Saturday, January 24, 2009
Headed home now...Guatemala Trip
"After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb." (Revelation 7:9)
"Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." (Mark 16:15)
Well, I'm sitting in Guatemala City International Airport waiting to fly back to Houston, Texas. These mission trips never get old. I took my very first one at 20 years old to Brazil back in the year 2000. Wow, how so much has changed since then. I was still single, no kids, evangelized, was in a lot better shape, and was still trying to find God's path for my life. All I knew is I wanted to give my life to serve him. This trip was a bit different in that I have a family of my own now and I missed them very badly. I will be as transparent with you as to say I cried on my pillow my fist night in Guatemala. There is not enough space to write about all I saw and experienced. I literally have hundreds of pictures so I will just try to give you a quick recap of each day.
Day 1
I left Monroe Airport with Michael Lewis at 6:30 A.M. to fly to Houston then to Guatemala City. Then we drove 5 hours up a mountain to get to San Cristobal, Alta Verapaz Guatemala. Now, this wasn't a very relaxing drive because the driving there scares the living day lights out of me! I was just glad I didn't find myself at the bottom of a mountain! Hello! Brakes people! We got to "El Meson" (The Inn) after dark where we settled.
Day 2
I got a tour of the place then had a 9th grade Guatemalan kid work the living day lights out of me. I got a piece of what thier maintanence crew does. I pushed mowed (with a very poor mower) the entire property then the side of a mountain! Now Michael called it a big hill. I'm sorry-it was a mountain! That evening had a couple of Guatemlan youth take me to town for sight seeing and other things. Had a great home cooked Guatemlan supper that night. What I like about these people is that they are very family oriented. Son, is out working hard, mom and daughter working together in the home, and eating lots of home cooked meals. Sadly, a sight we don't see very much anymore in our culture.
Day 3
Mike and I drove to the mountains to see a man who pastors one of his village churches. This is where it got me. I could not fight back the tears as we headed up a muddy road and saw first hand the poverty. I've been to Mexico numerous times, Brazil, Venezuela, Canada and I've never seen poverty like this. It broke my heart. I saw little girls my daughters age walking around bare footed in the wet, cold dirt. This particular day a got flu like syptoms and got chills and aching bones. We ate at the pastors house. This pastor grew up in the mountains and didn't have a pair of pants until he was 7 years old!!! His wife and daughter served us some nice soup, chicken, and mountain coffee. I froze the whole time! After a few hours, Mike took me back to the place where I could get into a hot bath. I was running fever so I really didn't need to do that but I was absolutely cold! I had time to check my email in his office and every part of the sickness began to leave me and it never came back! That night was the church service and Mike spoke out of Genesis. He talked about Kimmie's engagement to Ryan Walker. Since my Spanish isn't the best I understood very little. I heard it was good though! :)
Day 4
I turned 30. (I know it hurts) There's nothing quite like waking up at 5 in the morning to singing and fire works. I walked outside to a herd of youth with a cake singing me Happy Birthday. Of course we invited them in and partied until 6:30 that morning.
I had the honor to minister to about 40 of Mike's staff from the school and church. I spoke to them about "Giving their lives to God, Family, and Others". It was an honor.
That night I went to a home where Guatemalan youth came and we had a bonfire. Man, I wish I knew you could have good ministry around a camp fire. God really moved. I shared from my heart through an interpretor for a while. God then gave me certain things to speak into some of thier lives. They each asked me a question and I answered. I then asked them each "What do you think God wants from your life"? I then asked the adults, "What is the greatest joy of parenting?" and "What is the greatest struggle?". A couple there poured out there heart. I felt led to pray with them so we did and the tears ran. They then came out with a homemade birthday cake with a candle on it. Such precious people. What a memorable birthday.
Day 5
This just might have been my favorite day. I have a heart for the poor and that's who I got to go minister to. We loaded a small team and drove a ways up into the mountains. In Guatemala they have over 22 different indigenous tribes. We drove to where a particular tribe lived up in the mountains then hiked a short ways down a trail. The church I ministered in had dirt floors, pine benches and walls you could see through. I ministered with tons of kids in the church, doors opening and shutting because of the wind, and breast feeding momma's! Hallelujah! I spoke out of Matthew 11:28-30 about coming to Jesus with your burdens. I spoke on rest that he gives. There had to be two interpretors I had to go through. One in Spanish and the other had to speak a dialect they could understand. I prayed for the sick after I preached then we went to the church kitchen down the hill. Now, there church kitchen had dirt floors, a campfire they cooked over, and wood planks as walls. The Indian ladies cooked a soup, tamale's, and it was kickin! We had no utensi's or anything. We ate on a wood table and the kids found a place some where on the ground. After I ate, an Indian man provided me water out of a bucket to wash my hands. It was very humbling.
That night I bought some things for my wife, daughter, and nephew then jetted to the church for a youth service. I spoke to them about being examples and pursuing God with a passion. We had a very good service! Afterwards I went around with a brother dropping off the youth.
As I got ready for bed I thanked the family for taking such good care of me. The mother's statement to me touched my heart when she said, "Thank you for leaving your family and country to come to Guatemala." What a precious soul!
I had a good week just seeing the Lord during the morning hours and parts of the day. Trying to hear his voice and allow him to speak into me. His always willing to speak if we are always willing to listen.
Day 6
Up at 4 A.M. and will leave out at 5 A.M. to make the long mountain ride. Right now I am sitting in the Guatemlan Airport ready to see the two most important people in my life-my wife and daughters.
Inn Ministries is the ministry Michael and LaTonya Lewis founded over 20 years ago. It is a church and a school that provides Christian education. I can't tell you how many times I heard the parents tell me they came to know Christ through thier kids coming to know Him first through the school. They run a church, have three other sister churches, outreaches, a school, and have over 50 paid staff that runs on a budget of only about $160, 000 a year! We will never be able to comprehend the price the Lewis's have paid to see this work happen. Missionaries are my hero's and they have always been. What great treasures await the Lewis family in heaven! Thank you Mike for allowing me to come with you on this memorable trip! I was able to get your ministry in my blood a bit more through this week. The relationships what were built, the sights of the enourmous mountains of Guatemala, and to be able to share the simple gospel of Jesus Christ with another people. They are apart of the body of Christ. They are a portion, they are our brothers and sisters!
Thank you for praying for me this week. I'm ready to see my family now and the youth I love at Family Church.
Be blessed,
Beck
"Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." (Mark 16:15)
Well, I'm sitting in Guatemala City International Airport waiting to fly back to Houston, Texas. These mission trips never get old. I took my very first one at 20 years old to Brazil back in the year 2000. Wow, how so much has changed since then. I was still single, no kids, evangelized, was in a lot better shape, and was still trying to find God's path for my life. All I knew is I wanted to give my life to serve him. This trip was a bit different in that I have a family of my own now and I missed them very badly. I will be as transparent with you as to say I cried on my pillow my fist night in Guatemala. There is not enough space to write about all I saw and experienced. I literally have hundreds of pictures so I will just try to give you a quick recap of each day.
Day 1
I left Monroe Airport with Michael Lewis at 6:30 A.M. to fly to Houston then to Guatemala City. Then we drove 5 hours up a mountain to get to San Cristobal, Alta Verapaz Guatemala. Now, this wasn't a very relaxing drive because the driving there scares the living day lights out of me! I was just glad I didn't find myself at the bottom of a mountain! Hello! Brakes people! We got to "El Meson" (The Inn) after dark where we settled.
Day 2
I got a tour of the place then had a 9th grade Guatemalan kid work the living day lights out of me. I got a piece of what thier maintanence crew does. I pushed mowed (with a very poor mower) the entire property then the side of a mountain! Now Michael called it a big hill. I'm sorry-it was a mountain! That evening had a couple of Guatemlan youth take me to town for sight seeing and other things. Had a great home cooked Guatemlan supper that night. What I like about these people is that they are very family oriented. Son, is out working hard, mom and daughter working together in the home, and eating lots of home cooked meals. Sadly, a sight we don't see very much anymore in our culture.
Day 3
Mike and I drove to the mountains to see a man who pastors one of his village churches. This is where it got me. I could not fight back the tears as we headed up a muddy road and saw first hand the poverty. I've been to Mexico numerous times, Brazil, Venezuela, Canada and I've never seen poverty like this. It broke my heart. I saw little girls my daughters age walking around bare footed in the wet, cold dirt. This particular day a got flu like syptoms and got chills and aching bones. We ate at the pastors house. This pastor grew up in the mountains and didn't have a pair of pants until he was 7 years old!!! His wife and daughter served us some nice soup, chicken, and mountain coffee. I froze the whole time! After a few hours, Mike took me back to the place where I could get into a hot bath. I was running fever so I really didn't need to do that but I was absolutely cold! I had time to check my email in his office and every part of the sickness began to leave me and it never came back! That night was the church service and Mike spoke out of Genesis. He talked about Kimmie's engagement to Ryan Walker. Since my Spanish isn't the best I understood very little. I heard it was good though! :)
Day 4
I turned 30. (I know it hurts) There's nothing quite like waking up at 5 in the morning to singing and fire works. I walked outside to a herd of youth with a cake singing me Happy Birthday. Of course we invited them in and partied until 6:30 that morning.
I had the honor to minister to about 40 of Mike's staff from the school and church. I spoke to them about "Giving their lives to God, Family, and Others". It was an honor.
That night I went to a home where Guatemalan youth came and we had a bonfire. Man, I wish I knew you could have good ministry around a camp fire. God really moved. I shared from my heart through an interpretor for a while. God then gave me certain things to speak into some of thier lives. They each asked me a question and I answered. I then asked them each "What do you think God wants from your life"? I then asked the adults, "What is the greatest joy of parenting?" and "What is the greatest struggle?". A couple there poured out there heart. I felt led to pray with them so we did and the tears ran. They then came out with a homemade birthday cake with a candle on it. Such precious people. What a memorable birthday.
Day 5
This just might have been my favorite day. I have a heart for the poor and that's who I got to go minister to. We loaded a small team and drove a ways up into the mountains. In Guatemala they have over 22 different indigenous tribes. We drove to where a particular tribe lived up in the mountains then hiked a short ways down a trail. The church I ministered in had dirt floors, pine benches and walls you could see through. I ministered with tons of kids in the church, doors opening and shutting because of the wind, and breast feeding momma's! Hallelujah! I spoke out of Matthew 11:28-30 about coming to Jesus with your burdens. I spoke on rest that he gives. There had to be two interpretors I had to go through. One in Spanish and the other had to speak a dialect they could understand. I prayed for the sick after I preached then we went to the church kitchen down the hill. Now, there church kitchen had dirt floors, a campfire they cooked over, and wood planks as walls. The Indian ladies cooked a soup, tamale's, and it was kickin! We had no utensi's or anything. We ate on a wood table and the kids found a place some where on the ground. After I ate, an Indian man provided me water out of a bucket to wash my hands. It was very humbling.
That night I bought some things for my wife, daughter, and nephew then jetted to the church for a youth service. I spoke to them about being examples and pursuing God with a passion. We had a very good service! Afterwards I went around with a brother dropping off the youth.
As I got ready for bed I thanked the family for taking such good care of me. The mother's statement to me touched my heart when she said, "Thank you for leaving your family and country to come to Guatemala." What a precious soul!
I had a good week just seeing the Lord during the morning hours and parts of the day. Trying to hear his voice and allow him to speak into me. His always willing to speak if we are always willing to listen.
Day 6
Up at 4 A.M. and will leave out at 5 A.M. to make the long mountain ride. Right now I am sitting in the Guatemlan Airport ready to see the two most important people in my life-my wife and daughters.
Inn Ministries is the ministry Michael and LaTonya Lewis founded over 20 years ago. It is a church and a school that provides Christian education. I can't tell you how many times I heard the parents tell me they came to know Christ through thier kids coming to know Him first through the school. They run a church, have three other sister churches, outreaches, a school, and have over 50 paid staff that runs on a budget of only about $160, 000 a year! We will never be able to comprehend the price the Lewis's have paid to see this work happen. Missionaries are my hero's and they have always been. What great treasures await the Lewis family in heaven! Thank you Mike for allowing me to come with you on this memorable trip! I was able to get your ministry in my blood a bit more through this week. The relationships what were built, the sights of the enourmous mountains of Guatemala, and to be able to share the simple gospel of Jesus Christ with another people. They are apart of the body of Christ. They are a portion, they are our brothers and sisters!
Thank you for praying for me this week. I'm ready to see my family now and the youth I love at Family Church.
Be blessed,
Beck
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Guatemala Bound!
It's been over 9 years since I took my first mission's trip (Brazil) and since then have been able to go to several different countries to minister. Tomorrow morning at 6:30 A.M. Michael Lewis (of Inn Ministries) and I will fly out of Monroe to head to Guatemala. I'm so excited because such a huge part of my heart is missions and evangelism. I will have the opportunity to minister in village churches, a youth event, and probably the most humbling; address Michael's staff. It seems the Bible truly comes alive when I've been on these trips in the past and I'm excited!
Please pray for our safety as we travel and minister to these precious people in whom Christ died for.
I will leave out Monday and return Saturday night!
Have a great week!
Please pray for our safety as we travel and minister to these precious people in whom Christ died for.
I will leave out Monday and return Saturday night!
Have a great week!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Only believe
Isn’t it amazing how a little child can believe in a big, red-cheeked jolly man who supposedly can fly around the world in one night on a bunch of magical reindeer to deliver gifts at Christmas? How is that? A simple belief that it can happen. If it was possible as a child to believe in something that truly doesn’t exist how much more should we have that simple faith to believe in someone who does exist-Christ.
Jesus said in Mark 9:23, “Anything is possible if a person believes.” Believes in what? Believes in God and His word! The power to do great things! Anything? Anything! We must take Jesus at his word! Surely it can’t be that simple can it?
Smith Wigglesworth who lived in the late 1800’s and early to mid 1900’s was known as the “Apostle of Faith”. Wiggles worth said, “I saw that God wants us so badly that He has made the condition as simple as He possibly could—“Only Believe.” Here was a man that took God at his word and dared to believe Him to do great things! God used Smith Wigglesworth in a mighty way!
What if we too took God at his word? What if we truly believed in Him to do great things!? “Anything is possible if a person believes”. What impossibility stands in front of you today that belief in God and His word could change? Situations? Sickness? Finances? Only believe!
Jesus said in Mark 9:23, “Anything is possible if a person believes.” Believes in what? Believes in God and His word! The power to do great things! Anything? Anything! We must take Jesus at his word! Surely it can’t be that simple can it?
Smith Wigglesworth who lived in the late 1800’s and early to mid 1900’s was known as the “Apostle of Faith”. Wiggles worth said, “I saw that God wants us so badly that He has made the condition as simple as He possibly could—“Only Believe.” Here was a man that took God at his word and dared to believe Him to do great things! God used Smith Wigglesworth in a mighty way!
What if we too took God at his word? What if we truly believed in Him to do great things!? “Anything is possible if a person believes”. What impossibility stands in front of you today that belief in God and His word could change? Situations? Sickness? Finances? Only believe!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Humble
As I study God’s word more the more I realize just how different HIS kingdom is from the world’s. There is such a vast difference in literally everything such as views and perceptions! What we consider great here on earth God could see as garbage and what we don’t give much attention to, God could see as precious.
Think for a second. Who is the Godliest person that you know? Man or woman. Think again for a second. What brought you to that conclusion? What characteristics or gifts does this person have that would cause you to think that?
If your answer wasn’t humilty then maybe we need to think again what true Godliness or greatness is. According to Jesus your answer may be a good one but not the best on HIS grading scale. Let’s look to see what the greatest in the Kingdom of God must possess.
“So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18:4)
Humble-
1. not proud or arrogant; modest
2. having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, etc.
3. low in rank, importance, status, quality, etc.; lowly: of humble origin.
4. courteously respectful
If we aren’t becoming more “childlike” and humble then are we truly becoming great in God’s Kingdom? Are we truly becoming more like Jesus Christ? If we are continually on the defensive and percieved as arrogant how far we really are from becoming great according to Jesus’ standards! We all could probably use a big slice of humble pie!
Lord, humble us!
Think for a second. Who is the Godliest person that you know? Man or woman. Think again for a second. What brought you to that conclusion? What characteristics or gifts does this person have that would cause you to think that?
If your answer wasn’t humilty then maybe we need to think again what true Godliness or greatness is. According to Jesus your answer may be a good one but not the best on HIS grading scale. Let’s look to see what the greatest in the Kingdom of God must possess.
“So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18:4)
Humble-
1. not proud or arrogant; modest
2. having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, etc.
3. low in rank, importance, status, quality, etc.; lowly: of humble origin.
4. courteously respectful
If we aren’t becoming more “childlike” and humble then are we truly becoming great in God’s Kingdom? Are we truly becoming more like Jesus Christ? If we are continually on the defensive and percieved as arrogant how far we really are from becoming great according to Jesus’ standards! We all could probably use a big slice of humble pie!
Lord, humble us!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Great Start to a New Year!
Have you ever been to one of those services that linger on just to linger on? We try so hard to "make something happen" or that someway we can manipulate the Holy Spirit to do what we want Him to do? Well...that wasn't one of those services this past Wednesday night. Yes, the service did "linger" on but it wasn't because man constructed it! God came in the house during our student ministry service and moved upon our students in a mighty way. What a joy to see our students getting free and allowing God to break free the unhealthy habits that try to control and put in bondage a teenagers life. We dismissed the service for those that needed to go but many of our students continued to worship God past 9 o'clock. What a great job the worship team did in following the leading of the Holy Spirit.
It was a great first service for a new year! Thank you God!
It was a great first service for a new year! Thank you God!
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Got a Light?
“The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” (Genesis 1:1-5)
What a moment it must have been when the darkness that covered the deep waters fled when God said, “Let there be light!” When light comes darkness flees! There has to be a distinction between “Light” and “Darkness”, “Night” and “Day”. God separated the two. God created the sun, moon, and the stars that give off “Light” so that there is not constant “darkness.”
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
As believers we are the light of the world! There should be a dinstinct difference between us and the world. A separation of “light” and “darkness.” Do our lives give off “light”? Can people see if difference in us? Can people living in darkness see the light of Christ shining in and through you? God has called us to be the light of the world-don’t hide the light! People need to see hope!
What a moment it must have been when the darkness that covered the deep waters fled when God said, “Let there be light!” When light comes darkness flees! There has to be a distinction between “Light” and “Darkness”, “Night” and “Day”. God separated the two. God created the sun, moon, and the stars that give off “Light” so that there is not constant “darkness.”
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
As believers we are the light of the world! There should be a dinstinct difference between us and the world. A separation of “light” and “darkness.” Do our lives give off “light”? Can people see if difference in us? Can people living in darkness see the light of Christ shining in and through you? God has called us to be the light of the world-don’t hide the light! People need to see hope!
Monday, January 05, 2009
Life is exciting...when it once was a dread!
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:10)
Imagine crying yourself to sleep at night because you saw no hope for your life. Imagine becoming a person you never intended to become. Imagine living in regret and wondering why your life turned out a way you had never planned. Imagine living with hurt, anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness. Imagine having something else control you and hold you in bondage. Imagine dreading getting out of the bed and facing the dreary day that was ahead.
Maybe some of you can imagine that and experienced some of the things I mentioned above. That was my life just over ten years ago. Life was such a dread then but now-life is exciting to me! I can’t wait to get up and take the day on! I can’t wait to spend time with the God who changed my life, gave me hope, and cleansed me of my sin! I see light now and definitely have hope! God is using me and has blessed me with a family of my own! Now, I get to preach the gospel that set me free to others that they too may be set free!
My wife told me the other day, “Beck, you are always in such a good mood!” While, that is a bit of an exaggeration what difference there is in my life now than there was in my past! When depression used to have me by my throat, God’s power broke the chains! It’s not a good mood, its joy! Joy I thought I could never obtain, and never would have without Christ!
Life. To so many it is ritualistic, boring, and dull. But with Christ, it is exciting! Sure, as Christians we face trials, difficulties, and hard times but boy, it sure is better walking through those things KNOWING that Christ is on the throne of your heart!
Have a great New Year!
Imagine crying yourself to sleep at night because you saw no hope for your life. Imagine becoming a person you never intended to become. Imagine living in regret and wondering why your life turned out a way you had never planned. Imagine living with hurt, anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness. Imagine having something else control you and hold you in bondage. Imagine dreading getting out of the bed and facing the dreary day that was ahead.
Maybe some of you can imagine that and experienced some of the things I mentioned above. That was my life just over ten years ago. Life was such a dread then but now-life is exciting to me! I can’t wait to get up and take the day on! I can’t wait to spend time with the God who changed my life, gave me hope, and cleansed me of my sin! I see light now and definitely have hope! God is using me and has blessed me with a family of my own! Now, I get to preach the gospel that set me free to others that they too may be set free!
My wife told me the other day, “Beck, you are always in such a good mood!” While, that is a bit of an exaggeration what difference there is in my life now than there was in my past! When depression used to have me by my throat, God’s power broke the chains! It’s not a good mood, its joy! Joy I thought I could never obtain, and never would have without Christ!
Life. To so many it is ritualistic, boring, and dull. But with Christ, it is exciting! Sure, as Christians we face trials, difficulties, and hard times but boy, it sure is better walking through those things KNOWING that Christ is on the throne of your heart!
Have a great New Year!
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