Prayer Requests

There has been some political unrest in San Andres (where I do clinic every Sunday) for the last couple of weeks. The mayor has gotten himself in some trouble, made some bad decisions and been, from what we have seen, a very typical mayor. However, the indigenous folks are pretty upset with him and 3 weeks ago threatened him until he finally agreed to step down. Of course all of that was illegal and the president stepped in and put him back in office. This past Monday, a large group of men - unfortunately, many who call themselves "brothers" in the church, rioted in front of his house, attempted to burn it, killed one policeman and wounded many others. The police have fled and the military has come in to establish order. The mayor is in hiding with his family, in the City we are told. The thing is, this man, however wrong he has been, was the key to having San Andres dedicated to God. He gave the keys of the city to the pastors and asked that they pray. We, along with several other pastors, believe he was put in office by God. And like Saul, it is not a good idea to touch God's annointed - no matter how far off the path they may have gotten - that is God's job. Unfortunately as well, they are threatening to kill Rodimiro and his family. You may have heard us talk about Rode, he is the pastor of Torre Fuerte and our very good friend. So we ask for your prayers for his safety, for peace, for the light that has been kindled in San Andres to continue to burn brightly and that what Satan meant for harm will quickly be turned to good. 05-22-2006

Grace is crawling and is a very happy child. She and Abi have been a blessing to our family and have reminded us of the joys of children. Please continue to pray for their health, as they both have had minor setbacks,
and for us as we continue the adoption process.

Please pray for Katharina a 7 year old girl from the aldea of Tintalia. She has seizures and fell into a fire (mid August). Her face and arms were severely burned and she is unable to speak. Her seizures are now under control with medication. She needs multiple surgeries and her parents do not want her any longer because she is of no use to them.

Please be in prayer for Maria - a 12 day old baby that only weighs 4 pounds. She has a heart murmur that we are praying she grows out of as her body grows. With a feeding tube and lots of prayer, we will ask for the miraculous hand of God to touch her. We are caring for her and trusting that God will heal her.

Please continue to pray for our newest clinics in Sacaj and Chimisijuan. An agreement was passed between the US and Guatemalan governments to open up trade between the two countries. Because there are still rumors concerning North Americans taking the Guatemalan babies to fatten up and eat, there was a period of decline in people coming to us for medical care. We have prayed that the people would not fear us, but trust that we are there to help the people.

The number of children in our nutrition program remains at a high level. The latest growing season has not been an exceptionally good one, so many of the people will remain without much food. Please pray for prosperity in this land and for the health of the children an families of this area.

Just past the mountain range we see from our back porch, extends an area that has been on our hearts in the last years called the Zona Reyna. This area has been described to us as unreachable except by plane. Duane recently had the opportunity to travel into this area and we feel that in the future, God may be calling us to minister to these people. We could not do this without an airplane or helicopter. We know that God is faithful and will provide us with everything that we need to take the next step forward. We are praying that if he wants us to move towards this place, that He will provide a craft for us to move supplies and reach these people.

Daily we minister to those that live around us through our actions and our words. We have gotten to know many of the families well and though we can never truly “walk in their shoes”, we have come to understand, in a small way, their desperation. Often, in an effort to provide for their families, the men sign over their property and take out loans so that they can go the US where they’ve been promised prosperity. Many of the Guatemalan people have grown up with this false hope coupled with fear. We are trying to teach the people to trust in God and his protection and provision.

In May, a very sick baby girl came to us. She is number 11, born to a very poor family living in a 2 room stick house. Her mom had an emergency C-section, and in the process the surgeons nicked her bowel. Little Grace came to the clinic with her dad who was desperate, as she was sick with pneumonia and he had no more money to take her to the hospital. We agreed to take her home that night with the understanding that outside of a miracle, she would probably die. God, in His infinite grace (hence the name) healed her little body. Today she is fat and healthy and may become a permanent addition to our family. Please join us in prayer as we continue to pray for favor and God’s direction through this process.

Please continue to pray for the people of the aldeas of Chiminisijuan and Sacaj, we feel that God is calling us to these areas and there is a lot of need there.

Pray that the people would see Jesus in us, the one that will not let them down. The one who moves in compassion which is evident in signs and wonders.

For financial support as we continue building the new clinic in Chiminisijuan.

Pray as we fight against the principalities and powers of this world. Please pray that HE would protect us physically, mentally, and spiritually as we feel the heat of the spiritual warfare around us that we would stay under the cool peaceful cover of the Lord.