Good morning everyone!
Today we want to highlight a Play. Story. Eat. Experience in Nebraska, but before we do, I want to update you on the latest on Cesar's health and tell you about other friends who need prayer.
In the last update, I shared that Cesar Gonzalez, our leader in Guatemala, had emergency prostate surgery. I have talked to him almost every day since, and he is doing really well in his recuperation process. While he is at home, he is being confined to his room and taking it easy. But he is feeling good enough to burn up his cell phone minutes with me and is making calls to many of our friends and leaders--including our new Brazilian friends.
In other news, Rick Watson, our friend and dedicated cowboy church leader from Roanoke, Texas, informed me this week that his wife Peggy passed away after her long battle with Huntington's disease. By the time you read this, we will have gathered to celebrate her life and be reminded of the enduring hope we have because of Jesus. Please be in prayer for Rick and his family.
As a sidenote, I see God's wisdom and grace in directing our goings and comings that is related to both Rick and Cesar. A couple of months ago, our plan for the first week in October was that Cesar and Rick and several others, would be in Honduras together. Because of hurricane Harvey and other calendar challenges, Rick and his Texas friends felt a need to postpone the Honduras trip and focus on helping folks in Houston and take care of other commitments at home. Today, I see God's grace; knowing that we all could have been in Honduras when Cesar had his emergency and Rick would have been far from home. Apparently, even when we are unaware of what is coming, God is working to put us where we need to be in His timing and in His gracious care for us.
Grieving in Honduras
Speaking of Honduras, when I called one of our leaders there to inform them about Cesar and Rick's wife, he added, "Esteban, you must know that we have had a tragedy here this past week."
"Que Paso'? What happened?"
"One of the University students who has been coming to the Christian Rancher group was murdered this past week," he informed. "He was going somewhere to meet his girlfriend, and some men ambushed him and shot him."
"What's his name?" I asked, believing that I would know him.
"He is new to the group," my friend said. "You wouldn't know him. But please pray for us and for his family, and I will get people praying for Cesar and Ricardo and his family."
As we pray for our friends in Honduras, may all of these happenings remind us that life is short, and what we do to share God's message of salvation has eternal ramifications.
NEW DATE: NEBRASKA PLAY. STORY. EAT. EXPERIENCE, NOVEMBER 3-4
Nebraska, I don't know how you did it, but you have me burning up the road between you and me, and it doesn't look like I'm going to be able to stop! Well, I kind of know how it happened. Fifteen years ago, there was a group of cowboys from Burwell, Nebraska, that took a chance with me and started making friends with cowboys in Guatemala. Then my eldest son decided to go to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. There he fell in love and married an Omaha girl. Then they set up shop for her to start an optometry business in said Omaha. And now, our first grandson resides there. Need I say more!
Diehard Nebraskans, Josh and Kristin Reed rooting for the Huskers along with son (and Steve and Nola Reed's grandson) Brayden.
Ever since we started doing the Play. Story. Eat. Experience, I have been itching to bring it to our friends in Nebraska. Now, thanks to Joel Wentworth, it's getting ready to happen! Joel has arranged for us to be together at Camp Witness near Long Pine, Nebraska. It will take place Friday evening, November 3rd, and Saturday, November 4th. Cost is $45 per person and includes food, and lodging at the camp and materials. Here is a flyer with all the information. Please print and pass this on to anyone and everyone in Nebraska. Contact Joel Wentworth (see flyer) if you have questions.
Joel and Linda Wentworth (holding sign) with fellow Nebraskans Gene and Vicki Rahn and their son Seth (kneeling on the left) and daughter Christa (standing to the right of Linda), share a laugh with a ladies group in Jalpatagua, Guatemala.
10:02 PRAYER (LUKE 10:2)
Please continue to pray for Cesar in his recuperation process, for Rick Watson and his family, and for our friends in Honduras ministering in the context of the senseless death of a young man in one of our groups.
INVEST
We are still collecting money for Cesar's surgery. I will be sending the first bit of that this week. I will keep you posted on how much comes in.
Also, we are collecting Brazil money as well this week. See last week's update. This past week we wired money to help Renato obtain his plane ticket for meeting us in Guatemala in January. So if you have a desire to invest in the beginnings of this, please let us know.
ENGAGE
Let's meet in Nebraska! And help us spread the word about the upcoming Play. Story. Eat. Experience at Camp Witness, November 3-4.
Love y'all!
Steve
PS... Investing Information
You can mail checks to:
Daybreak International, 11628 Oakmont St., Overland Park, KS 66210
On PayPal, you can give using the email daybreak.international@gmail.com.
On our websites, you can give at www.PlayStoryEat.com or www.DaybreakInternational.org.