Sorry, could not post pictures due to the quality of the internet connection; we will keep trying to show what is going on here in Chichi!

What another great day in ministry, for our Tennessee team (de los estados unidos) and for ASELSI! This day was made of some intimate personal ministry to the people of Chichicastenango. Pastor Phillip spent most of the day training and ministering to ASELSI Bible students (go to the ASELSI website for more details on the Bible training opportunities available for pastors and lay ministers through their organization). Through Pastor’s teaching and the work of the Holy Spirit, these students not only received spiritual freedom for themselves, but they were empowered to go back to their congregation and teach the freedom that comes through the Cross of Jesus Christ!

Our construction team had a long, hard day! However, the payoff was well worth the investment. We finished a project from earlier in the week, laying brick for a garden at the ASELSI base. The joy (lol) of the day was the three holes that we dug for palm trees – 3’ x 3’ x 3’. Really, the heart of the day for the construction team came by putting a new roof on the home of a wonderful woman – a single mother with eight (8) children. The oldest, a 16-year old boy, goes to school and works to put some of the younger children in school. She still does not have the resources to put the youngest children in school, but we are praying! It blessed the family so much to have their leaky roof replaced (just before the rainy season hits), but we were blessed by their hearts and gratitude.

The rest of the team went on home visits, personal visits to people with great needs. For each family they visited, a gift box was made of supplies and goods – enough food supplies to last for more than a month! In addition to seeing the blessing that each gift brought to the family, we were able to minister to the family by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and offering a blessing over their lives and their homes!

Allison, much to her excitement, had the opportunity to oversee Sharon in the clinic as she removed the stitches from a young girl who recently had a benign mass removed from her leg. This may seem like a minimal opportunity to some, but it made Allison’s day to be able to be a part!

Please pray that will have an effective last day at ASELSI as Phillip teaches his final session and the rest of the team finishes up projects and works with children doing physical therapy. Also pray for a safe return to Guatemala City for our final night in Guatemala.

Picture 1
Our snack in Nebaj
Picture 2
Our lunch in Nebaj
Picture 3
Praying for the congregation

The women in Nebaj took the time to bless us with a special snack and meal! The top picture is of large boiled leaves that contained mashed squash and corn, smothered in hot pepper and squash sauce. The soup was made of boiled beef, squash, potato, and cabage.

We could not resist blessing them with a prayer for their lives and their community, especially their church with the new roof. The congregation was very thankful for our help and asked us to join them in prayer that God would provide them the means to put a floor down in their new building.

Picture 1

Phillip teaching at church in Nebaj

Picture 2

Gozer with the children in Nebaj

Picture 3

Roofing the church in Nebaj

Picture 4

Finish roof

Picture 5

Playing with the children in Nebaj

We apologize for not getting a post up sooner but we have been farther out at Nebaj and did have access to the internet. We had a wonderful 3 days with the beautiful Ixil (pronounce “ee-sheel”) people. We were able to place a roof on a church that had not had one, so they can now meet and the rainy season will not be a challenge. While part of the team worked construction another part worked with the children of the village (approx 150) where the church was located. Pastor Phillip taught pastors and church leaders during the day and was joined by the team at night for the teaching. We saw God do some wonderful things in the lives of the believers who attended the meetings. They are beautiful people who have suffered great under poverty, ignorance, and civil war. God is making a difference in the lives of this wonderful people through the work of ASELSI. It was very obvious that the work in the Quiche province is being transformed by ASELSI sharing the work of God and training His workers. They are more than just praying the Lord send workers to the harvest fields, they are training them and sending them. Continue to pray for us as we are back in Chichicastenango. We want, as much as possible in our time left, to be a blessing to the wonderful team at the ASELSI. They are Heroes of the faith!

Picture 1 ASELSI MAIN BUILDING

Picture 2 John Showing us the many locations throughtout Guatemala that the Educations Extention Programs are taking place

Picture 3 Families in line for the milk program

Picture 4 Some of the pretty flowers on the property

Picture 5 Tim, Gozer and Allison with the children and mothers.

We had a very successful and rewarding day. After a great breakfast we we to ASELSI for a tour of the various ministries. The place amazing and a testament to God's faithfulness and to the hard work of some very dedicated people. We saw the Milk program at work, the health clinic and got a understanding of the depth of the process required to educate christian pastors and leaders for the area. Part of the team worked with the children along with Gozer while they waited for their families to see medical teams or go through the milk program. The construction team worked hard digging what looked like a ditch to transplant shrubs. It was very hard work with picks and shovel. That same team made a house visit providing staples to a single mother and 8 children. We will have much to share upon our return. God is Good! Tonight Pastor Phillip shared the first of 4 sessions with those working on an associates degree from the school. It was a special time with people hungry to lead about the Lord. It is late and we get up in the morning to travel north to Nebaj farther in the highlands (about 6230 feet above sea level) were we will minister for the next several days. Thanks for your prayers.

Picture 1

Group shot at WOC with Gozer

Picture 2

Our humble abode in Chichicastenango

Picture 3

Our dining accommodations in Chichicastenango

Picture 4

Gozer proudly presenting his passport

We have arrived in Guatemala and the trip was unevenful. Our flights were on time and pleasant. We met the team from ASELIA easily and made our way up toward Chichicantenagra. Highway construction slowed down our travel so we arrived later than scheduled so will reschedule some things planed for tommorrow. We are Staying at Manos De Jesus another ministry which has housing and it is a very comfortable place to stay. We had a great meal where we were join by John and Sharon Harvey. After helping with cleanup from dinner we had a group meeting and time of prayer before heading to bed after a long but blessed day. Pray that we will have a successful first full day with God's leading.

Information to inform Your prayers

Below are links to our host's in Guatamala website as well as articles that will let you know more about Guatamala and its people. Please pray that our preparations will go well and that God will ordain every step we take.