Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Por Fé, Hermano

My father Rich (WIND Exec. Director) and I with Francisco Chamay
“God, if you save my leg, I will give my life for you!”  That was the prayer that brought Francisco Chamay to Christ.  Since then, Francisco has struck true to his promise, miraculously walking each week to far out villages on that same leg that was almost amputated, making disciples for Christ.  In my 30 years of life, it’s possible that I have never met a man with more faith than this short, humble Ixil man whom they call “Hermano Chamay.” 

I first met him almost 3 years ago at the Bible Institute that WIND supports.  At the time my Spanish was very poor and I only roughly understood as he spoke of his ministry of walking to all the villages.  I did conclude, however, that a person that spends the majority of their time walking to villages, and who pastors only a handful of people at a tiny church, would likely have financial difficulties.  So I asked him how he had money to live and support his family.  His response I did understand and remember to this day, “Por fé, hermano (by faith, brother).”

I have had two meetings with him over these past two months at his tiny church, trying to pin down how extensive his ministry actually is, but he seems to have no interest in numbers.  Discipleship making books made by the Global Church Movement were loaned to him and he went out and started a 4 book diploma program out of them.  Eventually, I was able to gather from him that this program has 6 teachers and over 200 students spread across at least 10 villages.  He informed me that he has to give the books back by the end of the year while the students are in the middle of the series.  We estimated how much it would cost to make about 200 copies of the books, estimating it to be a little over $1000 which might as well be a fortune to the Ixil people.  Having no idea how these books would get paid for, he told me he was leaving in a few days for a “run” of the villages to tell them the program would continue again in February.  I laughed out loud, shaking my head at this man’s bold faith.  He smiled and said “Si, por fé, hermano.” 

He showed me his leg, which is slightly deformed below the knee.  He says God always gives him the energy he needs to walk and not feel pain.  We talked about faith, how people often wait for money first before moving to serve God but sometimes God is waiting for us to move first, to show faith.  I had had a conversation just an hour earlier with another local church leader who said he would love to evangelize in the villages but that first he would need to have money for gas, materials, etc.  It is human nature to want to know what will happen or know we can succeed before we set out but sometimes God is waiting for us to simply obey him and boldly dive into the unknown, trusting that He will provide for us.  Francisco gets excited with this topic for he has seen personally how God always provides exactly what is needed for him to complete His will.  “Por fé, hermano.”

I ended my visit with a walk to his home (or as he calls it his “ranch.”)  As I expected, the house was small and impoverished.  A little 4 year old girl greeted me and I asked if it was his granddaughter.  “No, she is an orphan that we are caring for.”  HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD.  Francisco, with no guaranteed income to support his own family or ministry, still has enough to support this little orphan girl as well.

POR FÉ, HERMANO

The world may not know who this small man is, living in a tiny house in the remote mountains of Guatemala, but in the Kingdom of Heaven, I know we will see Hermano Chamay as one of God’s mighty warriors of faith, who walked on a miraculously healed leg to all the villages that surrounded him, giving his life for the sake of making disciples for Christ.    

Thursday, November 13, 2014

The Night Sky

The cold night air chills us to the bone
The stars shine bright, our heavenly blanket
We look up in wonder, peace fills our hearts
Everything will be okay, everything will be alright
In our Father’s loving arms we rest

A bright light races across the sky, our souls fill with awe
and bursting with adoration, bursting with joy, we proclaim,
“How AWESOME is his love for us!  How WONDERFUL his promises!
How GREAT and MIGHTY is our dad, our papa is I AM!”

Monday, November 10, 2014

Graduation


Dionicio


“God planted a seed in your heart through your studies at the HOREB school and as you go out into the world, be like a salmon that swims against the current.” These were the words of Pedro Elias, the vice president of the Board at the HOREB Elementary School, speaking to their 4th graduating class. Maria and I were privileged to watch as all eight of the 6th graders received their diplomas.




Eylin
I have gotten to know these kids, visited most in their homes, and served as their English teacher off and on for the last three years. They are a really bright group and eager to learn. Keep these students in your prayers, that God would comfort them in troubled times, lead them on the right path, and that He would use their lives in mighty ways for His kingdom.














It was nice to see moms and families involved...

Abigail with her mom


Eylin with her family


Mayerly with her mom

The girls


Alejandro, first in his class, receives his diploma


My pose with the graduates...

Top from left: Abigail, Adilia, Jordan, Mayerly, Eylin
Botton from left: Manael, Dionicio, Teddy, Alejandro