So its over a week later but here goes the next part of how GOD used ministry doing the beach/coast trip for Lanisha’s birthday. The last update you read about the ice cream lady, this time it was how HE got glorified on a boat ride. We had seen a poster on the beach advertising, a boat ride around the laguna, fishing, and other activities on the water. So we decided to call and went as we figured the kids would enjoy the ride. We arrive get in the boat and start trolling out to where the ocean enters the river the owner/guide (a young guy) is driving the boat and we are conversationalizing as he tells us the norms of the area. Arriving to where the ocean enters we pass a boat and I here one of the guys on the other boat say hello by yelling/waving “hola hermano” (hey brother) which here in Guatemala is how CHRISTians greet each other. Didn’t think anything about it and kept traveling about the water. The guide stopped in a low spot and said here you can get out and find crabs and shells, so we did in which the kids had a blast. We began to ask if he was a CHRISTian and where it was he attended church. He smiling began to tell us he was and that his dad used to be a pastor and is now an associate pastor at their church. He is a young guy and honestly you could see the Holy Spirit in his life. He took us around and helped us get some drift wood for the garden then took us back to the dock as it was already getting late. If you read the last post we had some bibles in the back of the car and so I had asked did he have a bible at which he said yes but still felt to give some for him to use in ministry. Thus we gave them to him in the dark and he said would you like to go see the church you can give them to me there. So we followed him on his motorcycle and his dad had the doors open at church. We fellowshipped briefly there and gave them bibles to give to those who didn’t have one. The dad was extra excited and said “ now some of those that don’t have a bible will have one.” It was truly a blessing as we were able to pray with them in which when we finished the dad embraced me with a hug that was from the LORD as tears just rolled down his face. The LORD was working in that place as they had had a service until midnight the night before. As we walked away I heard the father say “Aleluya!!!” He was praising GOD and so were we as I know our FATHER was getting all the praise. I tell you this because we do not know how the LORD will use us when we are willing to put him into everything we do. His Word says in Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for Hisgood pleasure.
Also in…
Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
We believe this and know that HE has everything in HIS hands and all we must do is love, trust, and obey HIM, being willing to be used by HIM. HE then takes care of everything else. HIS Word is all we need to get started because it will sustain us and finish us!!!
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
Since then we have had a group from Juventud para CRISTO (JPC) up this past week that brought about 21 teenage boys from a government home for a one day retreat. Which for us is a close to home activity as with kids of the likeness testimonies is what GOD used to start this retreat ministry. We were blessed to have them here and Vilma and I both got to share our hearts in hopes of encouraging them to follow CHRIST. The home that they live in is not a CHRISTian home as stated it’s a government home thus consistency of GOD’s word on their lives is less. But we thank GOD for the ministry of our brothers and sisters at JPC and their willingness to share in that home on a consistent basis.
Also we received a call from a pastor friend of ours telling us that another pastors friends house had burnt down on Friday night so Saturday we had a gap in time and we’re able to go out and visit that family. It was heartbreaking as they have been having to sleep on the floor in the church which is small. Please pray for them and if you would like to help rebuild their small house or provide beds, stove, etc. Pray about it and let me know as we too are praying for wisdom and guidance on what GOD would have us to do.
in the meantime we have been trying to finish up some more details on campus while the rains have been crazy.
pray for Guatemala as the rain that has been falling are washing out bridges, causing landslides that are blocking major roads and washing houses away or burying some.
Apologies for the long pist but just trying to catch you up on what GOD has been aloqing us to be a part of over the past couple weeks.
Tha el for reading and being involved in the work oor LORD is doing on and off campus. Be blessed…
Blessings in CHRIST,
Clemmons Family- Guatemala
