His Guiding Hand

There are so many new things in my life, that my prayer has been to feel Him close leading me as I plunge into new waters.  Such has been my Lord’s faithfulness to do just that!  I cannot begin to tell you how many times He has arranged encounters and opportunities that have proven to be key in my mobilization ministry and that have given me a specific direction to follow.   Let me try to explain how I feel… It is not the feeling of following my Master, but walking side by side with my Friend.  I guess this is the aspect of Himself He knows I need during this time of transition.  I can almost feel His hand on my back as He tells me, “Let’s walk this way… now stop… go here… don’t go there… talk to this person…” I am so amazed!  I know I shouldn’t be after so many years of walking with Him, but I love the way He manages to bring awe to my life over and over again!

Through these divine appointments, totally not seeking them myself, it is that I am now the new National Mobilization Coordinator for COMIBAM Honduras, which is a well-known and respected international missions organization in Latin America.  I will serve with the Honduras chapter, but this position opens doors for me in the other countries where I have to work.  I already received an invitation to be in the El Salvador’s COMIBAM meeting in January and in May with all the chapters of Central America in Costa Rica.

Just to make sure you remember, my ministry now is the one to encourage, educate, equip and empower the Body of Christ in Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua to fulfill the Great Commission unto the ends of the earth.  In other words, I assist the churches in these countries in the task of sending their own missionaries to the unreached peoples of the world.  I love my job!!  Thank you all for making it possible!!

It is such a wonderful thing to experience God’s loving and firm hand as He guides your steps.  He does this not because I am a missionary (this is WHAT I do), but because I am His child (this is WHO I am).  If you are His child too, I encourage you to appreciate what He does in your life every day lovingly guiding you… Follow His lead!  If you are not sure you are a child of God, send me a note… I would love to talk to you to dissipate all doubts.

Taquile Island and the Puno Quechuas (Day Three)

I finally made it Taquile Island, home of a group of Puno Quechuas, the best weavers around!  In this island, weaving and cooking are chores for both men and women alike.  Taquile has about 2,000 people living in it.  There is one leader for every one hundred.  All of them profess a form of religion which is a mix between the Catholic church and the anismistic worship of their ancestors... they have not been presented with any other choice. 

There are several arches along the main roads of Taquile.  This is the first one.  It had taken us about three and half hours to get there by boat, and from this first arch, we had to walk for almost one hour.  The altitude and the steep hills made it a challenging hike, but it certainly was worth the effort!

This picture was taken in the main square. Even though we were able to see the outside of their Catholic/animistic temple (it had a lock and chain on the door), we were not allowed to go near their ritual sites where they practice an even more pure form of the Inca religion.  Some animal sacrifices are still performed.  They do believe that there is a higher god whom they call the Creator (Viracocha), even more powerful than Inti, the Sun god and any other gods. They just don't know yet that this Creator, left a book that is ment to show them how to have a personal relationship with Him...

The Puno Quechua carry heavy loads on their backs as they get supplies from the main land.  There are close to 500 steps in the island and many steep hills.  The physical loads are in plain sight, but their spiritual needs are as real as the loads on their backs.  The following are prayer requests for the Puno Quechua...

 

• Pray that the Puno Quechua will have the opportunity to hear the truth of the Word of God, and that they will realize that the God of the Bible is the Creator, and that they will trust and worship Him alone.
• Pray that God will burden some of His children around the world to pray for the Puno Quechua.
• Pray that God will give His children creativity and wisdom to share the Truth with the Puno Quechua in such a way that it will be received gladly.
• Pray that the eyes of the Puno Quechua will be open to the Truth, and they will be able to see the Devil's deception behind their animistic practices.
• Pray that as the Puno Quechua come to know Christ, they will use their uniqueness in culture, color, dance, music and art to express worship, thanksgiving and love to their one-and-only God, the Creator of the universe and the Savior of their souls!

The Floating Islands of Uros (Day Three)

I am so amazed at the creativity and resourcefulness that God has placed in people.  The floating Islands of Uros, are exactly that, floating creations of people trying to survive and use what is around them.  The Aymaras, a friendly, open and skillful people!

The Aymara people make their houses (and almost everything else they use) out of a plant that grows in the lake called Totora.  They even eat it!

We were welcome with a kiss on both cheeks as they greeted us by saying, "kamisakari", which means "how are you?" We were told to answer, "waleki", which means, "I am fine".  As our boat left the islands, our friendly hostesses sang in their native Aymara, French and Spanish... and then they shouted, "hasta la vista, baby!" 

I hope to have the opportunity to return to Uros.  In my next blog, I will tell you about the Puno Quéchua... We stilll had to reach Taquile Island, about two and half more hours by boat into lake Titikaka.

Puno, Peru (Day Two)

Puno curbs around the edge of a lake, Lake Titikaka, which is the largest high altitude body of water in the world.  I am now at 12,421 feet, even higher that Cuzco!  I have been taking my altitude pills and my Coca leaves tea, and so far, so good.  In Cuzco I was welcomed with tea, in Puno (the folklore capital of Latin America), I was welcomed with dance!  A mix of Aymara, Quéchua and modern Peru.

Like a good missionary, I usually eat everything I am served, but tonight in Puno was really hard!  I ate Guinea Pig, a popular dish here.  I kept telling myself, "Pretend it is chicken, pretend it is chicken...".  I did not help that they serve the whole animal - head included!  I started eating it the best I could, and then I was told, "you have to eat 'cuy' (guinea pig) with your hands!".  Well, I survive the cultural culinary experience... and I am not sick...

It looks like a big rat!!

Tomorrow is a special day.  I will be going to the Uros Islands (Aymara indians) and finally to Taquile to find the Puno Quéchua, an unreached people group.  Pray for safety and health during the trip.

Cuzco, Peru (Day One)

I completed my second of three trainings in Lima, and I have a space of five days before the next one starts.  So, my backpack and I are now traveling thru Cuzco and Puno!

This is the sight of the beautiful Andes mountains from the airplane. What a Creator!!

I was welcomed in Cuzco with "mate de coca" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca_tea), a tea made with Coca leaves, not the drug!  Everyone drinks, chews on them or eats the leaves in the form of candy to help with the discomforts of the altitude (11,200 ft).  It didn't work for me though... I over did it the first day and I ended up with a bad headache and nausea when I returned to the hostal that evening.

This is the Cathedral... The local guide said something very interesting.  He said, "This is not a Catholic church only.  Our people have mixed the religion of the Spaniards and the religion of our ancestors, and that is what is practiced here today".  I already knew that, we call it syncretism. It is the same throughout Latin America, but this is the first time I hear that statement from someone local.

I visited three archeological sites on my first day in Cuzco... Bad idea!  Too much for the first day! This picture was taken by a lady from Colombia.  We were both traveling alone so we decided to make each other company.  We spent a lot of time together, so, I had the opportunity to share my faith with her... Mention Amparo in your prayers today! Please pray for me as a travel.  Pray especially for my health during the trip.

On Steady Ground

Some had asked about this article published by The Commission Magazine in 2000.  Here it is...

Learning in Lima!

Even though I have been a church planter for 24 years and a missionary for 13 years, missions mobilization is a new ministry for me.  Although I have such great conviction about this new direction in my life, and a great passion to lead Latinamerican Christians to reach the ends of the earth with the gospel, I admit I still have so much to learn!

I am so grateful to be part of an organization that allows me to adquire the knowledge and skills required to do my job well.  That is the reason I am here in Lima, Peru.  The main offices for

the Americas affinity is in this beautiful city by the beach.

 

I have had the privilege to meet so many amazing people from different mission agencies and countries.  Such inspiring testimonies and challenging lives. As mobilizers in the Americas, our job is to walk along side these wonderful people and their organizations to help them send missionaries to the world.  They have an awesome responsibility and I consider it a privilege to be a part of they are doing.

Please pray for me as I continue to learn here in Lima.  The first of three trainings is over and I have had the day off to read, walk by beach and write this blog.  My second training starts tomorrow.  Pray that I will have the wisdom to apply everything I am learning in the context of the countries I am serving (Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua).

Garang Athian Serving in South Sudan

Garang and I participated together in a mission´s conference at Vida Abundante Baptist Church in San Miguel, El Salvador.

Getting to know missionaries like Garang Athien is an added blessing to my ministry of mobilization.  Garang was born in Sudan but was raised in Cuba and Guatemala.  This is a story that exemplifies the awesome grace and sovereignty of our God.  Sometimes is strange to hear a man like Garang speak Spanish so well and quote Mexican popular TV shows... African body but a Hispanic heart!  Please pray for Garang as he serves in the newly formed nation of South Sudan (www.goss.org).  This new country calls itself "Christian", but according to Garang, the title only means that they are not Muslim and want to separate themselves as much as possible from North Sudan (strictly Islamic).  The reality is that out of the eight million of South Sudanese, less than 2% has a personal relationship with Christ.  Please pray for me as I mobilize workers from Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua to serve alongside Garang in South Sudan... Pray for this new country...

San Pedro Sula, Honduras

A planning meeting with some pastors members of AMBAH, a recently formed missionary agency in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, and Dave Clines, IMB Mobilizer in Panama.

Training for mobilizers from local churches in San Pedro Sula.

Introducing myself during the monthly pastor´s meeting of the Baptist Association in San Pedro Sula.

No Más Violencia (No More Violence) Ministry

Andrea Palmitano, Redención´s Pastor and Norberto Palmitano

I had the opportunity to visit some of the work that Norberto and Andrea Palmitano (missionaries from Argentina) are doing in El Salvador thru the ministry of "No Más Violencia".  The Palmitanos allowed me to tag along as they continue to encourage and train a very inspiring group of workers from Rendención, a church in Mejicanos, an area of great conflict in the capital city of El Salvador. The Palmitanos train churches to go into public schools to teach the children how to say no to violence and to become "agentes de cambio" (agents of change) using character values and biblical principles.

This group of enthusiastic young people live in the communities where they serve.  The Palmitanos shared that this is the ideal situation for their ministry, but is also the most challenging because their conduct on the street and their neighborhoods should reflect what they are teaching the young children in the schools.

Please pray for (left to right):

Jose Francisco, Jenny, Joel, Margarita, Brenda, Julia, Marlon, Ricardo, Johanna,

Diana and Jose Antonio

The training of this church is sponsored by a LifeGroup (sunday school class) of Humble Area's First Baptist Church.  If you want more information about sponsoring another great group like Redencion, write Dave Eaves, dleaves@earthlink.net.  He is the contact person (and tired less advocate!) for the group that sponsors this ministry.



New Prayer Card

My Girls!

This weekend, Alyssia and Rissa are moving into their respective universities.  Alyssia will start her senior year at Dallas Baptist University and Rissa will be a freshman at Southeastern University (Lakeland, Florida). 

Alyssia took her MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) yesterday.  The results will come in about a month.  Thank you to all of you who have been praying for her.  She will also start a new job in the Security Department at DBU.  Alyssia has started to raise funds for a nine-month medical volunteer tour she has planned for next year (a gap year between college and medical school).  This trip will take her to Cambodia, India and Ghana. We will soon set up a Facebook page to keep you updated and to let you know how you can help her in this missionary journey.

It was discovered that Rissa has a cyst in her left ovary (the size of a golf ball!).  Please pray that the medications she is taking will take care of dissolving the cyst, if not, she will have to have surgery in a couple of months.  Rissa has spent the summer in Clermont, Florida (thank you Clermont Baptist Church!) working as a server at Flipper's Pizzeria, but she is thrilled to start a new adventure in college.  Please continue to pray for her!

I love my girls!!

Alan's First Day of School

Alan will be attending The International School of San Salvador.  Please continue to pray for him as he adjusts to a new home, new country, new school, new friends, etc.  I am so proud of him.  He has been a great help to me in this transition and his attitude has always been positive.  Please also pray for his protection in these new sorroundings.

It has been a whirlwind... and it's not over yet!

It has been a long  time since my last blog... It has been a whirlwind!!  I am tired but excited about all the new changes in our life.  I still have a lot to do, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! 

Here is a quick list of our busy past couple of months...

June/July:

• Alan and I arrived in Mexico City and started packing almost right away
• Alan emptied a lot of flower pots so we could sell them
• I washed, dusted, scrubbed and clean for what it seemed forever!
• We had three garage sales
• We visited several churches to say our good-byes (that was hard!)
• I had the opportunity to spend two days with the church I planted in Toluca... What a wonderful time!
• Alan and I spent a couple of days with dear friend and Mexican missionary Lili Bahena in her home town of Taxco.
• We met all the Mexican government requirements to be able to get our things out of the country
• We attended a mandatory week long missionary meeting in Queretaro

August:

• We left for Tegucigalpa, Honduras, but had to stay a day in Panama because we missed our flight (not our fault!)
• I will live in such a secure neighborhood in Tegucigalpa, that Alan and I were not allowed to enter until someone proved that we were the new tenants.  By that time I was more frustraded than happy for their security.
• Two days after arriving in Honduras, Alan and I left by bus for El Salvador to get him settled in my parents' house
• The same day we arrived in San Salvador, Alan and I visited his new school, bought his uniforms and books and attended a parent meeting for new students
• Alan started school on August 16
• I left for Tapachula, Chiapas (Mexico) by bus to pick up some things I had sent there from Mexico City.  The trip there and back is a day long ride!  I just returned yesterday and now I have a little time to write this update
• My main purpose of being in El Salvador right now is to get Alan settled in his new home-away-from-home with his grandparents (I continue to remind him that his home is still with his mother!), but since this country is also part of my area of ministry, I have taken the time to visit with some pastors and churches also.

Please continue to pray as I continue to make all the arrangements to get settled in my new home and to adjust to all the new changes in my life.

With members of House church in Naucalpan

Sharing with the church in Toluca

With pastors and leaders in NW Mexico City

In Taxco

With a grouo of women in Tapachula, Mexico

I love you all... I need your prayers!!

My Graduate! My Joy!

My daughter, Rissa Joy, will be graduating on June 2.  She is truly a joy to me!  It has meant so much to her (and to me) to have the opportunity to graduate from the same high school that her daddy did.  Gary did not only graduate from Crosby High School, but he also returned to teach Spanish and to coach football.  He left a great legacy for his children!

Rissa will be attending Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, a great Christian university in the Orlando area.  Her desire is to study Social Work to work in international adoptions.  Rissa will drive to Clermont (Orlando Area) on June 6.  Clermont Baptist Church will adopt her for the Summer until she is able to move into the dorms at SEU.  I also would like thank First Baptist Church New Orleans and First Baptist Church Panama City who will host Rissa during her trip to Florida. 

What a blessing to be part of the family of God!!

New House in Tegucigalpa!

Charlie Sell, logistics coordinator for Honduras, sent me these pictures of a model house that looks like the one that will be assigned to me in Tegucigalpa.  It has given me a good idea of the space available so I know what to move and what to leave in Mexico City. I thank God for my new home, and I thank YOU who thru your giving has allowed IMB to provide for me as I serve on the mission field.