In the US

Merry Christmas!

It must have slipped my mind to post that I was going to be in the States for Christmas. Well, I was in the States for Christmas.

The weekend was really good with family and a few friends. Today Christian and I got out in the woods a little and enjoyed the crisp 28 degree air. It's nice for a change, but I would like some more snow. The weatherman says we might get a little in the next few days.

Duane will be joining me hopefully Friday evening at our home church, Destiny. They're having a missions conference for four days morning and evening starting Saturday evening at 6. Guest speakers include Joyce Meyer and Kurt Landry, the pastor who led Duane and Leslie's trip to Israel. I'm excited to get to meet him. Anyway, I just wanted to say hey. To everyone who is praying for Guatemala, those we serve in clinics and through the food program, thank you very much. Duane called and it sounds like everything is very busy there as usual.

I hope everyone who reads has a happy new years day!

Grr...

I say grr... because Katie just robbed all the pictures we have of the families on our Corn Project! So, you can check that our on Adonai's blog.

I had to blog today though because it was a good day in the mountains with Thomas. He and I have a list of the "missing" people that we have not been able to find for the last two weeks as we make house visits to pray and access family's needs. Well, at clinic this Tuesday one of the "missing" ladies came back for more food and led us to the others! It was a long walk from the four-wheeler, but we found four missing families and added two new ones today. Our morning started out with the brisk downhill for about 1,000 feet. On our way to the missing lady's house (her name is Maria), we ran into Ignacia, another lady we are helping with food. Ignacia has rheumatoid arthritis, and although she is probably not over 50 her posture is bent and her hands are twisted. She walks with a cane, and at first glance you wouldn't expect her to be able to leave her house. Well, Ignacia began to walk with us to Maria's house and talked to Thomas along the way. She told him how she remembers the first time Leslie and Thomas prayed with her in her home. Three years ago she couldn't walk at all, and felt little purpose in life being stuck in bed. But she said that as Leslie and Thomas prayed she felt something enter her, and they declared over her that she would walk again and pray for others. Well, that's exactly what she's doing. Although slowly, she walks around the mountains (we found her about three walking hours from her house) praying for her neighbors. People call her from towns too far to walk to because of the anointing that she carries. Gathered around Maria, her kids, and Ignacia we prayed and have thanks to God for what he had done in their lives. Maria also had stories of how Thomas had prayed for her husband and son years ago and they were healed. And that was just our first house visit of the day!

There is always a lot of need, but it is encouraging to see God's hand move. He is the answer to people's needs, it's not the food and corn bags that only open the door into people's lives.

We also got to pray with a family in from of their idol. I think they thought we would be afraid to, but Tomas only laughed and explained that the little decorated stature had no power to answer prayers. To make a long story short, the woman in charge of taking care of the idol (lighting candles and such) was only doing it to fulfill her husbands commitment for a year. He had died earlier, but after promising to hold the idol in his house for a year. The woman agreed that she knew only God had the power to save and meet needs, but still didn't want to accept Christ until the idol was our of her house. So on the 25th of January she plans to give her life to Christ. I pray she truly does and that the Lord reveals his power and love to her now. Surely if she understood it she wouldn't wait.

After seeing our missing people we came home on a dusty road. Yesterday we saw mud for the first time in a while in San Pedro. It has been raining there as usual. Duane and I commented as we flew back that we made it all of 2009 without getting stuck in the jungle! Last year it seemed like it was every other time that the rain would close in around us. Anyway, clinic was good. The leaders there are really good about being organized. Duane made an emergency flight to Uspantan while we were there, and Leslie, Katie and I saw probably around 150 people. Tomorrow is clinic here in Canilla and then in San Andres on Sunday. Lots of people will be passing through, and I'm encouraged from today that lives are being touched by God even though we may not be aware.

Tearin' it up.

Tearin' it up is what I feel like we're doing to motorcycles and four-wheelers around here. I am so thankful we don't have to ride horses everyone anymore. The Fickers remember those days.

Actually, nothing is torn up or broken down from this week. We've just been riding the four-wheeler and my bike a lot lately. The four-wheeler is the vehicle of choice for making house visits. If Juanito and Mario aren't riding it, Tomas and I are. My favorite 4-wheeler moment was when Tomas, Hector (our 10-year old guide) and I got to a tough spot. "It won't make it!" they said. Little do they understand the manuvering abilities of a Honda!

If we see six families a day we're doing good. It takes so long to locate people and then walk to their houses, usually several hundred feet up or down a mountain. We pray with everyone, unless they don't want us to, and share the gospel with them. Yesterday one lady prayed with Tomas in Quiche to accept Christ. That makes it all worth it.

On the bad side we run across people like this lady named Manuela. She was really nice, but lied to us in clinic about being a widow and not having any food. Upon visiting her we found out that she only said she was a widow because she heard the Americans would give food to her. Before we left her nice block house we prayed for her and her son (whom we will be helping with medicine for his siezures), but will not be giving food. Again though, this just shows the importance of house visits.

Today Duane and I went to visit Candelaria again. Duane and Leslie had helped her get her house back several months ago after her husband lost it as a result of debt. Now he is trying to sell it again, but his neighbors aren't letting him. (Thankfully). Sometimes I want to just tie someone like him up and haul him to the police station, Duane says it's better to pray instead. So we do, and help Candelaria and her 6 kids as best we can.

On the fun side of things, David, Joseph and I like the motorcycle race so much last month that we're helping some local teenagers make one in Canilla. On our days off and some evenings we have been helping them with the track and to mark the road up the mountain. Today I rode double with a guy who asked if I was a Christian while we were stopped to mark a tree with ribbon. I told him I was, and he said that he just became a Christian too. To me, it was just a cool experience because the whole "motorcyle" world is kind of outside of the religious circle, and I look for chances to show other motorcycle kids that you can have fun and be a Christian too.

My buddy Juan Carlos and I started a Bible study together two weeks ago. We meet every Monday evening with his wife Jael and his grandma to read a chapter together, talk, pray, and sing a few worship songs. Last week I even got a dinner afterwards, so we'll see if that keeps up. It feels good to reach out though in a discipling way, rather than just an evangelistic like in clinic.

Tomorrow is clinic though, and I still need to get a mini-message together, so I'm going to get off of here. Katie posted a good update for the Corn Blog if anyone wants to check that out. It's been really busy around here lately, but I'll try to keep the blog updated! Thanks for all the prayers and support.

He is Alive

I don't know if he should be after living with blood sugar level around 600mg/dL for the last 4 days (normal is around 100), but Justino is still alive. He's an older man, probably 70 something, who came to Leslie last Wednesday night feeling really bad. After some IV fluids and medicine we took him home and have been checking on him morning and evening the last several days. He and his wife live in an adobe house about 10min down the road, and he can hardly see anything even through the thick round glasses that sit on his nose beneath a shiny, bald head. I won't get into the medical specifics, but we think he may be passing kidney stones, and has pain that comes and goes. Today though I went to see Justino and his wife and he told me that he had a dream last night where the Lord massaged his whole body and inner abdomen. He said it was the first night in a while that he's slept like a baby and been pain free. His sugar was still high tonight, and if it doesn't get better we'll urge him more to go to the hospital. Anyway, he tells me every visit that he has faith in the Lord.

Then he told me about other dreams he's had. He knows God is alive and not dead. Three times the Lord has appeared to him in dreams. One time he described as walking on a narrow road that lead into a beautiful park. Men walked with him at his side and showed him all the people there. He said it wasn't hot or cold, just perfect. There was no thirst or hunger, and he said there was no moon or sun. But everything was just right. I don't know he knew of Isaiah 60 where the Bible says there will be no need for sun or moon in the City of God. Justino has only been a Christian for two years. Man did he have a lot to say though. "My God is alive." he said over and over. "He was dead, but three days later he rose again, and he was whole. And he makes me whole. I talk to him like a friend. I have faith in God." And I believe him.





Most of my computer time has been entering data for the corn project and doing e-mails, so I'm sorry for not keeping up with the blog. I'll try to do better. Juan is still visiting people in aldeas (that's where the above pictures are from), delivering food, checking on families in need, and finding new ones. This past week I sent a list with him of people we knew needed a visit. He saw a few of them, but came back with a list of at least 10 more families! At the moment we have given food to around 100 families, but are still in the processes of visiting "pendientes"--those who have approached us for help or we have heard have need. Most times we give the first bag of food to these families after just a brief interview, but to receive continuing help a house visit ensures that the family truly does need help.

Also, before I get off of here I have to at least mention that David entered a local, enduro motorcycle race--about 30 miles of mountain riding with a short obstacle course at the beginning and end. He placed 4th out of 30 riders, many of them professionals from the capital and other cities in Guatemala. 3rd place (and winner of Q1000) was the man who marked out the course and was only a minute ahead of David! He did it mostly because our friends here always urge him to try, and it sounded fun, but he did really good. I entered too, but missed a turn from the start and got way behind, finishing like 20th out of 30. Not too much to brag about. But we had fun and tried to be a testimony for Jesus in the "rich kid" motorcyle environment. You know, as I look at these last four pictures next to the first four I realized that they show two totally different worlds that exist in the same town. We work with the poorest of the poor most of the time, but can still ride motorcycles with the upper class on raceday.

David clearing some rocks and logs.
Me taking on a set of logs and tires.
Tomorrow is clinic in San Andres. It's "Feria" time though, so we don't expect too many people. The street you see at the opening of my blog will be filled with lots of people selling all kinds of things, dancing, drinking, and some bowing to idols set up in tents, or shooting "bombas" kind of like fireworks off of their chests. Witchdoctors urge them to shoot them into the air so that the gods hear them. It's not really a good day, but we'll go for those who come to clinic and pray for God's people to be a light in the midst of a mostly dark celebration time.

Back to Guatemala

This is one of the little guys we see regularly for the nutricion program in Chiminisijuan.

I just realized my last post was never published last Thursday, but just to fill anyone in, I didn't get back to Guatemala until last night. I extended my stay to help Ryan, Duane, and some other friends load up our "corn truck" with grain bins and other supplies. Hopefully the load will get here in a month or so. Our friend Martin plans to drive in through Mexico for us.
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There was nothing like being reunited with my XR650 at the airport yesterday (except maybe a pretty girl). It had been three weeks, and she was inviting me to give her a spin. My friends Dr. Sherwood and his wife Areli picked me up and took me to my motorcycle on the other side of the runway. (It was good to see them too :)! They were there to pick up some friends from Michigan who will be working with them for a week. Hopefully they'll be able to come and work with us this upcoming Saturday too. Anyway, three and a half hours after leaving the City I made it to Canilla just after dark. The dark and foggy mountain roads reminded me that I was back, as did all the familiar faces here at the house. Grace had to show me all of the new puppies we had, and David was sure to leave out some dinner for me.

Today was our weekly Chiminisijuan clinic. Armando and I went up and gave out milk/food to families who were on our programs. We did a lot of praying with families and I was reminded of who it is that we're here to serve. So many familes (many of them single mothers with several children) live in such isolated places just struggling to keep food in their bellies. Hope is much needed, and I feel like I can get so distracted from the Source of Hope in all of my personal worries.

As for major passings since I was gone: The Aztec interior looks really good, and David has been busy with tractor work and repairs on our Tacoma. Juan and I did some cutting and unbolting this afternoon. Our cow had her calf, so the fridge is stocked with milk again (that's a big deal). Duane and Leslie are still in Israel until Monday, but the girls are doing good with their brothers and sisters (and puppies). The corn project folder has over 200 families entered that we are either helping with food or monitoring in case they need it in the next couple of months. Three families came through today for beans, rice, and oats along with 15 kids who recieved milk. Tomorrow is our Sabbath, so I don't exactly what we'll do, but it's sure to include some prayer and worship. My time home was really good seeing family and friends. It was easier saying goodbye since I plan on being home for Christmas in just over a month (way better than 6 months). That's the rundown for tonight, I just wanted to let everyone know I made it back safe!

My Family

The last few days I've been camping. My family actually chose to leave our well-heated, spacious, amazing home to live in a trailer on wheels for three days in a park with other such trailers on wheels in 40 degree weather. Actually it was pretty fun. John, my mom, Christain, and my aunt Janice spent three days together on Carlyle lake. My grandpa even stopped by for a day. The only bad things were my mom and Janice giggling in the middle of the night while the guys tried to sleep. And the fish didn't bite. Christian caught three and I got none! I guess I'm out of practice....There are no tilapia here.

I just got news today that David, Joe, and Ryan got the grainbins down yesterday. Their uncles and friend, Mike Lovell, helped. Soon the load will be ready for our friend Martin to drive to Guatemala. I also just read on Adonai's blog that Duane and Leslie finally got to talk to the mayor of San Andres. He said that he has been overwhelmed by the people who have come to him with need; I think he has a list of 4,000 people, widows and hungry families who have asked for help. To top it off a pastor prophesied over him a month ago that "corn was coming. Corn to feed the people. This was before we had announced our corn project to anyone outside of the ministry. Anyway, I'm really excited about what God is doing. The prophet Isaiah wrote, "If you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry, and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will shine in the darkness and your night will be like the noonday sun." The Lord is about letting his glory shine as he meets the needs of his people.

I plan to spend the next few days with my dad, grandparents, and the side of the family I haven't seen yet. If anything exciting happens I'll be sure to post!

Last words

My feet are soaked from catching our second bee swarm! Aaron found it under a bridge in town, so we made a hive and some tools last night. Tonight we caught as many as we could in a cardboard box. Later we'll dump what we have in the new "bee haven" box.
The last couple days have been pretty busy. Several of the pastors I've talked to the last couple days are really planning and looking for ways to help us with the corn project. I don't want to get my hopes too high, but I am praying.

Today in clinic there was a middle-aged lady, Estefania, who had a really high blood pressure, but nothing else wrong. After a few minutes of talking with her, she confided to us that she feels like there is an evil spirit oppressing her. I won't go into all the details, but it made me so mad that the devil has put such a fear in people here. I have no doubt that sin, the world(that is not subject to God's law), and the devil are the enemies of all mankind, but it makes me mad when Christians like Estefania are afraid of him. Here, more than in the US, poeple view the spiritual realm as very real, and tangible. Rather than calling a pastor to pray or taking medicine, people can call a witchdoctor to cast a spell to heal you (for a price of course). The cool thing is that people are healed quite often from chronic sicknesses after commitng their lives to Christ. Anyway, I just had some more spiritual stuff today than usual.

I'm looking forward to seeing my family, but not to the trip. I plan to ride my dirtbike in from Canilla in the morning (hopefully no more than a 4-hour trip) to get on the plane. I better get my bag packed...and get those bees in their box.