In November, Luis Carlos, in the white shirt, shared a message using the colored soccer ball at a gathering of several boys and girls soccer teams in Santa Cruz Narranjo, Guatemala. About 50 prayed to receive Christ as a result!
Good morning everyone!
I hope you had a Merry Christmas and that you were not chattering your teeth too much in the deep freeze that hit us here in the Midwest!
I am enjoying a slower pace this week and warmer weather as Nola is off work and we are home this year for the holidays.
Before I brief you on what is coming up, let me say thank you for your prayers and your generosity in 2022. Please note that if you are mailing a check, anything postmarked by December 31st will count for your giving record in 2022.
Project Hope team of Nicaragua prepares the props to take a picture of the winning team in San Ramon, Nicaragua. Eduardo Mejia (black shirt holding a microphone) will be bringing 4 of his leaders to Guatemala January 23-29 to help train a Guatemalan team in soccer evangelism.
Primary Projects in the First Months of 2023
Jungle trip January 17-22: Steve will fly down January 16th and then team up with Cesar Gonzalez and several other Guatemalan friends to go play soccer in several villages and hike to two remote villages that do not have a church yet.
Soccer Evangelism Training in Santa Cruz Narranjo, January 23-30: Eduardo Mejia and his team from Project Hope of Nicaragua will meet Steve and other Guatemalans for a few days of training for the big event in April.
Be the Church Conference at First Baptist Mountain Home, Arkansas, March 4-8: Steve and Bill will be working with Pastor Tad Rogers to offer four days of Be-the-Church training.
Spring Roundup at Bar None Cowboy Church of Midway, Arkansas, March 9-12: Steve and Bill will be working with Pastor Dusty Stanford to offer training in having spiritual conversations with both believers and non-believers.
Men’s Fellowship for Western Way Cowboy Church of Altamont, Kansas, March 25: We will equip and encourage men to “Be the Church.”
Soccer Tournament in Guatemala April 10-17: Preparations are being made with Lenexa Baptist Church and with Project Hope of Nicaragua to send missionaries to help.
Dusty Stanford, pastor of Bar None Cowboy Church of Midway, Arkansas, speaks at a Tuesday night “Church in the Dirt” gathering. In March we will be partnering with them in a “Spring Roundup” to help prepare the church to have soul-connecting spiritual conversations with both believers and non-believers.
Joyce Burrows Steps Into a New Role
As we enter into 2023, Joyce Burrows, wife of Bill Burrows, will be stepping into an even greater role in helping us administratively in our ministry. For years she has kept our books and helped out on many behind the scenes projects and events. Because of the anticipated increase in activity in 2023, Joyce has agreed to let us increase her hours and take on other administrative duties. Thanks Joyce for all your help!
Here, Bill and Joyce Burrows are standing in front of Lake Calymus near Burwell, Nebraska, during our October trip.
As we anticipate and prepare for 2023, we pray that God will use us in any way He wants for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Thanks again for your prayers and your partnership with us. Keep us posted on what is happening in your world. God is using so many of you in amazing ways.
Happy New Year!
Steve
PS…Thanks for your well wishes for Nola and me as we enjoyed a trip to Hawaii last month! Nola’s work took her there for a week of unveiling a new software product for Hawaii’s insurance commissioners. I tagged along, and we added a week of vacation to take advantage of the opportunity.
Nola and I enjoyed seeing the sights on the big island. Here we are near the southernmost point of the United States.