updates: august 30, 2022
it's been about 3 months since we cried out for help, prayers and support for baby Esteban. the response was overwhelming. I still get emotional when I think about it. can't thank our Lord Jesus, and all of you who jumped in to help, nearly enough for the grace and love and support that poured in. it was amazing.
around here we've been calling baby Esteban "Lolo". in Latin America everyone has two last names, one from mom, and one from dad. both of his are Lopez ("Esteban Lopez Lopez")... hence "Lolo".
Lolo is growing like crazy. in size and absolute adorableness! precious beyond words. attaching a pic. enough said :) to God be the glory!!!
while I was in Guatemala during Lolo's emergency, Kerrie had gone back to Florida to care for her dad. towards the end of his battle with brain cancer, she spent the last weeks of his life at his side, taking care of him. it was super hard and unexplainably sweet all at the same time. on June 18, 2022, Roger went home.
Kerrie still cries suddenly and randomly. she was raised by her single dad who worked multiple jobs and relocated several times in order to best provide for them. she has so many memories of her unique childhood, and the one "constant" throughout it all was... her dad.
please pray for Kerrie and her step mom Judy. we all miss him. but we know he's not missing us! he's is in paradise, with Christ, singing holy, holy holy...
Quiché Guatemala
 |
| Doc Pozuelos & Luci |
we've been in Guatemala since 2008, but this region is completely different than where we were before. being more indigenous, the mayan traditions are more prevalent in the culture and the church. we've seen mayan sacrificial rituals taking place on the steps of the catholic church. we had no idea how common the Quiché language still was here! basically everyone, even kids, still speak it daily. it wouldn't be "necessary" for ministry, as spanish is still used, but we are contemplating learning it in order to go deeper relationally.
we're learning a lot. we need relationships and credibility before opening our academy. we have seen God moving already in this way, and we're thankful for Andrés, Greg, Profe Pablo, Jose and Norita, Jeremías, Don Fausto, Doctor Pozuelos, Colocho, and everyone else we have met here so far. we're getting a crash course on everything Mayan Quiché from the people who know best- the locals.
one thing we experienced not long after arriving in Quiché was the "castigo Maya" tradition. 2 young men in our town had robbed a local family. in the Quiché region, the family has the option of going to the police or keeping the matter within local indigenous justice system. if they choose the "mayan punishment", the police cannot intervene.
the 2 young men were tied at the ankles and forced to walk through the town on their knees while holding the stolen items over their head. when they finished, exhausted and with bloody knees, the local leader, as well as members from the family, struck their backs with whips as the men screamed. all of this happened with what seemed like the entire town crowded around to watch.
apparently this happens often. it has happened a couple more times since then. once with young boys around 11-12 years old, and another time with an older man that had tried to kidnap a girl. if you YouTube "castigo Maya" you'll see plenty of these examples in the region of Quiché.
this type of "justice system" is considered normal here, it's how the mayans have dealt with crime for centuries. and while it seems shocking and even inhumane, there are more layers to it. consider that 98% of crimes in Guatemala go un-prosecuted and un-punished (actual fact). inefficient law enforcement in a country where violent crime, rape, and gang-related crime is prevalent, leaves the indigenous poor as the most vulnerable. i'm not endorsing it - just saying that the public humiliation of "castigo maya" is a real deterrent to criminal activity in indigenous communities.
Theology Class
one of my favorite things we have going on right now is the theology training we're doing for Nicho and Araceli. using 3 sources, we are slowly developing our own theology course in spanish that can be used to help our local leaders and staff grow.
it has been awesome to dig into these doctrines with the Lopez' and see their excitement as they begin grasping deep biblical truths. what a joy to see them growing in wisdom and knowledge in the Word of God! please pray for me as i continue writing this curriculum. it's a heavier load than i had anticipated! my desire is for it to be gospel/cross centered, accurate and thorough, not too difficult academically yet not overly simplified, and most of all that it glorifies the Lord.
in addition to the happenings in Quiché, there are so many things going on BVSA-wide! we have new Rhinos coming to faith in Christ, new missionaries starting training before heading to the field, veteran missionaries changing locations, our West Africa team growing, new developments revolving around church planting, and much more.
i recently spent time in Buena Vista as well as Honduras, encouraging our teams on the ground and spending time with the Rhinos. so thankful for these 2 teams and all that God is doing in and through them!
we have so much to be excited about and thankful for. by God's grace he continues using our ministry to proclaim the gospel to the nations, teach the Bible, baptize new believers, and disciple young men in the faith. what more could we ask for?! to God be the glory.
Comments
I love to read your updates! Such wonderful news and specific things we can pray for you. We love you so much and thank God for youguys!
I am praying God holds you close in your pain and loss Kerie, and comforts your heart like only he can. I’m sorry about your daddy.
God bless.