How Does One...? August 6, 2016
"To get nations back on their feet, we must first get down on our knees." -Billy Graham
On Friday, all 7 TEAM Guatemala missionaries spent a thorough morning in prayer together. I thought I'd share the prayer requests and thanksgivings of the whole squad with you that you might better pray not just for us, but for those around us. We work in all different corners of Guatemala City--church leadership, nursing, puppeteering, teaching seminary, mothering, community development, football coaching, homeless ministry--but so often our corners overlap as moving parts in the grander work God is doing in Guatemala. We need each other. Sometimes for a cup of coffee and a conversation, sometimes to borrow an air mattress, or for a key connection with somebody that really boosts our ministry.
On Friday, all 7 TEAM Guatemala missionaries spent a thorough morning in prayer together. I thought I'd share the prayer requests and thanksgivings of the whole squad with you that you might better pray not just for us, but for those around us. We work in all different corners of Guatemala City--church leadership, nursing, puppeteering, teaching seminary, mothering, community development, football coaching, homeless ministry--but so often our corners overlap as moving parts in the grander work God is doing in Guatemala. We need each other. Sometimes for a cup of coffee and a conversation, sometimes to borrow an air mattress, or for a key connection with somebody that really boosts our ministry.
What have we been thankful for as of late?
-Diana's newfound connection with a leader of a puppeteer ministry that could mean big moves and growth for her puppet ministry, Manos a La Obra Títeres.
-Amy's connection at the orphanage and possible collaboration with someone from our church who's hoping to facilitate more national adoptions within Guatemala.
-Two students from Salud Que Transforma's young nursing school started their rotation at the private hospital administered by friends from Iglesia Reforma...thanks God for that connection!
-David's been able to finish and publish a book on discipleship for the seminary, and facilitate the development of a number of other books as well; something he never thought he'd be doing!
-Baby Olivia Burkholder is 2 months old and healthy and beautiful!
-God's brought a big wave of people to Iglesia Reforma the last few weeks, it's so cool to see who God brings to himself. There's a cool mix of people in the discipleship/Bible-reading/membership classes right now and at the end of the month, hope to launch missional communities, God willing!
-AJ & Alaina's neighbors came to church for the first time and we've engaged with them in some really good conversations with them!
-AJ & Alaina are finding truer and truer friendship with doctors and co-workers at Corazon De Amor Clinic and Sigo Vivo. It's good to work with people you can also call friends, ya know?
What can we petition God for?
-AJ needs wisdom as to the who and how to invest in people in different "rooms" in his life--wiithin Bethania, the Toros, Sigo Vivo, Iglesia Reforma and more...
-Justin asks for wisdom in how to pastor the flock well amidst change and conflict, for God's protection of the leadership at Iglesia Reforma, and to be a good dad and husband amidst that.
-Diana asks for prayer for her aging parents and the decisions made around them, and also for clarity and God's providence as she plans for new initiatives with the puppet ministry.
-Jenny needs patience! Being home most of the time with a newborn and 2-year old is a lot on the body and the mind! Her and Justin need baby Olivia to start sleeping better at night!
-David asks for prayer over their time in the USA this fall, visiting 5 supporting churches and seeing all kinds of family. It means a lot of miles on the road and a lot of speaking and sharing.
-Alaina honestly just feels really homesick this week. So prayer for all the things at home that she loves and cares about, and that the God of all comfort comes near to her.
-Amy asks for prayer for her newest work in the Salud Que Transforma nursing school, to figure out how she can best help and minister to the students and teachers there, and also for her family back in the States.
On behalf of all of us at TEAM Guatemala, thank you for joining with all of us in prayer. Guatemala, God's work and will here, and the devil's work to distract and destroy that are much bigger than us. Also, you are a beautiful person.
-AJ & Alaina
thewestys.weebly.com
guatemala.team.org
-Diana's newfound connection with a leader of a puppeteer ministry that could mean big moves and growth for her puppet ministry, Manos a La Obra Títeres.
-Amy's connection at the orphanage and possible collaboration with someone from our church who's hoping to facilitate more national adoptions within Guatemala.
-Two students from Salud Que Transforma's young nursing school started their rotation at the private hospital administered by friends from Iglesia Reforma...thanks God for that connection!
-David's been able to finish and publish a book on discipleship for the seminary, and facilitate the development of a number of other books as well; something he never thought he'd be doing!
-Baby Olivia Burkholder is 2 months old and healthy and beautiful!
-God's brought a big wave of people to Iglesia Reforma the last few weeks, it's so cool to see who God brings to himself. There's a cool mix of people in the discipleship/Bible-reading/membership classes right now and at the end of the month, hope to launch missional communities, God willing!
-AJ & Alaina's neighbors came to church for the first time and we've engaged with them in some really good conversations with them!
-AJ & Alaina are finding truer and truer friendship with doctors and co-workers at Corazon De Amor Clinic and Sigo Vivo. It's good to work with people you can also call friends, ya know?
What can we petition God for?
-AJ needs wisdom as to the who and how to invest in people in different "rooms" in his life--wiithin Bethania, the Toros, Sigo Vivo, Iglesia Reforma and more...
-Justin asks for wisdom in how to pastor the flock well amidst change and conflict, for God's protection of the leadership at Iglesia Reforma, and to be a good dad and husband amidst that.
-Diana asks for prayer for her aging parents and the decisions made around them, and also for clarity and God's providence as she plans for new initiatives with the puppet ministry.
-Jenny needs patience! Being home most of the time with a newborn and 2-year old is a lot on the body and the mind! Her and Justin need baby Olivia to start sleeping better at night!
-David asks for prayer over their time in the USA this fall, visiting 5 supporting churches and seeing all kinds of family. It means a lot of miles on the road and a lot of speaking and sharing.
-Alaina honestly just feels really homesick this week. So prayer for all the things at home that she loves and cares about, and that the God of all comfort comes near to her.
-Amy asks for prayer for her newest work in the Salud Que Transforma nursing school, to figure out how she can best help and minister to the students and teachers there, and also for her family back in the States.
On behalf of all of us at TEAM Guatemala, thank you for joining with all of us in prayer. Guatemala, God's work and will here, and the devil's work to distract and destroy that are much bigger than us. Also, you are a beautiful person.
-AJ & Alaina
thewestys.weebly.com
guatemala.team.org