Its a new year but somehow it went from 2012 to 2013 without much significance to me. Oh yes, I am thankful for another year of life and health but I am thankful every day for that, the date doesn't make it any different. I did turn 65 on the 2nd of September 2012 and I do believe my life has changed a lot. My perspective on things, my concentration, my prayer life, my moods, my hopes, my desires etc. and so on.
I am thankful for the ministry that is not too big because relationship means a lot. I know everyone's name and where they live. I've seen the families change over the years, mostly for the better. I've prayed with them, agonized over their troubles with them, rejoiced in their new babies (one named after me ), helped provide new homes, helped pay for funerals, rejoiced over their children's achievements in school, encouraged those who wanted to quit to continue and taught with tears about forgiveness of wrongs done to them.
We have 42 families that come to the ministry site for the feeding program, Women's Bible study, teen mentoring, youth programs and the church services. All of the young adults in Junior and Senior High and one going to college this year receive full scholarships. The future holds possibilities. All is possible in Christ!
Only an intimate relationship with Christ can change lives and I cherish my relationship with Him because it keeps me going. Yes, I am tired, overwhelmed, flustered at times but I go on in the strength of knowing I am just where He wants me to be. I am amazed at His love for me and feel duty bound to share that love with others. How easy can life be in Him. I am not doing the work. He is! So I take another breath, read some more of the Word, take a short nap and get up and keep going.
So happy New Year to all because that's our custom but every day is a new day in Christ, that's our reality.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Monday, November 5, 2012
Home again
I just returned from the states on the 8th of October. It was a great trip although some parts were bitter sweet. My family celebrated my parents 70th anniversary and my 65th birthday. My parents are now 89. Somebody is getting old. Sometimes I feel that it is me...but then I remember that this is only a small portion of my life eternal and that makes me glad. I wish and pray that for my parents to realize that this is just a small portion of their eternal life. It was a great time seeing old friends and making new ones. I was refreshed and blessed on every hand.
Myra with sister and parents
Myra with sisters Janice and Sheila
Returning home was great for a few days and then I wanted some time off....doesn't take much to get overwhelmed here sometimes. I'm catching up and trying to slow down. My ear infection is finally gone. I only have to use alcohol before and after I swim to avoid any problems. I love the exercise.
Speaking of exercise, my son Daniel is taking judo lessons on top of running two hours a day and doing push ups and crunches endlessly the rest of the day. the boy is an exercise machine. He says it makes him happy and thankful to God. So glad God is into exercise.
I have been to three graduations since returning and have two more to attend in November and one in December. God has provided assistance to these young people to continue on in their education. What a blessing that they are doing just that and some quite excellently.
My dear Gilma, my right arm, lost her sister to cancer upon my return... another bittersweet moment. Her sister is a strong woman of God who never wavered in her beliefs during this last year of physical struggle. Now Gilma is caring for two young boys as she cared for her sister. She has such a servant heart.
Please remember Rene and Dora in your prayers. Jeffrey, their 7 year old son, died shortly after I arrived home.
Carlos is taking a two year Bible course from Lee and Carol Short's Vida International ministries. Daniel and I, along with three other workers, are also watching the videos. Its done by Spanish speaking teachers and will be a great tool for the future education of the church. I am so excited about having this material.
Coming home is great but I miss my mom and dad more now than ever. I may be coming home atleast twice a year for a month at a time. I have made some connections in the southern states and already have some mid and upper states connections. I can divide my visits into those two areas and also have time to visit with my aging parents.
I thank God for where he has placed me and the people whom I have come to know and love in Guatemala.
Gilma
Myra with sister and parents
Myra with sisters Janice and Sheila
Returning home was great for a few days and then I wanted some time off....doesn't take much to get overwhelmed here sometimes. I'm catching up and trying to slow down. My ear infection is finally gone. I only have to use alcohol before and after I swim to avoid any problems. I love the exercise.
Speaking of exercise, my son Daniel is taking judo lessons on top of running two hours a day and doing push ups and crunches endlessly the rest of the day. the boy is an exercise machine. He says it makes him happy and thankful to God. So glad God is into exercise.
I have been to three graduations since returning and have two more to attend in November and one in December. God has provided assistance to these young people to continue on in their education. What a blessing that they are doing just that and some quite excellently.
My dear Gilma, my right arm, lost her sister to cancer upon my return... another bittersweet moment. Her sister is a strong woman of God who never wavered in her beliefs during this last year of physical struggle. Now Gilma is caring for two young boys as she cared for her sister. She has such a servant heart.
Please remember Rene and Dora in your prayers. Jeffrey, their 7 year old son, died shortly after I arrived home.
Carlos is taking a two year Bible course from Lee and Carol Short's Vida International ministries. Daniel and I, along with three other workers, are also watching the videos. Its done by Spanish speaking teachers and will be a great tool for the future education of the church. I am so excited about having this material.
Coming home is great but I miss my mom and dad more now than ever. I may be coming home atleast twice a year for a month at a time. I have made some connections in the southern states and already have some mid and upper states connections. I can divide my visits into those two areas and also have time to visit with my aging parents.
I thank God for where he has placed me and the people whom I have come to know and love in Guatemala.
Gilma
Friday, August 10, 2012
Rene's family
This is Jeffrey. He is 7 years old. He cannot walk or talk. He wears diapers and needs assistance to eat. His mother carries him most of the day. When her husband comes home from work he helps.
JEFFREY
His parents Rene and Dora are a loving Guatemalan family that has seen their share of struggles but they keep going on. They have two other children Jakeline 3, and David who will be 2 in November. David is malnourished and cannot walk as yet. The mother because of a childhood mutilation to her breast cannot give milk and the father’s income is very small. They have medicines that they buy for Jeffrey to control his spasms and now have a special milk they need to buy for David. It is overwhelming!
I met them this month through a referral from one of the families that are part of our ministry. Rene came in lovingly carrying Jeffrey and told me his story. His wife sat by quietly holding David and lovely Jakeline just sat and smiled.
RENEE, JEFFREY (SMILING), JAKELINE, DORA AND DAVID
Jeffrey has had a neurological problem since infancy. His body is contorted to the extend that he cannot have therapy because one of his limbs may break. He needs an operation to correct that. He has been taking medicine for over 4 years for his spasms but when he take it his eyes glaze and he appears delirious. The family wants to consult with a private neurologist to see if he needs another kind of medicine. They are currently attending the National Hospital which provides free service but usually does not have the nedications they have to buy.
Renee sells dishes, furniture and other household goods which is not a very secure or well paying job. He earns about $10 a day. He used to drink but three years ago he gave his life to the Lord and has been a faithful family man. Dora, spends her days carrying the two boys from place to place in their rented house with one bed, one table and no chairs. Their youngest son, David, is malnourished and the hospital has prescribed a nutritional milk that is very expensive to buy. Both boys need diapers.
Please pray about helping this family. As a ministry we can provide beans, rice, corn once a month as well as vitamins, nutritional peanut packets and incaperina, a nutritional drink. They need much more. As a ministry we'd like to provide the special milk for the baby boy, diapers for both boys , incaperina , eggs, oil, vegetables, beans, rice every week. Their special needs costs about $150 a month. We need 6 people who would consistently support this family at $25 a month so their children would have the basic necessities to survive.
We are also looking for a wheelchair for Jeffrey that hopefully we can find here. We are contacting a orthopedic doctor here to see if he would give us his assistance and also a private numerologist. Please pray that we will be able to provide help for Jeffrey's health needs.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
This place called Chiquimula
There are many people I have come to admire in my life. My dad for being such a great role model for our family, my mom just being a great lady at all times, my daughter Lee for her strength and determination, my daughter Aimee for her laughter, my son Dan for his ability to mingle with all kinds of people, dear Adam for his purposeful life in Christ, dear Ruth for her consistence in prayer, my pastors Charles and Dottie for making the word of God alive and vibrant in their teaching and so many others.
I have found more unlikely people to admire in this place called Chiquimula. Women like Alicia, with broken bones and cuts inflicted by her husband, who stands in prayer and fasting for him and her sons.
O'Mara who has lost three babies and still smiles at age 20. Ernestina who lost everything, lived in a cave with her youngest two children for a while and does not complain. Juana who has struggled for many years and now has a decent home and is a motivator in her neighborhood to clean up the garbage, working towards making their homes better. Gilma, a widow, who has such a servant heart.
I believe God placed me here to be a help to these women, but I have learned and am learning so much from them. They are my heroes in this place called Chiquimula.
I have found more unlikely people to admire in this place called Chiquimula. Women like Alicia, with broken bones and cuts inflicted by her husband, who stands in prayer and fasting for him and her sons.
O'Mara who has lost three babies and still smiles at age 20. Ernestina who lost everything, lived in a cave with her youngest two children for a while and does not complain. Juana who has struggled for many years and now has a decent home and is a motivator in her neighborhood to clean up the garbage, working towards making their homes better. Gilma, a widow, who has such a servant heart.
I believe God placed me here to be a help to these women, but I have learned and am learning so much from them. They are my heroes in this place called Chiquimula.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Mother's Day 2012
Another Mothers Day has come and gone. This Mother'sDay was very special this year because our young ladies were a vital part of the event. They made small canastas out of tongue depressors so that each mother would receive a gift. Inside flowers were placed to make a pretty arrangement for the moms. The girls wore their best clothes and had a fashion show. I also wore one of my best dresses and strutted down the runway too. After the word was shared we had food and gifts. I was given water glasses by my workers and a cute wooden box Aimee made especially for me and received a cooked chicken from one of the ladies!
Myra with her girls
Andrea and Gilma were recognized as leaders in the ministry by receiving a exhortation license. They are exhorters in this ministry and they clean, prepare, share the word, pray and encourage the people daily. I am thankful for their presence along side of me.
I love my three children. My Lee is a wife, mother and grandmother. I am very proud of her and although we are far apart in distance she is always close to my heart. Talking to her always cheers me on especially since I know she has my back!
Aimee, separated mother of 3 boys, is closer and more in need of my counsel and prayers. She is a good mother to her small tribe. I have confidence in God that He will restore to her what the canker worm has stolen.
My Daniel at 14 is a challenge that only God can help me with. I recognize the call on his life and know that the enemy is not happy when he does well BUT GOD is in charge and is the father who loves Daniel as his own dear son.
I miss my mom most of all and at 89 years of age and in delicate health, I wait for that final call to come home one last time. I rejoice in the times I can talk to her by phone and hear her voice nice and strong. I rejoice when my sister tells me how she deals with my sometimes cantankerous dad with "I love him any way". My prayer always for her and for my dad is that their latter years to be better than their first.
I pray you all had a blessed day and remember this celebration is nothing compared to the one in heaven.
Myra with her girls
Andrea and Gilma were recognized as leaders in the ministry by receiving a exhortation license. They are exhorters in this ministry and they clean, prepare, share the word, pray and encourage the people daily. I am thankful for their presence along side of me.
I love my three children. My Lee is a wife, mother and grandmother. I am very proud of her and although we are far apart in distance she is always close to my heart. Talking to her always cheers me on especially since I know she has my back!
Aimee, separated mother of 3 boys, is closer and more in need of my counsel and prayers. She is a good mother to her small tribe. I have confidence in God that He will restore to her what the canker worm has stolen.
My Daniel at 14 is a challenge that only God can help me with. I recognize the call on his life and know that the enemy is not happy when he does well BUT GOD is in charge and is the father who loves Daniel as his own dear son.
I miss my mom most of all and at 89 years of age and in delicate health, I wait for that final call to come home one last time. I rejoice in the times I can talk to her by phone and hear her voice nice and strong. I rejoice when my sister tells me how she deals with my sometimes cantankerous dad with "I love him any way". My prayer always for her and for my dad is that their latter years to be better than their first.
I pray you all had a blessed day and remember this celebration is nothing compared to the one in heaven.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
I'm on the mission field
April has brought some new changes in my life and the life of my son Daniel. He is no longer attending school in the home. He was dong very well with his lessons but being home all day and not going out much was wearing on both of us. This month he was transferred to a small school in Chiquimula whose purpose is to be a blessing to the students be they special needs, poor or just shy. Daniel at 14 is not an out going person normally but when he gets to know you he can be very talkative. He loves and respects the director of the school who loves the Lord and is always open to help anyone. What a great testimony! Please pray for this transition for my Daniel.
A fellow missionary was scheduled for surgery this month in Guatemala City where she had to stay for another 3 days after her surgery before returning back to Chiquimula. I volunteered to stay with her during the week so she would not be alone. What a blessing for me. The first night we both shared her hospital room which was not too bad considering they woke us up in the middle of the night for her to take her meds. The next three days were spent in a very nice hotel, free breakfast buffet, nice rooms and pool privileges! I only needed to pay $20 a day as the second occupant. God is good. Her recovery went very well and she needed to move around as normal minus heavy lifting so we went to the pool every morning, went walking, had quiet times of reading, window shopping at a great mall nearby, saw a movie and just relaxed. I've never just gone away on a vacation and even though the purpose of the trip was to bless her I was blessed in return with quietness and peace.
I also started pool exercises this month. As many of you know I don't swim and am (was) afraid of water. Not anymore. Two of my guatemalan friends invited me to accompany them to a local pool early each week day morn about 5:15 am. I went and am going regularly. Its been great for my knees which I injured over a year ago and have been using a bike to exercise. The water is less trauma and I feel great. Even though I concentrate on water aerobics, learning to actually swim is a big possibility too. Its never too late.
Coming back to Chiquimula after 4 days away was an adjustment. I wondered what do I do? I needed to be a mom, a counselor, teacher, preacher, accountant, secretary, etc. So where did that question come from? So many times I don't realize the many hats that I wear and why I get so tired. My biggest roll apart from being a mom is to mentor the hearts and minds of these young girls and boys directly and indirectly. The smaller ones see more of Gilma and Andrea in the feeding program but they do know my name as I walk through and greet them. "Seno Myra", they cry out. Some of the older girls come several days a week to help with the activites of the feeding program and one day of an intense Bible study and prayer. My heart is that the light of the word will shine in their hearts and illumine their souls. Lofty words but oh such a lovely God, Who can only do the work in their hearts and souls. I am a instrument that plays a tune to draw them nearer to the living Word.
So pray for me as I am on the mission field and some days are harder than others not in the physical but in the spiritual. I am thankful for a God who "has begun a good work in (me) will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ!"
A fellow missionary was scheduled for surgery this month in Guatemala City where she had to stay for another 3 days after her surgery before returning back to Chiquimula. I volunteered to stay with her during the week so she would not be alone. What a blessing for me. The first night we both shared her hospital room which was not too bad considering they woke us up in the middle of the night for her to take her meds. The next three days were spent in a very nice hotel, free breakfast buffet, nice rooms and pool privileges! I only needed to pay $20 a day as the second occupant. God is good. Her recovery went very well and she needed to move around as normal minus heavy lifting so we went to the pool every morning, went walking, had quiet times of reading, window shopping at a great mall nearby, saw a movie and just relaxed. I've never just gone away on a vacation and even though the purpose of the trip was to bless her I was blessed in return with quietness and peace.
I also started pool exercises this month. As many of you know I don't swim and am (was) afraid of water. Not anymore. Two of my guatemalan friends invited me to accompany them to a local pool early each week day morn about 5:15 am. I went and am going regularly. Its been great for my knees which I injured over a year ago and have been using a bike to exercise. The water is less trauma and I feel great. Even though I concentrate on water aerobics, learning to actually swim is a big possibility too. Its never too late.
Coming back to Chiquimula after 4 days away was an adjustment. I wondered what do I do? I needed to be a mom, a counselor, teacher, preacher, accountant, secretary, etc. So where did that question come from? So many times I don't realize the many hats that I wear and why I get so tired. My biggest roll apart from being a mom is to mentor the hearts and minds of these young girls and boys directly and indirectly. The smaller ones see more of Gilma and Andrea in the feeding program but they do know my name as I walk through and greet them. "Seno Myra", they cry out. Some of the older girls come several days a week to help with the activites of the feeding program and one day of an intense Bible study and prayer. My heart is that the light of the word will shine in their hearts and illumine their souls. Lofty words but oh such a lovely God, Who can only do the work in their hearts and souls. I am a instrument that plays a tune to draw them nearer to the living Word.
So pray for me as I am on the mission field and some days are harder than others not in the physical but in the spiritual. I am thankful for a God who "has begun a good work in (me) will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ!"
Sunday, March 4, 2012
The Word of God
I was totally impressed with the Word of God shared this morning by brother Carlos. It touched my heart in an area that needed encouragement. God is so faithful to bring the exact Word we need to hear.
Carlos is the husband of our new cook, Andrea. He also teaches in our Adult Education Program. They have been coming to the church and the ministry for the past 3 years. She mostly, because they were attending a local Baptist church. He was working with the youth and was in leadership. I don't know why I am using the past tense but lets carry on.
When we no longer had a pastor in January, I shared the Word a few Sundays. A friend, Hugo, also came and shared a few Sundays. One day I was impressed to ask Andrea if her husband would like to preach. She smiled and said yes. Carlos has been doing so for the past three Sundays and I am very impressed with his doctrine, his deliverance, but more with the life of the Word that flows through his teaching. He has a 12th grade education and works as a builder when he can find work. He has taken Christian leadership classes in his church. He had been asked by his pastor to take classes to become a pastor but did not have the funds to pursue it.
Today he shared a very good Word that was as always grounded in scripture. I don't know where the Lord is leading us in the placement of a new pastor. I am waiting and praying. I do feel led to help him with his dream to study to be a pastor. He also has a heart for the young boys and for men. He was one of the men working on my well. While he was here he talked to my son Daniel about his relationship with the Lord and Daniel was impressed with what he shared with him!
Being always led by God, its not always easy to wait on Him. I am sometimes impulsive but my desire always is for God's best. I want the best for the people He has brought to this ministry, especially the husband and sons of the women.
Carlos is the husband of our new cook, Andrea. He also teaches in our Adult Education Program. They have been coming to the church and the ministry for the past 3 years. She mostly, because they were attending a local Baptist church. He was working with the youth and was in leadership. I don't know why I am using the past tense but lets carry on.
When we no longer had a pastor in January, I shared the Word a few Sundays. A friend, Hugo, also came and shared a few Sundays. One day I was impressed to ask Andrea if her husband would like to preach. She smiled and said yes. Carlos has been doing so for the past three Sundays and I am very impressed with his doctrine, his deliverance, but more with the life of the Word that flows through his teaching. He has a 12th grade education and works as a builder when he can find work. He has taken Christian leadership classes in his church. He had been asked by his pastor to take classes to become a pastor but did not have the funds to pursue it.
Today he shared a very good Word that was as always grounded in scripture. I don't know where the Lord is leading us in the placement of a new pastor. I am waiting and praying. I do feel led to help him with his dream to study to be a pastor. He also has a heart for the young boys and for men. He was one of the men working on my well. While he was here he talked to my son Daniel about his relationship with the Lord and Daniel was impressed with what he shared with him!
Being always led by God, its not always easy to wait on Him. I am sometimes impulsive but my desire always is for God's best. I want the best for the people He has brought to this ministry, especially the husband and sons of the women.
I thank God for the Word this morning that brought nutrients for my soul. God is faithful.
Andrea and Carlos (standing) teaching in the Adult Education Program
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