power, lights, projection, new paint for the sanctuary, powerful worship, people giving testimony to the reality of God alive and active in their lives and a total attendance of 273. Yea God!

PNC y Passion...

2010-03-31T01:20:00.004-04:00

If you has asked me 3.5 years ago whether I would be with 30-35 officers of the National Guatemalan Police feeding them sandwiches from the church's cafe and showing them the movie "The Passion of Christ" - which maybe one or two of them had seen before tonight - I would have thought, "Like that'll ever happen."

It did happen! Yet another surreal event in the long list of surreal events of my life in GUA.

Ask and receive...

2010-03-28T23:08:00.004-04:00

For the last couple of years I have been using a motorcycle as my primary mode of transport in and around the Panchoy Valley (the greater Antigua area). The vehicle used was a point a to point b only type vehicle. The second of the same type moto in two years was clearly on a road of no longer being stable. But a vehicle of substance was also beyond the financial means.

A friend and adviser encouraged me to share the need with those on the email list. I did. And without a doubt God worked in the hearts and minds of many. Now I have one more element of blessing in the house as seen with, but behind, the primary blessings in my house.

For those that help in prayer and giving of time and resource - thank you.

PNC Opportunity...

2010-03-26T23:35:00.000-04:00

Tuesday's are our normal meeting time with the both the Civil Police of Pastores and also the Tourist Police of Antigua with the National Police of Guatemala. As we were heading out, a former commander (the number three man) for Station 74 - Sacatepèquez - Official Guerra, happened to be in the Disetur Station (Antigua). He invited Antonio and I to meet the Pastor of his new station in the city - Station 11. What developed that I later found out was this was an invitation to present the Biblical values class what we present to the officers available in station 11.

Antonio was taking the photo. Know this, this ministry to the Police would not be happening with out him. God is using and changing this man for incredible things. We don't know if this station's opportunity will continue, as we were well outside of our normal focus, but is was truly a blessing to have a former Commander want we do for his new station. Yea God!

Cultural Adaptation...

2010-03-24T00:01:00.003-04:00

Monday and Tuesday of this week I took the opportunity to visit one of my officers - Officer Macal - from the Disetur Station here in Antigua. This is a short clip to tell what happened.

I also want to give a shout out to my brother Ralph for hooking me up with some of the technology that makes this video happen. Check out what he does at WebinarAGoGo.com.

Team Visit - Sacred Heart...

2010-03-17T15:10:00.006-04:00

This last week we hosted a team from Sacred Heart University, Connecticut. They brought 25 nursing students and faculty to assist with a very aggressive Jornada Medica. With a combined volunteer team of 80 or so - from Connecticut, Cuba, the City of Pastores, WYAM Antigua, members and staff from Iglesia Del Camino and others - focusing primarily in the city of Pastores, we held 7 clinic locations in 5 days - seeing 1157 patients and presenting the gospel. There were over 100 professions of faith. Yea God!

This is the highlights from the week - enjoy.

Out and about... again.

2010-03-10T15:04:00.000-05:00

Team Visit - Pathways, Largo

2010-02-28T16:53:00.000-05:00

This past week was yet another blessing from our friends at Pathways Community Church, Largo FL. This group had a wide variety of projects - Children's outreach - The Malnutrition Center and such, they truly blasted through several projects for the church's renovation - a lot of minor electric, tree trimming, demolition and moving a small mountain of dirt/bricks and construction debris. They got it done.

Out and about...

2010-02-20T09:46:00.006-05:00

One of our church families is being blessed with an opportunity to buy a piece of land and build a home. This last week, they needed some help in clearing and prep for the house that will be built. How blessed I am as a Pastor to have a team of men that could be called on to go and help. In this photo l-r: William (who happened to get in the van as we were leaving) - the men in training with IDC, Fernando, Giovanni, Abner, Antonio - Steve - Olga, Junior and Cecilio (the family building the home).

I always love an opportunity to get out and mix it up - walk a goat - move a mound manure compost.

This is great...

2010-02-02T19:10:00.000-05:00

Our friends in Largo, provided Gio with his five year chip marking his years of sobriety. God has changed this man and he'll be the first one to tell you. This is worth celebrating.

Ben & Amber's Wedding...

2010-02-01T07:45:00.007-05:00

This past weekend our daughter Amber married Ben. It was a good day.

If you have interest, the wedding photos are available to view here...

A great day...

2010-01-19T07:58:00.001-05:00

This past Sunday was a very full day of God's blessings. For Nancy and I, it has been often a challenge to keep up with God's momentum. This day was simply a day to celebrate and enjoy the fruits of working here in Guatemala. Starting with the 244 in services that Sunday.

As is the tradition here when a young lady turns 15, there is always the party and grand celebration. This young girl, Nancy, had never been dedicated as a baby. Her parents asked if we could sync these two events together. The family came to celebrate as well. Which was pretty significant as they are either unchurched or hold to Catholic traditions. For lunch, my Nancy and I joined the family in their home for the other party.

One other cool thing here is that as of the time of this photo Nancy was only 2 weeks old in the Lord.

Later that night we were blessed to visit with Edgar and Carmen for dinner with other staff members. They wanted to express the blessings in their lives that God had given them. We all were counted in those blessings. Yea God.

It's a shaker...

2010-01-18T18:32:00.002-05:00

Well for those that are keeping up with this blog, today was good. The ground shook and we looked up.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34922301/ns/world_news-americas/

Talking to myself...

2010-01-09T09:41:00.006-05:00

This past month I met myself on Facebook. Or should I say a counter part of the same name. Just reading many of his blogs, I can see we are on the same page. I like the way this guy thinks.

Just one example of random thought... Asimo_The_new_missionary?

God has a wonderful sense of humor to reinforce getting His work done. I guess two Michael Watkins are better than one in terms of church planting. He is on FB, has a blog and website - check him out.

BackPacks and School Supplies...

2009-12-31T20:49:00.007-05:00

This morning we began what will be a backpack and school supply distribution for the City of Pastores. With the help of Florida Baptist Children's Home the goods are on the way. FBCH President, Jerry Haag, with Pastor Mike Lewis from 1st Baptist Plant City came to kick start the gifts.

More supplies will be shipping from Miami in the next several weeks. If you would like to participate there is still time.

Possibilities...

2009-12-30T12:24:00.000-05:00

There has been a gentleman attending IDC that has a vision for people hearing the word of God in his community. He lives in a remote area of Ciudad Vieja, just outside of Antigua, and has invited his neighborhood to his home and the leadership of IDC to bring the word as well.

So we begin. I don't know where this will go but God is up to something.

More Renovations...

2009-12-26T20:27:00.001-05:00

Two points of interest...

Attic fun - Steve and I were in a "vewy scarwy pwace". Christmas Eve morning was spent in removing pounds of old electrical cable either not connected to anything or badly spliced and running new lines that needed to be replaced.

The new cafe kitchen is in process. Luis is getting the new sink cabinetry started. Yea God!

Christmas Eve...

2009-12-26T12:29:00.005-05:00

Christmas Eve at the IDC. This year was really cool. To see the growth that God has brought in the last two years is incredible. About two years ago, I approached a guy who was still dealing with issues in his marriage, he had been clean for several years from cocaine and steroids - but God laid it on my heart to invite him to be part of IDC in leading the Celebrate Recovery Ministry.

Now two years later he not only is sharing with a crowd of about 100 adults plus children his story, but members of his leadership team for the ministry are sharing as well. The short synopsis was this - "What a difference in our lives because of Jesus Christ."

The event included worship, sharing of the Christmas Story, testimonies, celebration of the Lord's supper, candle light and Pónche. This is a typical Guatemalan hot fruit drink for the holidays - best served fresh. If you wait a day or two this stuff will put some hair on your chest.

It was a wonderful night celebrating God's gift the birth of His son Jesus the Christ.

La Boda de David y Julieta...

2009-12-21T17:48:00.001-05:00

Saturday, Antonio and I had the privilege to marry a young couple that have been attending IDC. The wedding was in the Guatemala City in zone 21. That means this is a location that you couldn't get to from here...

David and Julieta also included a member of our worship team to provide music - Alex Contrera. It was a good night.

2nd Sunday...

2009-12-14T16:37:00.000-05:00

So we made it to week two. Great day - we had electricity - literally.

Other elements to drive the synergy were children and for us a new prayer space to talk with God. The first for us in the history of this church. Yea God!

Bill Tour...

2009-12-11T16:48:00.003-05:00

This last week Bill (my boss) came for a site visit of a different kind. We have some folks very interested in creating jobs in Guatemala. Among things on the list is baseball gloves. It just so happens that Pastores, one of the communities in which we work, is considered the boot capitol of Central America. That means leather - hence the gloves.

We have a counsel member who is a boot maker as well - and that was where we started. A model was sent down in advance and when Bill, Phil, and Gio arrived we picked up the Mayor of Pastores and began to brainstorm. The hopes for the project is to manufacture viable leather baseball products with proceeds returning to ministry in Guatemala.

When we met privately with Mayor Lopez, Bill took the opportunity to present some "happys" to him and his family. As seen here this included a beautiful Florida Gators Jacket. Woof! Go Gators!

1st Days in the Diggs...

2009-12-07T12:23:00.009-05:00

This is a fun photo fact - it is intriguing to me and it make's me ask - "What is God up to? This is the second first Sunday photo of a new building that I have posted this year. The first is above...

Yesterday was the first Sunday in the new diggs! God is so good. This photo was 1 hour before services...

Even with all of the things that didn't happen correctly - which included the previous tenants removing all of the light fixtures and damaging power connections in the sanctuary - the new signage showing up late - little things like that...

... communion was wonderful, the praise was unplugged...

... we still had 150 in attendance. This is lower for the average for the year, but 40% larger than the same week a year ago... Yea God!

We got some help...

2009-11-23T12:42:00.006-05:00

This past weekend we got some wonderful help in the renovations for the new diggs. April Clark, our worship leader, had a visit from her home church - Valley Fellowship, Hunstville, AL. Their focus was to serve Casa Angelina, a local orphanage, but as their week rolled over a weekend they had some time on their hands. We don't have many photos of the day. But be that as it may, they came and made it happen. This team of 12 put a major dent in the renovation's "gotta get it done first" list - ranging from ceiling work, cutting shrubs, cleaning the gutters in the kids area and pulling even more staples. These guys rock - Yea God!

My Wifes Hair...

2009-11-20T12:21:00.005-05:00

This is a photo of my wife's long hair. One year in letting grow - partially on her part as a challenge to keep me from cutting my hair. Just for the record, I love my wife's long hair.

Renovations cont. ....

2009-11-19T12:17:00.002-05:00

This week has been full of pulling more staples from the children's area, replacing sinks, and patching what had fallen from the old adobe walls.

The New Diggs...

2009-11-15T12:15:00.004-05:00

Today we took official occupancy for this section of the new building. This was formally a day care center - "Sesame Mundu". Of course all copyrights have been cleared...

Our children's director Maria Dolores' first comment in the what do you think factor was this - "We will need more volunteers to accomodate all of the children we have space for." Now that's what I call visionary.

There are several challenges for this section including a bad cistern, roofs falling, oil painted murals and the 7 years of staples on all of the walls and ceilings, just to name a few.

Moving out...

2009-11-06T12:11:00.003-05:00

This week began the official start of the move to the new diggs. This of course requires the dismantling of the offices, cafe and classrooms. This next month should be very interesting as we live in two homes. The offices will move end of this week. With the cafe closing until the new year on the 14th. The final day of services will be the last Sunday of November - with a moving party to follow.

We have an answer...

2009-11-02T19:35:00.006-05:00

God's timing is the standard. Continuing from the last blog, He answered part one of whether to stay in 0ur building or not. This week He has shown us part two - where to go. Beginning January we start our new lease for a building with two and a half time more space our existing building. Yea God. There will be a substantial amount of work to do to get ready and bring it up to speed, but God provided the building right? In time, all else will make sense.

Please pray for the next weeks as we transition out of the old and into the new.

La Boda...

2009-10-28T21:51:00.004-05:00

This was a great day. I always knew that this garden would be great location to see a wedding. Abner and Katie made it happen. We look forward to their return in the new year as they are planning to work with IDC.

Now that we are moving...

The past couple of weeks...

2009-10-25T22:00:00.004-05:00

We have had several days of just working against the clock to finish the honey-do list. But there have been several developments for the future of the church.

Since March, there has been an ongoing question of the future of our church location. God has blessed us this past year - new building, growth in ministries, average Sunday attendance to date is 169 each week - with an average of 254 people involved in all of the ministries of the IDC. Be that as it may, apparently the individual that was our landlord had not been paying the rent to the homeowner. Yes that was a problem. We have been working to resolve our occupancy in the house. This past week, we received a direct answer from God for whether or not we will be staying in our present location. No - is the short version.

We are looking for God's direction for where He will move us to. Pray for that.

San Francisco...

2009-10-15T14:33:00.005-04:00

His name is Pedro. He is known by Hermano Pedro. In the 1600 he came to Antigua and began many good social and religious reforms. Because of these he is held in high esteem 'round these parts. He is buried in the Cathedral San Francisco as he was a Franchescan Priest.

I had the opportunity this last week along with Calvary of Winter Haven to tour the ruins of San Francisco - one of the few cathedrals once ruined and rebuilt this last century. For more details go to this link.

www.antiguaguatemala.info/portal/content/view/23/40/

Enjoy

Team Visit - Ridge...

2009-10-15T14:28:00.010-04:00

Once again, a team from the Southern Baptist Ridge Association in Florida came to visit. And what a week it was. The plan was for Children's Outreaches, time in the Malnutrition Center, and building a home for a family in Pastores. All of this was so nice that they did it twice - including a second house.

In addition, they experienced what looked like a space ship over the volcanoes. I believe this was a natural phenomenon, but it still looks cool.

Of other noteworthy activities for the week, this team did a remodel in the Disetur Police station chapel. They have completed work that began 2 years ago with the help of Valley Grove Baptist and Roberts United Methodist. All of this with a team representing 7 different churches. Thank you team. Yea God!

A Fun Place to Visit...

2009-10-10T14:29:00.001-04:00

Of the many requests I receive from the teams that come to visit, this week was very unique. One of the team members from Florida has an affinity for Harleys. She was looking for a Harley Davidson t-shirt from GUA. As we discovered there is just such a store.

Wanting to provide as much as possible for the teams experiences... It was hard, but I forged a visit. Nancy was with me, we found the shirts, and a pretty sweet ride. For those that may be interested, it is a 2008 - Street Bike with only 400 miles and significant customization, that fits me well - for only $16,500. Very fun, if only vicarious.

Dog Wash...

2009-10-04T17:01:00.000-04:00

I have always been fascinated with big dogs. They are always so intimidating. But not so much when they are wet..... Koko wasn't happy. This is just after he was busted for digging in the garden.

Of course now that his hair is all clean, he is shedding like snow.

A House Warming...

2009-10-02T14:37:00.000-04:00

There are many factors of our lives that we take for granted. Last August I posted a blog of the Family Villalobo. Two months later it came to IDC's attention that while they had received a new house to live in, this family of 5 was still sleeping on the floor. After reviewing the need it was determined that we had at least 4 beds to help the cause.

When we arrived, you'd think it was Christmas early for the year, we were received with open arms. We entered the home and prepared the assembly of the beds. This is when I saw all of the families possessions piled into the corner of the home. The moisture in this part of Pastores was high because the rainy season. As they moved their clothes to make ready the space, the aroma of moistness grew to an almost overwhelming state. As each layer was removed more evidence of the families situation became evident with the increased bug content. As I am not a biologists, I only know this particular bug as a "Roly Poly" - hundreds of them.

I hear and read in the news of how desperate the world economy is. I also have several friends describing how hard they have it and how difficult things are becoming in this economy. As we encounter life style situations as this, there is always the debate of why don't they work and earn some money, why don't they just find better living conditions. Regardless of which side of this debate we take, we need only to continue to love and demonstrate, teach and hope.

As a good friend once told me "familiarity rules our lives". Many of our perspectives are relative to where we are in life. This was a moment in time to recognize the blessings that God provides all of us. For this family they are ecstatic to not sleep on the floor regardless of the fact that their house in many parts of the world would be housing tools and lawn mowers. Possibly it is best for us to evaluate just what we consider as familiar and celebrate what we have - at whatever level that may be.