Holy Week Tribute

Today is Saturday. Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. As so many people have been resting and playing Daniel and I have been recovering from colds, sunburns (he went to the river with his friends to swim), fever, aches and pains from chinkengunya (a nasty virus from a mosquito bite.) Consequently we have spent most of holy week catching up on Bible teachings from my home church Immanuels, downloading videos like "Unbroken", "The Imitation Game", "Annie" and the last of  "The Hobbit" series. 

In our prayer time we continue to pray for family, friends, missionaries near and far, individual countries in the world and for the Boko Haram, Isis, Hamas, Al Shabaab and terrorists in general. Why? Because we feel led by the spirit of God to pray for our enemies. We were all made by God but not all are sons of God. His desire is that none should perish.

The past weeks we have been praying for my son in law in the tragic murder of his only son. Also we have had more to pray about for the families of the people who died in the alleged suicide crash of the plane in France. Now we are praying for the families of the  147 people murdered allegedly for being Christian. 

I read a Face book comment that expressed anger about the silence over the death of the people in Kenya. The comment stated that when the people were killed in France in the magazine office the world stood still and leaders gathered together. 

I believe its not important that the "world"  acknowledge our deaths because the "world" makes decisions based on their personal concepts, doctrines, beliefs and prejudices. 

I believe that the people who died as Christians in Kenya are known by God and that is the greatest accolade any of us could hope to receive. Let us pray for their families and also rejoice in the midst of our tears over the death of those saints because this world was not worthy of them.

It is sad that so many tragic things are happening near and far but my question is Does God know our names? None of us knows when we will find out the answer to that. It may be tomorrow, next week, next year, ten years or more from today. No one knows. 

We are a people of faith and one thing we do know. We know how it will all end and become new. But we must stay the course in prayer with our hearts and eyes open to the truth that is written in the word of God. We must pray for our leaders, our nations, our enemies, our friends, our families. Do not focus on our daily complaints and problems but focus on what He would have us focus on. Seek Him, Love Him, Adore Him.

So as a Holy Week tribute to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ let us pray that all men would be saved. 

Love, Myra

Being thankful when the "stash" is getting low

I am so broke…but not really. I always have a "stash"! My "stash" is getting dangerously lower and lower these days and if something doesn't  happen soon,  there goes the stash.

I was with a friend the other day who was repairing some things in the new building while some other workers, whom I have to pay, are digging and digging and looking to solve another building glitch (huh!) and this  friend looked at my face and said "Myra, be patient." I opened my mouth and said "I never pray for patience. It only brings "pruebas",  trials to help us be patient. I pray thankfulness! I am thankful for my problems because being thankful brings multiplication. I am thankful because I love the Lord who called me and he loves me and I know all things will work together for good in the end."

I surprised my own self by my response. I see God has been working in me.  Being thankful is in me even when its  not clearly showing on my face all the time. I have confidence in Him because of His love for me. So forget the "stash".  My father owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He's about to sell a few for my benefit!

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

It's been too long

Happy New Year 2015! Every week or so since October 2014 I have thought about writing a blog.

So much has happened, so much is happening and so, so much is going to happen. I returned from a wonderful trip to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Wando, South Carolina, Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD.

I'd never been to Alabama before and I just loved it. it was like a little, big town where everyone speaks to each other or maybe it was because Pastor Sutton talks to everybody, everywhere. I was hosted by lovely Ann, the belle of Tuscaloosa. I've decided if the Lord ever said "You can live in the states"…I'd move to Tuscaloosa!

Then on to Wando, South Carolina where the lovely pastor Porcher and her husband kept me in grand style…a huge bed that I needed a step ladder to get in and out of. They have a small church with a large heart for missions.

I wound my way via the Megabus from South Carolina to Washington, Dc to pay my respects to the Sothern/Sanchez family in the loss of their daughter, sister, mother and wife, dear Sharon. I am so glad I know them and could be there to spend some time with them.

Then on to Baltimore to see family, share at a few local churches and attend my 50th class reunion which was a blast!

While I was gone I kept in daily touch with my son Daniel, who preached his first sermon while I was gone. He was so ready to share the Word when an opportunity presented itself. I was surprised and delighted.

When I  arrived home in early October, I asked him to preach again because I wanted to hear him. I was blessed because it was not my Daniel sharing. It was the anointed of God! I am not exaggerating. This boy is on fire for the Lord!

He now has his own male youth group. He is mentoring two to three young men who are older than him. They respect him even though some do make fun of him. He just laughs it off and says, "I am not going to let those things bother me. I have too much that needs to be said and I am trusting God to help me to share more." Which he does EVERYWHERE!!

While I was gone he prayed for a dying man and led him to the Lord just before he passed away. His first day at a new school he spoke to anyone who would listen to him about how God is working in his life, including his teachers. He is friendly and open to anyone so he can share the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Our relationship is awesome. He treats me like a queen. We go for walks together, he cleans the kitchen for me, we watch Christian teachings together via internet, and pray together at least once or twice a day. He is my encourager when I feel overwhelmed. He responds with maturity when I need to pull him up about something. He tells me that I am the head in this ministry and if I see him doing anything that is incorrect to please tell him.

He just graduated from the 9th grade in 2014 and is attending a trade school this year for air conditioning and refrigeration 6 days a week. He is taking a Bible course from my home church, Immanuels,

Youth group

translating at VBS

Graduation

one day a week, reading a book about church history, teaching a youth class every other week, preaching on Sunday's, reading the Bible personally 2 to 3 times a day, doing his school homework, visiting friends in the neighborhood to pray with them and to encourage them, and taking guitar lessons because he wants to start a praise and worship team for the church.

My life has changed so much because of him. He has taken some of the weight off of me in ministry. He, as I said, encourages me so much. I have had to reevaluate my walk with the Lord and I have found it wanting…being too busy ministering and not spending more time with the Lord.  I relish this time in my life with this young man knowing that one day he will be gone on to his own life, ministry, and family.  I am a blessed woman.

Thank you Lord for reminding me how it used to be between You and me.



                                            Do not despise the days of new beginnings.

                                                              My Daniel

A year ago today my momma died...

A year ago today my momma died. I seem to be doing okay. I did cry last night, actually it was today at 1am,  but I do that any day or night. I have learned to let my tears flow whenever they like. Its not a hard sob, its just a soft warm flow that says "mi mamma" in spanish. As I write this tears are filling my eyes but that's okay because I'm learning to live with this because this is the way it is.

In January I wrote in my journal:

"I do not know how to bear this grief. It comes as a wave that washes over everything. It hovers over me like a helicopter telling me there is danger near. What danger, death?  Death is no danger when I have Christ.

What power can this grief have over me? Its a mystery. Even as I know that death is life in Christ some part of rejoices and the other part grieves over my loss. Yes, My loss! Others knew her -  my mom  -others loved her  - my mom - BUT this is my grief - personal, intimate, visible and tangible.

Lord, how do I abide -no- how do I leave this grief behind. I want so much to abide in YOU always but this grief creeps up on me and steals my joy. How do I sorrow but also rejoice? Teach me, I pray."


Eight months later the grief  does not have its power over me. The remembrance of Him storing my tears in a bottle because of His love helps me.  I can  both sorrow and rejoice with warm tears that don't tear me apart but flow as water washing over my soul. Thank you Lord for answering my prayers.

 Its still a mystery but He is the master of miraculous mysteries.

A Tribute to Sharon

My greatest supporter died the other day. She was a friend, a mother, a wife, a sister, and a strong believer in Christ. I first met her about 12 years again fresh faced and always smiling. I once saw her frown but even then there was a slight curve to her lips that said, I am always ready to smile again. She brought warmth to wherever she came. She came into my life through her sister Donna who volunteered with the Children's Home  for over a year. 

Later Sharon married and through much struggles finally started a family. What amazed me was one year she started to donate a large sum monthly to the ministry. I was blessed by her generosity but thought she may have made a year long commitment only But every year she continued and increased the amount yearly. What blessed me more than the money was the sense of encouragement she gave me  in this ministry. Those who are missionaries know the struggles we face financially and spiritually. How we rely on the caprice of others when we really need to rely on God himself. 

Sharon's anointing was not the money but the spirit of encouragement that accompanied her every action. She made me sense that God was for me and He was using her to send that message. 

She comes from a family that loves to help and encourage. Being in touch with her family always gave me hope and comfort. She exemplified that so much. She will be sorely missed by me and I know I will see that smile again. Her smile is etched on my heart.

To her family and friends I can only offer mere words of condolence but know this that the God who loves us all is in the midst of even this loss.

A World view through God's eyes

Years ago my board said I needed to have cable so that if there was an emergency in my country or in the world I would be aware of it. Never did I think that this assess to news would become such a major part of my prayer time.

I  recently changed my Face book profile picture to reflect my prayer support for Christians and other religious minorities being persecuted by Islamic terrorists. I wish there was a profile photo that could express my preoccupation with the state of our world overall.

I see in Missouri a young black man who was recently shot by a white policeman. I don't know all of the facts and have only seen snippets  of the coverage. I did see the video that I believe was him boldly facing down a store clerk over a few dollars of stolen cigars. I can also see in my imagination a young boy with his arms raised, fear in eyes,  pleading not to be shot. What a contrast!

I can see a man who is white pointing a guy at a "criminal" who was walking in the middle of the street thinking perhaps fearfully that "if let my guard down, he will overpower me, so I must shoot him like a wild animal or I'm a goner." I don't know!!

I only know that in the hearts of these two men there is an illusion of right and wrong that is not taught in the Bible. There is a scripture that simple says. "Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, mind and soul... Love your neighbor as yourself." Simple but so not real in this world.

I see a president, whom I did not vote for, but do pray for trying to please man while fighting against the wind on every hand. I pray for his heart to be softened and for forgiveness for his world view that abortion and same sex marriage is the people's right. In part he is correct but in the divine scheme of things he is so wrong.

I see another president (Guatemalan) asking for "money" from the USA to solve the problem of immigration instead of  seeking the face of God for wisdom on how to overcome the disparity of the people, to change the hearts of the delinquents, to give them a future and a hope, to provide the basics of clean water, food and education for all of the people. Money is not the answer. God's wisdom and guidance is the answer.

I see men, religious men, who worship Allah and believe they have a mandate to "convert" the world to their way through murder,  rape and plunder. I pray for them to have an encounter with the real God in the form of Jesus Christ.

For every situation in this world God is the answer. Not the God of our flesh that says we deserve this or that, but the God in whom we find forgiveness when we repent and the Holy Spirit who will enable us to shed His love abroad.

The times are growing darker but the light of Jesus Christ is not getting dimmer. It is burning deep into the hearts of men who are praying for the day when all of Gods people will rise up in one accord in fellowship, harmony, love, and agreement that we are His people, united in love for His purposes,  so that the Kingdom of God will one day dwell forever more in our hearts, minds and souls.

I am still here!

I haven't written in a while since my mom's death last September 2013. I have been busy keeping in touch with my family. I went home in October for my yearly visit. Daniel was with me and it was good seeing family again while making my rounds at churches sharing about the ministry. I went home again in March 2014 for 10 days to celebrate my Dad's 91st birthday. I will be leaving for home again in September, in November and in January 2015….but I'm still here in Guatemala.

September I will be in Alabama, South Carolina, Virginia and Maryland sharing about the ministry. In early October before I return to Guatemala  I will attend the 50th anniversary reunion of the class of 1964 of Easter High School! How time flies.

In November I will be home for 10 days to celebrate a Thanksgiving Family Reunion.

In January 2015 my daughter Lee wants me to officiate at the renewal of her vows with her husband Terrance.

I have never traveled as much since moving to Guatemala in 1995 but this is a special time in the life of my family and I need to be there more. We are closer now than we've ever been, including my dad. My mom left a hugh space in all of our lives but her leaving left us more determined to honor her memory by loving each other more. That's her heritage.

While these past months have been hard personally,  the ministry still continues. I am learning to rest more and I can still see that the work does not go lacking. God is faithful! I am praying for more helpers. I have an excellent guatemalan staff in Gilma, Graciela and Andrea. What is lacking is someone who will take the reigns when I am gone. So I need prayer for interns, be they Guatemalan or North American, whom God may lead one day to oversee this ministry.

I am enjoying seeing my son Daniel (16) grow first in his relationship with the Lord, his studies and his passion as an athlete as he says "for God!"

The Lord has continued to be faithful in meeting the needs of the ministry through the donations from the states and continues to open doors for more connections. Just when I think something will go lacking, He provides the answer. Living by faith can some times be nerve wracking but when I just trust and leave the ministry in His hands I am amazed at how well he handles things. My boss leads His servants well in the path of peace! In all this I am content because He is with me.

I ask your prayers for my family especially my oldest sister Janice who is ending her treatment for breast cancer. She has been a real trooper and the prognosis is excellent. I will try to do better in communicating through this blog. Blessings to everyone, everywhere.

Love, Myra