Seasons...

There are Seasons we all go through

Seasons we laugh, Seasons we cry

These Seasons are Gifts given from above

Seasons we share, Seasons of Love

The Season we have now is the Season God gave

Whether it's a Season of Joy or a Season of pain

His hand will guide us through the Rain

Winter's winds are cold and harsh

But Spring's rains will bring New Life

The Summer's Joys are worth all the pain

When Autumn's leaves fall again 

The Season we're in now is the Season to use

For experiencing the Joy God gives

He gives Peace as we walk through the Rain 

Ecclesiastes 3:1

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.

The Clock is Ticking

15 days!!!!

That's how many more days left in the countdown until I fly to the States for 6 weeks over the holidays, Lord willing! I am a bit excited, in case you can't tell ;) 

And they promise to be a busy 15 days!! 

- This coming Thursday Ron will fly home. 

- On Friday Rachel, Tammy, and Rylee will be heading into the City for an overnight stay then flying home on Saturday.

- Next week our last team of the year will be here.

- Then, on the 30th Joe and Bethany will be here for a 4-day visit - they'll be flying home on December 3rd with me and the rest of the American crew that will still be here!

Did I mention the word busy?! But, I will do my level best to write one more blog right before heading home. 

Prayers are appreciated!

- For everything to go smoothly, that no last minute emergency would arise, and for protection for the staff and friends we leave behind (as well as for ourselves, of course!). 

- The Binduses are moving back to the States 'permanently', so prayers for smooth transition for them and the ministry here would be appreciated. It will be hard to see them go and know they won't be back next year but we know that God is leading them and look forward to seeing where He will take them. 

- Meme, our 'head of operations' is in the hospital right now with a brain hemorrhage. He most likely needs and operation; they are still doing extensive tests to see if they can get the bleeding under control. We've set up another page where anyone who feels led to can donate. Please visit his page here, read his story, and keep him in your prayers!

- Cristina is doing very well - praise God! We were able to visit her and her family today. She had just gotten back from therapy and although tired, had a big smile on her face. They have helped her, through small inexpensive objects, be able to help cook again (one of the things she's missed being able to do the most). For a more detailed update, feel free to visit her page here. 

overlooking the valley of Canilla'

A week and a half ago, I was able to head back to Canilla'/Chijoj to visit my friends and family for a week. They were hosting a team from TX with the ministry The Forgotten People - a ministry that is continuing with the ongoing mission in my 'little hometown' (Chijoj), which is where our family spent Christmas and New Year's last year (and also where we've done many months, years, of ministry in the past.) 

Norma, me, Elma

It was a fun, memory-filled week! When first making plans to visit, my expectations were to help my 'sisters' in the kitchen with meal planning and fill in anywhere else needed. I ended up being able to do that and more - one of the main things being to go along with the team to visit several different churches in the mountains and fill in as a second translator. 

They were a great group to work with and get to know! It was an honor to be able to work alongside them and call them friends. I arrived a day earlier than the team to help with preparations then stayed a day longer to spend extra time with just 'my family'. I had also wanted to visit the Ficker family who lives in Canilla' and run a medical based ministry (as well as flying the plane that shuttles groups back and forth from Guatemala City - which would otherwise be a long rough 6 hr drive). We left our family's bus (the one that made half a dozen trips carrying 10 people from MI through MX to Guatemala in years past) with them this past February and one of their married sons and his wife are now using it as a little apartment. 

Anyway, before you get too bored, I will share some pictures that I actually remembered to take while there! 

it's an unspoken rule to have at least one break-down a week when traveling in the mountains

hiking to one of the three churches we visited in the mountains

the neighborhood kids love using the soccer field on the compound almost every evening

Hayley and Darlene

a 'waterfall' from a mountain stream

in each church Kyle and Phil spoke to the congregation as a whole before splitting up the men and women for 'building marriages' sessions wit David and Meredith

David with one of the men's groups

Norma leading songs for Sunday school in Chijoj

playing games with the little kids

a shot of the valley taken from the location of some small Mayan ruins

exhausted after traveling 4 to 5 hrs on bumpy backroads to visit a church

Byron - more commonly known as Chapo - one of my long-time little buddies went with us everywhere

little 6-yr old Roman was a trooper 

my 'brother', Nayo, wanted a cool-looking picture when he saw my camera ;)

the kids here steal my heart everywhere I go!

the last church we visited

my 'nephew' and 'nieces' - Angi, Isaac, and Alison

Elma, my 'soul sister', working on donuts (our project the last day I was there). Did I mention that she's almost 2 months pregnant! :D

they actually were as good as they look ;) 

my 'sister', Norma, and I had such a great time working together that week (I miss them all :( I almost called Tammy to let her know I wouldn't be coming back to Chichi til Dec. 2nd!)

our family's famous bus - that's not ours anymore!

The day that I got back, there was a dental clinic going on here at Monte Flor. Dr. Steve Niergarth very generously extracted all 4 of my wisdom teeth (even though 3 of them were impacted). It was a huge blessing! They'd been hurting me on and off for over a year and my insurance at home didn't cover the extractions I needed. So, since then I've been on a diet of mostly yogurt and ice cream...BUT the nuisance will be worth it when my mouth finally heals up! 

the great Dr. Niergarth ;) we love him around here - seriously, we do! 

this picture was taken right after 'surgery'. today, I have officially quit looking like a chipmunk! still minor swelling on the inside of my mouth but I've actually been able to eat something non-dairy and semi-solid - yay! 

P.S. I think I'm still as wise as before but that's still to be determined :/ 

Is It Real?

Fear.  
It's everywhere. How real is it? Do we truly have any reason to not be afraid? What do we do about it?

The first of November (the day after Halloween) is celebrated around here as Day of the Dead. You hardly see kites being flown in Guatemala until they show up by the dozen around this holiday. The reason? "Kites are a way for the spirits of the dead to be released once a year." That's just one of the many traditions - some pretty creepy ones - that accompany the weeks leading up the 'big day.'


Fear.
It's everywhere. How real is it?

It has recently showed up in an extreme way in which several of our 'Bethany' families have been directly affected. Around this dark holiday, voodooism becomes more active.
Strange sightings - half human, half animal. Are they real? 
Like, the time that a schoolboy and his friends went to look for something on the mountain behind the school that one of 'our girls' attends. They came back running and screaming in terror, scared to such an extreme degree that they passed out as soon as they stopped. The next day it happened again. This time, the teachers saw the same 'thing' and sent all the kids home for the day. 

Or the strange knock during the night on the house of one of 'our families' living in a completely different village. When the oldest son opened the door, what he saw scared him to such an extreme degree that he couldn't even scream because of the terror - he too passed out. 

It's real. Reasons to fear or things to be afraid of are real. 
Multiple accounts of the same thing happening. 
Around the world similar stories are recounted. 
The Bible says it's real. 
     Ephesians 6:12 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." 

So if it's real - if there really is a reason for fear -

Do we truly have any reason to not be afraid? 

In the first story, after the teachers sent the kids home for the rest of the day, all the pastors from that village gathered together on the school property and the property behind it. These pastors took to heart the meaning of the following verses and prayed. 
     2 Corinthians 10:3-4 "For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." 
     Ephesians 6:18 "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication." 
     Revelation 12:11 "And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." 
'Our girl' refused to go back to school for an entire week after the incident. Her mother took God at His word. 
     Psalm 91:9-11 "Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place - the Most High, who is my refuge - no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." 
She intentionally woke up at 11 o'clock every night and prayed for an hour that her daughter would find her strength in Christ - that she would not be afraid. That she would know the truth of God's promises.
     1 John 4:4 "...you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."
There has been no recurring incidences at that school and 'our girl' is no longer afraid to sleep by herself. 

When we heard the second story, Tammy asked me to prepare a small segment on spiritual warfare to teach 'our families' at the monthly classes. She, Sonia, and I were driving to a luncheon together while discussing the topic. Sonia said that many people say these 'half human, half animals' are actually people. Instead of being demons (like they appear to be), they are people involved in satanism, demonism, and voodooism - she told us the story of her uncle - whom we'll call Uncle C. - as an example:

After hearing a noise outside his house one night, Uncle C. went out to investigate the problem. He found one of these 'beings' trying to steal his pigs. Only two words came out of his mouth but they were powerful enough to cause 'it' to shrink back in extreme fear. Those words? Jesus Christ. That's all this man said - Jesus Christ. But with that name on his lips, the fear inside him left and Uncle C. was bold enough to pick up a stick and hit 'it' on the shoulder before 'it' could ran away. After he went back inside the house, he remembered that one of his neighbors was involved in voodooism. The next day, Uncle C. paid a visit to this neighbor. Without making any mention of the previous night's incident, he shook Mr. Neighbor's hand and touched his shoulder. He winced in pain and gave some lame comment about falling, but his eyes betrayed him; Mr. Neighbor avoided making eye contact the entire time. He never bothered Uncle C. again. 

Whether it's dealing with actual demons (or people involved in satanism), fearing what could happen, worrying over what might happen, anxiety over losing control, or stressing about situations we aren't able to handle, the answer is still the same -
Yes, we truly have a reason to not be afraid! 
     Mark 9:23 "All things are possible for one who believes." 
     Ephesians 6:10-11 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."


If fear is real but we truly have a reason to not be afraid -
What do we do about it?

As Christians, our enemy has one big goal; he wants to rob our peace. Why? Because God is all about peace. satan is against anything that God is all about. he is called the 'prince of the world' while Jesus is called 'the Prince of Peace.' 
     Ephesians 6:15 "and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace."
     1 John 5:4-5 "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" 
     Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."

So, we take God at His word

     James 2:19 "You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!"
     Psalm 91:1-5 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,"
     1 Peter 5:7-9a "Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith,"

     James 4:7-8a "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you."

If you struggle with fear, let someone know - ideally, a Christian who has experienced the promises of God and will be able to stand with you in prayer.

     Matthew 18:18-20 "Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."
The "Number 1" promise to hold on to and never let go
     1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear."
     1 John 4:8 "Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."

From preparing on this topic for next month's teaching segment, I've compiled an extensive list of Bible references on the promises of God through the realities of spiritual warfare. It doesn't contain every single verse but highlights most of the main ones. 
If you struggle with fear, listen to what God has to say about the subject. I am more than happy to send you a copy of that list so you can refer to it again and again. (visit the "Contact Info" tab)

The email address songbirdforlife94@gmail.com is set up specifically for prayer requests (everyone is held confidential) Reach out. 

But more importantly - Reach Up! 
To the one who says:
     "Because he holds fast to Me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name." - Psalm 91:14 

Care for Cristina

In the 'September Letter', I briefly mentioned Cristina - "a family [we've] been helping - the young mother of 3 suffered a major stroke [last November]... then [15 days ago] suffered another stroke." Read here for further details.

Cristina's husband, Fernando, had almost given up hope on having her make it through this last set-back. We  all went up to visit her and the family late last week. When we asked questions on how she was doing, we were told she's doing worse - which surprised us because she was starting to eat again and talk a little. Although she didn't always fully comprehend everything that was going on, she was doing much better in that sense than the previous week when Rachel and I had visited. So, after more questions, they told us that she had a 'cut' on her back. The cut turned out to be a stage-4 bed sore about 6x4 inches in size on her lower back! It was infected with puss, blood, and a lot of dead/dying skin. Along with the large sore, she also had a 3x2 inch one on her upper back and one the size of a half-dollar on her foot - both of which weren't nearly as bad. Trish is a trained nurse and was able to get together a list of things to make her more comfortable before we could get her in to the hospital yesterday. If she didn't get the largest sore takes care of, she would die from an infection before the after-affects of her stroke. Again, read here for her story with details leading up to now. 

Yesterday, the volunteer firefighters drove back to her village to pick her up for transport into the local mission hospital, where Dr. Tom, a missionary friend, runs the surgery department. Fernando's sister has been helping take care of the kids since her first stroke, so he was able to join her for the ride in and stay until evening. The hospital requires a 'caretaker' to be with the patient 24/7; Rachel and I volunteered to take the night shifts for the 3 days of her stay so that Fernando could be with his kids at night. Dr. Tom did a surface 'clean' in the ER before admitting her to the women's section of the hospital. 

I arrived at the hospital a little before dinner last night to settle in for my overnight stay. She can't move any part of her left side and needs to be fed by hand. Surprisingly to us, her appetite is good! She ate a full-sized portion for dinner and drank lots of water until midnight, at which point they only kept an IV on her. Because of her surgery scheduled for early afternoon today, she hasn't eaten or drank anything all day today. We were a little unsure of whether or not the nurses would keep her rotated from side to side (she can't be on her back because of the sores and it's extremely important to rotate sides to prevent other sores from developing.) For example, when I first got there, Fernando told me her IV had been dry for half an hr and I had to find a nurse to let them know she needed it replaced. However, I was pleasantly impressed by the night staff and our concerns were put to rest. The head nurse and her aid came in to rotate her every few hrs and kept her clean without me needing to ask them to. She was well taken care of. 


I had to sleep on the floor, because 3 of the 4 beds were filled with other patients. The only empty bed was positioned on the opposite side of the room of where Cristina was and I wanted to be available in case she needed anything during the night. She didn't sleep well all night because of the light they left on. She asked me several times to readjust her back pillow to help her breathing, and at one point she asked if the IV could be removed because it was bothering her. I was so amazed at the improvements she keeps making in alertness! Although she still doesn't always fully comprehend everything around her, she can have conversations now and remembered several names from the day before when we were at her house. Around 4 this morning, she finally fell fully asleep and slept soundly for 3 hrs until the nurses woke her up to give her a full-body bath. 

Fernando came back this morning and a little later, his sister, Tomasa, brought their children to the hospital to visit for several hrs, though they weren't allowed into Cristina's room. 
Dr. Tom had scheduled her surgery for early afternoon, but - it's Guatemala - things get delayed for oftentimes absurd reasons around here! Today, the anesthesiologist wasn't there when he was supposed to be. Originally, we hoped she would be out of the OR by 4 o'clock at the latest, but she didn't get in until 7 o'clock tonight. She was only in surgery for an hour and it all went well - praise God! Dr. Tom says she has a long road to healing completely, but if she is taken care of properly, and eventually with physical therapy, she should make a full recovery!! 

We are praying in faith that Cristina's story will touch many people's lives with the hope of Christ. There have been so many people praying and it's truly a joyful experience to see prayers being answered before our very eyes - even in the midst of the pain. 
Please continue to pray for Cristina and her family and share her story with others! We serve a mighty God and we know that with Him, all things are possible. 
Also, if you feel led to donate to help not only cover surgery and hospital expenses but to also help cover future costs for Cristina's care, follow this link to a page we set up to make that possible. 

Prayer List

Quick Note:

I'm starting a 'prayer list'. Every Wednesday for the rest of 2014, I'll be praying for/over each specific request submitted. Nothing is too big or small and confidentiality is guaranteed.
If you have anything or anyone to add to the list, or know of someone who does, email songbirdforlife94@gmail.com. That email address is going to be used specifically for this list.

Pass on the info! 

September Letter

A few persimmon trees at Monte Flor are bravely showing their 'fall' colors. 

Dear Friends,

As I sat down this morning to start writing this letter, my plan was to give you a time-line of the highlights of September to fill you in on the 'goings on' around here. I had half a page written when I had to head off to work. 

I was going to include more pictures of the circus that we had a blast at one evening the beginning of the month. 
I was planning on writing in detail about our overnight stay at the Barcelo (hotel) in Guatemala City when we took our passports in for visa renewals. Then, I was planning on writing in depth about the frustrations and two 'wasted' days the following week when we went in to pick them up. (Talk about extreme frustration!)
I was going to extend that little adventure to talk about a family the Binduses and Pattersons have been helping - the young mother of 3 suffered a major stroke 9 months ago, but was doing very well several weeks ago. The same day she was walking well enough to want to sweep their bedroom on her own, she started complaining of pain and suffered another stroke. Her husband doesn't expect her to live much longer, so Rachel and I went to visit and pray with them after we got back from the City; that kind of pain made the frustrations from the day before fade into the background. 
I was also planning on expounding on more of the Independence Day celebrations and parades that happened around the 15th. 

I was going to close with stories of things we did with the minions and co. while Craig n Trish Bindus and Lance n Lauren Patterson took a trip to TX for a week.

And end with the news of how Rachel's mom arrived on Sunday for a week-long visit (which is why she wasn't along for work today). 

However, this morning I left this half-finished letter to head out to work and things took a little turn, as far as my plan for this letter is concerned. 
We had five families scheduled to visit today, so I thought I'd take you through a little 'play by play' of how a regular day of visiting looks like in the life of this intern. Each day is different because each family is unique, but they all look a bit similar and today is a good one to draw on. 

Family #1 of the day -
Anastasia's youngest son, 5 year old Tomas, is mute. When he was born the operation needed to 'loose his tongue' was too expensive for her to afford. However, in spite of his handicap, he is one of the most friendly little 5 year olds I know! He got this big grin on his face when we pulled up to their house and tried to talk to me as soon as we stepped out of the truck but finally resorted to pulling on my hand to welcome me inside. Then he proceeded to bring out his few toys [including a little home-made bow and arrow made out of sucker (aka - lollipop) sticks and string] then hop on and off my lap for the duration of the visit. 

Family #2 of the day -
Six year old Juan and his little cousin are those adorable, big-eyed kids who hang back a little til they warm up to a person, then after some time, they start the 'tickle tag game' and soon warm up enough to the point that today they brought me flowers! It wasn't the first time they brought me flowers but they made more trips this time and added some rubber band bracelets to the gift pile!
Juan's father left him and his mother for her cousin when Juan was just a few years old. Her family is burdened with heavy bank debts that keep her up at night with worry. The devotional today talked about how God knows everything little detail of what will happen in our day before we even have a clue. We prayed for peace and trust. 

Family #3 of the day - 
Yenifer and Shirly are a several of the few kids who speak Spanish more fluently than Kiche. They are sweet little girls at the top of their classes.
Today their grandmother brought some fruit drinks in for us while we were talking with the girls and their mother. The families rarely offer us the customary offer of something to drink that usually happens with guests in this culture because we come so often and tell them not to give away what little they have to us but to keep it for themselves. So, when she insisted that we take it, Gloria asked what the special occasion was. Apparently an engagement took place yesterday so they had extra drinks left over from the celebration. Their youngest daughter (Yenifer and Shirly's 16 year old aunt) is getting married in 5 months! 

Family #4 of the day -
Juana and her mother attended a wedding today and returned from the reception just a little before we got there. Shy quiet little Juana barely speaks except to answer questions when we are there. She and her mother also gave us something to drink and some crackers left over from the celebration. This visit was a short one but her mother took the time to genuinely express her gratefulness for the help she and her daughter receive thru the Sponsorship Program. 

Family #5 of the day - 
Rudy's family was our last visit of the day, so we took a little extra time with the tutoring session. His little sister Lesvia was at the top of her kindergarten class this year but failed two of her subject exams this last quarter. She was really sad about it but was soon her cheerful self as Henry talked her thru what she needs to work on in her assignments. Rudy has always had to work a bit harder for good grades, but he has really improved this year so Gloria took time to praise him on how his efforts have paid off. 

We always take time to pray with each family after the devotional time before we leave. Although these little descriptions don't say everything, it hopefully gives you a good picture of what happens on our average visits. Little details add up to strong relationships that build up trust and experiencing the love of Christ invested into each visit.
A normal thing this month that didn't happen today is that Gilma (she and her husband run Casa de Sarita and head up the feeding programs for Manos de Jesus) has been going along to help the kids do drawings and make little letters to send back to their sponsor families in the states, but she didn't accompany us today. 

Other notes:
It's been raining basically every day this month, sometimes twice a day. So, Rachel and I have been enjoying our cozy fireplace in the evenings. We and the minions also started spending most Saturdays together cooking (which has included several root beer floats ;) and being goofy.
With no teams for a whole month, we ladies have started doing a devotional time together every Friday and working out together almost every day - it helps fill in empty spaces and builds relationships at the same time. 

Thank you again, each one who prays for the work happening here on this mission field. Please continue to pray for workers to be sent into the harvest. (Luke 10:2) 

Blessings to you all,
Rose Bontrager

Bonus Picture: Skyping my family :D