Wow, a week has passed, and what a week! God is at work and we are hanging on, trying to keep up with Him!

Monday was a usual work day, full of writing lessons, comparing notes, and making plans. Tuesday was not so "usual." That day we all went to town (Punta Gorda) met up with the pastor from Big Falls (Bro. Andres, who went to Bible school in Guatemala and knows the turf), and got on a boat headed to Guatemala. The trip across the sea is in a skiff with an outboard motor. It takes one hour and twenty minutes, and provides a delightful opportunity to experience stomach falling experiences when the skiff comes down from the top of a wave. Thankfully the Caribbean is pretty sheltered and the sea was fairly calm the day we went so it was not too bad. When we arrived in Guatemala and went through immigration, we boarded a bus headed toward Guatemala City. After several hours of travel, we switched to a bus headed toward Coban. Another couple of hours passed before we reached Rancho, where we got off the bus and switched to a van taxi. Elvina and I did not fair too badly as we were in the front seat, but Bro. Andres and Clifford experienced the sardine effect: Guatemalans have a wonderful talent for turning a 18 passenger van into a 30+ passenger van! We changed vehicles one more time before finally arriving at our destination: Coban.

I have been to Coban two other times to pick up Bibles, but this was Clifford and Elvina’s first time. Guatemala has such a different climate and terrain than Belize, and the people are live quite differently than Belize, so it was fascinating watching Clifford and Elvina’s responses to all of it. One major climatic difference was that it was drizzly the whole time and cold (well, for us wimpy warm weather Belizeans)!

We stayed with some gracious relatives of Bro. Andres and had a lovely visit. They lived halfway up a hill, producing quite the hike up the long flight of steps! The next morning was still cold and drizzly, so a bath with frigid water was an energizing experience!

The day went well, although the Bibles cost twice as much as we had been told on the phone, so we bought fewer. We couldn’t make it back the same day, but we retraced our steps to the port city, where we spent the night and travelled back to Belize on Thursday.

Today was our first workshop day! We had 70 people show up, and we only had 40 registered, so we had to scramble a little. We were so blessed by the turnout and the excitement about the classes. Several of the pastors came and took classes, while others were there just to observe. One young man came all the way from Guatemala to attend the workshops! We didn’t expect to go international so quickly (actually wasn’t in the plans at all). God is good to stretch us. Clifford taught music, Elvina taught computer, and I taught, English, Bible, and New Testament History. Clifford and Elvina will teach Bible next week, but we had to tweak the schedule a little this week. It was a slight challenge teaching English Grammar, since most of the people spoke some English, and were ready for grammar, while two of the people spoke no English at all, I will have to work on a better plan.

This next week we will have a team here and will have to juggle hosting a couple of meetings, preparing for the team, and doing our regular work with Bible study writing/translation, preparing for the workshop next Saturday (which promises to be even bigger than this week), and continuing to prepare for the Maya recording. We covet your prayers for wisdom, strength, and financial provision.

We are so blessed to be in the service of our King!

Reader meeting

Today was an exciting day for us! Almost everyone who will be reading for the recording of the Maya New Testament was here for a meeting. We had a blessed time, and it was wonderful to see the excitement that people had for the project. Getting feedback from others is important so that we know that it isn't just "our" idea. Seeing the excitement others have is an encouragement to us that we are on the right track. The readers seem excited for several reasons:
1. It will help them learn to read in their own language
2. It will help inspire others to start reading in Maya
3. Hopefully it will get more people involved in reading/hearing God's Word on a regular basis
4. It will help preserve the language (they discovered today in one short practice, at least one
Maya word they do not use much anymore.
I am praying that the Lord will use it to bless those who are doing the reading, especially those that might not normally read the Bible much on their own. Also, the potential for the recording ministering God's truth to many people is exciting!

There was some nervousness about their ability to read well enough for a recording, since many of them have not read their language before, but we have several weeks before the recording begins, so they should have time to practice. Also, those doing the recording have assured us there will be plenty of opportunities to re-record after any mistakes.

We are excited about the group that the Lord has brought together to accomplish this work. The support and help of others is a blessing as we work together to accomplish God's work.

Clifford, Elvina, and I were able to get a lot accomplished this week in preparation for the workshops that will begin next Saturday. We will have classes on Bible study, New Testament History, computer basics, music, and English Grammar. Clifford and Elvina are a little nervous about teaching, but I am confident that the Lord will bless their willingness and give abundant grace.

Please pray for us this next week as we continue preparations. We are in great need of some Kekchi and Maya Bibles, and Elvina really needs a Kekchi dictionary before next Saturday. However, this would require a trip to Guatemala. We are considering going this next week, depending on the finances to purchase the items and the availability of one the pastors to go with us (he speaks Spanish...).

I am so blessed to be able to work with Elvina and Clifford, they are wonderful co-laborers!

T.E.A.M. swings back into action

Greetings once again!
I arrived back in Toledo Saturday, and we started back to work today. Part of our work was setting up a new printer that we were blessed with and I was able to bring down with me (thank you Hsu family!).

We are receiving quite a few applications for the workshops, with a new person signing up today (the man gave Clifford a ride from the junction, asked a few questions, then stopped in to sign up for the Bible classes). So, even though Clifford and Elvina won't be back here until Wednesday due to transportation issues, we all have our work assignments cut out for us.

This morning I read from the book of Mark about the parable of the sower and the different places the seeds. I thought it was appropriate for the work we are doing, we hope to cultivate good soil for the truth of God's word to grow in. Of course not all of the seed sown will bear abundant fruit, but we hope to save some from the devouring of the enemy, the shallow, rocky soil, and the choking thorns of the world. Would you pray for us as we work this week?