Lunch with the Evans family

Recently my parents and I had lunch at Ed and Janet's house.  They are a very mission minded couple who have traveled on numerous mission trips on six continents.  One of the best things is that Janet still sends snail mail.  It was a nice time of sharing travel and mission stories.

Family gathering

We met up with mom's side of the family at the restaurant, Ruby Tuesdays.  We had an enjoyable time of getting caught up with each other and enjoying laughter and fellowship. 

Wake Forest versus Duke

The other week I enjoyed going to an ACC basketball game, Wake Forest versus Duke.  If you know me you know I am a Carolina fan however the rest of the family are Wake Forest fans.  So it gave my dad great pleasure for me to wear a Wake Forest sweatshirt to the game.  However the shirt wasn't enough to pull Wake through as they lost the game even though they played pretty good.

Visiting with friends

Recently I had the opportunity to visit with Thelma and Keith.  They are a mother and son who are housebound for the most part.  It was a pleasure to make lunch for them, take it to them and then visit with them.  It was a time of laughter, sweet fellowship and enjoying visiting with each other.   It was funny because after the meal Keith told me that  I would make a good wife because I was a good cook.  It reminded me of what the Costa Ricans would tell me that I was ready to get married because I could cook.

Seminary friends

At the stateside conference I was happy to see a friend from seminary, Andy Arnette, and meet his family.  He and his family serve in Australia.  It's interesting because they said there are a large number of Spanish speaking South Americans who have moved to Australia so we are going to explore the possibility of sending mission teams to work with them.  Who knows what big ideas God has planned for this connection??!

Stateside conference

This week I have had the opportunity to see some old friends, meet some news and have an enjoyable time getting caught up with other IMB missionaries.  During worship time today I thought it is so neat to work for an organization where you have worship time each during conferences.  That is a true blessing.  We had different workshops and seminars which we attended, we were able to trade ideas with other people throughout the world and we could find out how things are going with missionaries throughout the world. It was an enjoyable week with good fun and fellowship.

Lunch with friends

Last week I had the opportunity to visit with Jennifer and her son.  It is one of those times when you say "I can't believe how much he has grown!".  I remember when her son was born...It was good to visit with them and of course to enjoy good Mexican food.  Even though his kid's meal was corn dogs and fries.

Singles group meeting

This past Saturday night I had the pleasure to speak to the Singles group which met at Becks Baptist Church about Guatemala.  It was so good to be with them.  We enjoyed black bean soup, rice, tortillas and some assorted drinks from Guatemala.  It was fun to watch them try different food and drinks.

Yard work

The other day I helped Dad with the clearing out of leaves in the yard. It was good to do some outdoor work.  One thing I especially enjoy doing is riding the John Deere in the process.  I had fun using the timer to take a photo of me on the John Deere.  Yes, it was cold as you can tell by the layers of clothes I have on...

5K run at midnight

On New Years Eve I did take a little break from watching football and I participated in a 5K run which started at midnight.  There were about 900 participants.  My sister and I walked/ran the 5K.  It was through the Tanglewood Festival of Lights and we enjoyed the nice scenery.  It was a good way to start the New Year.

Football, football and football!

These past few days I have greatly enjoyed watching alot of college football games.  I was a football junkie....

January prayer letter

THE NICODEMUS PROJECT, GUATEMALA CITY
JANUARY 2011

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his
compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your
faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I
will wait for him.’ The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation
of the LORD.” Lamentations 3:20-26

In the midst of Jeremiah’s book filled with his heavily burdened
laments, there are moments of glorious hope. God’s compassions are
new every morning. On January 1, we talk of a New Year and new
beginnings, but with God we don’t have to wait for another 365 days
for a new beginning. As we wait on the Lord, he renews us each day
with new hope, strength and guidance to live our lives for him.

Saturday, January 1: Will this be the year when we see a great turning
of the Nicodemus people to faith and commitment to Jesus Christ? Our
hope is in Him as we wait actively and expectantly for Him to move in
His time. Pray with us that we would be faithful to pray, witness,
and teach. Pray for new openings and contacts.

Sunday, Jan. 2: We are thankful for the way God worked in the
Christmas music, through the musicians, and through the drama on
December 19 at Impacto Bíblico. Especially we are thankful that José
Guzmán, one of our young people, is accompanying some on the guitar.
We had several visitors, including family members and some cell group
members. Pray that they will want to continue coming to Impacto and
eventually become members and get active in ministry.

Monday, Jan. 3: After hearing Elisa, one of the members of the
Hardemans’ cell group, express her gratitude for what she had learned
during the past year in Bible study, Manuel asked her to share her
testimony during the Christmas program. Though still a Catholic, she
did come and gave a clear testimony of how her life has changed as she
has been in consistent Bible study and made Jesus an integral part of
her life. Praise God with us for the way God is working in the lives
of our cell group members and pray with us that He will lead her and
others to recognize and reject false traditions that they have grown
up with, and put their complete faith in Jesus Christ.

Tuesday, Jan. 4: The house that George sold in October got “unsold”
when the buyer wanted George to put a false value on the bill of sale
so that his yearly taxes would be less. This has been a constant
challenge here in Guatemala. Potential buyers recognize that he is
offering a fair price, but to avoid paying high buying fees and/or
high annual taxes on the property, they want him to falsify the bill
of sale which he refuses to do. Pray that he would be able to sale
the properties for a fair value.

Wednesday, Jan. 5: Praise God with us that Dick Greenwood, retired
missionary to Guatemala and head of the missions committee at FBC
Duncan, OK, was able to locate a used ultrasound machine which the
church is donating to the pro-life group in Guatemala that Helen has
had some contact with. It should be delivered to Guatemala this
month. Pray that it will arrive safely with no damage. Pray that
this will help the pro-life group as the counsel young women as well
as give Helen more openings to get to know the women who are part of
this group and be a witness to them.

Thursday, Jan. 6: Manuel and Siomara give thanks for the activities
and studies that their Tuesday night group did in December. The people
began to come together better as a group. Pray for them as they begin
the Gospel in the Rosary study this year that all will desire to
continue meeting and not find any obstacles to prevent their
attendance. Pray that they may clearly know the love of God and the
mission of Jesus and draw nearer to the Father. Pray that through
this study they will come to put their faith and confidence totally in
Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Pray that Angel’s wife, a staunch
Catholic who is against his being in the group, would be so interested
in the theme that she would begin attending.

Friday, Jan. 7: The assignments for the first semester of the
Master’s Program at the Guatemala Baptist Seminary will be sent out to
the students on Monday. Pray for new students to join the program and
for those who are continuing to be able to find the time amidst their
busy schedules to do their assignments before classes toward the end
of February. Pray for Richard and the other professors as they
prepare the materials.

Saturday, Jan. 8: Today Carol Wilkinson will have the opportunity to
share about her work with a group of singles. This is a group who has
been a great support for Carol while she has been in the US and in
other countries. They have always been supportive of her missionary
work. Pray that some of them would be open to a mission trip to
Guatemala to work with Carol.

Sunday, Jan. 9: Happy Birthday, Judy Leagans! In the words of Psalm
29:11 “The Lord gives strength to Judy (His people); the Lord grants
Judy (His people) security.” May Judy feel the strength and security
of the Lord today as many people are lifting her up in prayer.

Monday, Jan. 10: This week Carol Wilkinson will be attending a
stateside conference in Virginia. It will be a time to see friends,
make new friends and talk with IMB staff. Pray for Carol as she
travels on Monday and Saturday of this week. Pray that she would have
a time of renewal and would leave feeling refreshed.

Tuesday, Jan. 11: Pray for Siomara as she hopes for the moms’ group
to be able to start up again. Ask God to open doors to find more
women interested in participating, not only as an encouragement for
the moms and a play date for the children, but as a way to make more
contacts for witnessing opportunities. Also, pray for Wendy, one of
our church members who is pregnant. She has had so much nausea that
she has gotten dehydrated.

Wednesday, Jan. 12: Continue praying with us for Manuel and Siomara’s
neighbors, Blanca and Francisco, Juan José and Glorimania that in each
opportunity that Manuel and Siomara have they will be able to share
the love of God with them and witness to them of the need of a
personal relationship with our Lord.

Thursday, Jan. 13: The Hardemans’ Thursday cell group will begin
meeting again tonight after a month’s break. We are nearly half way
through the study of Gospel in the Rosary. Nearly everyone in the
group professes to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; however,
they still cling to many unbiblical traditions. Please pray that the
Holy Spirit will convince them of these erroneous beliefs and that
they would have the conviction and courage to walk away from them.

Friday, Jan. 14: The Baptist missionaries in Guatemala will be having
a prayer retreat today through Sunday in Guatemala City. Pray that
those attending will be spiritually renewed and encouraged. Pray for
traveling safety and good health for all.

Saturday, Jan. 15: Pray for Manuel as he leads the Sunday school
studies each week and as Impacto Biblico transitions from a
traditional church to a cell church. Pray that each member will get
involved in a group or begin a new group. Pray that the goals we’ve
set for this year will be reached with perseverance, patience, the
help and unity of all the members and above all the help of God.

Sunday, Jan. 16: On the way home from Virginia, Carol Wilkinson will
be stopping and speaking at a church in Red Oak, NC. Pray that Carol
would have clarity of mind and thought as she speaks. Pray that Carol
would share the words God would have her to share.

Monday, Jan. 17: The Monday group at the Hardemans’ starts up again
tonight. We are thrilled to hear them talk about their deepening
relationship with Jesus and how much the group has meant to them.
Pray that as we study and learn together that the Holy Spirit will
guide them into all truth and away from deeply instilled erroneous
teachings.

Tuesday, Jan. 18: The non-profit foundation where Manuel works was
broken into twice last month, resulting in his being called out of bed
in the wee hours of the morning. Thankfully they have insurance, but
this has been very stressful for Manuel and Siomara. He is seeking a
new location for the office. Pray for God’s guidance and protection.
Pray for the Lord to confirm to him if he needs to remain working
there or seek other employment that pays better.

Wednesday, Jan 19: Richard and Sharon are back from their vacation in
the US over Christmas. Pray for her as she continues the Rosary study
with her Wednesday afternoon group and seeks for God’s direction
concerning her evening group.

Thursday, Jan. 20: Pray that Manuel and Siomara would have the
motivation, encouragement and strength they need as our pastor to
continue to lead us without becoming discouraged. Pray for their
health and for their son Samuel that this year may be a year of
blessings and victories. Pray for them to remain faithful in spite of
adverse circumstances. Pray for them, their parents and siblings for
health, protection and provision for each one.

Friday, Jan. 21: It was such a joy for the Hardemans to have daughter
Rebecca and her boyfriend here for a week and then George’s brother
and his family spent Christmas and New Year’s with us. Pray for
Rebecca and Grant as they seek the Lord’s will concerning their
relationship. He has just begun his doctoral studies at Southeastern
Baptist Seminary. She works for Church Initiatives in Wake Forest,
NC. It was also a joy to see many other MK’s who were here to visit
family over the holidays. Pray for them as they have returned to
their life in the US and are missing “their” country and their family.

Saturday, Jan. 22: Siomara would like to finish her studies at the
SETECA Seminary. Ask for God’s direction, provision and wisdom to be
able to take the courses she needs on the Saturday plan. This could
also help her have contact with other students at seminary to recruit
some leaders for the church.

Sunday, Jan. 23: Guillermo and Myriam began attending Impacto Biblico
last year. After our Christmas program on December 19, Myriam
approached Helen and said, “This is the first time I’ve been in a
church at Christmas in 6 years. Now I see how much I was missing.”
She moved here from Uruguay after marrying Guillermo. Although she is
a Christian, she had never found a church where she felt at home. The
week before, Guillermo, a university and seminary professor, preached
and five people from the cell group that they have been attending for
several years came to church. Praise God that Guillermo and Myriam
have found a church home with us, and pray for them as they continue
to get involved and invite their friends to church.

Monday, Jan. 24: Pray with us for godly wisdom in the decision to
move the meeting place for Impacto Biblico to a different location.
It is a lovely place, but the steps make it hard for some to attend
and the rent is very high. Pray that the activities programmed for
the first trimester will be centered in evangelism and will be
creative. Pray for us to find a youth leader to begin a program of
outreach for youth and young adults.

Tuesday, Jan. 25: Carol and Helen are making preparations for a team
coming in March from FBC Duncan, OK. Pray that connections will be
made in the universities here so that the team can minister to the
students. Pray that they would have ideas about how best to reach the
students. Begin praying now for relationships that will be made that
week among the team members and Guatemalans.

Wednesday, Jan. 26: Adam and Jennifer Hammond left Guatemala toward
the end of November for their stateside assignment, and they will not
be returning to Guatemala. They made many good contacts among their
neighbors and witnessed to many of them. Please pray that they would
be able to follow up on some of these via the Internet. Pray that
those of us in Guatemala will be able get to know some of these people
and continue developing relationships and witnessing to them.

Thursday, Jan. 27: Thank you for praying that we would be able to get
the materials for the English language Crown study and for more Gospel
in the Rosary books. A work team brought in all of that in December.
The Crown class won’t begin until after Carol returns the end of
February, but those signed up will get their books so they can have
their assignment ready when we have our first class.

Friday, Jan. 28: George has a lot of things on his plate right now as
he tries to deal with the logistics details in Guatemala as well as
overseeing the other countries in Central America as Lead Logistic
Coordinator. His trip to Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua last month
went well, but he returned very tired. His mom went into the hospice
program in early December and as of this writing (Dec. 21) she was
barely eating and mostly unresponsive. He and Helen will be going to
the US in these days for a few weeks of vacation and to be with Daniel
and Nikki when Liam is born in mid-February, if we don’t have to go
earlier. Pray for peace and wisdom for George. Pray for his dad and
sister Pam who is the chief care-giver and is quite tired between her
work, home and care-giving responsibilities.

Saturday, Jan. 29: Ellis and Judy Leagans are thankful that Judy's 98-
year-old mother is still able to live alone and do most things for
herself. Ellis' mother is in assisted living; her health continues to
decline.
Pray for them and missionaries everywhere who are dealing long-
distance with issues related to aging parents.

Sunday, Jan. 30: Pray for Impacto Biblico as we try to train and
challenge our members to reach the unreached with the gospel. Pray
that each member will have the opportunity to make friends with others
who need the Lord and invite them to a cell group or a church
activity.

Monday, Jan. 31: Continue to pray for David, Mayarí and their boys as
they minister in Baton Rouge, LA, and adjust to life in the USA. Pray
for their language learning and that their paperwork would all be
approved. The boys are doing well in school, and the Lord is using
the family to reach out to others around them.


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 hhardeman@sembrador.net. PLEASE NOTICE THE
CHANGE OF ADDRESS FROM LAST YEAR. THE MACREGION ADDRESS IS NO LONGER
ACTIVE.

(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.)

Christmas fun

My family enjoyed playing a trick with me about the presents....My sister had been wanting a drill set.  I did not have any interest in receiving a drill set.  Well my parents wrapped up the drill set and put my name on the gift so I opened it.  At the same time my sister was opening a present from them.  She was in on the joke and she knew that she had a present of mine; it was a UNC Tarheel jacket something that she didn't want.   I said I want the jacket, they all just laughed.  Thus the not so thrilled look on my face...