Wednesday, January 25, 2012

January Update


After the DTS ended in December we immediately hosted a CDTS group from Chico, California. They kept busy with local ministry and were a blessing to have at the base. We really enjoy hosting other YWAM teams as they come prepared for ministry and are flexible as things change without notice. If you have a group interested in coming to Guatemala please contact us, we would love to work with you to provide a great experience for you.
Our base has been working with Iglesia Vida Real in San Pablo La Laguna for several years. The church began 6 years ago and met in a small cornstalk siding building with just a few people. Over the years we have ministered there with our DTS groups as well as visiting teams and have seen the church grow to over 200 people. On January 7, the new church was completed and a dedication service was conducted with over 400 people attending. Many groups have been a part of the success of the church to enable it to raise over $150,000 to buy land and build the facility. In this community of very poor people it is a testimony of God's faithfulness and His desire to reach the people of the community. Pastor Antonio has stated that many people in the community do not believe a church is for real unless they have a building. We can argue the theology of that viewpoint but nonetheless it is a factor in how the people receive the church and want to be a part of it.
We are still offering the Motorcycle Discipleship Training School starting February 26,2012. If you want to be a part of it please send in your application immediately. This will be a unique DTS with the classroom phase conducted in Guatemala and the outreach in the USA. The outreach will focus on evangelism and mercy ministries as we ride to several locations to partner with churches, ministries and YWAM bases.
We have a new staff person joining us at the end of January. Carissa will be a great help to us and we thank God for sending her to us.
We will be hosting a seminar on "Hearing God's Voice" for pastors in the Lake Atitlan area January 27 & 28.
Several teams will be coming in February and March to minister in our area. We will involve them in our ministries we conduct each week which include: Monday Worship Service in English, Kids Club, Street Church, Feeding program and Soul Patrol Evangelism.
Our next Compassion DTS will start July 29, 2012. We are praying for the students who are registered and asking God to send us the ones He wants to be a part of the class. We are looking at going to India for our outreach and will continue to pray that God will direct us to the right place.