Here's a picture of a neat nativity scene that I saw at a museum last week.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Good warning
I had to chuckle when I saw this sign at the fireworks stand. It says no smoking. I think its a good idea not to smoke at the fireworks stand. Fireworks are very popular during the Christmas season with a grand display of fireworks happening at midnight on Christmas Eve.
Christmas tree in Guatemala City
There is a 35 meter Christmas tree in Guatemala City which is close to my house. It's a really pretty tree. It is located at a place where 4 roads come together so it's in a prime location. Vendors were selling coats, gloves, hats, jewelry, Santa hats and many other things around the tree. You could have your picture made with Santa in front of the tree or you could have a balloon animal made for a small price.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Goodbyes
The other Sunday I had the opportunity to go to a despedida (goodbye) of another missionary. Because of reorganization in the mission Janet Hervey will be moving South America. It was so neat to see how much the people at her church love her and will miss her. It was a nice service sad but not too sad, it was more of a time of celebration.
Horseback riders
I had the pleasure to go to a horseback riding competition. It was a competition between horseback riding school students. The kids were as young as 3 years old and as old as 10 years old. It was amazing to think that a 3 year old could ride a horse all by themselves especially since I just rode a horse for the first time last year. I was a judge for the competition and I also got to give the kids their prizes which was alot of fun.
Ponche de frutas
A popular drink at Christmas time is called "fruit punch". It reminded me of hot apple cider. You can drink it either hot or cold. It has different fruits in it such as pineapple, apple, peaches, coconut, raisins, coconut and other fruits. Eggnog is also available here but it doesn't seem to be as popular even though it is my favorite. By the way the punch pictured above may not look too good but it tasted good!
Friday, December 4, 2009
December prayer requests
THE NICODEMUS PROJECT, GUATEMALA CITY
December 2009
Christmas lights, Christmas tree, presents to give and receive, family and friend gatherings, Christmas cookies and cakes, candy canes, all reminders of the Christmas season. All are good things which people use to celebrate during this season. However there are people who are searching for a hope during this season.
I would encourage you to remember that there is a thirst which people have that can only be quenched by the love of God. John 4:14 says that He who drinks of this water again will never thirst again. Just as the Nicodemus people need to find their hope in God so they will never thirst again, we as Christians need to remember to find our hope in God as well. As we enter the Christmas season and we see people searching for hope, I pray that we will take the time to share with them about the greatest hope that they can have, Jesus Christ.
Thank you for your prayers for the Nicodemus Project ministry.
Tuesday, Dec 1: Today Helen Hardeman is sharing about the Nicodemus work in Guatemala with a ladies group in Georgia. Pray that she would have clarity of mind and thought as she shares. Praise God for the many ladies groups who are interested in hearing about and promoting missionary work. Pray that it would be a time of encouragement for Helen as well.
Wednesday, Dec 2: Today Sharon Cook will be sharing her testimony in Spanish with her small group. Tomorrow she will have the opportunity to share it in English with another small group. Pray that her words would be clearly articulated and that the people would be receptive listeners.
Thursday, Dec 3: Pray for David and Mayari as they spend this last week with their family in Guatemala and as they pack anticipating their departure for their new journey to the US. Pray that it would be a blessed time of fellowship for them and the packing would go smoothly.
Friday, Dec 4: A part of the culture of Guatemala includes having alcohol at most celebrations. Going against the culture can be difficult and costly at times. Pray that the Nicodemus people would have the strength to say no based on what they have learned in the studies of God’s word.
Saturday, Dec 5: Pray today for Pastor Manuel, Siomara and Samuel. As Manuel stays busy with work and church commitments it can be hard for his family. Pray that they would have a time of fun and fellowship today as a family. Pray also for Pastor Manuel and problems he has been having with his knee.
Sunday, Dec 6: Pray for the Leagans and Hardemans today as they share about the Lottie Moon Christmas offering in various churches. Pray that the Southern Baptists would step up to the challenge of giving more so that those who desire to go as missionaries will be able to go. Thank God for the ones who are able to be on the field because of the giving and support of this offering.
Monday, Dec 7: Mayari and one of their sons leave today for their trip to the US. You can imagine the excitement that they feel but also the sadness as they leave their friends and family and their country of Guatemala. Pray that they would have smooth travels and pray for David and the other son as they fly out on Wednesday.
Tuesday, Dec 8: Richard and Sharon Cook leave today for “vacation” in the US. It will also be a time of a lot of followup doctor’s appointments for Sharon. Join her in praising God for the healing He has done in her from the breast cancer. Pray that in the midst of all the doctor’s appointments they can have a blessed time of fellowship with their family and friends.
Wednesday, Dec 9: Pray for David and Mayari and their sons in the immigration process. They were informed that it shouldn’t be a problem to have residency permission in the US. Pray that they would find people of peace to help them in the immigration process and that it would go smoothly.
Thursday, Dec 10: Sharon Cook’s knee surgery was successful. Thank you for your prayers for that. Praise God for the advancements and new technology that have been made in the medical field. Continue to pray for continued healing for her.
Friday, Dec 11: Budget cuts are something no one likes to think about. But it is a reality that George is facing in his work in the mission office. Pray for him as he spends a lot of time on the phone and with emails trying to get things worked out. Pray that he and others involved in the budget process would have wisdom and clarity about what to do.
Saturday, Dec 12: The Bible study groups will take a break until after the New Year. Pray that the ones in the studies would desire to study God’s word during the break time and that they would return to the groups refreshed and ready to study again. David and Mayari were great leaders of two of the groups. Pray for leaders to rise up out of the Bible study groups or from Impacto Biblico Church to take over the leadership of these groups.
Sunday, Dec 13: A mom arrives at Impacto Church with her children. There is a nursery area for the children but there aren’t any workers in the nursery area. Thus the mom has to stay in the nursery with the children. Pray for church members to step forward and say that they would be willing to work in the nursery each Sunday or just once a month. Take a minute to thank God for the nursery workers at your individual churches.
Monday, Dec 14: A month ago today the funeral for Helen’s mother, Faye Dalton, was held. Continue to pray for Helen and her family as they rejoice that Faye is in heaven but they miss her. Pray especially for Lynna as she was one of the primary caregivers during the last few months of her grandmother’s life and she misses her. Praise God that the funeral was a celebration of a life that honored Him and that George and the Hardeman children were able to have a part in the service.
Tuesday, Dec 15: With the departure of David and Mayari more responsibility will fall to Manuel and Siomara. Pray for leaders to rise up from Impacto Biblico Church to help with these responsibilities. Pray for Manuel as he feels more responsibility on his shoulders with his job, family and church pastorate. Praise God for the call that He has on Manuel and his family to serve in Christian ministry.
Wednesday, Dec 16: Richard Cook is busy preparing for the next year of seminary teaching. Pray for him as he tries to expand the seminary ministries to other areas of Central America to people who are interested in studying God’s word. Pray that he would have wisdom as he makes decisions about classes to offer and teachers who would be available for these classes.
Thursday, Dec 17: Adam and Jennifer Hammond will be having family visiting during the Christmas holidays. Pray for safety in their travels and pray for the grandparents as they get to spend time with their grandchildren. Praise God that they will have a time of reunion together.
Friday, Dec 18: For Carol Wilkinson and others who desire to work with university students and young upper class professional, postmodernism is a worldview that they have to study and research. Pray that they would have a good understanding of this view to be able to better understand how to reach out to their focus group.
Saturday, Dec 19: During the Christmas season, traffic can get more hectic than usual in Guatemala City. Pray today for the safety of those currently living in Guatemala City: Carol, Adam, Jennifer, Richard, Sharon, Manuel, Siomara and the members of Impacto Church. Thank God for the many times He protects them in travels.
Sunday, Dec 20: As you go to your place of worship today take a minute to thank God for all that He has done for you. As Hebrews 12:2 says pray that we would set our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. Take a minute to thank Him for the gift of His son.
Monday, Dec 21: Pray for all the Hardeman children but especially for Daniel and Nikki as they continue to face the reality of the Trisomy 18 illness that their unborn child has. They have been meeting with a funeral home to make arrangements. Pray for Lynna, Rebecca, Nathan and their families (and of course George and Helen) as they are a support to Daniel and Nikki.
Tuesday, Dec 22: Even though the David Minchez family is excited to be in the US, its not easy to be away from your family during the holiday season. Pray for David, Mayari and the boys as they make new friends and as they get adjusted to a new culture. Pray for their families here in Guatemala who will miss having them in Guatemala for Christmas.
Pray for them as miss the Guatemalan Christmas traditions such as fireworks and traditional Christmas food.
Wednesday, Dec 23: Pray for George Hardeman and other family members as they make decisions about the healthcare and caregiving of his parents. Pray that they would have wisdom about what to do based on physical, mental and motor skills evaluations that will be made soon. Pray that the doctors who are working with them would be able to give them sound wisdom and advice.
Thursday, Dec 24: Carol Wilkinson’s family will be arriving today to visit her in Guatemala. Pray for safety in their travels and that they would have an enjoyable time together. At midnight tonight the Christmas celebrations will be in full swing in Guatemala as fireworks are set off throughout the country.
Friday, Dec 25: Merry Christmas everyone! I pray that you will have a blessed day with family and friends as you remember the meaning of this Christmas season. Take a minute to think about the meaning of the Christmas season and pray that the Nicodemus people would realize the true meaning of Christmas as being the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Saturday, Dec 26: John 4:23-24 talks about worshipping God in spirit and in truth. Pray that the hearts of the Nicodemus people will be open to worshipping God in this way. Pray that they would understand that they can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Sunday, Dec 27: An obstacle which keeps some of the Nicodemus people from attending church is that Sunday is Family Day in Guatemala. Some families have a lunchtime meal together each Sunday which might hinder a family from going to church. Pray for the Nicodemus people as they deal with this aspect of their culture. Pray that they would have a desire to go to church and to also have the family time.
Monday, Dec 28: Pastor’s wives and familes face many challenges. Pray for Siomara and Samuel as they are a support to Manuel. Pray that Siomara would be able to have the outlets for ministry and fellowship which she desires. Continue to pray for the health of Samuel and that he would have a desire to eat food that is good for him.
Tuesday, Dec 29: The Bible study groups will be starting back again soon. Pray for the leaders of these groups and for the participants. Pray for the schedules of the participants that they would once again be able to join in the group studies. Praise God for the interest that the participants have in studying God’s word together.
Wednesday, Dec 30: Pray today for the others who are reading this prayer letter. Praise God for the prayer partners of the Nicodemus project and praise God that He has formed us so that we can lift one another up in prayer. Whether you are in Guatemala, North Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma or wherever it might be you can be joined together in prayer with others.
Thursday, Dec 31: As you know at midnight tonight marks the beginning of a new year. Pray that it will be a year for Gospel to shine forth and become a living relational part of the Nicodemus people. Praise God that even though other things change, He never changes. He is the one you and I can depend on in all areas of our lives.
Our heart’s desire is to see the Nicodemus people come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and to see them gathered together to worship and grow in faith, fellowship, and service. If you would like to contact us, our email is helen.hardeman@macregion.org. Visit our weblog at http://spaces.msn.com/nicodemusproject to “meet” out team.
(Please feel free to make copies of this prayer letter to distribute to your church, prayer group, missions organization, Sunday school class, etc. We depend on your prayers.)
December 2009
Christmas lights, Christmas tree, presents to give and receive, family and friend gatherings, Christmas cookies and cakes, candy canes, all reminders of the Christmas season. All are good things which people use to celebrate during this season. However there are people who are searching for a hope during this season.
I would encourage you to remember that there is a thirst which people have that can only be quenched by the love of God. John 4:14 says that He who drinks of this water again will never thirst again. Just as the Nicodemus people need to find their hope in God so they will never thirst again, we as Christians need to remember to find our hope in God as well. As we enter the Christmas season and we see people searching for hope, I pray that we will take the time to share with them about the greatest hope that they can have, Jesus Christ.
Thank you for your prayers for the Nicodemus Project ministry.
Tuesday, Dec 1: Today Helen Hardeman is sharing about the Nicodemus work in Guatemala with a ladies group in Georgia. Pray that she would have clarity of mind and thought as she shares. Praise God for the many ladies groups who are interested in hearing about and promoting missionary work. Pray that it would be a time of encouragement for Helen as well.
Wednesday, Dec 2: Today Sharon Cook will be sharing her testimony in Spanish with her small group. Tomorrow she will have the opportunity to share it in English with another small group. Pray that her words would be clearly articulated and that the people would be receptive listeners.
Thursday, Dec 3: Pray for David and Mayari as they spend this last week with their family in Guatemala and as they pack anticipating their departure for their new journey to the US. Pray that it would be a blessed time of fellowship for them and the packing would go smoothly.
Friday, Dec 4: A part of the culture of Guatemala includes having alcohol at most celebrations. Going against the culture can be difficult and costly at times. Pray that the Nicodemus people would have the strength to say no based on what they have learned in the studies of God’s word.
Saturday, Dec 5: Pray today for Pastor Manuel, Siomara and Samuel. As Manuel stays busy with work and church commitments it can be hard for his family. Pray that they would have a time of fun and fellowship today as a family. Pray also for Pastor Manuel and problems he has been having with his knee.
Sunday, Dec 6: Pray for the Leagans and Hardemans today as they share about the Lottie Moon Christmas offering in various churches. Pray that the Southern Baptists would step up to the challenge of giving more so that those who desire to go as missionaries will be able to go. Thank God for the ones who are able to be on the field because of the giving and support of this offering.
Monday, Dec 7: Mayari and one of their sons leave today for their trip to the US. You can imagine the excitement that they feel but also the sadness as they leave their friends and family and their country of Guatemala. Pray that they would have smooth travels and pray for David and the other son as they fly out on Wednesday.
Tuesday, Dec 8: Richard and Sharon Cook leave today for “vacation” in the US. It will also be a time of a lot of followup doctor’s appointments for Sharon. Join her in praising God for the healing He has done in her from the breast cancer. Pray that in the midst of all the doctor’s appointments they can have a blessed time of fellowship with their family and friends.
Wednesday, Dec 9: Pray for David and Mayari and their sons in the immigration process. They were informed that it shouldn’t be a problem to have residency permission in the US. Pray that they would find people of peace to help them in the immigration process and that it would go smoothly.
Thursday, Dec 10: Sharon Cook’s knee surgery was successful. Thank you for your prayers for that. Praise God for the advancements and new technology that have been made in the medical field. Continue to pray for continued healing for her.
Friday, Dec 11: Budget cuts are something no one likes to think about. But it is a reality that George is facing in his work in the mission office. Pray for him as he spends a lot of time on the phone and with emails trying to get things worked out. Pray that he and others involved in the budget process would have wisdom and clarity about what to do.
Saturday, Dec 12: The Bible study groups will take a break until after the New Year. Pray that the ones in the studies would desire to study God’s word during the break time and that they would return to the groups refreshed and ready to study again. David and Mayari were great leaders of two of the groups. Pray for leaders to rise up out of the Bible study groups or from Impacto Biblico Church to take over the leadership of these groups.
Sunday, Dec 13: A mom arrives at Impacto Church with her children. There is a nursery area for the children but there aren’t any workers in the nursery area. Thus the mom has to stay in the nursery with the children. Pray for church members to step forward and say that they would be willing to work in the nursery each Sunday or just once a month. Take a minute to thank God for the nursery workers at your individual churches.
Monday, Dec 14: A month ago today the funeral for Helen’s mother, Faye Dalton, was held. Continue to pray for Helen and her family as they rejoice that Faye is in heaven but they miss her. Pray especially for Lynna as she was one of the primary caregivers during the last few months of her grandmother’s life and she misses her. Praise God that the funeral was a celebration of a life that honored Him and that George and the Hardeman children were able to have a part in the service.
Tuesday, Dec 15: With the departure of David and Mayari more responsibility will fall to Manuel and Siomara. Pray for leaders to rise up from Impacto Biblico Church to help with these responsibilities. Pray for Manuel as he feels more responsibility on his shoulders with his job, family and church pastorate. Praise God for the call that He has on Manuel and his family to serve in Christian ministry.
Wednesday, Dec 16: Richard Cook is busy preparing for the next year of seminary teaching. Pray for him as he tries to expand the seminary ministries to other areas of Central America to people who are interested in studying God’s word. Pray that he would have wisdom as he makes decisions about classes to offer and teachers who would be available for these classes.
Thursday, Dec 17: Adam and Jennifer Hammond will be having family visiting during the Christmas holidays. Pray for safety in their travels and pray for the grandparents as they get to spend time with their grandchildren. Praise God that they will have a time of reunion together.
Friday, Dec 18: For Carol Wilkinson and others who desire to work with university students and young upper class professional, postmodernism is a worldview that they have to study and research. Pray that they would have a good understanding of this view to be able to better understand how to reach out to their focus group.
Saturday, Dec 19: During the Christmas season, traffic can get more hectic than usual in Guatemala City. Pray today for the safety of those currently living in Guatemala City: Carol, Adam, Jennifer, Richard, Sharon, Manuel, Siomara and the members of Impacto Church. Thank God for the many times He protects them in travels.
Sunday, Dec 20: As you go to your place of worship today take a minute to thank God for all that He has done for you. As Hebrews 12:2 says pray that we would set our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. Take a minute to thank Him for the gift of His son.
Monday, Dec 21: Pray for all the Hardeman children but especially for Daniel and Nikki as they continue to face the reality of the Trisomy 18 illness that their unborn child has. They have been meeting with a funeral home to make arrangements. Pray for Lynna, Rebecca, Nathan and their families (and of course George and Helen) as they are a support to Daniel and Nikki.
Tuesday, Dec 22: Even though the David Minchez family is excited to be in the US, its not easy to be away from your family during the holiday season. Pray for David, Mayari and the boys as they make new friends and as they get adjusted to a new culture. Pray for their families here in Guatemala who will miss having them in Guatemala for Christmas.
Pray for them as miss the Guatemalan Christmas traditions such as fireworks and traditional Christmas food.
Wednesday, Dec 23: Pray for George Hardeman and other family members as they make decisions about the healthcare and caregiving of his parents. Pray that they would have wisdom about what to do based on physical, mental and motor skills evaluations that will be made soon. Pray that the doctors who are working with them would be able to give them sound wisdom and advice.
Thursday, Dec 24: Carol Wilkinson’s family will be arriving today to visit her in Guatemala. Pray for safety in their travels and that they would have an enjoyable time together. At midnight tonight the Christmas celebrations will be in full swing in Guatemala as fireworks are set off throughout the country.
Friday, Dec 25: Merry Christmas everyone! I pray that you will have a blessed day with family and friends as you remember the meaning of this Christmas season. Take a minute to think about the meaning of the Christmas season and pray that the Nicodemus people would realize the true meaning of Christmas as being the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Saturday, Dec 26: John 4:23-24 talks about worshipping God in spirit and in truth. Pray that the hearts of the Nicodemus people will be open to worshipping God in this way. Pray that they would understand that they can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Sunday, Dec 27: An obstacle which keeps some of the Nicodemus people from attending church is that Sunday is Family Day in Guatemala. Some families have a lunchtime meal together each Sunday which might hinder a family from going to church. Pray for the Nicodemus people as they deal with this aspect of their culture. Pray that they would have a desire to go to church and to also have the family time.
Monday, Dec 28: Pastor’s wives and familes face many challenges. Pray for Siomara and Samuel as they are a support to Manuel. Pray that Siomara would be able to have the outlets for ministry and fellowship which she desires. Continue to pray for the health of Samuel and that he would have a desire to eat food that is good for him.
Tuesday, Dec 29: The Bible study groups will be starting back again soon. Pray for the leaders of these groups and for the participants. Pray for the schedules of the participants that they would once again be able to join in the group studies. Praise God for the interest that the participants have in studying God’s word together.
Wednesday, Dec 30: Pray today for the others who are reading this prayer letter. Praise God for the prayer partners of the Nicodemus project and praise God that He has formed us so that we can lift one another up in prayer. Whether you are in Guatemala, North Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma or wherever it might be you can be joined together in prayer with others.
Thursday, Dec 31: As you know at midnight tonight marks the beginning of a new year. Pray that it will be a year for Gospel to shine forth and become a living relational part of the Nicodemus people. Praise God that even though other things change, He never changes. He is the one you and I can depend on in all areas of our lives.
Our heart’s desire is to see the Nicodemus people come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and to see them gathered together to worship and grow in faith, fellowship, and service. If you would like to contact us, our email is helen.hardeman@macregion.org. Visit our weblog at http://spaces.msn.com/nicodemusproject to “meet” out team.
(Please feel free to make copies of this prayer letter to distribute to your church, prayer group, missions organization, Sunday school class, etc. We depend on your prayers.)
Coban or close to it...
The other weekend I had the opportunity to go with the Millers to visit another missionary family who live in the Coban area. It's about a 4 hour drive from the city. It was a pretty drive. But one of the highlights of the drive besides seeing the beauty of God's creation was the eggnog ice cream that we found at a restaurant in our travels.
It was good to visit with the Thomas family. In February there was a landslide in their area on a road which Jeff travels alot. It was amazing to see how the mountain just divided leaving part tree and part dirt. There was alot of devestation as you can see from the photos.
Seeing the dirt roads and open plains reminded me a lot of Mozambique. It was a good trip and we were treated with such great hospitality by the Thomas family. It was alot of fun.
Animals
Of course my blog updates wouldn't be complete without pictures of animals. The cute kittens were at a friend's house who I went to visit. The cows were in the road on the way to my friend's house. The cows in the road reminded me of Mozambique when it was a common thing to see animals in the road.
Thanksgiving
I enjoyed a nice time of relaxation with other missionaries for the Thanksgiving weekend. About 30 of us went to the lake and enjoyed fun and fellowship together. On Thanksgiving Day we had the traditional foods of turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce, pecan pie and lots of other good food. In the afternoon we were able to enjoy watching some football games too which made for a good end to a good day.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Good sales girl
The other day this cute sales girl came up and I couldn't resist buying some of her cloths even though I didn't really need them. The girl knew all the English phrases, she was cute. After I told a friend of mine about buying the cloths, she said I think in English we would call that "sucker"...I guess if the shoe fits I'll wear it...haha..
November prayer requests
THE NICODEMUS PROJECT, GUATEMALA CITY
November 2009
Ephesians 3:17-19 says so that Christ may dwell in your (their) hearts through faith, and that you (they), being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you (they) may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
The words in parentheses in the above verses are representative of the Nicodemus people. The Nicodemus people are people with a lot of education and knowledge but many of them are missing out on the love of God. I don’t think any greater prayer could be prayed for them than this one that they would know the love of God. Many times you probably think all I can do is pray however there is no greater thing that we can do than pray.
The people on the Nicodemus team covet your prayers. There is no greater thing that you can do than pray for us. Thank you for doing that for us again this month!
Sun, Nov. 1: Today is All Saints Day in Guatemala. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. A unique part of the celebration in Guatemala includes people making large kites, flying the kites over the cemetery, attaching notes to their deceased relatives and believing that the deceased read the notes. Pray that the hearts of Guatemalans would be open to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Mon, Nov. 2: Today Siomara and Carol Wilkinson will be meeting with various leaders in the Campus Crusade organization in their office in Guatemala City. Pray for the ladies as they share their ideas and visions for the university student ministry. Praise God for the encouraging meeting which they had with the leaders a few weeks ago. Pray that they would have clarity of speech and thought.
Tues, Nov. 3: Sharon Cook had knee surgery on October 27. At the time of the writing she was not sure how long she would be out of commission. Pray that she would have 100% healing and that her strength would be quickly returned. Pray that she would take care of herself and take the time for rest and recovery which she needs. Pray also for Richard as he takes care of her.
Wed, Nov. 4: This past Sunday the Hardemans had an opportunity to share at a Missions Conference. As the people who attended have had time to think about what was shared pray that God would send other workers out of the harvest and also that the people would open up their hearts and give so that more missionaries can go to locations where God has called them. Thank God for the opportunities that He has given the Hardemans and Leagans to share about the work among the Nicodemus people in Guatemala.
Thurs, Nov. 5: A month ago today Indira and Josue from the Tuesday small group at Manuel’s house left to study in Spain. Also Javier and Karla will be leaving to go to the US. Praise God that they have grown tremendously in their Christian walks and for the seeds which have been firmly planted in their lives. As they adjust to new cultures, pray that they would continue to seek God first and foremost in all that they do and say.
Fri, Nov. 6: David Minchez is in the US now as a part of a 3 week exploratory trip. Siomara and the children are in Guatemala. He will be visiting churches in New Orleans and Washington. Pray that they would follow God’s plan for them and not their own plan. Pray for David as he experiences the cold temperatures of Washington as this is something he is not accustomed to. Praise God for the people who are hosting him on this trip.
Sat, Nov. 7: In the course of a conversation with a Guatemalan lady Carol Wilkinson had the opportunity to mention the Purpose Driven Life book which she has been studying with the Tuesday night small group. Pray for Carol and continuing opportunities to share with the lady, Cristy. Carol would be interested in studying the book with her and potentially others as well.
Sun, Nov. 8: As December approaches it is time for churches to collect the Lottie Moon Christmas offerings. Due to the economic situation various budget cutbacks have been made. Pray for the people and the churches to set the goal that God would have them set. Praise God for the provision that He has provided to have over 5,000 missionaries serving throughout the world with the International Mission Board.
Mon, Nov. 9: Recently there have been several illnesses such as pink eye and viruses that have been passed around among the members of Adam Hammond’s family. Pray that each member of the family would be strengthened in Christ both physically and spiritually. Continue to pray for Adam and the many leadership responsibilities which he has in the IMB organization.
Tues, Nov. 10: Today David returns to Guatemala from his travels in the states. He will have a long day of travel going from Washington to Texas to Guatemala. Pray for him as he shares the excitement of what God has shown him with his family. Pray for Siomara as she travels to the airport to pick him up, pray for her safety.
Wed, Nov. 11: Today Guatemalan Baptists are participating in their annual meeting, comparable to state convention meetings in the US. Pray for a cooperative spirit and unity among all in attendance. Pray that their hearts would be burdened for the non Christian population in Guatemala.
Thurs, Nov. 12: Richard Cook and other leaders at the Baptist seminary are working on a plan to offer classes for a group of 50 or so Hondurans who want to study. Pray for the leadership to know how best to offer these classes and in what format. Praise God that there are so many brothers from there who have the desire to study God’s word in an indepth way.
Fri, Nov. 13: There is a need at Impacto Biblico Church for teachers, youth leaders, nursery workers, musicians and other leaders. These are important ministries of the church. Pray for God to send leaders for these areas and praise God that He knows who these leaders are before we even bring the requests before Him.
Sat, Nov. 14: As Christian workers throughout the world prepare for church services tomorrow, pray that God’s word would be shared in whatever language it may be. Pray that God would open the hearts of the Nicodemus people and that they would wake up in the morning with a desire to go to church. Pray for the members of Impacto Biblico as they share Christ with others whether it is through their work, their neighborhood, their gym, or wherever it may be. Also as these church members share with the people on their Operation Andres list.
Sun, Nov. 15: Different members of the small groups are interested in attending Impacto Church but for whatever reason they haven’t attended yet. Pray that today would be the day that they would go. Pray that their hearts would be open to God’s word as it is shared at the church. Pray that they would have open hearts and minds to God’s speaking.
Mon, Nov. 16: Crown Financial study is a program which teaches financial responsibility from a Christian viewpoint. This program has proven to be an effective outreach to the Nicodemus people. Pray for Sharon Cook as she desires to meet ladies who want to participate in this study. Pray for God to open doors for her to have opportunities to invite ladies to the study. Also ask God to provide a home where they can meet and study together.
Tues, Nov. 17: Today Manuel will be traveling to Miami, Florida to participate in a conference for his work. This will be his first time in the US. Pray for his safety in travels and pray that he would get to experience some of the beauty of the USA while he is there. Pray for Siomara and Samuel as they will be here in Guatemala. He will return to Guatemala on the 20th.
Wed, Nov. 18: Pray for the Wednesday meeting of mothers which Jennifer Hammond and Siomara have been working with. They have been studying teachings which will help them to be better parents. Pray for the activities that they have planned for the rest of the year. Thank God for the way He has been working in this group and the answered prayers which He has provided such as reconciliation of a family.
Thurs, Nov. 19: Nathan and Claudia Hardeman will be traveling today from Guatemala to the US. Praise God that they will be able to spend a few weeks there with their family. Pray that they will have safe travels and an enjoyable time visiting relatives in Georgia.
Fri, Nov. 20: Praise God that members of the small groups such as Angel, Anita and her husband and other members have a hunger and thirst to study God’s word. May Christians throughout the world all have that desire. Pray for the leaders of the different Bible study groups as they face questions from the members. Pray that they would seek God’s answers.
Sat, Nov. 21: Impacto Biblico has started having Saturday afternoon activities for the youth. Pray that the youth will get excited about these activities and invite their friends. Pray for leaders to help in this weekly endeavor. Thank God for the leaders He is providing for the ministry now.
Sun, Nov. 22: Even for those who have been on the mission field for a number of years, it is still difficult at times when you want to be there for your children, grandkids or parents. Pray for Richard and Sharon Cook and the times that they miss being with their children whether it is during the holidays or just a “normal” day. Pray that they would feel God’s peace and presence this day. Praise God for their following of God’s call to the mission field.
Mon, Nov. 23: A few months ago you prayed for Samuelito as he celebrated his 2nd birthday. Praise God that he recently began eating solid food as an answer to prayer. Pray for Manuel and Siomara who have a lot of responsibilities including small groups, work, church, but their primary concern is their son, Samuelito. Pray that Samuelito would continue to have a desire to eat solid foods which he needs to maintain his health.
Tues, Nov. 24: The Leagans and Hardemans were able to meet up recently at a stateside conference. Pray for both families as they continue to do a lot of sharing through mission conferences but also as they have time with family and friends. Pray that they would be renewed mentally, spiritually, and physically. Praise God that we have the opportunity to support them through prayer as they are sharing about the work in Guatemala with the Nicodemus people.
Wed, Nov. 25: Missionaries from different parts of Guatemala will be leaving today to spend the Thanksgiving Day at the lake. Praise God that they have a beautiful place to go and spend time with their mission family.
Thurs, Nov. 26: Thanksgiving Day. Many times we get caught up in our lives and we forget to simply say thank you to God for all thatHe has given us. Take time today to thank Him for the Christians and leaders that He has raised up to work in Guatemala. Personally take time to thank Him for all that He has done for you in your life.
Fri, Nov. 27: Praise God that all of George and Helen’s kids will be celebrating Thanksgiving with them. Many other missionary families will be able to be together as well. Pray that the families would have a time of enjoyment and relaxation with each other.
Sat, Nov. 28: There is a dinner tonight at Impacto Biblico Church. This is the culmination of the Operation Andres project where the pastor encouraged the church members to seek out 5 people to befriend and invite to this meal. Pray for the ones who are preparing the food and pray for all who will be in attendance. Pray that every member of the church would have the desire to share Christ with their neighbors.
Sun, Nov. 29: Sundays are not always a day of rest of pastors and church leaders. Pray today for David and Manuel as they lead in Impacto Church. Pray for Mayari and Siomara and the children as they too minister in the church. Pray that they would have an opportunity of rest today. Thank God that they have followed the call to be pastors and leaders in the church.
Mon, Nov. 30: This month you have read about different health concerns, potential small groups, mission conferences, families and various other things. Take time today to simply praise God because He knows each and every request that has been written and better than that He knows every request that didn’t get written. He knows all the need and He cares about each one. To God be the glory.
Our heart’s desire is to see the Nicodemus people come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and to see them gathered together to worship and grow in faith, fellowship, and service. If you would like to contact us, our email is helen.hardeman@macregion.org. Visit our weblog at http://spaces.msn.com/nicodemusproject to “meet” out team.
(Please feel free to make copies of this prayer letter to distribute to your church, prayer group, missions organization, Sunday school class, etc. We depend on your prayers.)
November 2009
Ephesians 3:17-19 says so that Christ may dwell in your (their) hearts through faith, and that you (they), being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you (they) may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
The words in parentheses in the above verses are representative of the Nicodemus people. The Nicodemus people are people with a lot of education and knowledge but many of them are missing out on the love of God. I don’t think any greater prayer could be prayed for them than this one that they would know the love of God. Many times you probably think all I can do is pray however there is no greater thing that we can do than pray.
The people on the Nicodemus team covet your prayers. There is no greater thing that you can do than pray for us. Thank you for doing that for us again this month!
Sun, Nov. 1: Today is All Saints Day in Guatemala. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. A unique part of the celebration in Guatemala includes people making large kites, flying the kites over the cemetery, attaching notes to their deceased relatives and believing that the deceased read the notes. Pray that the hearts of Guatemalans would be open to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Mon, Nov. 2: Today Siomara and Carol Wilkinson will be meeting with various leaders in the Campus Crusade organization in their office in Guatemala City. Pray for the ladies as they share their ideas and visions for the university student ministry. Praise God for the encouraging meeting which they had with the leaders a few weeks ago. Pray that they would have clarity of speech and thought.
Tues, Nov. 3: Sharon Cook had knee surgery on October 27. At the time of the writing she was not sure how long she would be out of commission. Pray that she would have 100% healing and that her strength would be quickly returned. Pray that she would take care of herself and take the time for rest and recovery which she needs. Pray also for Richard as he takes care of her.
Wed, Nov. 4: This past Sunday the Hardemans had an opportunity to share at a Missions Conference. As the people who attended have had time to think about what was shared pray that God would send other workers out of the harvest and also that the people would open up their hearts and give so that more missionaries can go to locations where God has called them. Thank God for the opportunities that He has given the Hardemans and Leagans to share about the work among the Nicodemus people in Guatemala.
Thurs, Nov. 5: A month ago today Indira and Josue from the Tuesday small group at Manuel’s house left to study in Spain. Also Javier and Karla will be leaving to go to the US. Praise God that they have grown tremendously in their Christian walks and for the seeds which have been firmly planted in their lives. As they adjust to new cultures, pray that they would continue to seek God first and foremost in all that they do and say.
Fri, Nov. 6: David Minchez is in the US now as a part of a 3 week exploratory trip. Siomara and the children are in Guatemala. He will be visiting churches in New Orleans and Washington. Pray that they would follow God’s plan for them and not their own plan. Pray for David as he experiences the cold temperatures of Washington as this is something he is not accustomed to. Praise God for the people who are hosting him on this trip.
Sat, Nov. 7: In the course of a conversation with a Guatemalan lady Carol Wilkinson had the opportunity to mention the Purpose Driven Life book which she has been studying with the Tuesday night small group. Pray for Carol and continuing opportunities to share with the lady, Cristy. Carol would be interested in studying the book with her and potentially others as well.
Sun, Nov. 8: As December approaches it is time for churches to collect the Lottie Moon Christmas offerings. Due to the economic situation various budget cutbacks have been made. Pray for the people and the churches to set the goal that God would have them set. Praise God for the provision that He has provided to have over 5,000 missionaries serving throughout the world with the International Mission Board.
Mon, Nov. 9: Recently there have been several illnesses such as pink eye and viruses that have been passed around among the members of Adam Hammond’s family. Pray that each member of the family would be strengthened in Christ both physically and spiritually. Continue to pray for Adam and the many leadership responsibilities which he has in the IMB organization.
Tues, Nov. 10: Today David returns to Guatemala from his travels in the states. He will have a long day of travel going from Washington to Texas to Guatemala. Pray for him as he shares the excitement of what God has shown him with his family. Pray for Siomara as she travels to the airport to pick him up, pray for her safety.
Wed, Nov. 11: Today Guatemalan Baptists are participating in their annual meeting, comparable to state convention meetings in the US. Pray for a cooperative spirit and unity among all in attendance. Pray that their hearts would be burdened for the non Christian population in Guatemala.
Thurs, Nov. 12: Richard Cook and other leaders at the Baptist seminary are working on a plan to offer classes for a group of 50 or so Hondurans who want to study. Pray for the leadership to know how best to offer these classes and in what format. Praise God that there are so many brothers from there who have the desire to study God’s word in an indepth way.
Fri, Nov. 13: There is a need at Impacto Biblico Church for teachers, youth leaders, nursery workers, musicians and other leaders. These are important ministries of the church. Pray for God to send leaders for these areas and praise God that He knows who these leaders are before we even bring the requests before Him.
Sat, Nov. 14: As Christian workers throughout the world prepare for church services tomorrow, pray that God’s word would be shared in whatever language it may be. Pray that God would open the hearts of the Nicodemus people and that they would wake up in the morning with a desire to go to church. Pray for the members of Impacto Biblico as they share Christ with others whether it is through their work, their neighborhood, their gym, or wherever it may be. Also as these church members share with the people on their Operation Andres list.
Sun, Nov. 15: Different members of the small groups are interested in attending Impacto Church but for whatever reason they haven’t attended yet. Pray that today would be the day that they would go. Pray that their hearts would be open to God’s word as it is shared at the church. Pray that they would have open hearts and minds to God’s speaking.
Mon, Nov. 16: Crown Financial study is a program which teaches financial responsibility from a Christian viewpoint. This program has proven to be an effective outreach to the Nicodemus people. Pray for Sharon Cook as she desires to meet ladies who want to participate in this study. Pray for God to open doors for her to have opportunities to invite ladies to the study. Also ask God to provide a home where they can meet and study together.
Tues, Nov. 17: Today Manuel will be traveling to Miami, Florida to participate in a conference for his work. This will be his first time in the US. Pray for his safety in travels and pray that he would get to experience some of the beauty of the USA while he is there. Pray for Siomara and Samuel as they will be here in Guatemala. He will return to Guatemala on the 20th.
Wed, Nov. 18: Pray for the Wednesday meeting of mothers which Jennifer Hammond and Siomara have been working with. They have been studying teachings which will help them to be better parents. Pray for the activities that they have planned for the rest of the year. Thank God for the way He has been working in this group and the answered prayers which He has provided such as reconciliation of a family.
Thurs, Nov. 19: Nathan and Claudia Hardeman will be traveling today from Guatemala to the US. Praise God that they will be able to spend a few weeks there with their family. Pray that they will have safe travels and an enjoyable time visiting relatives in Georgia.
Fri, Nov. 20: Praise God that members of the small groups such as Angel, Anita and her husband and other members have a hunger and thirst to study God’s word. May Christians throughout the world all have that desire. Pray for the leaders of the different Bible study groups as they face questions from the members. Pray that they would seek God’s answers.
Sat, Nov. 21: Impacto Biblico has started having Saturday afternoon activities for the youth. Pray that the youth will get excited about these activities and invite their friends. Pray for leaders to help in this weekly endeavor. Thank God for the leaders He is providing for the ministry now.
Sun, Nov. 22: Even for those who have been on the mission field for a number of years, it is still difficult at times when you want to be there for your children, grandkids or parents. Pray for Richard and Sharon Cook and the times that they miss being with their children whether it is during the holidays or just a “normal” day. Pray that they would feel God’s peace and presence this day. Praise God for their following of God’s call to the mission field.
Mon, Nov. 23: A few months ago you prayed for Samuelito as he celebrated his 2nd birthday. Praise God that he recently began eating solid food as an answer to prayer. Pray for Manuel and Siomara who have a lot of responsibilities including small groups, work, church, but their primary concern is their son, Samuelito. Pray that Samuelito would continue to have a desire to eat solid foods which he needs to maintain his health.
Tues, Nov. 24: The Leagans and Hardemans were able to meet up recently at a stateside conference. Pray for both families as they continue to do a lot of sharing through mission conferences but also as they have time with family and friends. Pray that they would be renewed mentally, spiritually, and physically. Praise God that we have the opportunity to support them through prayer as they are sharing about the work in Guatemala with the Nicodemus people.
Wed, Nov. 25: Missionaries from different parts of Guatemala will be leaving today to spend the Thanksgiving Day at the lake. Praise God that they have a beautiful place to go and spend time with their mission family.
Thurs, Nov. 26: Thanksgiving Day. Many times we get caught up in our lives and we forget to simply say thank you to God for all thatHe has given us. Take time today to thank Him for the Christians and leaders that He has raised up to work in Guatemala. Personally take time to thank Him for all that He has done for you in your life.
Fri, Nov. 27: Praise God that all of George and Helen’s kids will be celebrating Thanksgiving with them. Many other missionary families will be able to be together as well. Pray that the families would have a time of enjoyment and relaxation with each other.
Sat, Nov. 28: There is a dinner tonight at Impacto Biblico Church. This is the culmination of the Operation Andres project where the pastor encouraged the church members to seek out 5 people to befriend and invite to this meal. Pray for the ones who are preparing the food and pray for all who will be in attendance. Pray that every member of the church would have the desire to share Christ with their neighbors.
Sun, Nov. 29: Sundays are not always a day of rest of pastors and church leaders. Pray today for David and Manuel as they lead in Impacto Church. Pray for Mayari and Siomara and the children as they too minister in the church. Pray that they would have an opportunity of rest today. Thank God that they have followed the call to be pastors and leaders in the church.
Mon, Nov. 30: This month you have read about different health concerns, potential small groups, mission conferences, families and various other things. Take time today to simply praise God because He knows each and every request that has been written and better than that He knows every request that didn’t get written. He knows all the need and He cares about each one. To God be the glory.
Our heart’s desire is to see the Nicodemus people come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and to see them gathered together to worship and grow in faith, fellowship, and service. If you would like to contact us, our email is helen.hardeman@macregion.org. Visit our weblog at http://spaces.msn.com/nicodemusproject to “meet” out team.
(Please feel free to make copies of this prayer letter to distribute to your church, prayer group, missions organization, Sunday school class, etc. We depend on your prayers.)
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Dominos pizza
I was quite impressed to see the Dominos pizza guy in the midst of all the celebration in the cemetery.
Day of the Dead
November 1st is celebrated as the Day of the Dead in Guatemala. It's a time when people go to cemeteries to honor and remember their loved ones who are deceased. One of the big celebration parts of it is kite making and flying in the cemeteries. It is something to see kites of all sizes that people have made. It was especially neat to watch the comoradity among the team members who were making the largest kites.
Pigs intensines
The inside of pigs....I knew that would get your attention. The balls in the pictures are not made of plastic but instead they are made with pig intensines....Wanna play?
Saturday, October 31, 2009
The Harlem Globetrotters
This afternoon I had the opportunity to see The Harlem Globetrotters. They are just as entertaining now as they were when I was a child. It was fun to see some of their antics. Even if I knew what was going to happen, it was still funny to see it actually happen. It was held at a Dome in Guatemala City. Of course the Globetrotters won over the Washington Generals.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Dinner with old friends
When I was in Guatemala in 1997 until 1999 I met The Jorge Cerritos family. Tonight I had the opportunity to have them over for dinner at my house. It was great seeing them after not seeing them for 10 years. Through the power of modern technology we found each other on Facebook. The funny part is that I thought he found me on facebook and he thought I found him. However it happened it was good to visit with them and hear about their ministry. 
Friday, October 16, 2009
Today's Prayer
“When we lift our inward eyes to gaze upon God we are sure to meet friendly eyes gazing back at us, for it is written that the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout all the earth. The sweet language of experience is ‘Thou God seest me.’ When the eyes of the soul looking out meet the eyes of God looking in, heaven has begun right here on this earth.” --A.W. Tozer
Join Carol Wilkinson, Central America North Team, in praising God for His provision during the time of transition since she has arrived in Guatemala City. She shares that as she looks at the students on university campuses, it appears they have every material thing they need. Their only need, which we know is by far the greatest, is the void that can only be met through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray that God will open Carol’s eyes to see innovative avenues to reach university students in Guatemala City.
Thanking God for inspiring Carol with His creativity,
Join Carol Wilkinson, Central America North Team, in praising God for His provision during the time of transition since she has arrived in Guatemala City. She shares that as she looks at the students on university campuses, it appears they have every material thing they need. Their only need, which we know is by far the greatest, is the void that can only be met through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray that God will open Carol’s eyes to see innovative avenues to reach university students in Guatemala City.
Thanking God for inspiring Carol with His creativity,
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Monthly prayer requests
THE NICODEMUS PROJECT, GUATEMALA CITY
October 2009
In both Matthew and Mark the story is told of Jesus calming the sea during the storm. The disciples and Jesus were out in a boat and a storm came up. Jesus was asleep during the storm and the disciples were afraid. When they woke Jesus He simply spoke and the sea was calmed. He asked them in Mark 4:26, “why are you afraid, you men of little faith”.
When I read that I am faced with the question do I have the faith to truly believe that God is going to bring the Nicodemus people to Him. But I believe that He is working in the hearts of the people. May we be faithful to pray to the Everlasting God and lift up these needs to Him each day.
Thurs, October 1: Cellphones, nice homes, cars, vacation homes…the Nicodemus people seem to have everything that they need materially. But they are missing out on their greatest need which is to know the love of Jesus Christ. Pray that the people would be open to His love and that their hearts would be opened to the truth of His word.
Fri, October 2: Richard and Sharon Cook are getting readjusted to being in Guatemala. However they do miss their children and grandchildren. Continue to pray for Richard and his seminary teaching and for Sharon and her Bible study classes which she is participating in and leading.
Praise God for the good health reports that Sharon has received.
Sat, October 3: Due to his job responsibilities Adam Hammond has to travel often. While he enjoys the work he is doing he does missing being at home with his family. Pray for Adam and Jennifer and the children today.
Sun, October 4: David and Mayari are once again in the waiting stage awaiting approval from Spain so that they can live there as missionaries. Praise God that Mayari has found a job in the interim time. Waiting is not easy for anyone, pray for them as wait for God’s timing for their approval to go to Spain.
Mon, October 5: At times children are able to share Christ with others easier than adults. Pray today for the children that are involved in the various ministries whether it is because their dad is the pastor or because their parents go to Impacto Biblico. Praise God that the children are being raised in Christian homes and pray for them as they are a witness to their friends and relatives.
Tues, October 6: Ellis and Judy Leagans are enjoying stateside time with their family and friends. Pray that they would have a restful and enjoyable time. Pray for Ellis as he continues to complete his job responsibilities through email and phone. Pray that they would find some times of rest and renewal.
Wed, October 7: Pray today for the small group that is meeting at Manuel’s house. Pray that the members of the group would be open to what God desires for them to do. Praise God that people want to get together and study God’s word and that Manuel and his family is willing to open their house to the study.
Thurs, October 8: While Janet is doing a great job taking care of things at the mission office there are some items which George still has to do deal with as a part of his job responsibilities. Pray that he and Helen both would be able to find times of rest and regrouping even as he deals with emails and phone calls.
Fri, October 9: Manuel and Siomara have a lot going on with Bible study groups at their house, his job, church responsibilities and family responsibilities. Pray for them as they participate in the different activities. Pray that this weekend would be a time of rest and refreshment for them.
Sat, October 10: Saying goodbye and hello is a part of the transition of missionary life. Today the mission is having a welcome party for Carol Wilkinson but also a goodbye party for the Bartleys. Pray for both families as they begin new journeys in their lives.
Sun, October 11: George and Helen’s son Daniel and his wife Nikki received saddening news about their son who is due in February. The baby has Trisomy 18 (Edward’s Syndrome) which is 100% fatal. Pray for Daniel and Nikki and their children as they face this illness. Even though it is a difficult time God can do miracles. Praise God that George and Helen are able to be there during this time.
Mon, October 12: There is a couple in Guatemala on a mission trip. They are interested in the possibility of talking to someone at the universities about the First Year program which she teaches in. Pray for the Pulliam couple and for Carol Wilkinson as they meet together and see what kinds of plans might work out. Pray that they would find teachers/administrative people at the universities who would be willing to meet with them
Tues, October 13: Students at the seminary where Richard Cook teaches are usually busy people. A lot of the work is able to be done through the internet but the students also go to the seminary at various times during the year. Pray for Richard and other leadership at the seminary as they look for ways to make the logistics easier for the students yet not losing anything in the material that is being taught. Praise God for the solid Biblical teaching that these students are receiving.
Wed, October 14: What a blessing it is to be able to be with children and grandchildren. Pray that Helen Hardeman would be able to enjoy quality time with her family amidst the speaking engagements and other responsibilities which she and George have while they are in the states.
Thurs, October 15: Living in another country means paperwork when applying for visas and residency status. Today Carol Wilkinson will turn in her paperwork and passport to apply for residency in Guatemala. Praise God that the mission has a reputable lawyer who is able to deal with these matters. Pray that all the information will be accepted by the immigration people.
Fri, October 16: Pray today that the Nicodemus people would truly understand what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray that they would truly understand that they can have a personal relationship with Him. Praise God for the believers who have come out of the Nicodemus people group.
Sat, October 17: George and Helen will be leaving on Monday the 20th, for a mission conference in south Georgia and will be there for a week. Pray for a safe trip. Pray that we will be able to communicate what the Lord is doing with the professionals in Guatemala. They are also grateful for the opportunity we will have to visit with family while we are there. Also pray for the Leagans as they travel to different conferences and share with others about the work in Guatemala.
Sun, October 18: At 10 am (12 pm EST) Impacto Biblico will meet together for their Sunday service. Pray that the word of God would be shared today. Pray for Manuel, David and others as they lead the people in the study of God’s word. Pray that those in attendance would have a worshipful time together.
Mon, October 19: – Adam Hammond, Cluster Strategy Leader for Central America & Caribbean seeks prayer for the leadership team as they meet October 19-24. Pray it will be a time of learning and growing, and that they will be sensitive to God's Spirit as they work to shape their cluster. Also, pray for two new urban focus teams, the Hispaniola Urban Team, and the Central America Urban Transformation team (Panama). They will seek to engage their urban centers through networks and interest groups. Pray for wisdom and guidance as they spiritually map their cities and identify networks of people.
Tues, October 20: Today is a holiday in Guatemala. On October 20, Guatemalans celebrate the overthrow of dictator Jorge Ubico in 1944 and the beginning of 10 years of revolutionary government known as the "10 Years of Spring." Many people will take a day of vacation on Monday and make it a long weekend. Pray for safety of travels in the country.
Wed, October 21: Jennifer Hammonds has been meeting with ladies in her community. Praise God for these connections that Jennifer has been able to make and pray that the hearts of the ladies would be open to the truth of the word. Pray that they would desire to have a personal relationship with God.
Thurs, October 22: Proverbs 16:9 says that “the mind of the man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps”. As each member of this teams makes their plans for the day pray that they would be open to God’s leading. Pray that they would be aware of opportunities that God gives them even if it takes them away from “their plans of the day.”
Fri, October 23: Pray today that the members of the various Bible study groups would have a desire to attend church on Sunday. Pray for the pastor who will be preaching on Sunday at Impacto Biblico. Pray that the word of God would be shared in Guatemala and throughout the world.
Sat, October 24: Today take time to thank God and to pray for the behind the scenes people who help with the Nicodemus ministry whether it is workers at the mission office, the person who sends out the email prayer letter each month, or friends who are there for the members of the Nicodemus team. Be thankful that we serve a God who knows each one of these people and cares about each one of them.
Sun, October 25: Romans 10:1 says “Brethren my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.” Pray today that the members of the Nicodemus team would have this desire for the Nicodemus people. Also pray that Christians throughout the world would have this desire for their neighbors and friends.
Mon, October 26: Victor and Juanita were dedicated members at Impacto Biblico while they were in Guatemala. They left Guatemala last month to begin their journey to live in Bangladesh. Today they begin that journey and will arrive there on Wednesday. Pray that they would have safe and smooth travels and a smooth transition.
Tues, October 27: As it has been mentioned before David and Mayari are awaiting approval from the government of Spain so that they can move there as missionaries. Pray today specifically for the people in Spain who are in charge of giving them approval.
Wed, October 28: The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering will be coming up in a few months. Because of the economy, the income of the IMB has dropped a lot this year to the point that many who want to go as missionaries have to wait. As you determine your local goal at the church and your personal goal at home, pray for the direction of the Lord.
Thurs, October 29: On Thursday evenings members of the Impacto Biblico gather together for a time of prayer. Why not join them this evening? They meet at 7 pm which is 9 pm Eastern time. Pray that the members of the church would reach out to their neighbors, coworkers and friends and share Christ with them. Pray also for leaders to step forward in the church especially for the music ministry and for the nursery.
Fri, October 30: David and Mayari have opportunities to travel to different churches on weekends. Pray for them in their travels to other parts of Guatemala City and the country. Pray that they would be able to develop a prayer and financial network of supporters for their potential missionary work in Spain.
Sat, October 31: What better way to end the month than by praising God today for His goodness to each one of us. Take the time to thank God for all the blessings that you have in your life.
Our heart’s desire is to see the Nicodemus people come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and to see them gathered together to worship and grow in faith, fellowship, and service. If you would like to contact us, our email is helen.hardeman@macregion.org. Visit our weblog at http://spaces.msn.com/nicodemusproject to “meet” out team.
(Please feel free to make copies of this prayer letter to distribute to your church, prayer group, missions organization, Sunday school class, etc. We depend on your prayers.)
October 2009
In both Matthew and Mark the story is told of Jesus calming the sea during the storm. The disciples and Jesus were out in a boat and a storm came up. Jesus was asleep during the storm and the disciples were afraid. When they woke Jesus He simply spoke and the sea was calmed. He asked them in Mark 4:26, “why are you afraid, you men of little faith”.
When I read that I am faced with the question do I have the faith to truly believe that God is going to bring the Nicodemus people to Him. But I believe that He is working in the hearts of the people. May we be faithful to pray to the Everlasting God and lift up these needs to Him each day.
Thurs, October 1: Cellphones, nice homes, cars, vacation homes…the Nicodemus people seem to have everything that they need materially. But they are missing out on their greatest need which is to know the love of Jesus Christ. Pray that the people would be open to His love and that their hearts would be opened to the truth of His word.
Fri, October 2: Richard and Sharon Cook are getting readjusted to being in Guatemala. However they do miss their children and grandchildren. Continue to pray for Richard and his seminary teaching and for Sharon and her Bible study classes which she is participating in and leading.
Praise God for the good health reports that Sharon has received.
Sat, October 3: Due to his job responsibilities Adam Hammond has to travel often. While he enjoys the work he is doing he does missing being at home with his family. Pray for Adam and Jennifer and the children today.
Sun, October 4: David and Mayari are once again in the waiting stage awaiting approval from Spain so that they can live there as missionaries. Praise God that Mayari has found a job in the interim time. Waiting is not easy for anyone, pray for them as wait for God’s timing for their approval to go to Spain.
Mon, October 5: At times children are able to share Christ with others easier than adults. Pray today for the children that are involved in the various ministries whether it is because their dad is the pastor or because their parents go to Impacto Biblico. Praise God that the children are being raised in Christian homes and pray for them as they are a witness to their friends and relatives.
Tues, October 6: Ellis and Judy Leagans are enjoying stateside time with their family and friends. Pray that they would have a restful and enjoyable time. Pray for Ellis as he continues to complete his job responsibilities through email and phone. Pray that they would find some times of rest and renewal.
Wed, October 7: Pray today for the small group that is meeting at Manuel’s house. Pray that the members of the group would be open to what God desires for them to do. Praise God that people want to get together and study God’s word and that Manuel and his family is willing to open their house to the study.
Thurs, October 8: While Janet is doing a great job taking care of things at the mission office there are some items which George still has to do deal with as a part of his job responsibilities. Pray that he and Helen both would be able to find times of rest and regrouping even as he deals with emails and phone calls.
Fri, October 9: Manuel and Siomara have a lot going on with Bible study groups at their house, his job, church responsibilities and family responsibilities. Pray for them as they participate in the different activities. Pray that this weekend would be a time of rest and refreshment for them.
Sat, October 10: Saying goodbye and hello is a part of the transition of missionary life. Today the mission is having a welcome party for Carol Wilkinson but also a goodbye party for the Bartleys. Pray for both families as they begin new journeys in their lives.
Sun, October 11: George and Helen’s son Daniel and his wife Nikki received saddening news about their son who is due in February. The baby has Trisomy 18 (Edward’s Syndrome) which is 100% fatal. Pray for Daniel and Nikki and their children as they face this illness. Even though it is a difficult time God can do miracles. Praise God that George and Helen are able to be there during this time.
Mon, October 12: There is a couple in Guatemala on a mission trip. They are interested in the possibility of talking to someone at the universities about the First Year program which she teaches in. Pray for the Pulliam couple and for Carol Wilkinson as they meet together and see what kinds of plans might work out. Pray that they would find teachers/administrative people at the universities who would be willing to meet with them
Tues, October 13: Students at the seminary where Richard Cook teaches are usually busy people. A lot of the work is able to be done through the internet but the students also go to the seminary at various times during the year. Pray for Richard and other leadership at the seminary as they look for ways to make the logistics easier for the students yet not losing anything in the material that is being taught. Praise God for the solid Biblical teaching that these students are receiving.
Wed, October 14: What a blessing it is to be able to be with children and grandchildren. Pray that Helen Hardeman would be able to enjoy quality time with her family amidst the speaking engagements and other responsibilities which she and George have while they are in the states.
Thurs, October 15: Living in another country means paperwork when applying for visas and residency status. Today Carol Wilkinson will turn in her paperwork and passport to apply for residency in Guatemala. Praise God that the mission has a reputable lawyer who is able to deal with these matters. Pray that all the information will be accepted by the immigration people.
Fri, October 16: Pray today that the Nicodemus people would truly understand what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray that they would truly understand that they can have a personal relationship with Him. Praise God for the believers who have come out of the Nicodemus people group.
Sat, October 17: George and Helen will be leaving on Monday the 20th, for a mission conference in south Georgia and will be there for a week. Pray for a safe trip. Pray that we will be able to communicate what the Lord is doing with the professionals in Guatemala. They are also grateful for the opportunity we will have to visit with family while we are there. Also pray for the Leagans as they travel to different conferences and share with others about the work in Guatemala.
Sun, October 18: At 10 am (12 pm EST) Impacto Biblico will meet together for their Sunday service. Pray that the word of God would be shared today. Pray for Manuel, David and others as they lead the people in the study of God’s word. Pray that those in attendance would have a worshipful time together.
Mon, October 19: – Adam Hammond, Cluster Strategy Leader for Central America & Caribbean seeks prayer for the leadership team as they meet October 19-24. Pray it will be a time of learning and growing, and that they will be sensitive to God's Spirit as they work to shape their cluster. Also, pray for two new urban focus teams, the Hispaniola Urban Team, and the Central America Urban Transformation team (Panama). They will seek to engage their urban centers through networks and interest groups. Pray for wisdom and guidance as they spiritually map their cities and identify networks of people.
Tues, October 20: Today is a holiday in Guatemala. On October 20, Guatemalans celebrate the overthrow of dictator Jorge Ubico in 1944 and the beginning of 10 years of revolutionary government known as the "10 Years of Spring." Many people will take a day of vacation on Monday and make it a long weekend. Pray for safety of travels in the country.
Wed, October 21: Jennifer Hammonds has been meeting with ladies in her community. Praise God for these connections that Jennifer has been able to make and pray that the hearts of the ladies would be open to the truth of the word. Pray that they would desire to have a personal relationship with God.
Thurs, October 22: Proverbs 16:9 says that “the mind of the man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps”. As each member of this teams makes their plans for the day pray that they would be open to God’s leading. Pray that they would be aware of opportunities that God gives them even if it takes them away from “their plans of the day.”
Fri, October 23: Pray today that the members of the various Bible study groups would have a desire to attend church on Sunday. Pray for the pastor who will be preaching on Sunday at Impacto Biblico. Pray that the word of God would be shared in Guatemala and throughout the world.
Sat, October 24: Today take time to thank God and to pray for the behind the scenes people who help with the Nicodemus ministry whether it is workers at the mission office, the person who sends out the email prayer letter each month, or friends who are there for the members of the Nicodemus team. Be thankful that we serve a God who knows each one of these people and cares about each one of them.
Sun, October 25: Romans 10:1 says “Brethren my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.” Pray today that the members of the Nicodemus team would have this desire for the Nicodemus people. Also pray that Christians throughout the world would have this desire for their neighbors and friends.
Mon, October 26: Victor and Juanita were dedicated members at Impacto Biblico while they were in Guatemala. They left Guatemala last month to begin their journey to live in Bangladesh. Today they begin that journey and will arrive there on Wednesday. Pray that they would have safe and smooth travels and a smooth transition.
Tues, October 27: As it has been mentioned before David and Mayari are awaiting approval from the government of Spain so that they can move there as missionaries. Pray today specifically for the people in Spain who are in charge of giving them approval.
Wed, October 28: The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering will be coming up in a few months. Because of the economy, the income of the IMB has dropped a lot this year to the point that many who want to go as missionaries have to wait. As you determine your local goal at the church and your personal goal at home, pray for the direction of the Lord.
Thurs, October 29: On Thursday evenings members of the Impacto Biblico gather together for a time of prayer. Why not join them this evening? They meet at 7 pm which is 9 pm Eastern time. Pray that the members of the church would reach out to their neighbors, coworkers and friends and share Christ with them. Pray also for leaders to step forward in the church especially for the music ministry and for the nursery.
Fri, October 30: David and Mayari have opportunities to travel to different churches on weekends. Pray for them in their travels to other parts of Guatemala City and the country. Pray that they would be able to develop a prayer and financial network of supporters for their potential missionary work in Spain.
Sat, October 31: What better way to end the month than by praising God today for His goodness to each one of us. Take the time to thank God for all the blessings that you have in your life.
Our heart’s desire is to see the Nicodemus people come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and to see them gathered together to worship and grow in faith, fellowship, and service. If you would like to contact us, our email is helen.hardeman@macregion.org. Visit our weblog at http://spaces.msn.com/nicodemusproject to “meet” out team.
(Please feel free to make copies of this prayer letter to distribute to your church, prayer group, missions organization, Sunday school class, etc. We depend on your prayers.)
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Bible studies
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On Monday and Tuesday evenings there are Bible study groups which meet here at the house. Here's a picture of the Tuesday night group which is studying The Purpose Driven Life in Spanish. At the end of the study we have a meal together which different people provide each week.
Mission Ladies
Here's a picture of some of the other Baptist missionaries in the Guatemala City area. Just a clarification the baby belongs to the lady in the pink sweater not Janet who is holding the baby...
Prayer Tea
I had the opportunity to go to a tea time to pray for Muslim ladies. It was a good reminder of how in some cultures other ladies don't have the freedom that I have as an American lady. As Americans we have many freedoms in our lives. Take a minute to thank God for the freedom which we have as Americans and also ask Him to be with other cultures in which the people (especially the ladies) don't have freedom as we do. Pray that their eyes would be open to His love and truth.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Various pictures from the tour
Carol at the National Palace
Church in Guatemala City which was built in the 1940's.
The "king's seat" is what it looks like but it is a confessional seat which was inside a Catholic church.
Notice McDonalds in the background.
Carol and Esther. Esther is from South Africa. It's interesting that I have been to South Africa and enjoyed it. Talking with her has reminded me of different things and places in South Africa.American meal
I didn't try it but if you want you can get a hotdog, hamburger and Coke on the street. Sounds like a truly American meal to me.
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