Hello family and friends! It’s month 2 and things are getting off to a great start. We got to Guatemala a few days ago after a 15 hour bus ride. The next morning our family and another family left on a 4 hour van ride to our ministry contact. The squad this month is broken up. Some families are together and some are alone. We have a great contact in Pastor Antonio; we start our first official ministry day tomorrow. We’re all excited to see what God has in store. I believe that we will be working with kids doing VBS or something. But, you never know what the need is until God shows up what HE wants you to do. It’s been a great time so far and I excited to see what the future holds. The people here in Guatemala are very nice and welcoming! The weather here is nice with a little rain at night. The view from our ministry contact’s house is amazing. Here are some pictures of what God has given us to wake up to every morning for the next few weeks. We are very humble about what we have here and all we can do is give thanks to God.
Just an update on where I’m at financially; God has given on my behalf around $13,500. I just want to thank you for listening to God speak to you. The total cost of the mission trip is $15,500. I still need $2,000 by January 1st, 2013. I have a goal to have it raised in two (2) months from today. I ask that you once again be in prayer about giving again to this amazing journey. This journey has broken my heart a million times and I would love to continue seeing beautiful things being made from the lowest places. The following passage is about the cheerful giver in the second letter Paul writes to the Corinthians. Please read each verse carefully and really dig in to see the meaning of each verse.
THE CHEERFUL GIVER: (2 Cor. 9:6-15)
6) The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7) Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8) And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency[3] in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9) As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10) He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11) You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12) For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13) By their approval of this service, they[4] will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14) while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15) Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Thank you for taking the time to read the passage from 2 Corinthians.
God has been teaching me that the things we have in life are not ours but instead they belong to Him. He sent his son to die for our sins and to give us life. We didn’t have to do anything for that, it was freely given to us. God freely gave to us, so we should freely give to Him. I again ask you to be in prayer about giving to this wonderful cause. When you donate it doesn’t go directly to me, it just enables me to use my gifts of loving like God has loved me. It enables me to show the love that God showed me. It enables me to speak life into the people we come into contact with. It enables me to live out what God has called me to do. Thank you again for taking the time to read this in your busy day. God bless you all!
