Follow Along with The Mission Team in Guatemala! Updated!

Hello Everyone! 
I'll be in Guatemala from Wednesday, January 3, to Tuesday, January 16, with a team from Open Range Fellowship. While I am gone, Bill will be mapping out our movements and updating this page on a regular basis.

Pray and Engage

Please engage in this trip with us by asking God to empower and encourage us to follow His lead in initiating and developing friendships with the Guatemalan people. 

 
Day 1 Wednesday, January 3, 2018 - Travel Day

UPDATE: Sam, Micheal and Renato arrived safely in Amberes on Wednesday evening. Steve was stuck in KC unable to get a seat to Dallas.

• Where: Kansas City to Dallas to Guatemala City to Cesar's home in Amberes, Guatemala
• Who: Steve Reed, Sam Anderson, Micheal Macias, Renato Quadreli (from Brazil)
• How: Airplanes (5 hrs) and 4X4 Pickup (1.5 hrs)

Day 2 Thursday, January 4, 2018 - Guatemalan PSE Experience

UPDATE: The PSE Experience at Cesar's home had about 20 people. The event went well. They had a great time playing horseshoes. Michael said, "The group stared out real quiet, but at the end people were like old friends." The groups where able push through the "uncomfortable" and connect with God and each other. Please pray that they will continue to Play. Story. and Eat. together. Steve made it to Amberes Thursday evening. Yeah God!

• Purpose: To equip Guatemalan pastors and believers to initiate and develop PSE Friendship Circles
• Where: Cesar's home in Amberes, Guatemala
• Who: Steve, Sam, Micheal, Renato, many pastors and potential PSE disciplers.
• How: We will Play. (horseshoes) Story. (story activities) & Eat. (Guatemalan pot-luck)

Play. Story. Eat. Experience Amberes, Guatemala July 2017

Day 3 Friday, January 5, 2018 - Chiquimulilla Cattlemen's Gathering

MAP

UPDATE: 

Potholders Open Hearts and Minds to the Gospel!

Cesar Shares Gospel using potholders!

I wish I had the time to share the stories of today. In a nutshell, after making friends with some ranchers and friends of Oscar (Coca) Melgar, Sam spoke from horseback and Renato shared his faith story. But it was the potholders that gave us a spark to present a salvation message.

Several prayed to receive Christ and a new PSE group is forming.

A New PSE Christian Rancher Group Formed! Ranchers and Friends of Coca Melgar

• Purpose: To share the Gospel and invite engagement in Christian Rancher Groups/PSE Friendship Circles (joined by our friends Oscar "Coca" Melgar and his cousin, Alex Melgar)
• Where: Oscar's ranch in Chiquimulilla, Guatemala
• Who: Steve, Sam, Micheal, Renato, "Coca," Alex, ranchers from the region
• How: We will play rancher games, share the gospel and our salvation stories, encourage them to join or form Christian Rancher Groups/PSE Friendship Circles, and enjoy a meal together.

Renato Sharing the Gospel!

Day 4 Saturday, January 6, 2018 - Agua Blanca Rodeo

Last year at the Agua Blanca rodeo many of the bull-riders came to Christ. Since then, Cesar has visited several of them in their homes and helped them start new Christian Rancher groups.

UPDATE:  In Agua Blanca we invited our old and new bull-rider friends to play horseshoes in the arena in front of the early crowd. Renato gave his testimony. The team re-connected with the bull riders and promised to meet them in their homes to encourage the PSE/Christians Rancher groups. Much to our surprise, 8 of the bull-riders were from Brazil! Renato connected with the Brazilians. They plan to continue the relationships back home and see were God leads. The team was unable to do the Brand skit but it worked out for the best. 

Bull-rider Horseshoes Agua Blanca Rodeo

• Purpose: To share a Gospel Invitation with everyone attending the rodeo, and to equip and encourage our bull-rider friends as they develop their CRG/PSE Friendship Circles 
• Where: Agua Blanca, Guatemala
• Who: Steve, Sam, Micheal, Renato, rodeo crowd, cowboys, bull-riders
• How: We will enjoy the rodeo, present Gospel skit "The Brand" written by our friend Keith Moody, encourage our bull-rider friends to develop and form new Christian Rancher Groups/PSE FC's, and connect over a meal together.

Day 5 Sunday, January 7, 2018 - Serve Jalpatagua, a Grieving Community

The original Jalpatagua Fair plan was to participate in the parade and activities for their annual celebration. But the president of the cattlemen's association was murdered just a few weeks ago, so they canceled all activities except for ours. 

UPDATE: We attended a joint meeting of the women's association and the cattlemen's association. Cesar did a great job addressing the murder of their leader. He expressed our condolences and promised we would continue to pray for them and their town. Latter we laughed together while roping the steer heads. Diana, one of the Guatemalan ladies on our team shared the Gospel using the potholders. Renato give his testimony and about 5 or 6 people responded to the salvation message.

• Purpose: To serve this grieving community as God leads, present Gospel message with invitation, encourage new CRG's/PSE FC's
• Where: Jalpatagua, Guatemala
• Who: Steve, Sam, Micheal, Renato, rancher families from the region
• How: We will hear their stories, share the gospel and our salvation stories, encourage them to join or form Christian Rancher Groups/PSE Friendship Circles, and share a meal together.

Day 6 Monday, January 8, 2018 - Equine Therapy Ministry

UPDATE: Yesterday Sam did a great job doing the equine therapy demonstration at Humberto Solares ranch. In doing that we did get a chance to also play and organize for a new PSE group that will meet weekly at Humberto's. We finished the day singing in three languages!

Humberto Solares, a friend, is setting up his ranch to do an Equine Therapy program for special needs children. Humberto also has a Christian Rancher group meeting at his ranch.

• Purpose: To equip and encourage Humberto and the ministry team in the CRG/PSE Process
• Where: Humberto's ranch in Santa Rosa de Lima, Guatemala
• Who: Steve, Sam, Micheal, Renato, Humberto, Equine Therapy team, and the CRG/PSE group
• How: We will be there to encourage his group and reinforce the PSE discipleship process that has already been started.

Love y'all!   

Steve

Hiking With Bill and Steve PSE Style!

If you have been around Bill and me for very long, you have probably heard about our weekly hikes. Believe it or not, for years we have consistently asked the same basic questions every time we get together. We've become good friends over the years, but more importantly I believe we've become better people.

The practice of hiking together is play for us. As we walk shoulder to shoulder, up and down hills, through the trees, and by the waterfall, we are able to lay down our internal shields and weapons of defensiveness down. With open minds, hearts, and wills, we can then hear and respond to God. 

Every week we intentionally choose simple, specific actions to take, based on shared Bible passages, our stories of resistance and/or responsiveness to God, and current circumstances. Over time, little by little, God is changing us, forming Christ in us. Bill and I are not special, nor have we arrived. We are just two ordinary people choosing to hear, trust, and obey God, while hiking and talking together.

An Invitation to Life-giving Conversations

We invite you to join us in being the church with each other. Find someone and have a soul-connecting and life-transforming spiritual conversation consistently over time, years even. Every person on the planet needs a friend who loves Jesus. You need that, and you can be that friend for someone. 

If you don't know how or if you are somehow stuck, Bill and I might be able to help. That's why we began Play. Story. Eat., to share our experiences with you and learn from yours. Please consider hosting or attending a Play. Story. Eat. Experience near you.

Bridge over grassy lowlands in the park. At the right time of day deer are close enough to touch.

A Virtual Tour of Steve and Bill's Hikes

Several have asked us about what we do, so I thought I'd take you to the nature trail in Parkville, Missouri, on a typical Bill and Steve hike to give you a feel for how we use the PSE questions.   

"Mornin'!" I greeted Bill as we got out of our cars. 

"Hey," Bill acknowledged as he walked around his car and I pushed against my back bumper to stretch my calves.  

"Did your Missouri Tigers win on Saturday?" I asked. 

"Yes, but it was ugly," Bill answered. "How about your Okie State Cowboys?" 

"No. They lost in a barn burner to OU." 

"Sorry man. Well, what can you be grateful for this morning?" Bill asked, kicking us into our first PSE question. 

"I'm grateful that Nola and I got to go up to Omaha last weekend to see the grandkid," I answered. "I don't know how he does it, but he knows exactly what to say to wrap us around his pinky! What about you?" 

"Well, I'm grateful for getting to hike yesterday with Justin. We had a great conversation." 

"Cool," I responded. Then flowing to the next PSE question, I asked, "What are you concerned about this week?" 

"I am really worried about my friend Henry. He's struggling physically and emotionally. Plus just getting all the tasks done before the end of the year. And all my family is moving in for the week of Christmas. I'm excited, but the preparation is a load, especially on Joyce," Bill answered. "How about you?" 

"I'm right there with you on getting those tasks done. I'm also worried about Mom. She fell last week and messed up her knee; she is really hurting."

After further descriptions of Mom's struggles, Bill directed upwards. "Let's pray," he said, and he began to pray out loud for me and my concerns. I then reciprocated. At a couple of times during our prayer, we met up with people on the trail, and paused briefly to say "Hi" and then continued as we kept walking.

We Are Accountable

Once I finished praying, Bill asked, "What act of obedience did you commit to the last time, and how did it go?" 

"The last time we were together, we were talking about the verse on how we need to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Out of that, I felt like I needed to call John to encourage him. So, I did call him, and he told me more of what he is dealing with. I think we were both glad that we got to talk. How about you?" 

"The part of that verse that I was struck with last time was the part that said 'let us consider how to spur one another on.' I felt like I needed to focus on the word 'consider' and really think about my friend Justin. That spirit flowed into our walk yesterday, because I wanted to listen and lighten his load. When I'm wrapped up in my agenda, it's hard to really hear what's going on with someone else. I did OK." 

"Good deal," I affirmed. Then moving to the next question, I asked, "Who did you tell your change story to this week?" 

"Three Js: Justin, Jane, and Jan," Bill answered. "What about you?" 

"I did with my Man-Up group last Wednesday night."

Time to Hear and Obey God's Story 

"Cool. So what scripture do you want to consider?" Bill asked, keeping us moving. 

"Speaking of our Man-Up group, we were talking about Jesus' parable of the lost sheep," I said.  

"What did the passage say?" Bill prompted. 

"Jesus was eating with tax collectors and sinners, and the Pharisees and teachers of the law couldn't believe Jesus would lower himself to do that. So Jesus tells a story. He said, 'Suppose you have 100 sheep and you lose one. Isn't it logical that you would leave the 99 and go look for the lost one? And then when you find that sheep, you throw it on your shoulders and take it back to the fold and then out of joy you invite your friends to celebrate the fact that you found your lost sheep.'" 

"What does it mean?" Bill asked. 

"Jesus told the story to say that lost people matter to God. And since God rejoices over one sinner who repents, He wants those of us already in the fold to also welcome those who are outside and lost to join us as we follow Jesus' example." 

"What do you need to do about it?" Bill challenged. 

"This week I need to reach out to my neighbor across the street. I think he probably sees me as a religious, Pharisee-type person. When I see him this week, I need to talk with him and listen to how he is doing. Eventually I'd like to invite him and his wife over to dinner sometime, but that feels a little too much on the first contact. So this week I will have a conversation with him, and while doing it I want to value him as a person God cares about."

The Process in Full

There are three other questions we ask before we pray with one another, asking God to give us the courage and the strength to obey Him and follow through on our commitments. If you would like to see the whole list of questions/activities, click here! 

10:02 PRAYER (LUKE 10:2)

Continue to pray for the Open Range teams that will be going to Guatemala January 3-9 and 10-16. And pray for the Play. Story. Eat. training events January 4th in Guatemala and January 6th in Oak Grove, MO. If all works as planned, we will have Renato, our Brazilian friend, joining us in Guatemala. Please pray that the communication between Spanish and Portuguese works well. 

INVEST

This is the last week to get your end-of-year giving done for 2017. Thanks for your continued generosity and your investment in this ministry!     

ENGAGE

Please consider joining us at the next Play. Story. Eat. Experience.

• When: Saturday, January 6th, 9 am - 5 pm
• Where: Cross Creek Baptist Mission, 1050 SW 15th St., Oak Grove, MO 64075
• What: Plenty of Fun, Connecting, & Eating; Lunch & Snacks Included
• Cost: No Fees - Donations Accepted

      
Love y'all!   

Steve

I'm Questioning My Love for God

When I say, “I love God,” what do I mean?

If I came to your church this week and asked, "How many of you love God?" I am confident that almost everyone present would raise their hand. It would not surprise me to hear an "Amen!" or a whoop or a holler. That’s what I expect, in that setting, with a group of people in a church building.

Lately, I’ve wondered if the statements, “I love God” and “I love Jesus,” have become clichés for me. Have they become general declarations of my belonging “here,” with whatever church group I’m in at the time?

How can I know that I really love God? I question myself, "In this present moment, with these people, under these circumstances, do I think, feel, and act in a manner that God would describe as loving Him?"

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.  Psalm 36:5 NIV --  What about my love for You?

Striving to Do Something Important vs. Loving God

Thinking back over the years, I have seen myself perform for the applause of people or attempt impressive back flips for God to earn His approval. In far too many moments, my thoughts, feelings, and actions were rooted in my desire not only to be accepted, but to be the “hero” riding in on the white horse to save the day. My claim of “I love God” sometimes had more to do with striving to do something important than it did with humble devotion and obedience to God.

At What Level of Our Capacity Does God Want Us to Love Him?

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”   Mark 12:30 NIV

What does Jesus want us to do to love Him?

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching… Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching…” John 14:23-24 NIV

A Helpful Love Diagnostic

At Play. Story. Eat. we want to be guided by the value of Love. We believe, that to love God, it is necessary to be wholistically and obediently responsive to the persons of God and His creation. In our friendships, training, and coaching we offer a way to become self-aware and examine our love for God. To help us think more concretely about it, we have created a diagnostic tool. (Circle the number that describes where you see yourself on the continuum.) 

We suggest you choose a specific life circumstance and ask yourself:

In this present moment, with these people, under these circumstances:

Am I ...??

Grateful to God      6   5   4   3   2   1     Resentful of God

Trusting God          6   5   4   3   2   1     Doubting God   

Obeying God          6   5   4   3   2   1     Resisting God  

Serving God            6   5   4   3   2   1     Performing for God      
 

If you circled 6 in all these categories, you see yourself as a perfect lover of God. Great! If you, like me, scored less, then you have some work to do. Based on your results, you might have a good idea of where to start.

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18 NIV

For Me, It’s Letting Go of the Big Performance

When I make the time to review my past tendency to perform, whether it was in school or athletics or even in ministry, I can see how my underlying way of being can be a source for not loving God. (Can you see where that is on the chart?) This diagnostic tool has helped me to realize, when I do anything for God, I don't need to perform or earn His love. I can do whatever I am called to do with a sense of gratitude and a desire to serve Him and others. 

I am learning that loving God and others is not a matter of checking boxes and executing a list of good deeds. My love for God is evident when, in the moment, I am grateful to Him, trusting Him, obeying Him, and serving Him with my whole being. Thankfully, He offers us the grace to learn and grow as we go. 

10:02 PRAYER (LUKE 10:2)

Pray for the final preparations and fundraising for the two Open Range teams that will be going to Guatemala January 3-9 and 10-16. The first team will focus on rodeo events. The second team will do follow-up with several women's groups in the towns where we have cowboy ministries. 

Pray for our friends in Jalpatagua, Guatemala. This past week, the president of their cattlemen's association was murdered. They canceled their fair and their parade because of it, but said they still want us to do what we were going to do on January 7th, because they believe it might help people in their grief. So please pray for them and our team. 

Pray for the nation of Honduras. They have had major civil unrest in the past month due to a disputed presidential election. Demonstrations and riots have taken place, so until the smoke clears, we are not taking teams there. Pray that during this time our Christian brothers and sisters will shine in their faith and love towards those who don't know Him.

INVEST

Several people who desire to go on mission trips this year could use some help. If you would like to be the answer to their prayers, let us know. We continue to be blessed by your financial support of this ministry during the final days of 2017. Thanks!

PSE Friendship Circle: Scott & Brandi Barnett, Joyce Burrows

ENGAGE

Christmas is a great time to play, tell stories, and eat! Be open to God using you in this wonderful time to engage in the lives of friends, family, and acquaintances.

Please join us at the next Play. Story. Eat. Experience

• When: Saturday, January 6th, 9 am - 5 pm
• Where: Cross Creek Baptist Mission, 1050 SW 15th St., Oak Grove, MO 64075
• What: Plenty of Fun, Connecting, & Eating; Lunch & Snacks Included
• Cost: No Fees - Donations Accepted

Guatemala Play. Story. Eat. Experience July 2017

      
Love y'all!   

Steve

Hey Cesar, What's Up?

"How was your trip to the jungle last week?" I asked.

"Muy bueno!" Cesar answered. "First off, our friends in Sepoc were so excited at their church anniversary when over 1,000 people attended. Nobody remembers when we started there, but they figure it’s been 15 years. I wish I could have been there. I was recuperating from my surgery at that time."

Improvements to a water system we have partnered with in San Manzano Guatemala. This project has opened up relations between Catholics and Evangelicals and has been a part of the good will that led to a huge celebration in Sepoc for their anniversary. 

Jose (in the white shirt), pastor of the church in the village of Sepoc in the jungles of Guatemala, speaks to a group of soccer players after a tournament between four villages in March of 2016.

"How did you do physically?"

"Really well!" Cesar said enthusiastically. "I had no issues. I feel like I’m getting back to normal. Tell everyone thanks for their prayers and for the support given. It really made a difference."

"Where else did you go?"

"One of the newest developments is with the cowboys that are in the jungle. Remember Wilson, the announcer guy at the Agua Blanca rodeo last January?"

"Yes," I said.

"Well, he is from El Estor, just down the road from our jungle friends, and he introduced me to Romilio, another rancher friend up in San Luis, also in that region. They already have people in both areas that want to start a Christian Rancher group. And there is another guy in El Biotopo that I met who is also interested."

"Will they be in Agua Blanca when we come next month for the rodeo?" I asked.

"Si." Cesar answered. "And I already told them we would have lunch and that you were going to be paying!"

"I figured you'd say that!" I protested.

View Guatemalan Locations on Google Map

Cesar Gonzalez with Romilio, a new rancher friend from San Luis,  Guatemala. They plan to start a new Christian Rancher group on his ranch.

Cowboys and Indians Trip? 

"Since these guys are close to our Kekchi friends in the jungle," Cesar continued, "I think it would be very strategic if in 2018 we had a team that could do something with both cowboys and the Kekchis in the same trip." 

"You know me, I'm good for that kind of trip," I responded. "It would be ideal if we had some cowboys who liked to hike." 

"Some of your cowboys are pretty handy in construction," Cesar interrupted. "Maybe we could do some work on one of the water projects. We could also improve our base camp in Por Venir with just a little bit of work. We need to make it more comfortable for teams to stay longer when they come."

"I'll pass the word," I offered. "We'll call it the Cowboys and Indians trip!" 

Do you know anybody who would want a piece of that action? Learn more about Customized Mission Trips! 

10:02 PRAYER (LUKE 10:2)

Thank God for the celebration of our Kekchi brothers in the jungle of Guatemala. And thank Him for the continued connections with the rodeo friends. Please pray for the team from Open Range preparing to go January 3-16.

And speaking of Open Range, their pastor, Frank Slaughter is doing well with his cancer treatments in Mexico. He has called this his "Mission trip to Mexico!" The last we heard, he had become the "holy man" to those in the same program and was sharing his faith openly and freely with his new friends. Continue to pray for him.  

INVEST

Continued thanks go to so many of you who have generously responded to support the ministry. Your support is advancing the work of God. Thanks! 

ENGAGE

Enjoy your time with family and friends this Christmas and keep your eyes and your heart wide open to what God is doing around you.
      
Love y'all!   

Steve 

Learn More About Investing in Play.Story. Eat.

What Kind of Friend are You?

The Play. Story. Eat. Vision: that every person in the Americas has a friend who loves Jesus. 

A FRIENDSHIP DIAGNOSTIC!

Taking a page from the Play. Story. Eat. Experience, how good of a friend are you really? Are you loving your friends like Jesus? How can you know?  

In the training, we offer a diagnostic tool to help us see how we are doing in our love for God, others, and ourselves. Here is the one related to friendship. 

Choose a current relationship. Evaluate yourself by marking the number on the scale that reflects your heart attitude in relation to that person.

In relation to _________: Am I ...??

Accepting   6   5   4   3   2   1   Judging

       Inviting      6   5   4   3   2   1   Rejecting   

Connecting     6   5   4   3   2   1    Avoiding  

Investing in Them   6   5   4   3   2   1   Using Them      

Interpreting My Score

If you score a 4 or higher on most of these questions, you see yourself as a good friend. Great! Read on to see how it could be even better. If you are at 3 or less, you have some sticking points that are holding you back, but if addressed, you could greatly improve the quality of your friendships.

We Can Become "True" Friends

In a world where people often advise us to "fake it 'til you make it," few of us get to the roots of what helps us truly become more like Jesus in our friendships. We tend to focus on tips and techniques that help us act a certain way instead of looking inside of ourselves and asking who we need to become in order to be a really good friend.

It's A Matter of the Heart

When Jesus teaches about relationships, He addresses the heart first. A striking example of this was when some religious and uptight folks threw a woman caught in the act of adultery before Jesus (John 8). These self-righteous people were certainly judging her, rejecting her, and the only reason they weren't avoiding her was so they could use her to trap Jesus in some misstep. Their scores on our test would have been at a 1 on every question! 

Jesus scribbled in the dirt and after a pregnant pause, rose up. "Here is a stone," he waved in front of her accusers. "He that is without sin cast the first stone!"

From oldest to youngest they dropped their rocks and went their way. "Where are your accusers?" Jesus finally asked the woman. "Has no one condemned you?" 

"No one, sir," she said. 

"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."  

What I "Do" Naturally Flows from My Heart

Notice how brilliant Jesus' way is. After zeroing in on the heart and exposing that reality, the actions for everyone involved became very clear. Arrogant judges walked away. A woman caught in a sinful cycle was given a new start and a way to leave her sinful past behind. 

In Jesus' case, He

• accepted,
• invited,
• connected with, and
• invested in

this objectified woman. He had the heart of a true friend. But notice that he wasn't "nice." He confronted and dealt with the sinfulness of all involved, but he did it with love, truth, and grace. 

When our actions are congruent with the heart of a good friend (the 4 words on the left areas), we become great friends and are not tripped up by our blindness in thinking that we are friendly when we aren't. 

Today I will be a good friend by...

Pick one of your answers above that reveals a heart issue that is holding you back in your friendship. Ask God to reveal a small step you can take in the direction of being more like Jesus in that one area. 

Do you have that step clearly in mind now? Can you see yourself doing that thing with the heart of a true friend? Great! If you have a breakthrough, don't keep it to yourself. Let us know! 

10:02 PRAYER (LUKE 10:2)

Thank God for the celebration of our Kekchi brothers in the jungle of Guatemala. I just spoke with Cesar last night. One of our first churches that started about 15 years ago was celebrating their anniversary. They had more than a thousand people attend! Given that this village has about 200 people in it, this was a huge feat! Many from the region came to join them. They slaughtered a cow, and I'm told that many Catholics were welcomed and attended the celebration. The buzz going through the jungle is that both Catholics and Evangelicals enjoyed sitting down to a meal together. Pray for continued unity and winsomeness in their witness and faith in Jesus. 

Janice Brite and Virginia Jones hold up two of the 135 "talking" potholders they made for our ladies mission team to use in Guatemala in January 2018. The colors help people share the gospel, and the sheets are the printed Spanish version of the message.  

INVEST

Many of you have responded so graciously to our recent letter inviting you to financially support this ministry--especially as Bill and I go full time in it. Thank you! And may your tribe increase!   

ENGAGE

For the past year, Virginia Jones has been making potholders with her friends to help us share the message of salvation with women in Guatemala. If you would like to know more about this or you have an idea that you want to whiz by us, let us know!     

Love y'all!   

Steve

INVESTING INFORMATION.

Your Friendship Matters!

Hello Friend!

Lately, we have been beating the Play. Story. Eat. drum to invite you to engage in missions every day wherever you are. What is at the heart of PSE? Why is it so vital?

Friendship Matters...

Perhaps you have seen the PSE Vision: That every person in the Americas has a friend who loves Jesus.

Steve, new friend "Junior", Bill

When I went to Guatemala for the first time in March of 2000, I was a broken-down pastor who had no agenda, no PSE processes, no big bucks to throw at problems--nothing. All I knew to do was be a friend to Cesar and a few others.

When I look back on what God has done in the past 18 years, I see how friendship has made all the difference. In fact, I see how friendships are the foundation for our evangelism and discipleship efforts. Because of these relationships, numerous mission opportunities are open to us today.

We've partnered with our amigos on large and small-scale projects: from connections in universities, to water projects, to consulting with mayors and government leaders, etc. But where did this crazy missionary journey start?

Here's the untold secret. It all just kind of "happened!" It happened when some broken and messed up people became friends, and then God had mercy on us and decided to use us in a new way. 

YOUR FRIENDSHIP MATTERS...

Just like we have made friends in Central America, we have also developed strong bonds here. We have partnered together to meet many challenges and opportunities. It has been incredibly satisfying to me to see how facing challenges in mission projects in other countries has come full circle to help us connect with people here in the U.S., too.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.

Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."  - Margaret Mead

When Bill and I were looking back at this past year to evaluate where we stand for future ministry, the "circles of friends" idea grabbed us and wouldn't let go. We have seen how God has used our circles of friendships thus far. What if we were more intentional about fostering circles of friends this next year? What if we were more intentional about giving our friends the tools they needed to make a difference in their worlds with their friends? 

What If You Formed a Circle of Friends? 

We believe that we can help you build circles of friends that use the PSE process to deepen your faith, build stronger relationships, and make a difference in your world. How do you start? Find one friend to partner with, and then invite one more. A circle of friends is three or more people using the PSE process. 

We have found that the simple questions in the PSE discipleship process make it easy to start small and connect with God and each other to produce life-changing results over time. The PSE questions, answered honestly and consistently, will help us BE the church with each other. We are convinced that any group of friends, Bible study, small group, or church can greatly benefit by intentionally asking these questions of one another on a regular basis.  

ASK GOD FOR THE CREATION OF 100 NEW FRIENDSHIP CIRCLES IN 2018.

So next year we want to help 100 friends like you create friendship circles that regularly use the PSE process in your gatherings. Please contact us if we could help you. 

10:02 PRAYER (LUKE 10:2)

Continue to pray for Cesar and Elba Gonzalez. Their grandson, Leonel, died Sunday morning. Cesar and Elba are heart-broken, but they are grateful that he is not suffering and that he is now with his sister Dulce.

Also pray for our friend, Frank Slaughter, pastor of Open Range Fellowship. He is in Mexico for his second week of a 5-week treatment program for his cancer.   

INVEST

Bill and I recognize that you, our friends, are the true heroes of P.S.E.’s story as you pray for, invest in, and engage in the mission. As a matter of fact, it’s truly becoming your mission. Thank you!   

ENGAGE

Pray about God using your friendship circles to make a difference. Then let us know so we can join you in prayer.    

Love y'all!   

Steve

Thanksgiving--Your Opportunity to Start a PSE Tradition

Hello everyone! 

As I get the car all gassed up for a trip to see family and friends, I am thinking about how the best Thanksgiving celebrations go hand in hand with our Play. Story. Eat. process. I don't know about your family, but we Reeds have some favorite games we play, we LOVE telling stories, and we sure enjoy a bounty of great food.

To spice up your celebration this year, I'd invite you to use the first two questions of our PSE discipleship process in the next few days, and you don't even have to tell anybody where you got this! 

"What are you grateful for?"

"What are you concerned about?" 

These two questions are great for getting to the heart of our joys and sorrows. Then follow that up with question #3, "Can I pray with you about that?" Try it and let me know if something interesting pops out from it. 

Speaking of gratitude and prayer, last week I mentioned how grateful I was that Nola survived a car accident. This week I am grateful for friends like you who have continued to pray for us and our ministry friends.

Thank you for your prayers...

Thanks for your prayers for Bill and me last week as we retreated to Carthage, Missouri, to pray and plan for 2018. Special thanks go to Lance and Nancy Green for hosting us. Incidentally, while we were there, Lance's father went into the hospital with chest pains, and Sunday evening he passed away. So be in prayer for the Green family. 

Opportunities in 2018 

During our planning time, we listed many of the opportunities before us and the tasks needed to follow through to respond to these. Though the tasks seem daunting, we feel a profound sense that God is doing something new with us this coming year. While our mission trips and international ministries continue to abound, we believe that our connections in helping folks like you and me back home is becoming more and more strategic, both in preparing teams for mission projects abroad and in preparing all us for our missionary endeavors wherever we happen to call home.  

How will God use you in 2018 to make a difference in your world? 

Though many aspects of our future can never be fully known, one thing is for certain. God wants to use YOUR gifts, talents, and abilities to initiate and develop spiritual friendships with people who need someone like you and me in their life. We are convinced that the simple methodologies of Play. Story. Eat. could help you become the life-giving friend that God created you to be.

Pastor Lance Green (in green), wife Nancy (3rd from left, back row) and some of our Avilla Baptist Church PSE Friends

10:02 PRAYER (LUKE 10:2)

Pray for the Green family.

Pray for Cesar as he travels to the jungle today for the first time since his surgery.

Continue to pray for Leonel Gonzalez, Cesar and Elba Gonzalez' grandson. He is still in the hospital with a brain tumor that doesn't look good.

Also pray for our friend, Frank Slaughter, pastor of Open Range Fellowship. He left Sunday for Mexico for a 5-week treatment program for his cancer.   

Learn How You Can Invest

ENGAGE

Be alert to see how Thanksgiving and PSE can go hand-in-hand to help you connect in meaningful ways with those you love!   

Love y'all!   

Steve

INVESTING INFORMATION

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Grateful Nola is alive...

Hello everyone! 

"I've been in a wreck." Those were the first words I heard from Nola Thursday morning when she called me at 6:10 am. My mind reeled. Before I could say anything, she blurted out, "I'm okay, and the other person in the wreck is okay." 

Miraculously, Nola walked away without injury or even a bruise. But our van, after more than 311,000 miles of faithful service, took it on the chin.    

Even though the rest of the day I handled logistical details I would rather not deal with, I was overwhelmed with gratitude.

I Am Grateful:

• that Nola was not hurt,
• that she was in the van with more protection around her than our car,
• that I had cleared all my tools and painting stuff out of the van just last week (so none of that was flying around),
• that the guy Nola ran into was such a caring person that he checked on Nola immediately after the wreck,
• that the officers who attended us did so with skill and compassion for all involved. 

A few hours later, Nola got to spoil Bridget, our granddaughter. 

10:02 PRAYER (LUKE 10:2)

Our lives are certainly a gift from God. This week, Bill Burrows and I retreat to Carthage, Missouri, to pray, prioritize, and plan for next year's ministry. I go with a renewed perspective of thankfulness that God has brought us this far. So today, we would appreciate your prayers for us as we go.

Please continue to pray for Sue Turner. Lawrence is hopeful she will be released from the hospital to a temporary rehab facility in a few days. 

In addition, we ask for fervent prayer for Leonel Gonzalez, one of Cesar and Elba Gonzalez' grandsons. He went into the hospital last week with a brain tumor, and as of this writing, doctors are trying to determine if the tumor is cancerous. 

The Gonzalez family would appreciate your prayers for Leonel. He is on the far left, his mother, Myrna, his sister Dulce, Cesar, Elba, and Leonel's cousin Josue. This picture was taken several years ago, before Dulce herself died of complications related to an apendectomy. 

ENGAGE

Already 3 of our Nebraska friends have started to use the Play. Story. Eat. format just since our retreat a little over a week ago! If YOU have a story to tell of using any of our PSE methodologies, please write us a quick note! After all, we hope and pray that this can help us see that every person in the Americas has a friend (like you!) who loves Jesus!  

Love y'all!   

Steve

INVESTING INFORMATION

A Grass Roots discipleship Movement in Nebraska!

Good morning everyone! 

We just got home from a busy weekend with many of our Nebraska friends. Wow! What a great time! The primary purpose for the trip was to share our Play. Story. Eat. Experience at Camp Witness in Long Pine, Nebraska.  

NebraskA Friends Eager to Make a difference with the PSE Discipleship Process.

We couldn't have asked for a more receptive group, and several shared how they were planning to take the training and use it with their friends and family.

"Words can't describe how thankful I am you came to Nebraska to present your (PSE) method," one participant wrote us. "Just a year ago I was at rock bottom and had no hope..."  She concluded her note by saying, "I can't wait to start using this...and see how He can use the broken and unqualified...It was such a joy meeting you guys!!"

Joel Wentworth, Coordinator for the Sand Hills Baptist Association and the primary organizer for the training, gave his feedback. "I see this as a grass roots way of reaching the people of the Sand Hills for Christ."

PSE Experience - Long Pine, Nebraska 2017

Wagon Train Time!

What it takes to become a PSE Missionary

Thanks, Burwell! 

On Sunday, we had the privilege of spending time at Burwell Baptist to share the latest of what is going on in our work and to thank them for their faithful support of our partner, Cesar Gonzalez. Special thanks go to Tom Huffman and Dave Gideon for hosting us and paving the way for us to be there. Stay tuned, Burwell, because it looks like we will be back soon!  

Pray for Sue Turner...

Marianne Henley(Daughter), Sue Turner, Steve and Sonja Beavers(Daughter).

As we headed for Nebraska, our longtime rancher friend, Lawrence Turner, called to say that he couldn't make it to the retreat because his wife, Sue, had been life-flighted unconscious from Valentine to Omaha and was in critical condition. Since we would be passing close by the hospital on the way up, we stopped in to see her. Thankfully she has beaten some of the medical odds and is recovering. Please pray that her kidneys kick back in completely and that they can find a temporary nursing facility in Omaha or Lincoln that will be able to help her rehabilitate and go home to Valentine. 

Getting Ready for a Harvest... 

Paul Embick arranged a corn harvest ride along for honorary farmers Steve & Bill!

One of the personal benefits of having friends and family all over Nebraska was the chance to stop in and catch up a bit at several points on the way up and back. Special thanks go to Rex and Deb Kelley, Paul Embick, and my son Josh and his wife, Kristin, for making each stop a treat for us. We especially enjoyed hearing of the ministry ideas each one had and getting a chance to share how PSE might help them in reaching out to their friends. There's nothing like getting in on a harvest! 

10:02 PRAYER (LUKE 10:2)

Please be in prayer for Joel Wentworth and the other PSE friends from the retreat as they consider how to implement some things they learned this weekend. And pray for Sue Turner's speedy recovery.

Also, Cesar Gonzalez, our partner in Guatemala, wants me to pass on his gratitude to you for your continued prayers and support. He is back to making rounds in Guatemala after recovering from his emergency prostate surgery. His strength is coming back, and next week he will be in the jungle with our Kekchi friends. Please pray for him and our friends! 

Thanks to those in Nebraska who hosted us and put us up. We are grateful for your partnership in both time and financial resources. Stay tuned for some strategic, end-of-the-year opportunities for us to make a difference together in some new mission partnerships.          

From now till the end of the year, we need to recruit many for the upcoming mission trips beginning in January of 2018. Please share these opportunities with your friends. If you need more info, let us know!  

Love y'all!   

Steve

Hey Cesar, What's up?

Good morning everyone! 

Many of you have been asking about Cesar Gonzalez, our ministry partner in Guatemala, and how he has been since his emergency prostate surgery. During his recuperation, Cesar has spent a lot of time on the phone, calling our friends to check in with them and calling me to keep me posted.

Cesar Gonzalez in our first years of working with cowboys in Guatemala. 

So yesterday I broached the idea of asking Cesar to do this week's update by sharing with me how he's doing and what is going on in the ministry. Without missing a beat, Cesar dove in. 

"First off, please tell everyone, 'Muchas gracias for the prayers you prayed and for the economic help you sent. It was a huge help and it relieved a big burden on us," Cesar began. "Thanks to God I am recovering slowly but steadily from my surgery. I pray that at the beginning of November I can begin to visit the groups again and start making preparations for the January teams that are coming to Guatemala and to Honduras." 

"I know you have been making a lot of calls," I said. "What is happening with our friends in the various places?"

Sepoc Church Celebrates!

"Well, October 15th, our amigos from Sepoc, in the jungle, marked the anniversary of their church with a big celebration," he began. "They can't remember if it's been 14 or 15 years since they started." 

"I know they were asking me the last time if I knew how long it's been," I added. "I've been meaning to look back at my pictures and see if I can figure it out." 

"No worries! They are happy!" Cesar offered jovially to relieve my guilt. "I was supposed to be there with them, but the surgery kind of blew that out of the water." 

One of my treasured pictures from the beginning days of work in the jungle. This is the first baptism in Sepoc. Justin Hoskins and Jim Bogle are in the picture to the left. Jose, the leader of the village and future pastor, speaks to the group after the baptism. All those behind him who had been baptized, were about to be prayed over by the Christians present. 

Expansion and Multiplication Opportunities in Honduras! 

In 2011, Cesar discusses with Kenny Najera (seated behind the desk) of what it would entail for us to have a connection with the National University of Agriculture in Catacamas Honduras. 

"By the way, a lot has happened at the University in Honduras," he continued, jumping to thoughts about our connection with the National University of Agriculture. "The Escuelas del Campo Program that was shut down last year is opened up and running again. They have changed the ownership of it from the University to being a partnership with the mayors of each region that they are working in. When I was talking with our friend, Rober Rubi, he asked if we were available to meet some of these new connections with the mayors in January. The leaders of the University commissioned him to ask us to bring North American friends with various levels of expertise to come teach and interact with them. I told him I would pass the word to our North American friends." 

"So when we go to Honduras in January, what would that mean?" I asked. 

One of the groups meeting in Poncaya, Honduras. 

"I don't know yet. But it sounds like the University is getting their act together, and maybe in January you and I could explore that with them," he responded. "But what is surer in Honduras is the connection we have with the cattlemen's association on the Atlantic coast. They, by the way, are a part of the new program with the mayors, and are asking if we can bring a group of North American cowboys and ranchers to come be with them. This is probably the second largest cattlemen's group in the country, and it would be a whole new region we have not touched yet." 

Continuing on, Cesar mentioned other groups in Honduras, "The group in Catacamas is meeting and becoming stronger from what I hear. Poncaya is doing good. And the guys from the University that went to Choluteca, near Nicaragua, have started to meet and have asked us to come see them sometime." 

Progress on Potential Brazil Connection!

Then, changing the focus, "I have been speaking with Renato, our Brazilian friend," Cesar continued, "and thanks to you guys helping him, he has his plane ticket to come visit us here in Guatemala during the rodeo time in January."

"I know the house we painted to pay for that!" I interjected, remembering a spot on a house that had a big hidden area of wood rot that bogged us down, and I winced remembering the new window I accidentally broke while installing it.

Cesar laughed and continued unfazed. "But Esteban, you love to paint! Your sons call you the paint Nazi right?"

"I'm in a program to get over that! Remember?" I said defensively.

"Gracias Esteban for your blood, sweat, and tears. I can't help but hope that this visit will be the beginning of something God wants to do in Brazil. Tell everyone to pray about that."

Guatemalan Women's Ministry Thriving!

A picture from a couple summers ago of my wife Nola and Joyce Huffman with a group of Guatemalan ladies we are working with who visited Burwell, Nebraska. This particular day they were admiring Joyce's quilting operation in her barn loft. 

"What about our friends in Guatemala?" I asked. "Like the women's groups and the folks near Quesada." 

"The women's groups are doing well and continue to meet together. They keep asking when I am going to go see them. I think I will visit them in November. But they are doing really well."

"Speaking of Quesada, remember Raul, the guy who works with the USDA for Mango inspection?"

"Sure."

"He is leading a work in Cuilapa, but he told me that in that region there is a program for youth that he has gotten involved in. He feels we could help them with the Play. Story. Eat. process. That's another place I need to visit when I get to driving."

Rain Storms Make Travel Treacherous in Guatemala. 

"Speaking of driving, are you driving yet?" I asked.

"I can drive short distances right now close by. I have been working my way up slowly to driving like I was before. When I start getting out, my goal is to drive slow and make frequent stops over several days and wind up in the jungle. I also want to connect with the pastors in Rio Hondo. They are open to helping us with cowboys in that region."

"How's the weather been holding out? And any earthquakes lately?" I asked.

"Just a few tremors. But nothing big on the earthquake front. However, with all the hurricanes in the Carribean, we have gotten lots of rain as the storms have let up in the ocean but meandered our direction. Our roads are in terrible shape. Even in areas that are normally good, the pot holes can almost swallow your car. We have to be alert for hazards and mudslides in the road. And with all the problems with our government, and the lack of money, we don't expect the roads to be fixed very quickly."

POLITICAL Unrest in Guatemala

Cesar continued, "Esteban, the political situation here in Guatemala is serious. I don't know if in North America you hear much about us, but the president here is being thwarted on every side to get anything done. Many are calling for him to step down. I don't think it's his fault, but the truth is, our whole political system is in chaos. The mayor in Guatemala City, a former president of ours, is probably the one holding us together, but we need lots of prayer for our leaders."

"We will certainly pass this on," I responded.

"Before we go," Cesar said, "I know that next week you are in Nebraska. Please tell all our Nebraska friends 'Hola' for me and tell them thanks for their prayers and partnership. It means a lot." 

"Will do. Talk to you soon, Cesar. Adios amigo." 

10:02 PRAYER (LUKE 10:2)

Please be in prayer for Cesar as he continues to get his strength back, and pray for traveling mercy as he begins to get out. Pray too for some of the opportunities he mentioned in Guatemala, Honduras, and in Brazil. Pray that the seeds planted today would lead to a celebration we couldn't imagine in 14 or 15 years--like our brothers in the jungles of Guatemala have had the privilege of doing in the past few days.  

INVEST

Begin praying now about the investment God might be calling on you to contribute as we approach the end of the year. For the first time ever, we are asking for this kind of significant, end-of-the-year giving. In coming days we expect to share more stories with you and more opportunities to make a difference financially as we respond to some places where the spiritual harvest is plentiful.         

ENGAGE

This weekend we are in Nebraska for the Play. Story. Eat. Experience at Camp Witness November 3-4. If you are curious about what it would take to bring this to your neck of the woods, let us know!   

Love y'all!   

Steve