Actually I have been back since Monday, but things have been moving so fast that I have not had time to post anything. I had a great time in Guatemala visiting with our young pastors, preaching in the churches and doing some leadership training. God is good!
Tzisbaj
I was picked up at the airport by Pastor Salomon and Duglas. Duglas had just returned to Guatemala after being in our church in Jupiter for the past 8 years. He had sent a Ford Explorer down so he provided our transportation. We left the airport and drove about 6 hours north to La Democracia. It was late so we spent the night there. The next morning we drove on to Tzisbaj. It was great to see Edmundo again. He had been alone since February working to forge out a work in this very hard area. He has been meeting each week with a handful of people. I know it had been a discouraging time but he has remained faithful to God. We visited all day and that night over 30 first time visitors came into the service. I preached from Acts 17 about the “unknown God”.
The next day we again visited all day and were blessed with another great crowd. I believe there is great hope for a wonderful work for the Lord in this place. Brother Edmundo is a dedicated servant of the Lord.
Xejeyup and Panacanal Dos
On Thursday we drove to Mazatenango and found a hotel. The next morning we got up early and returned to the airport to pick up Chris and Andy from Thomas Terrace Baptist. We traveled through Antigua and back to Mazate. Early the next morning we traveled up to Xejeyup to begin an 8 AM leadership training. We were just a few, but we carried on endeavoring to help prepare whoever was present. God blessed.
On Saturday we drove on up to Panacanal Dos and held a service in the church there. This is the rainy season in Guatemala and we were not disappointed. It was pouring. Thankfully some braved the downpour and I preached on Colossians chapter 3. On Sunday we were back in Xejeyup for 4 more hours of leadership training and their regular Sunday afternoon church service. It poured again. Chris said he had never seen it rain so hard. Again some braved the elements and Chris preached on “blind Bartimaus”. Later after we left a woman named Manuela trusted Christ.
Please pray for the work in Guatemala and our two faithful men. Salomon and Edmundo were both trained in our work in Florida – sent out by our church and planting churches.
Mission Trips To Guatemala
P. S. Plan to join us for future mission trips to Guatemala. We have some coming up. E-mail me at rmaggard@juno.com Plan to join us also to help us build our first building there January 2, 2010.
