Giving Tuesday: What do I have to give?

#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving which is annually celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Giving Tuesday launches the beginning of the charitable giving season.

Occurring immediately after two days focusing on self-gratification & consumerism, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday offers the opportunity to refocus on what is really important: fulfilling the Great Command to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Often we think we don't have anything to give.  Our skills, talents, abilities, and resources seem so limited and we don't see that we have anything to offer which would benefit someone else.  Nothing could be further from the truth. 

The Bible tells us that every member of the Body of Christ is uniquely designed and equipped to serve the entire Body. (1 Cor. 12) In fact, each member is needed for the Body to function effectively.  If you are a Christ-follower, you are a member of the Body of Christ and have a role to play in bringing about the kingdom of God on earth.  Each of us was created by a divine plan with a divine purpose.  Discovering and fulfilling this purpose is what gives meaning and joy to life.

So what do you have to give? 

Please take some time this weekend to not only be grateful for what you have been given, but to think about how God is calling you to share your gifts with others.  You will not regret it.

21 Days of Prayer~~A Forever Home

Today, I thank God for gifting us with the ownership of Casa de Esperanza, and for all the people who made this possible.  While it is just a piece of property, it symbolizes so much more.  It reminds us of God's provision even when all seems lost.  It demonstrates to the residents that we are here for the long haul, and will not abandon them as so many have before.  It provides a sustainable base of operations for Reason to Hope far into the future.  Yes, it may be just a piece of property, but to our ministry it is home.

My prayer of thanksgiving

Father, today I praise you as Jehovah-Jireh--the God Who Provides.  I praise and thank you for allowing us to purchase the property which is now Casa de Esperanza.  I thank you for designing it to function so well for us with so few changes.  I thank you for bringing us to the community of San Pedro Las Huertas, for the friendships we have developed with the people there, and for the opportunity for us to be a light in the darkness that so often overshadows the pueblos in Guatemala.

I thank you, Father God, for all the people who contributed to the purchase of this house.  The ability to purchase it debt-free in a little over a year was truly miraculous.  Bless each person who donated or worked in any way to make the purchase of this house possible. 

You have used this house to forge us into a family.  May we use this house to bring glory to your name.  In Jesus' name I pray.

21 Days of Prayer~~Our Partners

Today I thank our God and Father for every one of you who has partnered with us in some way.

Whether it be through prayer, financial contribution, personal encouragement, or time spent serving with us in Guatemala, I am grateful. If you have helped with one of our projects or events, or come to one of our dinners, I thank you, and thank God for your presence in my life and work.

I have often said that I get the fun of watching first hand what God is doing in Guatemala, and that's so true.  I would be able to do nothing, however, if it weren't for the backing provided by each one of you.  Even taking the time to read these posts offers me more encouragement than you'll ever know, as well as allowing us to spread the news of the wonders God has done and is doing in Guatemala. So today I thank God for you.

My prayer of thanksgiving

Father, I thank you in the name of Jesus for all those you have brought alongside of me as I have been on this journey to serve you in Guatemala.  On my own, I am an earthen vessel with little strength, but in you, I can do all things. I praise you and thank you for working through by brothers and sisters who support me to bring me strength, encouragement and stamina to carry out this ministry.  

My prayer warriors are my front line of defense as we serve in Guatemala.  We so desperately need the prayer covering they provide to carry out no only the physical works of this ministry, but to make your name known and glorified through what we do. Empower their prayer lives through your Holy Spirit.

I pray for those who encourage me, through emails, calls, notes, and by reading our posts and newsletters.  While I would like to walk completely in the spirit, I still live in the flesh, and these concrete reminders of friendship and support help to keep me going, especially when things are tough. Encourage them as they encourage me.

I thank you for those who support us financially.  It is a challenge at times to trust that you will provide all we need for what you ask us to do.  The partnership our donors have with our ministry makes this promise of your faithfulness a reality in our daily lives.  Finances are a reality of serving and I am so very grateful for those who support us, whether through regular monthly donations or periodically as you prompt them.  Bless them for their generosity and multiply their resources.

Finally, Father, I thank you for the very special people who have served with us.  I thank you for those who help with events and activities stateside.  They enable us to share what you are doing in Guatemala.  Multiply their efforts.

I thank you, too, Father for the individuals and groups you have sent to work alongside us in Guatemala.  I thank you for the teams who are willing to do relational ministry in place of physical work to advance your kingdom.  I thank you for the interns who have served with me over the years, and the energy and insight they bring to our ministry.  And I thank you for those who come to visit, whether for an hour, a day or a short time to see first-hand what we are doing.  They impact our ministry more than they know, and I am grateful. All these have made personal and financial sacrifices to be with us, and I ask you in the name of Jesus to repay them generously.

For all of these "human resources" you give us to support, encourage and sustain us, I thank you, Father.

21 Days of Prayer~~Reason to Hope, Inc. & the Frisinas

Today I thank God for our independent non-profit organization, Reason to Hope.  It may not be clear to everyone just how critical this is to the sustainability of our ministry.  Our agreement with the Josiah Foundation was with me, Pat Duff, personally.  They agreed to serve as my missionary sending organization and I was an independent contractor working through them.  They held no responsibility for our ministries in Guatemala.

When I came as an individual and only required personal missionary support, this was sufficient.  As our ministry has grown far beyond what I ever would have envisioned, we need an organization to oversee the ministry going far into the future.  Reason of Hope serves this purpose.

I could not thank God for Reason to Hope without also thanking him for Mike and Marty Frisina.  (Yes, they are Husker fans!) They not only have come alongside me, but actually were the driving forces in getting me going in forming our own non-profit.  We are only beginning to see the responsibilities they have taken on as our Stateside representatives, and I am so grateful for their concern for our ministry.  I am even more grateful for their friendship and personal support as I serve.

My prayer of thanksgiving

Father God, today I thank you for allowing us to start our own organization to care for the ministries you have entrusted to us in Guatemala.  I thank you for the joys and challenges which have come with this change.  I pray your guidance and protection as we move forward in obedience to your call to serve the least of these.

I thank you for Mike and Marty, Lord God.  Bless them as they do the hard work of organizing and managing the business aspects of the organization.  Give them wisdom and discernment as they support and advise me, and give them stamina to fulfill the obligations they have so willingly taken on.  I pray this in the power of the Holy Spirit and through Jesus' name. Amen.

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21 Days of Prayer~~Day 10: The Companion-caregivers at Casa de Esperanza

It takes a special person to be willing to care for the most intimate needs of another man, and God has blessed us with a loving and gifted team to care for the spiritual and emotional, as well as physical needs of our four guys.  All are Christ-followers, who daily put the Great Command to love into action.  Most of them live with us 4 out of 7 days a week, and sacrifice time with their own families to be with us.  We thank God for them today.

Vincente is a father of three grown children who comes from Santa Maria de Jesus.  He is a leader in his church and brings a spiritual maturity and stability to our team.

Mario is a young man who works with us four days, studying in his spare time at the University to be a math teacher.  He is highly involved in the music ministry of his church.  Mario, because of his age, but also his maturity can often get the guys to do things they otherwise might resist (such as therapy).  The confidence our guys have in him is evident.

Cesar works weekends with the guys.  You might remember him as living with us to go to school when we first opened Casa de Esperanza.  Well, now he is married, and has a son who just turned one.  He and his wife Gema are both graduating University this month as PE teachers.  Cesar has been a long time friend of our guys and we so enjoy having him.

Nelson is Mario's brother.  He spent many days and nights with Roberto when he was in the hospital.  With schedule adjustments, we were excited to bring him on as a regular worker.  He is married, and leaves his wife an child in Balanya (about 1 1/2 hours away from us) to care for the guys.

Dilan just joined our team after graduating from high school.  He has been raised by his grandparents, and now is working to help support them.  He comes from Brenda's village of El Rodeo, also about an hour and a half from San Pedro where we live.





God has put together a great team with servants' hearts to share life with our guys and I am grateful.

My prayer of thanksgiving

Father God, you know better than any of us the qualities needed to care for our young men in a way that reflects Christ's love to them.  I praise you and thank you for bringing together this unique group of men to serve with us.  Without them Casa de Esperanza could not function.  With them we are thriving and growing.  Thank you for their hearts which first of all love your Son, and then love and care for our guys so generously.  Bless them in the time they are away from their families, and guard and protect their families in their absence.  Help them to grow daily to become more like your Son as they reflect Him to our residents.  We thank you for bringing us these mighty men of God.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

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