Bill Teague’s lpc e-pistle

On Saturday, January 30, 18 LPC people begin an intense one-week experience in mission, friendship, and spiritual growth across the bounds of language, culture, and economics.  They will join hearts and hands with our brother and sister Christians from Promise Land Ministries (PLM) in Guatemala City and then travel together for three plus hours into the mountains and to the towns of San Lucas Toliman on the shores of Lake Atitlan. 

The team will work closely with our PLM brothers and sisters in ministering to the people of the lake by providing medical clinics. Team members will provide needed care and medications at the clinics and activities for the children while they wait to be seen by the doctors. They will also assist with construction projects at the new PLM site in San Lucas Toliman.

Months of planning, praying, and preparation have been focused on the trip. Now we ask for the daily prayers of the LPC congregation for safety and for the success of the mission as God sends us from Langhorne to this far corner of Central America.

The members of this year’s Guatemala Mission Team will visit new villages, meet and serve the people, befriend the children and seek to get out of “my space” and into Christ’s space for the sake of the Kingdom.  

Our team is more than 18 people, however. The entire congregation at Langhorne Presbyterian Church is a part of the larger Guatemala Team.  You have encouraged our traveling teams over the years and continue to provide generous support to the Promise Land Ministry school sponsorship program. Because of you we will be able to provide every man, woman and child visiting the clinic with a much needed toothbrush andtoothpaste. Praise God!

Whether you’re on the “home team” or the “travel team,” we are all a part of God’s team, working to share his love in word and in deed. 

Schedule – Horario

Saturday January 30 – 2:45 AM  Gather at LPC for loading luggage and prayer. 3:00 AM leave for Newark International Airport for the 5 1/2 hour flight to Guatemala City. Meet Guatemalan Team and load vans for 3 1/2 hour drive to San Lucas Toliman.

Sunday January 31  Worship with the PLM team.  We may travel to San Antonio Polipo to set up the clinic. Construct cubicles for the doctors and the fluoride treatment station, and set up the pharmacy. Possibly see patients depending on time.

Monday February 1  Full day for clinic and children’s ministry team.  We should see over 100 patients. Construction team lays cinder block for the Mission House at the new Spring of Hope site.

Tuesday February 2  Another full day for the clinic and construction teams. The children’s ministry is an important part of the work done at the clinic. Children play games, have arts and crafts and are told stories about Jesus.

Wednesday February 3  At various time throughout the week Barb Chase and Pastor Bill work with Pastors and Youth Group Advisors about conducting an LPC Young Adult Mission Trip in August. The clinic and children’s activities move to San Lucas Toliman and the work continues at the construction site.

Thursday February 4  Another full day for everyone. We dismantle the clinic and deliver remaining medications to the permanent clinic funded by LPC members. Tonight we debrief with our PLM coworkers for Jesus.

Friday February 5  Today we meet the LPC sponsored school children and travel to Antigua for a day of reflection on our work for God and some relaxation.

Saturday February 6  Drive to Guatemala City International Airport for the afternoon flight home. Then immigration, luggage, customs and the drive home to Langhorne. The team should arrive by 10:00 PM.

Sunday February 7  Assimilation back to our normal life and culture, but hopefully changed by our experience. Worship at LPC praising God for the week of service for His Kingdom here on earth.

Now comes the most important part for all our team members, those who travel and those who stay at home: prayer. Please continue praying for our team as we follow Christ’s command to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. You may use this guide as you pray for those who are away this week. Please be assured that the traveling team will be keeping the congregation in their prayers, as well. 

 

The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. -James 5:16

PRAYER REQUESTS

Barb Chase: Please pray that God will be glorified, our team unified and the Guatemalans encouraged as I follow my Jesus and strive to be like Him.

Rein Clabbers: Pray that I will reflect Christ though my behavior and my work. That the people we are helping know we come because we care. Pray that the Lord will open their hearts and they accept His love.

Bill Ferguson: Please pray for continued recovery for Lynne and health and safety for all throughout our travels. That the presence of the Holy Spirit be with us and that we may feel, see and fully accept His guidance in our work, our message, and our relationships. Give thanks for each team member from LPC & PLM. That each travel team member keep the home team close to his/her heart as we carry with us the soul of LPC.

Lynne Ferguson: Pray for safe travel and a physically healthy team throughout our work week.

Joe Franzi: Pray for the health of the team and our families while we are away. That God will allow me to use the Spanish that I have learned to show my love for Him and the people that we serve. I pray for a heart overflowing with compassion and love for all.

Earl Hanna: That God will guide our group on our mission to Guatemala. That we will do all that is expected of us and more. Also that we will give the people that we meet hope and that we will bring the light of God, and His son Jesus into their hearts.

Brian Jennings: God has given me the gift of being bilingual. Pray that I use this gift as best I can by interpreting for the doctors and patients in Guatemala so that the people can receive the best possible care.

Eva Jennings: My prayer request for the trip is to have a cheerful, go-with-the-flow attitude, and to keep the Lord in focus every day.

Lynn Likens: That we keep focused on bringing glory to God throughout the week. The we serve and honor our Savior in all we do, and be humble servants.

Doris Lynn: Please pray for safe travel and the well being of my family at home. I pray for God to open my eyes, ears and heart to see, hear and feel what God wants to show me in Guatemala. I pray that I will be Spirit-led in my words and deeds and be useful where ever He places me on this trip.

Chet Marshall: I need you to pray that I would have patience, and humility. That we all will remember that Lord of all is in charge and that His will be the focus. Please pray that I will remember to pray for each patient that I fill a prescription for. That the Holy Spirit will be our guide in every step of our journey and our safe return to our families.

Cathy Reese: That God’s will be done.

Vic Rivera: Pray for all our patients and their families in Guatemala. That the Holy Spirit may touch them through us. For the workers from LPC and PLM that we may be given strength, faith, and love in our task of spreading the gospel.

Dave Schaebler: For health, strength and safety for the whole team, both Guatemalan and American. That our team be an instrument of God’s healing, loving, comforting touch for patients in physical, emotional and/or spiritual need. That I more effectively communicate His love for those in need.
Dick Stover: Pray that whatever God lays in front of me to do may it make a difference in someone's life and glorify HIM.

Marybeth Stover: Safe travel, patience and understanding for the team. Health and safety for the team and my Mom and sister. That I become more flexible when dealing with others.

Bill Teague: To communicate God’s love with those I encounter – especially that I would be able to improve my use of Spanish. To grow spiritually and be used by God as he wills to help others grow spiritually.

Lee Thomas: Please pray for strength and safety for all members of LPC/PLM mission team, and that together we might be a powerful witness for Jesus Christ through our presence in the Lake Atitilan region of Guatemala. Pray for the people of San Lucas Toliman, and that we might truly minister to them through our clinics, children’s activities and construction work.  Pray for our LPC/PLM partnership, that we would continue to develop a strong Christian relationship with our Guatemalan sisters and brothers.