An Update on Juan

Juan appears to be adjusting to his new home very well. He has preached the past 2 Thursday nights. Both Juan and Jimmy have gotten really good feedback about his messages from our church family. I think they are as excited to have him in our church as much and we are. 

Thank you to everyone who prayed for him to find a place to rent. It is really difficult in our town. The prices are pretty ridiculous for what you get. Most of the time it does't include a bathroom and there is a huge gap between the walls and the roof which leads to all types of lovely intruders. Well, Juan found a one room, one bath duplex. 

And there is only a slight gap which he could probably seal when it becomes a problem. He doesn't have a lot of food yet since he doesn't have a fridge or stove, which cuts down on the rats! I was teasing him because he is mostly living on bananas and cereal until he gets set up and he has the best attitude about it. His neighbors are friendly. He has already started repairing people's computers as a side business to supplement his support. 

Our welcoming present was a new mattress. When we move next week we are lending him our old stove until he finds one he likes better and then we will move it to the church. He borrowed a table and some chairs from the church, but he still needs a fridge. He downloaded some desk plans online and Jimmy told him he could use his wood shop and any wood he has laying around in there. I think he is almost finished... I'm telling you he is very resourceful! 

He still needed a way to get around, so he and Jimmy have been looking for a good deal on a motorcycle. Jimmy's friend Stephen heard about this and made him a way more than fair offer on a bike he has. 

It was very nice of him. Juan plans to use the bike to get to rural villages when mapping out unreached areas and showing evangelistic movies. This bike will be perfect for that. It is really is a big blessing to Juan and the institute. 

We are starting a youth group this Sunday at our church. With Juan here, and with us moving to San Pancho this next week, it is going to make outreaches at our church so much more easier. We are all excited about the youth group. Up until now, they have just been a part of the main service. Please pray for this ministry! Thank you!

Growing Our Team!

I guess it is more like "starting" our team. Juan shared with us a while back that he believed that God had called him to work in Petén. We were very excited to hear this. One because we believe a calling is necessary. The other is that we really liked Juan's heart for ministry! We spent a lot of time with him and his brother when I was in language school in Xela back in 2006. He was in seminary then. 

He arrived in Petén Saturday! Moving here is a big step of faith for him. He does not have the resources  and support behind him like we do. His testimony is a big encouragement to Jimmy and I. 

{Lico, Rosalino, Noé, & Juan}

Jimmy and some of the men from our church had a welcome lunch with him on Saturday. Jimmy presented him to the church Sunday! He has already started making friends and building relationships. He will be preaching this Thursday night. 

Please pray for Juan as he adjusts to his new home. Yes it is in the same country, but Petén is very different from his hometown. Please pray for him especially over the next month that God will send him encouragement as he gets settled. He is looking around for a place to rent, but like we found out, there are not many options. He might just buy a small piece of land and build himself a house over time. He definitely has a pioneering spirit, which is kind of a necessity here. He said he knows how to cook... tortillar and everything! He will be supplementing his missions support with part time jobs. He is a motorcycle mechanic and a computer technician, so it shouldn't be too difficult for him to find work when he needs it. 

Please also pray as we all begin to work together, that God will bless and lead our partnership! It will be great to have help with our church plant and he is passionate about the Kekchi seminary too.