Banana Cream Pie

What a treat it was to find banana cream pie being sold on the street!  The vendor also had lemon and strawberry pie.  Not your normal find on Guatemalan streets, it was a nice treat and tasted good!

Kitty the thief

The other night Kitty was on the bed with me.  I got up to look at something on the computer which was on the desk.  When I got up Kitty decided that she wanted to move to my space on the bed.  When I saw her I said "you thief".....Doesn't she look happy and innocent??

Regrets...

Live your days so that you don't wake up regretting what you did or didn't do the day before.  The other night we had a game night which no one came to.  There is a park close to the house where we had the game night.  We could have easily walked to the park, talked to the youth and then invited them to the game night.  But we didn't....The next morning I woke up with regrets that we didn't make the walk to the park...

Today...

Today started out interesting when I left to go to Bible study at Union Church. I left at the usual time 915 am.  I got on the main road and went for maybe half a mile and then traffic slowed down.  Then I went a little more and traffic was almost completely stopped.  It was then stop and go traffic.  It took me 40 minutes to go a distance that usually takes about 5 minutes.  There was a protest of teachers which was stopping traffic.   I finally got to a place where i could turn and come back home.  So an hour later I had left my house, made a large circle and returned home.  I didn't make it to Bible study.  But on a good note I went to the gym when I returned home.  That was a good thing because I wasn't sure when I would be able to go today.

After the gym I came home took a quick shower and left to go to the Thursday midday service at Union Church.  It was amazing because on the main road the traffic was moving like nothing had happened earlier that morning.  The man who leads the Thursday service does a good job of sharing his personal experiences to go along with the devotion which he gives.  After the service I went up to him and told him that i appreciate hearing his personal stories and I like how he includes those.  We talked a few minutes about that makes it personal and all.  Then he said what is your ministry here?  I told him about the upper class university ministry and how they are the forgotten group.  I told him about the Oklahoma team which had recently come and how we used sports ministry to reach the students.  As it turns out he is a consultant/advisor for the national sports committee of Guatemala, he has contacts with the Olympic committee here, he is writing a curriculum which will be used in sports ministry which will include a spiritual dimension.  He played on the national volleyball team.  He has coached volleyball.  He has alot of sports connections and is concerned about the lack of extra circular activities in the schools for students.  He also used to teach at Marroquin University, a upper class university. 

It was really neat to talk to him bc several people had told me that i need to talk to him because of his Marroquin connection.  But I hadn't really had or taken advantage of the opportunity until now.  As he said it wasn't a coincidence that we talked today, it was what I call a God incidence..

He also wants to start a coaches clinic where coaches can be trained.  He said he thought i could help with that with my connections in the states....

When I left I thought God did it again, made the connection when I least expected it.

After that I went to the cellphone place and took care of an item that I had been putting off.  It only took an hour and half which I didn't think was that bad..

Then I stopped and got key copies made.  I haven't had good success with having copies made.  I would have them made and then get home and they didn't work.  Well today I went to the right place.  It was interesting bc it was a place that I noticed this morning when i was sitting in traffic, I hadn't noticed it before. I went and in 3 minutes the girl had made the copies. I came home and they worked. I was so excited. I know that doesn't sound like much but after I had had not had good success before, I was very happy.

April 2011 prayer requests

THE NICODEMUS PROJECT, GUATEMALA CITY
APRIL 2011

Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.  And this gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the wonderful kindness he has poured out on us because we belong to his dearly loved Son.  He is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son, and our sins are forgiven.... God’s secret plan has now been revealed to us; it is a plan centered on Christ, designed long ago according to his good pleasure. And this is his plan: At the right time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ-----everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us from the beginning, and all things happen just as He decided long ago. Ephesians 1-4-7, 9-11 NLT

 
Friday, April 1: Thank you for the prayers for the Duncan, Oklahoma team.  They arrived safely and returned to Oklahoma safely.  While they were here, great contacts were made, relationships were formed and most importantly of all, two university students accepted Christ!  Pray for Carol as she follows up with these two young ladies as well as with other students.   Pray for a continuing growth in the spiritual life of Nidia and Andrea.

Saturday, April 2: As we celebrate the salvation of two young ladies we also honor the memory of the life of Ruby Leagans. "Ruby Leagans, mother of Ellis Leagans, ended her earthly pilgrimage on March 22, 2011.  Ellis and Judy were with her and their family during the last few days.”  Praise God that Ellis and Judy and other family members were able to be there during her last days.  Pray for the Leagans family in their time of grieving and all that goes along with the death of a loved one.

Sunday, April 3: George will be returning to Guatemala today from a meeting in Lima, Peru. He has been there for a meeting of the logistic coordinators for Latin America.  They have been meeting their new supervisor and have been brought up-to-date on new policies and procedures.  Pray that it was a profitable time for them as well as a good time of fellowship for those present.  Pray for travel safety as he went to Peru on March 30 and returns today.   Pray that he and the others would have a good understanding of all that they learned.

Monday, April 4: The Impacto Biblico Church has moved to Marco Antonio’s house in Zone 15.  There we have a large room for our worship service, an outside patio for fellowship time, and another room for a Sunday school class.  The rent is less than half of what it was before, and we still have access to it at any time we need it.  There are no steep steps to climb either.  Thank God for His answer to our prayers.  Pray that He would bless us there and we would grow and need to move to larger facilities in the future.

Tuesday, April 5: More than anything else, pray that those whom the Lord is calling to the harvest will respond and that they will take advantage of the training that the Guatemala Baptist Seminary offers.   Pray for Richard Cook as he works with the students at the seminary and pray that those whom God is calling would take advantage of the biblical based teaching at the seminary.

Wednesday, April 6: Besides Carol and Helen, there are only two people in the English language Crown class; however, they are very enthusiastic about the study and have faithfully done their homework. Pray for Carlos and Silvia as they continue the study.  Pray for their spiritual growth and that they will get “hooked on Bible study.”  Pray for the other four people who got the materials that they will be able to find time in their schedules to do the study in the future.

Thursday, April 7: Because of travel, work and study schedules, several of our most faithful cell group members have missed several sessions.  Pray that things will work out for them to get back into their group.  Pray for Sharon and Helen as they work on our next topic for the cell group which will probably be the book of Hebrews.

Friday, April 8: Last month Hilda’s optical office was robbed, which left her and several others in our Thursday cell group quite shaken.  Robberies on the street and in businesses are a too common occurrence.  Pray for safety, but at the same time pray that this insecure situation would lead more people to seek the Lord for their true security.

Saturday, April 9: Carol will begin meeting this week with a group of university students.  They will be studying the book, “The Purpose Driven Life.  Pray the students hearts would be open to their purpose in this life.  Pray that they would come to understand having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Sunday, April 10: Happy Birthday Ellis Leagans! "But blessed is Ellis (the man) who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him." Jeremiah 17:7.  Join Ellis in thanking God for another year of life.  Praise God for Ellis and the ways in which he puts his trust in the Lord.

Monday, April 11: Tonight Manuel, Siomara and Carol are hosting a game night at Manuel and Siomara’s house for the youth of the neighborhood and for some of the university students.  When the Oklahoma team was here they met quite a few of the youth of the neighborhood.  Pray that the youth and students would come tonight.  Pray that it would be an enjoyable time of fellowship and sharing with one another.

Tuesday, April 12:  Ellis and Judy Leagans would appreciate your continuing prayers for the June 11-17 Occasional General Meeting (OGM). The meeting includes fellowship, worship, and numerous sessions focusing on changes and restructuring that the IMB is going through.  Please continue to pray for Ellis and Judy, who are coordinating the logistics for this, will do so effectively in planning and in delegating responsibilities, and that the OGM will be a meaningful time for all 200 or so who will attend.
 
Wednesday, April 13: Pray for Luis, Paula, Alejandra, Gaby, Juan Carlos, Jose, Carlos, Ennio and many other students who contact was made with through the Duncan, Oklahoma team.  Also pray for students at Francisco Marroquin University.  It is another upper class university.  Carlos is a graduate of Marroquin and he is a participant in the Crown Bible study with Carol and Helen.  He mentioned that this would be a great course for Marroquin students.  Pray for opportunities to have contact with the students there and for Carol  and others as they prayerwalk on the campus.

Thursday, April 14: Kim Wilkinson, Carol’s sister, will be arriving today to enjoy the Easter holiday with her.  Pray for safety in their travels and for them to have an enjoyable time together.  During this upcoming Easter week, Guatemalans will be spending a lot of time with their family and friends.  Pray that their hearts would be open to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope that comes along with that.

Friday, April 15: Pray for Richard Cook as he continues to connect with those involved in theological education in other Central American countries -- particularly Honduras, El Salvador, Belize, and Panama, as well as the Dominican Republic -- to help them offer the best training possible.  Pray for him as he schedules trips to visit these locations.

Saturday, April 16: Sharon Cook will be working on card for mother's day and then promoting a class at Curves for May 3.  People will be able to work on one or more cards on May 3.  She will also have information for them about different small group studies such as Crown Bible studies, Rosario study and others.  Pray that people will sign up and she will be able to use this opportunity at Curves to make new contacts.

Sunday, April 17: Pray for Manuel today and the members of Impacto Biblico Church.  Pray that he would share the words God has for him to share and pray that the listeners would have open ears and hearts.  Pray for the Manuel and Siomara and different things in their life such as job situations, finances, family and other requests.

Monday, April 18: Through the youth group from Duncan, OK working with Carol last month, Helen made a contact that came to cell group that week.  Pray that Christy will continue to come.  She is Catholic but is also involved in a women’s Bible study group at Union Church; so she seems to be seeking.  Pray that she will move from interest to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Tuesday, April 19: The two cell groups that meet at the Hardemans’ should be finishing up the study of Gospel in the Rosary around the first week of May.  In one of the groups last month the question came up about praying to Mary to intercede for us.  Before we could respond, another of the Catholic ladies said, “Why should we since we’ve just seen that Jesus is the only intercessor and mediator we need between us and God?”  Pray that God’s Word would continue to open their eyes to truth and challenge non-biblical traditions.  Pray that they would be convicted to turn from these traditions.  

Wednesday, April 20: Happy Birthday, Sharon Cook! In the words of Psalm 29:11 “The Lord gives strength to Sharon (His people); the Lord grants Sharon (His people) security.”  May Sharon feel the strength and security of the Lord today as many people are lifting her up in prayer.

Thursday, April 21: Pray that Judith, Cande, and others from our church will take the leap of faith and begin cell groups with their family, friends and neighbors.  Getting started can be intimidating, but they have both spoken to Helen about their desire to start a group.  Pray that Satan will be bound from discouraging them because of health, family or other situations that have come up lately. 

Friday, April 22: There are some situations in Nicaragua that need attention.  Pray that George will be able to make a trip there soon, and pray for wisdom as he deals with each one.  Thank the Lord for Amy and Aura who help him with the work that needs to be done.

Saturday, April 23: Sharon Cook has scheduled a Bible study to begin in her home the month of April.  Please pray that details will work out.  Also thank you for your continuing prayers for the small groups which she is currently meeting with.  The classes on the Rosario are going really well so please pray for God to continue to bless in those groups. 

Sunday, April 24: EASTER SUNDAY George will be preaching the Easter service for the English-speaking church today.  Pray that he will communicate clearly the message, which the Lord has for the congregation. 

Monday, April 25: Pray for the health of Siomara.  She was diagnosed as pre diabetic.  Pray that she would have the energy and desire to exercise and to have a healthy diet.  Pray for her as she desires to learn English and as she leads in different activities of the church.

Tuesday, April 26: As Easter (Semana Santa) is fresh in the minds of the Nicodemus people pray for open opportunities to share about the importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope which we, as Christians, have because of the cruxificion and resurrection.  Pray that the missionaries on the Nicodemus team would have opportunities to share and words to share with the Nicodemus people.  Praise God for the new life He gives in Him.

Wednesday, April 27: Helen was able to get four copies in Spanish of Praying for Purpose for Women.  She and Myriam would like to get a daytime women’s group together to study that book and share together.  Myriam and Guillermo lead a group that has been meeting together since before they came to Impacto Biblico.  Many of the members are Catholic.  Pray for them as they work with this group.

Thursday, April 28: Today George Hardeman is leading the Bible study for the men’s prayer breakfast.  Pray that he would have clarity of mind and thought as he shares from God’s word.  Pray that this would be a time of encouragement and support for the men as they start the day with prayer and Bible study.

Friday, April 29: Pray today for the people and government of Guatemala.  People are gearing up for the fall presidential election.  The current president’s wife just announced that they are getting a divorce so she can run for the presidency.  (Immediate family of a president cannot run according to the constitution.)  Other candidates are trying to get around the law or get the constitution changed to be able to run also.  Pray for people of ethics and morals to be outspoken and bold.  

Saturday, April 30: From the January 2011 prayer letter:  “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.”  Continue to pray that more of the Nicodemus people would come to know 

the love of God and understand the personal relationship they can have with Him.