Pastor's Blog

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Raymond Wilkinson told me yesterday that his mother is doing better.  She remains in the hospital.  Keep praying for her.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning meaning two worship services and Sunday School.  There will be no Discipleship Training or AWANA ministry today.  Our children’s choir will present their Christmas musical beginning at 6:00PM.

Bro. Abel will be taking time in both of our morning worship services to lead us in the “White Christmas” ministry.  This will culminate in our morning services next Sunday, 12/22.

Friendship family, please note that this Wednesday, 12/18, we will have one worship service and that will begin at 6:30PM.  Why?  Just giving us the opportunity to all pray/worship together on a Wednesday.

I pray that you will have a great Sunday with Jesus.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Of our thirteen readers of the blog, only one asked “why no blog today?” yesterday.  Well, it was the thirteenth which has nothing to do with it.  Sometimes you just do not have anything to say/write.  Just saying!

Keep praying for Raymond’s mother.  I will get an update today on her situation.

Received some heartbreaking news yesterday afternoon.  We have an elderly gentleman, Juan, who works with GRACE Ministries in Guatemala.  He walks to the mountain five days a week and takes out the trash and does various other jobs around the mission house.  On Thursday afternoon they found Juan’s oldest son in a very remote place and he was injured.  Since they could not access the place by vehicle the son passed from this life before they could get him to a medical facility.  I know he initially left riding a horse and they went looking for him when he did not return in a timely fashion.  That is basically all I know.  Pray for Juan and the family during this most difficult time.

Another gentleman, Carlos Ivan, works for Robert & Paul on the mountain.  Recently, he suffered two strokes.  Carlos Ivan is probably around forty five to fifty years old.  He has not recovered fully so please pray for him too.

There will be a memorial service for Gena Davis today beginning at 2:00PM in our Preschool Building.  The Friendship family is invited to attend.  I appreciate Bro. Jerry, Bro. Abel, James Mareno and any others who helped set up for this service.

The Friendship basketball leagues begin play this morning at 8:00AM.  There will be six games each Saturday.  Pray for this ministry.

Our “White Christmas” ministry begins tomorrow morning.  Bro. Abel will share the details in our morning services.

Our children’s choir will present their Christmas musical tomorrow evening beginning at 6:00PM.  I hope the Friendship family will support this ministry by attending this service.

I love this season of the year!  I am looking at not one, not two but three Christmas trees as I write this entry.  Lisa went all out while I was in Guatemala.  What a joy to remember the birth of Jesus and to celebrate with family and friends.

I pray that you will have a great Saturday with Jesus.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Tina Wilkinson shared with me on Tuesday night that Raymond’s mother had been admitted to the hospital.  I would ask that you join me in praying for her.  Otherwise, as is quiet on the home front as far as I know.  That is good!

The team left GRACE Mountain at 10:00AM yesterday morning.  I assume that everyone made it home safe and sound.  We thank God for a really good week of ministry and of building new relationships and deepening other relationships.  Yes, there will be a December trip in 2020, Lord willing.  Exact dates to be announced later.

Deidra and I are in the city and had a really good meeting last night with a lady who works for the US Ambassador in Guatemala.

The following comes from Pastor/missionary Mark Mast in a comment on yesterday’s entry:

“Very exciting news about Pastor Walter becoming the Shepherd of Grace Community Church. We pray that the church thrives and continues to bless countless lives under his ministry and the ministry of those serving with him.

We also celebrate all that was accomplished by the team this week, both in terms of work on the school and ministry/blessing to so many families.

Thank you as well for your prayers for the ministry in northern Canada here in Pikangikum. Even with the bitter cold here in “Pik“ (-30) we had a big crowd out last night at Freedom From Addictions. I told the Christmas Story in rather dramatic fashion, using flannelgraph 😊

Afterwards, I had some great conversations with people, and many just hung around to drink coffee and visit. I’m noticing more than ever this time that there seems to be a spirit of joy and happiness. At church on Monday evening, there was a lot of laughter, and tonight there was too. It is very refreshing. Hopelessness and despair have reigned far too long as a stronghold here in this community. May the Light of Jesus shine brightly this Christmas season!

Thank you for the blessing of your prayers! Continue praying that the Lord gives people Hope and a reason to live! Jesus is the Answer!”

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

A cool -26 here today 🥶❄️🥶

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

This entry will be short and sweet.  I have heard nothing from the home front so I am taking that to mean all is well.  That is a good thing.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and tonight.  Miss Tena asks that all children’s choir members be present tonight and then again on Sunday afternoon – very important.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 12/15, with one exception – no 5:00PM classes/activities.  Children’s choir musical during our 6:00PM service.

The team in Guatemala had a good last day of painting.  The lower two levels are basically done as far as the classrooms are concerned.  I appreciate the effort put forth by this team helping get the building ready for opening day which is January 8.  Want a prayer request?  Pray for the electricity to be connected in a timely fashion.  Thank you to Juan Marcos Ruiz for his help in this area as he has been great.

Several of our ladies continued to separate and put names on the school uniforms.  That, along with the separating the school supplies, will be such a huge help when Deidra returns in a couple of weeks.

Tim Knighten spent a good amount of time over the past two days on electrical matters.  Tim knows his stuff when it comes to electricity and has been a huge help.

Nic Gray has been a huge help with matters relating to the actual building of the school.  He has met with Delmar several times and has helped with some important decisions.  Huge help too.

The church on GRACE Mountain has a new pastor – Walter Aju.  He accepted the call yesterday afternoon and will begin his ministry here on January 1, 2020.  I am looking forward to see what God is going to do with this church under Pastor Walter’s leadership along with Pastor Adam and worship leader, Oscar.  Pray for this church.

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

One of Miss Vinnie Brewer’s great grandchildren, Case, will have surgery in New Orleans today.  Pray that all goes well.

Congratulations to Adam & Jamie Glenn as they became adoptive parents again yesterday afternoon.  Now they have their two sons and two daughters.

The team in Guatemala spent Monday painting, separating school PE uniforms and working with the children in the feeding center program.  They were joined by the school staff in doing these things.

The work came to a halt around 1:30PM and they then loaded on a bus and headed to Antigua for a couple of hours of shopping, sightseeing, et cetera before enjoying supper at Las Antorchas.  Everyone seemed to have a good time.

Today the team will finish up painting all of the interior on the first and second levels with the exception of the office and bathrooms as those areas are not ready to be painted yet.

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus!

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Word came to me that Pastor Mack and Ryan both did very good jobs in sharing with those in attendance in our services yesterday.  I am told that our 8:00AM attendance was “weak” but the other two services, 10:30AM & 6:00PM, were well attended.  Honestly, I am surprised by our first service being down as that service is generally well attended regardless.  At any rate, thank you to each person who attended and thank you to Dr. Mack & Ryan for sharing the Word.

Keep praying for all of those we have mentioned in recent times as needing our prayer support.

Memorial service for Gena Davis this Saturday, 12/14, beginning at 2:00PM.  Members of the Friendship family are encouraged to attend to support Gene & family.

Soy’s maternal grandfather passed away over the weekend.  Soy’s mother will be traveling to the Philippines so pray for her safety in traveling and for the family.

Mark Mast leaves today heading to Northern Canada for a week of ministry in a very challenging place.  Pray for Mark!

The Friendship basketball leagues begin play this Saturday, 12/14.  Pray for this ministry.

The team in Guatemala spent Saturday painting the school, organizing school supplies and hosting twenty plus families for a meal in the evening.  Yesterday was spent attending the church service in the feeding center building and then going to the mall for lunch.  Around two hundred and fifty folks were then hosted for a meal in two groups – 3:00PM & 6:00PM.  A good day of ministry.

Yesterday marked Pastor Lazaro’s last service as the pastor of the church in Guatemala.  I appreciate his eight years of service and pray for his future endeavors.

Brad & Daphne flew home yesterday and made their connection in Atlanta even though their flight left Guatemala City three and one half hours late.  Pretty amazing!

Today will be more painting for the team and more meetings for me.  I have seemingly had meetings to meet about meetings!  This morning I get to go to the electric company.  I have been there and done that.  I do not enjoy waiting and they let you wait for hours sometimes.  God is still working on me!

The team will do Antigua late this afternoon for some shopping and then supper at Las Antorchas.

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Happy 84th birthday to Lisa’s dad, Charles Clark.  (Note that I did not say my father-in-law!)  At any rate, I hope Charles has a really good day.

I am going with the “no news is good news” theory as far as things back home are concerned.  That is a good thing!

The team in Guatemala had a good first day.  They teamed up with the school staff to begin the painting process on the school’s interior.  Much progress was made under the able leadership of Bernard Suthoff.

Last night, about twenty families from the feeding center came to the mountain for a program put on by their children and a meal hosted by this team.  It was a very good evening.

Today, more painting.  There will also be a program by the children and a trip to the picture show.  Another evening of hosting families will begin at 6:00PM.

Thank you for checking on this team and for your prayer support.

I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

The visitation with Pastor Michael Liles and family begins at noon today and continues until the 2:00PM service time.  Pastor Michael’s mother passed from this life this past Sunday evening.  Bro. Abel will attend this service in my absence today.  Pray for the Liles family.

The team arrived at the mission house safe and sound around 4:00PM yesterday.  Flights were smooth and the customs experience in the Guatemala City airport was seamless.  After unloading their luggage, the team made their way to the local mall for supper and then returned to the mission house to relax and get some rest.

Today, under the direction of master painter, Bernard Suthoff, the team will begin the process of painting the interior of the school.  This evening they will host some of the families who have a child in our feeding center program.  These meals will continue through Tuesday evening.  Thank you for praying for this team.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Good Wednesday morning from GRACE Mountain in Guatemala.

The celebration of life service for Pastor Michael Liles’ mother will take place tomorrow, 12/5, beginning at 2:00PM from the chapel at Mobile Memorial Funeral Home.  It will be preceded by a time of visitation with the family.  Pray for the Liles family.

Roy Blodgett passed from this life on Monday.  There will be a memorial service at a later date.  Pray for Sue and family.

There will be a memorial service for Gena Davis on Saturday, December 14, beginning at 2:00PM.  Keep praying for Gene and family.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  I pray that the members of the Friendship family will be found faithful!

Deidra and I left the Atlanta hotel at 7:30AM yesterday morning and arrived on GRACE Mountain at 5:30PM.  Our flight was good and we got through customs without any issues.  We went to Pricesmart and bought the supplies needed for the team this week.  Once on the mountain we quickly unloaded, got ready and headed to the local mall to meet with two of the leaders from GRACE Community Church.  It was a good and productive meeting.  When we got back to the mountain around 8:30PM then we were both ready to call it a day.

There are twenty three folks traveling today heading this way.  They are leaving from Grand Rapids, Gulfport and Mobile.  Pray for them to have a good day of traveling.  Soy and the girls are traveling to Memphis today so please pray for them too.

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Happy birthday to our daughter, Daphne Hutto!  How old?  Not saying but I do remember Auburn beating Alabama 23 – 20 on Saturday, 12/3/83.  Just saying!  Hope Daphne’s day is great!

This entry is late – duh!  Can you say Lacey Ladnier?  She is always so eager to help and volunteered to write an entry today as she knew I would be traveling.  Well, here it is noon and no entry.  Katie, Courtney, Bibbi, Lacey, et cetera – women!  I apologize for their slothfulness!

My dad had his port placed yesterday and is receiving his first chemo treatment today.  So many of you have been very faithful to ask about dad and to pray for him.  Thank you.

Pastor Michael Liles’ mother passed from this life this past Sunday.  Praise for Pastor Mike and his family during this time.

Deidra and I arrived in Atlanta a little after 10:30PM last night.  We got a few hours sleep and then caught the hotel shuttle to the airport.  We are now around thirty seven thousand feet above the earth heading to Guatemala City.  We have food to buy for the team, a meeting tonight and another meeting in the morning.  The team is scheduled to arrive tomorrow afternoon.  This is going to be a great trip!  Why am I so confident?  Soy is in the States!  Hallelujah!

I pray that you will have a great afternoon/evening with Jesus.