Hi everyone! If things go as planned, you are reading this a few days before I head to Guatemala on a scout trip with my friend Jim Kavalec, a retired physicians assistant, of Burwell, Nebraska. But that trip is still up in the air at the moment, and I’ll tell you why in a minute.
For now, I need to share that Bill Burrows had a cornea transplant surgery on his second eye last Wednesday. In a doctor visit the next day, the surgery was deemed a success, and the cornea was fully attached. If it remains attached, the prospects for improved eyesight look good. Long term, Bill will have to wait and “see” (pun intended!) how much better his vision will get. But already he says he is seeing better.
Great Time in Colome, South Dakota!
Before Bill’s surgery, Bill, Nola, and I enjoyed being with our friends from Calvary Chapel Church in Colome, South Dakota. Special thanks goes to Keith and Judy Moody and their wonderful church. Keith has been pastor of this church for many years and has been on several mission trips with me to both Honduras and Guatemala. (Judy did one trip too!)
Each year in the Fall, they have revival services from a Sunday to a Wednesday, and this year they invited us to lead their services from October 3-6. So we adapted our “Be the Church” training to fit their four-day schedule. On Sunday morning we introduced the theme in a normal worship service, and then each of the following nights we combined teaching with hands-on activities to get the congregation practicing and sharing with one another. From our perspective, it was the best training we have ever done. And folks from the church made us feel at home from day 1. If your church would like to do a similar thing, let us know!
On Sunday night, October 3rd, the Calvary Chapel congregation of Colome, South Dakota, participated in our “Be the Church” drills. Here, they were reading jokes to one another in preparation for further instructions.
While at Calvary Chapel Church, Bill shared about how to “be the church” and get spiritual leverage to love God, love others, and make disciples.
We are also grateful to our friends at the Sandhills Church Network and Joel Wentworth for having us be a part of their Rural Christian Workers Conference in Burwell, Nebraska, on Saturday, October 2nd. During the training, we prayed the Colossians 1:9-14 prayer for individual leaders. You might recall that we are praying that prayer for many of you!
“Be the Church” Sunday in Norfolk, Nebraska
On Sunday, October 24th, I spoke at Northern Heights Baptist Church of Norfolk, Nebraska. You might recall that we have worked with David Martinez and the Spanish speaking part of the congregation and their Bible Institute for Spanish leadership development. This time, I was asked to speak to the English speaking congregation in their two Sunday services, and I used a similar theme as we did with Calvary Chapel in South Dakota. I hope they invite us back to give them more of the training! If some of you from Northern Heights are reading this, you know what to do!
At the 10:30am service at Northern Heights Baptist Church of Norfolk, Nebraska, I engaged my friends Caleb and Riley to help me with the “Be the Church” demonstration.
While I spoke to the English speakers in the auditorium, David Martinez translated a live broadcast in the Spanish speaking service.
Guatemala Trip Complications
Now let’s talk Guatemala. Originally, Jim Kavalec and I were scheduled to be in Guatemala November 1-16 to visit ministry and community leaders and figure out the details for a medical trip. But a couple of weeks ago, Cesar came down with Covid-19. Thankfully, due to Cesar acting proactively, it has been a mild case, and Cesar has recovered fine. However, his doctor felt that traveling like we planned to do would be pushing Cesar’s energy limits. So we have decided to delay the trip by a week. Please pray that Cesar stays well and that both Jim and I remain healthy as well. If all goes as planned, I hope to update you while we are down there. Stay tuned and keep praying!
More Pics of our friends in South Dakota
Pastor Keith Moody, of Calvary Chapel in Colome, and his wife Judy paused to rest for a minute before the last night we were together.
In what we call a “wagon train,” we had folks sharing what they were grateful for and what they were concerned about before praying with one another.
Randy Shippy raises world champion professional rodeo bulls in Colome. As a dedicated Christian, Randy loves sharing his faith with other bull riders and folks in the professional rodeo circuit. We hope to do a video Zoom call with Randy next month when Cesar and I are planning to be talking to a group of bull riders in Guatemala.
Randy took us through the herd of some of his best cows for producing the best bulls.
Amazingly, the mamas of Randy’s best bulls are like overgrown pets.
During one of the days in South Dakota, Bill and I helped Kevin Moody (left) and Keith Moody process some cows at the feed lot that Kevin manages. Because of a family emergency, his usual help didn’t show up. So Kevin put us to work!
Keith saddles his horse to get ready to send the cows through the chutes.
“You don’t have any trouble with shots do you?” Kevin asked. “Not if that shot is not for me!” I answered. Kevin gave us instructions, and like our “Be the Church” training, he had us immediately practice what he taught us!
This is one of 285 head of cattle that Bill and I helped process with Kevin and Keith. If you ever need a shot in the neck, Bill and I can help you! (If you are a cow, that is!)
10:02 PRAYER
Pray for our health and energy to do all God has called us to do. Pray for Bill’s eyes, Cesar’s Covid recovery, and for Jim and I to be able to go where we need to go. Pray too that God would prepare the way for other teams to go to Guatemala this year.
ENGAGE
If you are interested in joining one of our mission teams this year, or in having us come do a “Be the Church” service or training, let us know.
INVEST
Thank you for your faithful giving to this ministry. We couldn’t do what we do without you!
CLICK HERE FOR THE EASY WAY TO INVEST.
If we can pray for you specifically in any way, please send us a note.
Love y’all!
Steve