I hope that by reading this blog that you are moved by God the same way he moved me by the experience I had working with the Pokomchi people of La Campana, Guatemala. He taught me much about Himself, myself and what it means to be on mission for Him. This was written in my journal and is an actual excerpt of what I wrote. God bless you.
3/8/11 AM
-A couple of things....
I'm really tired.
I'm really dirty.
I haven't showered in 3 days.
Taking on a mountainside is hard.
It's even harder when you trip.
It's harder still when you drop your toilet paper.
I'm not feeling the best, but not because of the food. Not sure why.
"The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all He has made.
All your works praise you, LORD; your faithful people extol you.
They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,
so that all people may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom." (V. 9-12)
(MORE POKOMCHI WORDS)
C'alen Tut - Hello (to a woman)
C'alen Jau (pronounced 'how') - Hello (to a man)
C'alen Muchik (pronounced 'moo cheek') - Hello again.
Nach - 1
Kim - 2
Shim - 3
Kahim - 4
Ho'om - 5
Wachim - 6
Wokum - 7
Waxakim - 8
Wilakim - 9
Lachem - 10
(Spelling on the numbers is not correct, I'll try to get those soon!)
Suk na'a kux (pronounced 'sook na a cush') - How are you?
Suk - good
Taret (r pronounced almost as a soft d) - okay
Mas taret - good job, very good
Holohic acamanic - beautiful work
Holohic xiban (pronounced she-wan) - beautifully finished
Ha - water
Chak lam - nice
Chak lamil (almost like 'chocolate milk') - really nice
Kaxik (pronounced ka-sheek) - difficult
Nech - a little
I do not trust chickens. (Ask me to tell the story with this statement!)
3/8/11 mid AM
-It's interesting how every single house we have visited in the last 2 days have had in the center of their homes a shrine of sorts. As soon as we walk in we see a table against the back wall. On the table and leaning against the wall are crucifixes, rosaries, pictures of Jesus and various saints, and these fascinating curios with painted crucifixes inside surrounded by flowers. In some cases there have been hand-painted figurines carved from wood into the likeness of saints and Biblical icons. It is truly sad to see how they are surrounded by truth, yet do not have eyes to see it.
To them Catholicism ( and Christ) is simply culture and religion. I pray that they will experience the love of Christ through our presence here and accept Him by having a relationship with Him. These people are content in their primitive lifestyles, yet they don't need things and technology. Instead they need a personal saviour. Not one of these idols in glass cases.
3/8/11 PM
-I just wrote my 1st prescription!
-We need to pray for the couple (Arnorldo and Lorenza) at the 1st house we visited after lunch- that God will use the medicine we gave them to bless them with a child as a testament to His goodness.
-So, we were served drinks in glasses freshly washed and dripping in parasite water. :-) I really hope my bowels don't implode.
(MORE POKOMCHI WORDS)
Naux (pronounced na-oosh) - nose
Was - younger brother
Mets - significant other/pet name
Atik - sissy
Watz - monkey
Kushuel - food
Xila - chairs
3/8/11 PM - Prayer Requests and Night Devotion
-Pray for Benito to know Christ.
-Arnorldo and Lorenza - to be blessed with children
-The couple in the house down the hill - the blessing of children
-The Leaders in the village.
-The Local Church- that it would proclaim TRUTH
Philippians 2:3-5
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others better than yourselves, not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus."
Colossians 3:14-17
"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
1 John 3:16-18
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
-Alfredo went over Po'kom with me! :-) AND I am speaking and understanding mucho mas Espanol ahora.
so that all people may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom." (V. 9-12)
 |
| Glorious Splendor indeed! |
C'alen Tut - Hello (to a woman)
C'alen Jau (pronounced 'how') - Hello (to a man)
C'alen Muchik (pronounced 'moo cheek') - Hello again.
Nach - 1
Kim - 2
Shim - 3
Kahim - 4
Ho'om - 5
Wachim - 6
Wokum - 7
Waxakim - 8
Wilakim - 9
Lachem - 10
(Spelling on the numbers is not correct, I'll try to get those soon!)
Suk na'a kux (pronounced 'sook na a cush') - How are you?
Suk - good
Taret (r pronounced almost as a soft d) - okay
Mas taret - good job, very good
Holohic acamanic - beautiful work
Holohic xiban (pronounced she-wan) - beautifully finished
Ha - water
Chak lam - nice
Chak lamil (almost like 'chocolate milk') - really nice
Kaxik (pronounced ka-sheek) - difficult
Nech - a little
 |
| J.B. and Jeff treating a toddler in a Pokomchi home. |
3/8/11 mid AM
-It's interesting how every single house we have visited in the last 2 days have had in the center of their homes a shrine of sorts. As soon as we walk in we see a table against the back wall. On the table and leaning against the wall are crucifixes, rosaries, pictures of Jesus and various saints, and these fascinating curios with painted crucifixes inside surrounded by flowers. In some cases there have been hand-painted figurines carved from wood into the likeness of saints and Biblical icons. It is truly sad to see how they are surrounded by truth, yet do not have eyes to see it.
To them Catholicism ( and Christ) is simply culture and religion. I pray that they will experience the love of Christ through our presence here and accept Him by having a relationship with Him. These people are content in their primitive lifestyles, yet they don't need things and technology. Instead they need a personal saviour. Not one of these idols in glass cases.
 |
| Catholicism and Mayan Paganism have been syncretized into a false truth. |
-I just wrote my 1st prescription!
-We need to pray for the couple (Arnorldo and Lorenza) at the 1st house we visited after lunch- that God will use the medicine we gave them to bless them with a child as a testament to His goodness.
-So, we were served drinks in glasses freshly washed and dripping in parasite water. :-) I really hope my bowels don't implode.
(MORE POKOMCHI WORDS)
Ni chak - my older brother
Cimayu - Come here
Atuk - kneeNaux (pronounced na-oosh) - nose
Was - younger brother
Mets - significant other/pet name
Atik - sissy
Watz - monkey
Kushuel - food
Xila - chairs
 |
| Jeff explaining his muscular dystrophy to a family. |
3/8/11 PM - Prayer Requests and Night Devotion
-Pray for Benito to know Christ.
-Arnorldo and Lorenza - to be blessed with children
-The couple in the house down the hill - the blessing of children
-The Leaders in the village.
-The Local Church- that it would proclaim TRUTH
Philippians 2:3-5
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others better than yourselves, not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus."
Colossians 3:14-17
"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
1 John 3:16-18
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
-Alfredo went over Po'kom with me! :-) AND I am speaking and understanding mucho mas Espanol ahora.
Wow, bro, I'm lookin at these and I'm thinkin' - man am I sorry I missed getting to go through this with you as I read your blogs while you were there.
ReplyDeleteGlad to have you back in the states for sure, but wow ... what a blessing to read and see God working and your adventures in Him as he unravels in will for you and brings you closer to a likeness in Christ! Speachless. But I would love to go sometime!