and we have much to do. We need to paint the kitchen, clean up the backyard, dispose of belongings, sell the vehicles (anyone want an '05 Mitsubishi Outlander?), and get everything into storage. Wow. We have 5 weeks from today. God is in control of the details...and I'm learning patience.
The people who had planned to rent our house ran into an issue...so we are looking for renters again. We aren't asking much, just enough to cover the house payment and the home warranty. We prayed that this couple would be able to do this, but a situation arose, so now we're praying again. I have to trust that the Lord will handle it all for us. If He called us to Guatemala, then He'll provide.
The financial part of leaving for a mission isn't easy. We're both people who DISLIKE having to ask people for money. We are at only 40% of our monthly needed support. We need to be at 90% before we are able to leave for Guatemala. We want to be able to leave on August 4, since we have plane tickets for that day. This means that we still need at least 40 people to partner with us by giving at least $30 a month. Donation information is to the right of this blog. I know God will take what is given and bless it abundantly! Please, if you are into missions, and want to see how your money will be used, go to http://www.mvi.org/. Our directors have a description of one of the pastors that they work with in Guatemala on the front page of the website.
Our mission focus is:
to help our directors, Randy and Brenda Purcell, in their ministry efforts by providing support for the short-term mission teams that come to Guatemala. The mission house in San Lucas will be our priority, ensuring the teams that come to further God's plans for the Guatemalan people are well-cared for during their stay. We believe God has called us back to Guatemala after our short-term mission with CMA and MVI. We also want to interact with the Christian motorcycle community in Guatemala.
We'll be caring for the short-term teams, maintaining the mission house compound, and working with our directors to help them further their ministry efforts. Their primary role is Missionary Ventures Directors for Central & Southern Guatemala. Randy and Brenda oversee Pastor Sponsorship programs, Feeding Center Programs and other developmental projects in Guatemala. There are currently fifteen feeding center locations throughout Guatemala. The Purcells assist pastors and Christian leaders through practical ways such as fundraising, work teams (construction, evangelism, medical, youth, etc.) and supplies and equipment. The Purcells facilitate ISOM Bible schools programs for pastors and leaders in the interior of the country where continuing Bible education is desperately needed but difficult to find. The Purcells are using evangelistic films in remote areas as another way to help pastors reach the lost. Brenda also hosts a monthly pastors’ wives meeting in their home in addition to the monthly pastors’ breakfast held in the capitol city. The Purcells do all this in addition to managing the mission house. How they ever rest is quite beyond me!
The short-term teams are invaluable. There is a team that comes down in November that is very special to us, the CMA team. They will be delivering motorcycles to national pastors that were purchased with Run For the Son monies. Other teams come to do construction, or hold a medical clinic, or do evangelism. The teams would have to raise more money to come to Guatemala if they were not able to stay in the mission house. Because of its location, teams are able to travel anywhere in Guatemala in a day. This all allows for money to be used to further God's plans in Guatemala.
Let me give you a few statistics about Guatemala. There are almost 14 million people there, and 96% of them are under the age of 64. What does that tell you about conditions there? Outside Guatemala City, there are villages who have had power less than 5 years. Almost none of them have indoor plumbing. But they are willing to serve the Lord, despite what we would see as crisis situations if that was happening in the US. Teams that come down can help with many different projects, and help ensure that the Guatemalan people are better equipped to care for themselves, both physically and spiritually.
The Lord says to "come and follow Me" so that's what we're doing. Ignoring the call, or refusing to do what we are told to isn't an option. We are just depending on those who will be "senders" to help partner with us to get to Guatemala and then stay there. Please, prayerfully consider partnering with us.
God Bless y'all!
Lisa
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