Well, its official...the fall semester is back in full swing! The new students arrived last Saturday and the returning students arrived yesterday, Monday. Things have been pretty busy with fulfilling RA responsibilities and going to soccer pre-season practice. But, God is good and I know this will be a great year. God will bless and work this year I know. This year, I am serving as the Head RA in the men's dorm. Part of that means I have a kitchen where I can cook my own meals. One thing I realized is...I don't know how to cook! I went grocery shopping Sunday night after church and felt like a lost little boy in the grocery store. But, it will be a good learning experience and I'll be cooking in no time I'm sure! Look out Emeril!
When I was at the grocery store, I had an awesome experience I wanted to share on my blog, which is mainly about Guatemala. Compared to my home state of North Carolina, there aren't many Hispanic people here in West Virginia. So when I do see a Latino, I usually talk to them and find out where they are from, etc. As I was walking into the grocery store, so was a Hispanic man. I struck up conversation with him and soon found out he had moved from NC and was originally from....wait for it...GUATEMALA!! How exciting! He is from Quiché, Guatemala. I was so excited that the first person I talked to in Spanish happened to be a Chapin! I got Peluche's number and hopefully we will be able to meet up again soon. Please pray for other friends of mine from Jalapa: Edgar, Mayra, Salvador and Eusebio from Huehuetenango. I have wonderful opportunities in serving here in Beckley to spend time with these friends and share the Gospel with them. Pray for open doors.
Until next time, Jay
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Monday, 16 August 2010
Passion for Petén
You may ask, "Have you rested, relaxed, and caught up on sleep since returning from Guatemala?" My answer would be a "partial yes." I have enjoyed some time to relax but for the most part, I've stayed pretty busy. But, its been a "good busy." The first weekend I was back at my home church, Vernon Forest Baptist, I had the opportunity to share my experience in Guatemala and my burden for the Petén to my home church family. What an awesome opportunity! I can already tell it was good experience for upcoming deputation. One thing I really learned is to NOT HAVE TOO MANY PICTURES! That Sunday evening at Vernon Forest, I had "un monton" (a bunch) of pictures! I just had so much to share and tell about that it was hard to narrow it all down. Most of all, I just learned to "be myself" and be sincere in my presentation.
Well, beginning the following Monday (last Mon.), I set off with my parents to pick up my nephew, Haddon, and spend a week in Ohio. We went to a Cincinnati Reds game, The Creation Museum, and the Cincinnati Zoo. It was a great time be back in my home state and spend some time with my family. At the end of the week we traveled to Amish country Ohio, Monroe County, to be part of my cousin's ordination service at the Calais Baptist Church. This church was the first church my dad pastored and now my cousin, Brandon Ward, has assumed the pastoral role at this church. This weekend was also Homecoming weekend at the church, so it was nice to fellowship with our church family at Calais. Pastor Ward had asked me to share about my trip in the Sunday school hour. What a wonderful opportunity to again present my burden for the Petén! My father preached in the Morning Worship service and was moderator in the ordination ceremonies. Also my brother-in-law, Todd Lockyer, had the opportunity to give a challenge in the ordination service. Thank the Lord for such great ministry opportunities for all of us!
What does all this have to do with the title, "Passion for Petén?" Well, I'll tell you. Since I've returned, its been hard to get Guatemala, specifically Petén off my mind. It seems that SO many things remind me of it. I even saw an animal at the Zoo, el Pizote, that I saw IN THE WILD in the Petén! It was behind glass at the zoo and I was close enough to touch it in Guatemala! So many other things make me think of a memory of Guatemala or part of the life there. But more importantly, every opportunity I have to share about my trip, it only deepens my burden for the Petén. Speaking of the UNREACHED....the NEEDS...the PEOPLE...only makes me want to return as soon as I can. Please continue to pray that God will guide and direct and that He will prepare me even more for future ministry in the Petén. Thank you so much for all your prayer and support! Until next time,
Jay
Well, beginning the following Monday (last Mon.), I set off with my parents to pick up my nephew, Haddon, and spend a week in Ohio. We went to a Cincinnati Reds game, The Creation Museum, and the Cincinnati Zoo. It was a great time be back in my home state and spend some time with my family. At the end of the week we traveled to Amish country Ohio, Monroe County, to be part of my cousin's ordination service at the Calais Baptist Church. This church was the first church my dad pastored and now my cousin, Brandon Ward, has assumed the pastoral role at this church. This weekend was also Homecoming weekend at the church, so it was nice to fellowship with our church family at Calais. Pastor Ward had asked me to share about my trip in the Sunday school hour. What a wonderful opportunity to again present my burden for the Petén! My father preached in the Morning Worship service and was moderator in the ordination ceremonies. Also my brother-in-law, Todd Lockyer, had the opportunity to give a challenge in the ordination service. Thank the Lord for such great ministry opportunities for all of us!
What does all this have to do with the title, "Passion for Petén?" Well, I'll tell you. Since I've returned, its been hard to get Guatemala, specifically Petén off my mind. It seems that SO many things remind me of it. I even saw an animal at the Zoo, el Pizote, that I saw IN THE WILD in the Petén! It was behind glass at the zoo and I was close enough to touch it in Guatemala! So many other things make me think of a memory of Guatemala or part of the life there. But more importantly, every opportunity I have to share about my trip, it only deepens my burden for the Petén. Speaking of the UNREACHED....the NEEDS...the PEOPLE...only makes me want to return as soon as I can. Please continue to pray that God will guide and direct and that He will prepare me even more for future ministry in the Petén. Thank you so much for all your prayer and support! Until next time,
Jay
Saturday, 7 August 2010
New URL Address for Blog
I have changed the address for my blog from jaybrowninternship.blogspot.com (my internship is over) to:
jaybrownguatemala.blogspot.com
jaybrownguatemala.blogspot.com
Thursday, 5 August 2010
Guate On My Mind
Well, I arrived back in North Carolina on Monday evening. Since then, I've been enjoying time spent with family and catching up on rest and relaxation. The inevitable question (which I've been asked already) is "Do you miss Guatemala?"...the answer is YES, I do!! I also have to say that it was somewhat hard to acclimate to being back in the states. One of the other interns, Rebecca, and I had a laugh about how many times we said "Buenas tardes" or "gracias" to people when we came back. It is a big shift and change after spending so much time there in Guate. Nonetheless, I am glad to be home and I'm looking forward to the remainder of the summer and the upcoming semester at school.
I am so thankful for the opportunity to be in Guatemala this summer. Its so exciting to think that it is the place where I will spend the rest of my life (Lord willing)! I'm already looking forward to the next opportunity I will have to return there. Please continue to pray for God's direction and guidance in the time in between.
Jimmy encouraged me to take a picture of this sign. I think he said, "That is the perfect missionary sign!" We could say confidently that we live in a lost world. In the Petén, the majority of the people have never heard the Gospel. It is truly a "lost world." As I plan to go to Petén, please pray that God will continue to do a work in that area. Pray for Jim and Shelley and for their ministry there.
Please pray specifically for Jose, a Kekchi Pastor and friend of Jim and Shelley. He is going through some very difficult things right now. Please go to Jim and Shelley's blog and read about our dear brother in Christ (link is on the left side of page) and most of all, pray!
I am so thankful for the opportunity to be in Guatemala this summer. Its so exciting to think that it is the place where I will spend the rest of my life (Lord willing)! I'm already looking forward to the next opportunity I will have to return there. Please continue to pray for God's direction and guidance in the time in between.
Jimmy encouraged me to take a picture of this sign. I think he said, "That is the perfect missionary sign!" We could say confidently that we live in a lost world. In the Petén, the majority of the people have never heard the Gospel. It is truly a "lost world." As I plan to go to Petén, please pray that God will continue to do a work in that area. Pray for Jim and Shelley and for their ministry there.
Please pray specifically for Jose, a Kekchi Pastor and friend of Jim and Shelley. He is going through some very difficult things right now. Please go to Jim and Shelley's blog and read about our dear brother in Christ (link is on the left side of page) and most of all, pray!
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
Short-Term Trip; Long-Term Planning
Well as you can see, I just changed the name of the blog. "All That Matters" will be the new title from now on. You may ask, "Why?" Well, let me explain. The title of this entry says "short-term trip; long-term planning." I came to Guatemala for a two month missions internship. The purpose of the internship is to gain experience of what it's like serving as a missionary on a foreign field. Well, for me I already had an interest in serving in Guatemala. So, this trip was sort of like a survey trip. I have had SO many wonderful experiences here. And, as this is my last week, it's somewhat "bitter-sweet" to have to leave soon. The first month in Solola was great to get acquainted with the culture, to meet so many wonderful people, and to be involved in various activities. Thank you, Larry and Claire Boggs, for your hospitality and willingness to let me come and work there at the Nido. Those are memories I will never forget! This month in Petén has also been wonderful. If you've been keeping up with my blog entries, you've read of the many wonderful experiences I've had here. It's been great! In my time here, I believe God has placed a desire in my heart to return to Petén and work here full time. Thank you, Jimmy and Shelley Dinsmore, for your encouraging and challenging words in our many discussions. I am so grateful to have met you two (and Jonah and Silas :)
So, in saying all that, I am planning from this point on to begin preparing to return to Petén as a church-planting missionary. I realize it may be bold to make a definite plan at this point. But, I believe it's a good thing to have plans. And God could redirect me if He sees fit. But, my life is committed to serving Him. After all, that's "All That Matters," isn't it? So, I would appreciate your prayer as I finish up with my last year at Appalachian Bible College and make preparations for my future. Thank you so much for your prayer and support! I look forward to continuing to share how the Lord leads and directs in my life.
In Christ,
Jay
So, in saying all that, I am planning from this point on to begin preparing to return to Petén as a church-planting missionary. I realize it may be bold to make a definite plan at this point. But, I believe it's a good thing to have plans. And God could redirect me if He sees fit. But, my life is committed to serving Him. After all, that's "All That Matters," isn't it? So, I would appreciate your prayer as I finish up with my last year at Appalachian Bible College and make preparations for my future. Thank you so much for your prayer and support! I look forward to continuing to share how the Lord leads and directs in my life.
In Christ,
Jay
Thursday, 22 July 2010
Wonderful Ministry Opportunities
Well the last time I wrote, Jimmy and I were still preparing our materials for the upcoming Kekchi Pastors training module. We had prepared lessons on the cults and the book of Judges.
All the notes were compiled into 25 pages of notes. We had one notebook made for the cults and another for the book of Judges. The training was planned for 3 days, but we finished early yesterday. Just because we finished early doesn't mean we flew through things! There was A LOT of discussion about various topics throughout the lessons. It was good to see how passionate these men are about the things they believe. And they had many questions to ask. You better have scriptural proof for your answers too! The men always want to take time to look up the proof verses in the Bible and read them out loud. I think thats a great thing!
This coming Sunday I have part two of Esther to finish and I'm really looking forward to that. I had a great time teaching last Sunday and It's going to be great to do it again! I really am thankful for these great opportunities for ministry! Its so awesome to be involved here! Its hard to think that I only have a little over a week left. My time here has been so great and I know even these last few days will be great too!
Monday, 19 July 2010
Teaching Cont'd
7/19/10--Monday
Well, yesterday we studied the first part of Esther. I had a great time teaching to the people at the Santa Rita Bible Study! Its exciting to see the people interact with the story and enjoy it. I was a bit nervous before I began, but I soon felt very comfortable like I was at home. I'm thankful for the opportunity to teach and share from God's Word. It was a good experience because starting tomorrow, I'll be teaching with Jimmy several times a day at the Kekchi Pastors Training. So, I'm glad I got a good start last night!
Today we will go back to Santa Rita for the Children's Bible Study. Another intern, Rebecca, will get her chance to teach. She is starting a two part lesson on the Fruit of The Spirit. I know she has put a lot of work into it and is excited to do it. I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes.
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