We finally made it up the mountain! Our arrival was followed by three days of almost nonstop rain. Two more babies have been born this week. The father of the baby, who's mother's death I described in one of my previous blogs, has left us with his baby for a month. He needed to leave for work in another town far way. His baby has been sick, so we asked to care for the baby while he was away. He accepted with joy. I have not been able to help with the baby much, because I still have a cold. He has been feeding well and already seems to have more energy.

 

I have also been working on an ongoing project of trimming out the doors in the dorms. This project has not been without problems such as tools breaking, hauling wood up the mountain, and dealing with crooked walls. I have also had amazing fellowship with the Lord since arriving back in Pinalito. I read through first and second Peter, and first, second, and third John, being reminded of some of the promises of God. It's amazing how 1 John speaks about love.

Due to bad weather, I have not been up the mountain for about two and a half weeks. It is still the rainy season here in Guatemala. Two weeks ago I also picked up the Moro family from the US at the Guatemala City airport. We have attempted four different times to make it up the mountain to the mission, and three of the four times we returned with a truck or trucks that needed repairs. This has been a very costly experience. I have spent several hundred dollars on truck repairs, food, hotel lodging, and even slept in my truck one night.

At one time one of our two trucks broke down in the middle of a stream that becomes part of our road through a small gorge. It was already dark when it broke down, and we were about two hours away from any mechanical  help. I stayed the night in the truck, and Ron returned the next morning with what was needed to fix it.  We worked four days hauling rocks, chopping down branches and small trees, and digging out mud to fix the road, but it is truly impossible when it rains and the mud gets knee deep. We have not ceased to pray for the rain to stop. Last time I made it up the mountain, I prayed and the Lord stopped the rain for three days which is very rare in the rainy season. It was not coincidence, it was a miracle. The Lord heard my prayers and responded by commanding the rain to stop. He controls every drop that falls.

Recently there was a little girl in the mountains who was extremely malnourished. This poor little girl was brought to me the day before I left to pick up Ron Moro at the airport. I gave this fourteen month old girl all the medical attention I knew of and never stopped praying. I begged the parents to let me take her to the hospital where she could receive an IV or greater medical attention. They refused saying the baby would die if it went down the mountain to the hospita,l and that it would live if it stayed in the mountains. They believe that if the baby dies in the city its spirit won't be able to find its way back up the mountain. These kind of demonic lies are spread all over the mountain. The dad became very angry and refused to listen to anything else I had to say. I called one of the teachers in the mountains to check on the status of the baby on our first attempt up the mountain. He informed me that she died the night before. Yet again I am reminded that God is in control, and I believe that it was His will that this little girl leave this world.

I have been battling with a sinus infection, but I'm feeling a little better and believe I will be well soon. Keep believing for the people I encounter to come to know our beautiful Saviour.

God Bless

     As usual, I’m going to start where I left off in my last blog.

     One morning a man came to my door and proceeded to tell me his wife had a fever. “Alright,” I thought, “No big deal, this happens often.” He then told me she couldn’t talk. Ron, another missionary, and I rushed to where she lived to see what we could do. We arrived at a small stick house with beautiful children sitting around the bed where their mother lay. She wasn’t moving. I found out from the father of the children that his wife had given birth the night before, and that she hadn’t eaten in eight days. Ron and I rolled her on her back. I notice there was cloth stuffed in her nose and ears, and strange liquids around her bed. It was obviously the result of witchcraft. I pulled the rags from her nose and ears, as Ron and I lay hands on her and prayed. We could see changes in her physically while something was happening in the spiritual. I believe a powerful attack from the enemy on the woman occurred as soon as we entered the room. We started to rebuke the demons with the authority of Jesus Christ. Within two or three minutes she began to spit up a black liquid and shake. The two of us held her and continued to pray, but then in a matter of minutes she was gone. We then turned our attention to the grieving father and children. We wrapped our warm arms around their cold, shaky bodies. I felt the comfort of the Lord while I continued to pray and hold their one day old baby girl. Even though I had prayed for the Lord to give her life, He reminded me that He was in that room, and that He could have raised the mother from the dead if He desired. Next, a woman came in, grabbed a small bottle of black liquid at the bedside, and began to spit the liquid all over the dead mother’s body. I told her to stop and put her trust in Jesus, the only one who could save her. She listened and moved to the back of the room. Then a witch doctor entered, grabbed the hand of the dead woman, and placed it on each one of the children while chanting something not of the Lord. He would not listen to me while I tried to share about Jesus. However, I knew my prayers for each one of those children were heard. “The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save.” Zephaniah 3:17. Finally, we were able to build a coffin for the mother, and comforted the children by giving stuffed animals and cookies to the children.

     Approximately a week later a medical and dental team from New York visited and ministered in two villages on the river. The people living in the second village we went to had never had visitors from outside the local villages. The majority of them professed to being Christians and told us we were an answer to their prayers. Apparently, another man from another local village had shared several years earlier about Jesus. That whole trip was very exciting. We were even told to watch out for jaguars, because the people had killed some in the past. I wasn’t able to go back to the village the last day, because the night before I had caught my bare foot on the head of a nail on a wooden walkway. Lets just say I gave the brand new walkway a new paint job. I do hope to return to that village again and spend more time with them.

     As most of you know, I just returned from a visit to the US. It was amazing! I was in one of my best friend’s weddings, went to a lake with friends, vacationed at the beach, went to church, slept in quite a few times, and continued to learn from the Lord. I even witnessed my nephew learning to walk! I think flying messes up my eating habits, because shortly after arriving in Guatemala City, I had an upset stomach. I wasn’t able to get up the mountain for four days, because I had been throwing up, had trouble sleeping, and could only make myself eat about 5 meals the entire time. The hike on the mountain was brutal. I felt empty and weak, and was sweating so much I couldn’t see much through my sunglasses. Even through this hard time I found it in my heart to thank The Lord for His many blessings and praise Him for His loving kindness. “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15.  “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thess 5:18. “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17. I just love the scriptures. 

     Today has been good. My body feels almost back to 100% normal. My next jobs are to try to fix a chainsaw so I can chop up come trees that fell in the mountain road, and pick up some more food and propane.

Hey, I know it has been a while, but I am going to start with where I left off in March.

In my last entree, I was staying with the Ortiz family. A few interesting things happened while I was there. A boy about 12 years old showed up with a cut through a tendon behind his thumb on his right hand. Poor guy said he fell on his machete, but that seems to be what they all say. They won’t tell you if they were machete fighting. I actually saw some kids today (5/15/08) play-fighting with their machetes. I told them to stop and they did for a second, but then they kept on fighting. Well, back to the past. The day after we took that boy to the hospital, a very drunk man showed up at the door covered with blood. When he took off his hat, we noticed a hole about the size of a nickel in the back of his head. He said he fell out of the back of pickup truck in Zacapa. He said he just didn’t want to go to the hospital in Zacapa, thought we could patch it up real quick, and he'd be on his way. Well, it didn't work that way. I helped a local Guatemalan,who knew how to suture cuts, shave the back of the man's head and found a safety-pin that was put there to try and stop the bleeding. When we asked him why it was there he said he asked his daughter (about 10 years old) to put it there to try to stop the bleeding. I felt sorry for his daughter who looked as if she had to carry everything they owned from Zacapa. By the way, that is about a 4 hour hike up the mountain to the mission, probably the hardest hike I have ever made since I arrived here. We told him the hole was too big for stitches and that we needed to take him to the hospital. He started to walk away and said he would sleep it off. I grabbed him by the back of the arm and said more sternly “No, we are going to the hospital.” Jaime then stepped in front of him, looked him in the eye and said, “If you do not go to the hospital right now you will die!” I think he got the point and agreed to go.
In the past 2 months there were two people who have been healed. One was a local Guatemalan who had some sort of skin disease. He came up to the front of the church weeping and telling us how God healed him. There was also another man visiting from NY, who had suffered from carpel tunnel in one arm for a long time. During an unplanned prayer and worship time, his hand started to shake and was healed instantly. He showed us later all the exercises he couldn’t do before. Part of me rejoices and stands amazed at these works of the Lord. Another part is not surprised in the least bit and expects to see these things happen more and more often.
Also, two witch doctors asked for forgiveness, a new life, and a relationship with Jesus Christ. There is no greater miracle that can compare with eternal salvation. If a man is raised from the dead in the physical and still does not receive Christ, what does this profit him? Without Christ he was already dead and his soul will forever burn in hell.
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 He is the only way to life. Late last night I was on the upstairs porch crying out to God. As I looked to the heavens I felt as if my eyes could pierce through the clouds and I could see my Father. He was looking at me with a passion, that even with the help of the Holy Spirit I could not grasp. He kept saying “Nathan, I love you,” over and over again. He called me His beloved. My heart melted and I cried the same in return “I love you, I love you, I love you.” What a beautiful moment. I felt the even if I was surrounded by a million people, neither His nor my gaze would have moved an inch. This is a reminder of the PERSONAL relationship we have with the Lord. I refuse to ever apologize for preaching, for the Almighty put it in me to preach. "What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs." Matthew 10:27
I recently visited my family and friends in Alabama and had an amazing time. I want to thank you all for your encouragement. I would also like to thank my parents for the plane tickets, new clothes, candles, and everything else you have provided for me. My brother, Jonathan, his wonderful wife, Sarah, and their son and my little nephew, Jesse, thanks for the financial support and for the amazing time I was able to spend with you. Jennifer, my beautiful little sister, thanks for the flash-lights, for taking me out to the movies, and for letting me spend time with the best sister in the world. Rock Family Worship Center, my heart is encouraged every time I think of you. I pray for you often, and I am extremely thankful for everyone who donated and is praying for me. My life long friends, you all will have a special place in my heart and I thank you all for your belief in me, your love for me, the prayer and the financial support. John Hobbs, thank you so much for our time of “iron sharpening iron,” and your financial gift. Samuel your words and presence continue to pierce my heart, thank you for the Love of a true friend. Josiah Cooper, man I had a blast with you. I don’t know if you realized it, but you did so much for me. I don’t know how to explain it; just being with you was awesome. I do not believe that the devil will ever be able to steal away this friendship that we have. Bruce, my dear big brother, I had a wonderful time going out to eat with you and was encouraged by your words, the amount of love you have for me, and for your monthly financial support. Mr. and Mrs. Conover, I didn’t get to visit with you, but am extremely thankful for your monthly support. Thanks to everybody I didn’t mention. I am extremely thankful for everybody’s donations and time in prayer. I pray the Lord returns the blessing to you a hundred times over.
There have also been some wonderful people to visit here, who gave out medicine, and cleaned and fixed teeth. I apologize for not being more personal and thanking you all by name, but I am extremely thankful to all of you. You know who you are.

A lot has happened with me since the last time I updated. The past few weeks I have been living in Pinalito and Mantasano(a nearby mission with FIA). I go back and forth about every four days. It has been good for me. While I am in Pinalito, I am the only missionary there for now. I am able to focus on projects that still need to be completed on the dorms. More importantly though, I am able to have alone time with the Lord and meditate on Him. The Lord has reminded me of how weak I am and how strong He is. In my time of prayer, praise, and worship, I find the most strength when my face in on the ground. I am prostrate, crying out to God with a desperation that is difficult to explain. Sometimes I wish the Holy Spirit and the presence of God would follow me around wherever I want to go. What a foolish thing to wish for. How would we ever know the way unless we are lead, unless we allow God to make the decisions and simply obey. Only then will we not fall off the straight and narrow. It is like a child holding the hand of his father about to cross a wide street with hundreds of cars flying by that could hurt us or even take our lives.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me: thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalms 23:4.

I have been preaching some in the church services. Not everything I say seems clear or understandable yet, and I often look like an idiot trying to share. I don’t care, because I know that I am here to allow the Lord to speak through me and not to sound good or look good. I’m believing He speaks more than it seems they understand. The Lord has helped me and will continue to help me speak this language for the sole purpose of giving glory to the King. I have also been going out and visiting homes with the pastor, my friend Julio, and my fellow missionary friend, Jaime. I sometimes go by myself, simply loving on the people, reading them the Bible, and praying for them. Many of the people cannot read.

I also love being in Mantasano with Jaime, Cindy, and their kids. It is a great time of fellowship. It is great to go with Jaime to visit the people. He was born and lived in El Salvador, therefore, he can speak the language perfectly. He can also speak English, and of course, is in love with Jesus. I have also had opportunities to help Jaime fix plumbing problems with 2 large water reserve tanks. This is a huge deal, because they often lose water and in the rainy seasons have been without water for over a month.

I am learning more about faith and the rewards of stepping out in faith. Surely our greatest reward is to know that we are pleasing the Father when we do this.

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. 1 John 5:4

Well I had I nice 6-7hr bus ride back and renewed my stay here in Guatemala for another 3 months. I have a good start on the language and will continue to practice with the people of Pinalito.
I am really going to miss the family I stayed with during language school, they are wonderful. They were a huge blessing to me and I had several opportunities to bless them. Thank you for your support, because it allowed me to take the family out for ice cream, and another day I bought them 2 big pizzas for lunch. David, their son, made sure to tell me all day that it was his favorite. I was also able to bless Luis, the father. When he was 9 years old, he worked with his dad in construction. One day while working, something hit his face and his vision has never been the same. He has some glasses that are 10 years old, but they don't help very much now. Little Willie, their other son, got a hold of them a long time ago and broke off one of the ear pieces. Luis bought another ear piece in the market for $3, but it isn't even the same size or color as the other one. With your support, I was able to give him enough money to see an eye doctor and buy new glasses. Praise the Lord! You have no idea how much fun it was to get him new glasses. My heart leaps for joy when God uses me to give to somebody. It is going to keep on happening too, because of Jehovah Jirah, the Lord our provider. Whatever I need, the Lord will provide, even if He has to drop it from the sky like He did for the Israelites or maybe He will send birds to bring to me what I need like He did for Elijah. One way or another, I am in good Hands.
On top of that God has been teaching and showing me some awesome things. I am of course continuing to learn patience, but He has also been giving me understanding with where He has me right now. He has been reminding me to seek Him and who He is, and not what He does.

I am now in language school in a place called Nebaj, a seven hour bus ride from Guatemala City. I am still living in beautiful mountains, however, the temperature is a bit different here. I slept with four blankets and fully clothed the first few nights. This means two pairs of socks, jeans, three t-shirts, and a sweatshirt. As time goes by, I am slowing taking off the layers. I went from sweating in the heat in shorts at Zacapa to freezing here in Nebaj, but I am getting used to it. I will spend four hours a day five days a week with a teacher one on one. He seemed really excited when I told him I was a Christian, and said he believes in God also. I know as I get more fluent we will have many more conversations about Jesus.

The cost of the language school is $480, which includes the teacher and a home to live in with a beautiful family. The family consists of Luis, Patty, and their two little boys; David is five years old and William is two. They are so patient with me trying to communicate with them. It’s so awesome that David loves to sit right up next to me and walks along beside me. William loves to come into my room, throw my stuff around, and beat me up. I remember when I was that age and had that kind of energy. They feed me two meals a day, mostly beans, rice, tortillas, and fruit. Patty also makes awesome coffee. However, these are not American portions, so thankfully there are little restaurants or food stands everywhere.

I went to church this last Sunday with my family and was surprised to see how many shack doors opened up as churches. I was encouraged to see so many small churches there were in this place. But, I also wondered why there were so many small churches as apposed to a few big churches considering how small an area that Nebaj is. I know that all people go to their own church for certain reasons, whether it’s the pastor or the worship or the mood. I am in no way trying to bash anybody for their reasons for going to the church they do. I do just know the body of Christ is supposed to be unified, there are only so many buildings that can hold that many people. I can envision the day when my whole family is unified in one room presenting the most beautiful, awesome, and powerful praise and worship to the King. Then we will sit at His feet like the children we are, eyes wide, and mouths dropped at the words that come from our Father’s mouth.

"For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."
Zephaniah 3:17

Did you read that? The LORD will sing over us. Wow who can imagine the voice of the Lord in song. I know it will be the most beautiful thing we will ever hear. Don’t get me wrong it is awesome to have those alone times with the Lord. There is an intimacy in those moments unlike any other. I love and long for those times. Words cannot express how much I miss my family, friends, and church back in Huntsville, but there is something that I miss far more. I miss singing, dancing, shouting, praising, lifting up my hands as an act of worship, as an act of love with my brothers and sisters in church and in the Bible study I attended. There is something so powerful when the body comes together in one worship, the presence of God Almighty falls on us! I wish I could find the words to express this to you, but I cannot. I can only hope that those who read this have experienced it. I am not asking for pity or any other fleshly emotion, I am simply asking you to please not take for granted this blessing. Allow God to release you at church, He longs for you to have freedom to give Him your all. Well, that is a little bit of my heart.

Now I want to ask you to be in prayer for a few things. For my teacher, that God will use me to speak into his life. For my family that I live with, that these boys can have a blessed future to look forward to. That God would make this house his home and that there would be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on them. That their home would be a ministry to others who come and live with them after me. I also humble myself to ask that you would continue pray for me. The enemy continues to lie to me telling me that I am alone, that I am not smart enough to learn this language, and that I am wasting Gods time and money. I am thankful that God is also telling something and that His voice is greater than the enemies. I know he has called me here. I just have to be disciplined to continue to listen to God and let Him lead me. This life is hard and I cannot fathom how hard it would be if the Lord was not in my life. I guess that is part of what drives me to reach the lost. The more I live the more I realize this world has nothing for me. I only want God! I love you and thank you.