Guatemala/Nicaragua Soccer Update

Good morning everyone!

Since the last time I updated you, I have been to Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Nebraska! There are so many things to share. In this update I will focus on the Guatemala/Nicaragua soccer connection, where over 75 teams participated, over 700 players played, and over 150 people prayed to receive Christ! In a future update I will report on a fantastic trip we had to the Sandhills of Nebraska.

Thanks for Your Generosity for Cesar And Elba’s Medical Issues

Before I jump into the soccer update, Cesar and Elba Gonzalez, our partners in ministry in Guatemala, would want me to say “Muchas Gracias” for your prayers and financial gifts for their medical expenses from July and August. Many of you sent cards and money, and I was able to deliver those gifts on this trip. Thankfully they are doing well. Elba is no longer dealing with the respiratory issues related to a bacterial infection. And Cesar is beginning to drive and travel some, though he did not travel to Nicaragua with me on this last trip. He and I did make some visits to a couple of Christian Rancher group leaders near Chiquimula, Guatemala.

This is a recent pic of Cesar and Elba Gonzalez near their home in Amberes, Guatemala.

Driving From Guatemala to Nicaragua

On September 4th, I flew into Guatemala, and then a couple days later I hopped into a truck with Dr. Esteban Polanco, Pastor Juan Carlos Lopez, and Luis Carlos Puac. We drove two days from Guatemala, through Honduras, into Nicaragua. Despite dealing with some delays at the borders, we arrived ready to learn and participate in a soccer tournament in San Ramón, Nicaragua.

Here is our Guatemala team enjoying a good meal in Honduras en route to Nicaragua. From left to right is Juan Carlos, Luis Carlos, Dr. Esteban, and me.

Preparations with the Nicaraguan Team

For two days prior to the tournament, we made the rounds with Eduardo Mejia and his advance team from Project Hope, a ministry in Nicaragua that I connected with for the first time back in March.

Eduardo Mejia, a former professional soccer player in Nicaragua, is being interviewed in the San Ramón city square by a local television crew. During the interview, Eduardo invited boys, girls, men, and women to sign up their teams online or in person.

Here, our Guatemala team carries a couple of the trophies out to put them in the back of pickups. Before the tournaments, Eduardo and his team drive through the streets inviting kids to sign up so that they could win one of these!

The night before the first day of the tournament, Eduardo instructs our group and key leaders from the city of San Ramón about the schedule for the following day. You can see by the picture on the wall that we were not in Kansas! Seated behind Eduardo is the Vice-Mayor, who later greeted our group.

The Project Hope team often transports their own soccer goals to the tournaments.

Getting the fields ready for play, the team divided the large soccer field into eight smaller fields so that more games could take place simultaneously.

The sound team sets up and tests the equipment before the tournament begins.

They had me hold the sign with the name and logo of the tournament. “Furia Santa” means “Holy Fury”.

A group picture of our combined logistics team from Nicaragua, Guatemala, and the San Ramón city hall leadership group.

The Evangelism Process

One of the things I wanted our Guatemala team to learn from Eduardo and his team of 35 people was the way that they share the salvation message during the tournament. I was impressed by their winsomeness and their coordinated effort in doing it. Each day there were many who prayed to receive Christ as their savior.

The day started at about 8:30am when all the teams were required to be ready in the stands.

The Vice-Mayor of the city of San Ramón welcomes the players and spectators to the first day.

After the initial greeting, the Project Hope drama team performs a mime set to music. During the drama, a hapless woman gets chained by dark forces. While they are working their evil, Jesus walks toward them.

Jesus blows away the demonic forces to free the woman from their clutches.

After the skit, Eduardo approaches to deliver a message using a colored soccer ball.

Each color of the ball represents a key part of the gospel message.

After explaining the gospel, Eduardo leads the crowd in a prayer of salvation. Then he invites those who prayed to come forward out on the field.

As people respond, the evangelism team writes down the names and contact information of those who came down. They take a picture of the person and collect all the info for a future follow-up team of people from the region who will call them and continue to stay in touch with them.

After the initial group came on the field, others on the team comb the stands to have spiritual conversations with those who may not have come to the field.

Here, Luis, a pastor from Managua, converses with several spectators in the stands.

Two Fun Days of Soccer!

After the presentation of the gospel message, teams were called from the stands to begin playing their five-on-five player games. Each game lasted about 10 minutes, so the games moved quickly and even with a total of 50 teams the first day, they were able to be playing the championship games by about noon.

You can see several games of boys taking place across the big field.

Here, two men’s teams play in a semi-final game. Though we never had rain during our tournament, it rained every day before and after it. So the fields were muddy and a challenge to the players.

The girls had a division to play as well.

The play of the men’s division was very competitive.

In one of the women’s games, it came down to penalty shots to determine the winner.

The Project Hope team did a fabulous job keeping our team hydrated and taken care of at the tent of operations.

One of the men’s teams gathered to pray before their final game.

With the two teams in the final, the referee gathers the teams for instructions before the game.

Here are the winners of the men’s division.

Luis Carlos, of our Guatemala team, congratulates the most valuable player of the tournament. Luis Carlos is a customer service trainer for a major bank in Guatemala but also works with a non-profit soccer organization. Since coming back from the trip, he has worked closely with Cesar Gonzalez in continuing the project in Guatemala, and he will be our leader of logistics for the next few events in Guatemala.

Eduardo gives a recognition to the Vice-Mayor and his leadership group for their support of the tournament.

The Night We All Came Together

When I started trying to connect the Guatemalans and the Nicaraguans with this soccer project, I felt like I was setting up two friends on a blind date! I wanted so badly for them to really click together and for the friendships to bud into something special for the future. Thankfully, it happened.

The night after our first day of the tournament, before cutting the lights out in our big room where all were sleeping on cots and mats, Eduardo led a devotion. After that, Dr. Esteban Polanco spontaneously shared from his heart about how he wanted to be different when he went back to Guatemala. Then Juan Carlos, our pastor from Guatemala, chimed in. “I believe someone needs to get saved tonight.”

Eduardo had shared with me earlier that several of the referees that worked closely with us were not believers yet. Juan Carlos looked over at several of them and asked, “Would you like to pray right now?” Soon, 5 of the referees prayed prayers of salvation. Afterwards the Nicaraguans and the Guatemalans were hugging and crying and praising God together.

Pastor Juan Carlos, with arms stretched out, led in prayer as several referees on our team prayed to receive Christ.

The Nicaragua/Guatemala Connection Continues

As the tournament was winding down, I asked Eduardo if he thought any of the Project Hope team would want to come to Guatemala to help us put on a similar tournament there.

“They all want to go,” Eduardo said.

“How many is ‘all’?” I asked for clarification.

“Everybody!” he answered. “All 35 of our team have told me they would like to come.”

“Okay!” I said, surprised. “Let’s work with that!”

Before I left Guatemala, Cesar and I were able to get the city of Santa Cruz Narranjo on board to host a tournament in Guatemala. Since then, we have made plans for a team of 5 to come with Eduardo between January 22-29,2023, to train our team in Guatemala. Then in April, the week after Easter, we plan to have the whole group for a big tournament in Santa Cruz Narranjo.

Currently, I am working with Lenexa Baptist Church here in the Kansas City area to help anchor this project and recruit some people to go down there. If you have a desire to help out in any way, please let me know! Stay tuned for further developments!

Cesar and I got to speak personally with Salvador Rodriguez, the mayor of Santa Cruz Narranjo, about the soccer tournament idea. Since we have already done multiple projects with him and his administration, he agreed on the spot. In the past few weeks since this initial meeting, Cesar has worked with their sports/soccer liaison with the city on obtaining the fields and connecting with the soccer teams in the region.

10:02 PRAYER

(Pray Luke 10:2 each day at 10:02 am or pm that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest fields.)

Please pray for Cesar and Elba and their continued good health. Pray that the logistics for this soccer tournament in Guatemala will come to pass. Pray too for the resources to fund the teams going to Guatemala—especially the Nicaraguan teams. And most importantly, pray that many come to know Christ through this project.

ENGAGE

Bill and I had a great trip to Nebraska last week and look forward to sharing more about that. We are scheduled to be at the Western Way Cowboy Church in Altamont, Kansas, on Thursday, October 20th for their Thursday night gathering. If you are in that area, let us know so we can keep you informed and maybe even connect with you!

INVEST

Thanks to you, this soccer project is becoming a reality, and your investment makes it possible for us to keep moving and connecting with folks all over the map!

Please keep us informed of your prayer needs.

CLICK HERE FOR THE EASY WAY TO INVEST.

Love y’all!

Steve

PS…As I was writing this update, we were blessed to have Zion, our newest grandson, arrive, weighing in at 9 lbs. 2 oz.!

From left to right is Zai, Zac, Zion, Liz, and Zeke!

Summertime Highlights and Upcoming Soccer Projects


Hi Everybody!

It’s been a while since I last updated you, and there has been a lot of life and stuff going on for us. I’m sure many of you have been through a lot this summer as well. I’ll share a few of the highlights (and one lowlight!) from the past couple of months. Then I want to share a major prayer concern for a soccer trip in September that involves friends from both Guatemala and Nicaragua.

ReConnecting in Valentine, Nebraska

When I last communicated with you, I’d just gotten back from Guatemala and was headed to Nebraska and South Dakota for a week of ministry. Bill Burrows was planning on going too, but right before that trip he had gotten Covid. Fortunately, it was a mild case and he was back to working within a few days. But it meant I did the trip solo. First I stopped in Valentine, Nebraska, for a Sunday morning service at First Baptist, and that evening I spoke at the Cowboy Church at the sale barn in Valentine. Special thanks goes to Lawrence Turner for putting me up and cooking me great burgers with his home grown beef!

I should have taken pictures, but because it felt like being at home with those guys, I didn’t even think about it until I was driving to South Dakota!

VBS in South Dakota

After speaking at the Cowboy Church, I crossed the nearby border that same evening to head to Keith and Judy Moody’s place near Colome, South Dakota. For the following five days I was the missionary story teller at their church, Calvary Chapel, for their annual Vacation Bible School. Their theme, “Zoomerang”, took them to Australia and taught the children about how God so marvelously created the world and people and how God offers us a way to be in relationship with Him. Having never been to Australia, it was a little bit of a stretch for me to talk about Guatemala and Central America, but the kids were great and engaged in the process really well.

Each day I changed personalities and shared stories—one day as a cowboy, then as a jungle adventurer, the third day as a soccer player, and finally the last day as a bull rider! And no, I’ve never ridden a bull before! But I had Riley Shippy, a bull rider from Colome and fellow helper in the VBS, to help me talk about our ministry to bull riders. Here are a few pics of those days.

The kids gathered outside getting ready to march into the church building at Calvary Chapel.

The children lined up in their groups and entered together.

Each day we started with a large group. Over 67 children came, and I have to admit that their excitement was contagious!

As has been done for many years, Pastor Keith Moody introduced the pledges of allegiance of both the American and the Christian flags. Then the rest of the week, selected children led out in this time.

Songs are always a big part of VBS, and here, Betsy Shippy teaches the kids a “Stop” and “Go” song.

The first day I talked about cowboy ministries in Guatemala, and how it all got started.

In this part of South Dakota, cowboys show up for VBS!

The second day, I wore a backpack and my hiking boots and talked about our jungle projects. The kids engaged in asking great questions!

On the fourth day, Riley Shippy helped me talk about bull riding. In our cowboy groups and our bull riding groups, we always ask, “What bull are you going to ride as a result of this Bible story?” Afterwards, I told the kids what bull I needed to ride as a result of being with them. So the next time I see them, they are supposed to ask me if I did my commitment!

Riley showed his gear for riding bulls and shared why he wears each item and what it does for a bull rider.

Each year for one of the crafts, the children make different pieces of a Nativity set. If they come to VBS every year, by the time they “graduate”, they have all the pieces for their own nativity set. Here the children are painting their manger characters.

This group painted their mangers.

One of the songs the children sang was about getting on a big boat (the ark) and so here one little boy shares his picture of his big boat.

The weather was perfect in June, and the kids enjoyed playing outside.

The last day the parents were invited for a cookout and for the children to sing and share about their week.

Perfect day for a weenie roast!

After the cookout, we all went inside for the kids to share with their friends and family what they learned.

Singing the theme song

Here, Keith awards the children for the memory verses learned during the week.

After my experience with VBS this year, I think I realized more than ever how vital that ministry can be for teaching children (and adults!) the basic truths about God and how we can become rightly related to Him through Jesus. If your church does VBS, I applaud you. You are making a great impact on the lives of children and families in your area.

Special thanks for the week goes to our good friends, Keith and Judy Moody, for putting me up. When I’m with them, I feel like I’m at home. Judy always feeds us with such tasty home grown meals from their garden, too.

Honorable mention goes to Randy and Jen Shippy. Jen was VBS director this year, and several of the pictures came from her. And Randy cooked me up a steak one evening that was incredible! I’ve mentioned Randy before in other updates. He raises professional bulls and is always a phone call away when I’m connecting to other bull riders.

Update on Soccer Strategy

As you might recall, when I was in Nicaragua in March, I met Eduardo Mejia, a former professional soccer player who had led a team to put on soccer tournaments in Nicaragua, where last year over 700 people came to Christ.

September 4-16, I will be in Guatemala and Nicaragua. I’ll fly to Guatemala on the 4th, and then drive with 3 other Guatemalan soccer enthusiasts to Nicaragua. Lord willing, from September 6th to 11th we will be in San Ramon, Nicaragua, for a soccer tournament.

Please pray for us. Travel is opening up in these post-pandemic days, but crossing borders can be tricky, and we will be crossing three borders to get to Nicaragua.

This is Dr. Esteban Polanco, a physician in Jalpatagua. He will be our driver. With him will be two other men. I hope to introduce them to you when I get back!

Concerns for our Partners, Cesar and Elba Gonzalez

At the beginning I mentioned a “lowlight” that I needed to share. A few weeks ago, Cesar had emergency prostate surgery. It went well, and he is doing much better. At the same time, Elba had an unusual respiratory problem (that wasn’t Covid) from a strange bacteria that sidelined her for several weeks. Thankfully, she is now doing much better as well.

In light of that, Cesar had to spend about $5,000 of unexpected expenses for both of them. Thankfully, Cesar’s son and one daughter loaned him some of the money to cover it all. If you would like to help offset some of that burden for Cesar, let me know. I plan to take an offering with me when I travel September 4th.

10:02 PRAYER

(Pray Luke 10:2 each day at 10:02 am or pm that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest fields.)

Please pray for Cesar and Elba and their health. Also pray for our soccer team traveling to Nicaragua. Pray that we make it there and back safely, and pray that through this time we can strategize on multiplying this kind of ministry in Guatemala. Most importantly, pray that many players come to know Christ in the project.

ENGAGE

Coming up in early October, Bill and I are scheduled to go back to Burwell and Ord, Nebraska. And then later in October we plan to spend a Thursday evening at the Western Way Cowboy Church in Altamont, Kansas. If you are in those areas, let us know so we can keep you informed and maybe even connect with you!

INVEST

Thank you for your generosity each month! Thanks to you, this soccer project is becoming a reality and you make it possible for us to keep moving and keep connecting with folks all over the map!

Please keep us informed of your prayer needs.

CLICK HERE FOR THE EASY WAY TO INVEST.

Love y’all!

Steve

Here was our whole VBS crew on the last day.

All Wet and All Blessed in Guatemala!

Hi Everybody!

I just got back from my trip to Guatemala on Tuesday, and words are inadequate for me to describe what I witnessed these past two weeks. This trip was like 3 trips in one. So bear with me in reporting this; there’s a lot! For an overview, we wanted to touch base with several of our Christian Rancher groups—especially our bull rider group in Chiquimula, and we wanted to recruit leaders for a big soccer emphasis this next year. Then, as a bonus, I was signed up to go on a men’s retreat with Juan Carlos Lopez, a pastor friend from Ipala, Guatemala. I thought I was ready. But after hiking and surviving the rain and the elements for three straight days with 215 other men, I realized how overconfident I was and how much I needed help to survive one of the hardest and most exhilarating experiences of my life. Here are a few pictures that reflect some of the highlights from the trip.

It rained almost every day on this trip, so there was an abundance of water. Here’s a shot of a waterfall that is not too far from Cesar’s house in Amberes.

Touching Base with Leaders

During the first few days, we made the rounds within easy driving distance from Amberes. We touched base with leaders in Santa Cruz Narranjo, Barberena, Quesada, San Pedro Alvarado, Moyuta, Jalpatagua, and Agua Blanca.

Every place of contact went super well, and we enjoyed seeing so many face to face.

Here is a typical group meeting of our friends in San Pedro Alvarado, Guatemala, near the border of El Salvador.

On the only day that we had a cancelation of a group due to a mix-up in communication, we visited this family near Cesar’s house. Eddie, the man sitting on the right, is a construction worker who has worked for Cesar on all his remodeling projects. A couple of months ago, he nearly died from pancreatitis induced by heavy drinking. On this day, he, his wife, and three daughters prayed to receive Christ.

The same day that Eddie and his family came to Christ, a couple of hours later we visited with his 88 year old grandmother and an aunt. And both of them prayed to receive Christ! We got word that they all got together later and celebrated their decision to follow Jesus. Here, Eddie’s grandmother is showing off her bracelet that Cesar had her make while we were visiting together.

Bull Riders and Horse Trainers

After a week of visits we made our way to Chiquimula to meet with our bull rider friend (and horse trainer) Alfredo Barrantes. Alfredo has been the leader of a WhatsApp group on Monday nights where now over a dozen bull riders and friends are joining in a call to do our group process.

When we got there, all of the bull riders who he had hoped to be there were gone because of a last minute shift in date of a rodeo for their company of bull riders. So we spent the day with Alfredo as he worked horses. During that day he introduced us to some other horse trainers who had come to Guatemala from Nicaragua. Both Cesar and I are amazed at how much Alfredo is doing to share his faith with anyone and everyone. About every week we have a new guy on our Monday calls.

When we first caught up with Alfredo, he was in a training session with a horse that he had made good progress with. Most of the horses that he works with are horses with major problems, and their owners are coming to him as a last resort.

Here Alfredo introduces us to two horse trainers from Nicaragua. Later that day, Edubije, the guy in the center, and one other guy from Nicaragua prayed to receive Christ and are now in our Monday group.

When we got to Alfredo’s house, he showed us his pack of blue heeler dogs and pups. He has trained them to work the rodeo bulls and help distract the bulls when a rider is down or in danger. The pups are also trained and sold to other ranchers for working their cattle. Alfredo jokes that at most rodeos they make more money than he does!

Alfredo is bringing out a new horse that has been assigned to him for rehabilitation. Several years ago, Alfredo was left almost completely blind in his left eye from a bull-riding mishap. He attributes much of his pain and suffering as a help in dealing with both horses and people.

Alfredo tells us that this horse is a lot like some of the guys he works with who have trust issues.

About that time, this horse broke the line! Alfredo says that his faith is what he relies on when dealing with horses like this and with friends who are making bad decisions. In both cases, God has given him success. Many bull riders have stayed with Alfredo and gotten squared away with positive life changes.

Update on Soccer Strategy

As you might recall, when I was in Nicaragua in March, I met Eduardo Mejia, a former professional soccer player who had led a team to put on soccer tournaments in Nicaragua, where last year over 700 people came to Christ. When I asked if he would help us in Guatemala, he enthusiastically agreed.

So, in September I plan to take a U.S. team from Lenexa Baptist Church to Nicaragua to participate in one of Eduardo’s tournaments, and to learn as much as we can about how he does it. In faith, I have been operating with the idea of having some Guatemalans meet us there who will help us carry the torch to Guatemala.

On this trip, my aim was to recruit at least one leader who would be willing to meet us in Nicaragua. And God blessed us with three high caliber soccer enthusiasts who are excited about doing just that. I will introduce them one by one.

This is Dr. Esteban Polanco, a physician in Jalpatagua. On one of the days we were in Moyuta, Guatemala, we mentioned to Dario, a coffee grower friend, what we were planning on doing with soccer. Dario immediately said, “You need to talk to this doctor who has started a soccer school for children.” He pulled out his phone and called the doctor directly and asked if he could meet us right then. Thirty minutes later we were sitting in his exam room. Dr. Polanco did his medical training in Cuba, and while there, he was told to keep his religion to himself. But as a bold believer he evangelized by simply reading the Bible out loud in parks! People came to faith by the hundreds. One day I hope to share his story. By the time we explained our idea, he jumped at the chance to meet me in Nicaragua!

On my last day in Guatemala, we had a coffee meeting with Alfredo Mendoza, a relative of some friends in Madison, Nebraska. (Julieta, a sister-in-law, sat next to me on a plane ride from Guatemala to Dallas about five or six years ago!) In April, when I was at Calvary Community Church in Madison and Northern Heights Baptist in Norfolk, they heard of how I needed help with this soccer project. They called Alfredo in Guatemala and told him about it and urged him to contact me. Alfredo is an administrator in a university in Guatemala City. When he called me, I learned that he had started a non-profit that helps children of lower economic means to have uniforms and shoes to play soccer. Also a dedicated believer, he loved the way we use the colored soccer balls to share the gospel. And because of his family’s strong endorsement, he told me that he would consider it an honor to help in any way he could!

And last but not least, we met with Flori Salguero, the president of a girls soccer federation. About five years ago, we met her when she was working with the President’s wife on a project for senior citizens. It just so happened on that day that we were there and she was visiting that group. She loved what we did and wanted to stay in touch. As an aside she mentioned her role as a volunteer in the federation for women’s soccer. Little did we know that she later became the president! This day as we shared with her our project, she immediately agreed to be a part of our team. She also asked if we could make sure we not only bring boys, but girls to come play soccer! So ready or not, this thing is rolling!

Cold and Wet in the Jungle

When I agreed to go on this men’s retreat with Juan Carlos, I knew it would be rough, but I didn’t realize that it was truly boot camp tough. Having run a half marathon a few weeks before the trip, and having my experience in the jungle before, I thought I’d be just fine.

This was our last meal before getting on a bus that would take us to the main starting point in Jutiapa. Juan Carlos, my pastor buddy, is on the far right.

Once we got to Jutiapa, all of us first timers were assigned to tribes and called to line up military style with our backpacks on. Shortly after I took this picture, they came and collected all our cell phones, our watches, and our money! So for the rest of the retreat, I could not take my own pictures! (There were photographers taking pictures as we went, so shortly before sending this to you, I got access to some of those!) As they took our stuff, it started to pour down rain. Normally, I have a cover for my backpack, but it was buried inside my pack. And the leaders immediately started running us through drills in the rain! For the next three days, I was mostly wet! And that was way harder for me than the actual hikes. Each day we hiked about half the day. Periodically they would stop us for a message on building character and listening to Jesus and the like. While at first it was hard and grueling, once we started getting into a groove as a tribe, and started having amazing conversations with each other and with Jesus, we could feel something change in each one of us.

This men’s ministry is called “Legendarios” or Legendaries. The theme comes from “Legendary #1” who is Jesus, and He calls us to follow Him, to be legendary men in our homes, at work, in our churches, and in making disciples.

Here we were waiting for instructions for a competition.

Because we were thrown into competitions without much of an introduction other than our name and where we were from, we had a hard time remembering everyone by name. For me, they caught that I was from Kansas. So that became my name—“Consas” (Which is how they say “Kansas!”) The guy in the blue shirt behind me is named Edin. He was an amazing guy who kept our tribe together. And he wants to travel with me anywhere I go whenever I am in Guatemala. He is a gifted communicator, and lives only about 3 hours from the jungle. So pray that I get more time with him.

All the tribes lined up at the beginning of day 2 awaiting instructions before hiking.

The beauty was amazing.

On day 3, I was asked to speak to the larger group on behalf of my tribe. Here I’m sharing a little of my story and how I realized that I was in way over my head! I hadn’t gone on the retreat with the idea of recruiting guys to go to the jungle with me on one of our projects, but in this moment, it dawned on me that these guys were built for the challenge. So I threw it out there for the entire group. Now, I have dozens of guys who tell me that they are ready to go with me to other jungle places to evangelize! I can’t tell you how much that encourages me as I think about the future.

On the next to last day, Juan Carlos, who was serving for the event (and who had a cell phone since he was not a newbie!) got this picture with me. At this point I was wearing the only clothes I had that were dry! Shortly thereafter, even these were soaked!

During our last group time as a tribe we talked about what each one of us was going to do about our time in the mountains. Here I was sharing what I felt like I needed to do.

Here’s my tribe on the day we earned our orange Legendary shirts and took our official tribe picture.

When Cesar dropped me off at the airport in Guatemala City, my heart was so full, and since I had several hours before my flight, I wrote page upon page of notes trying to capture the nuggets of personal and ministry insights from the trip. On my flight to Dallas, I wrote. And even on the way home to Kansas City. I’m still sorting it all out, but this one thing I know. I am truly grateful to God for His sustaining grace through the most difficult hours. And I have new ministry partners and friends who have my back and are ready to go the next leg of the journey with me. Maybe when I sort out some of this, I may be able to share more.

10:02 PRAYER

(Praying Luke 10:2 each day at 10:02 am or pm that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest fields.)

Please pray that our friends who prayed to receive Christ on this trip will get solid in one of our groups. Pray for Alfredo and his bull riders and fellow horse trainers as they meet on Mondays. Pray for the continued development of the soccer leadership team in Guatemala and the next steps of planning for the Nicaragua/Guatemala connection. Pray that soon we can have a strong team ready to hit the trails to evangelize in some remote places in Guatemala!

ENGAGE

I am heading out Saturday, June 4th, to spend time in Valentine, Nebraska, for Sunday services June 5th at First Baptist Valentine in the morning and at the Cowboy Church Sunday night at the sale barn. Come see us if you can!

Then Monday through Friday I am scheduled to be with the Calvary Chapel Vacation Bible School in Colome, South Dakota. Please pray for my ministry partner, Bill Burrows, who was planning to go with me. He and his wife Joyce caught a case of Covid while I was in Guatemala. So he will not be able to be with me on this trip.

INVEST

Thank you for your generosity to keep us moving and going. While I was in Guatemala, Cesar asked me to thank as many of you personally for your prayers and support as well. Muchas gracias!

CLICK HERE FOR THE EASY WAY TO INVEST.

Love y’all!

Steve

After we got up in the air on my return flight, I had this view, and I opened up my Bible to Hebrews 12:1-3, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Northeast Nebraska Connections And More Bull Rider Stories

Hi Everybody!

First I need to welcome some new friends to our update—most of whom come from various places in Nebraska Welcome!

I leave Wednesday, May 18th, for a two-week trip to Guatemala, and I haven’t updated you on some ministry happenings in April and now the first part of May! Wow, time is flying! The April happenings involve our friends in Northeastern Nebraska who are doing some great things, and the latest story involves a flashback connection with a bull rider from an event in 2017 that now connects several of us in Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Brazil!

Men’s Retreat At Camp Assurance

In April, Bill Burrows, Grant Walton (a new friend from Oak Grove, Missouri, who is hanging out with us), and I went to Camp Assurance near Belden, Nebraska. Shannon Arduser, the camp director, had invited Bill to lead some Play. Story. Eat. training for a men’s retreat on Saturday, April 9th. It was great! Bill did a fantastic job leading us in equipping drills to increase our confidence in soul-connecting conversations.

Bill invites the guys to respond to a question during the first part of the training at Camp Assurance.

Here, Bill is orienting the guys to our famous “Wagon Train” drill that helps us initiate spiritual conversations with two simple questions.

On the far right, Shannon Arduser, the director for Camp Assurance, shows us some new ground where the camp plans to build new facilities for accommodating groups. In the red sweat shirt is John Smith, pastor of Gospel Chapel of Newcastle, Nebraska.

Before finishing out the day, the guys shared around a campfire of what bull they were going to ride. (Also known as what they intend to do about what they learned!)

After wrapping up the retreat, Bill and Grant traveled to Newcastle, Nebraska, to serve Gospel Chapel on Sunday morning. Pastor John Smith and his wife Carrie lead a warm and welcoming church committed reaching their community for Jesus.

Spanish Speaking Ministries in Northeastern Nebraska

David Martinez of Northern Heights Baptist in Norfolk, Nebraska picked me up at the camp to go to Norfolk, where I spoke at their Spanish service and got a bonus of being able to speak at the nearby Calvary Community Church in Madison, Nebraska. David and others are doing some amazing things to reach out to the Spanish speaking folks in their region. Later that day, they sent a team to Atkinson, Nebraska for an event celebrating the start of a new Spanish speaking group there.

David Martinez introduced me on a Sunday morning at Northern Heights Baptist in Norfolk, Nebraska.

For me, I need to say a special word of thanks to Aaron Alanis, the new pastor of Calvary, and to his congregation for inviting me to come speak to them. Aaron speaks both English and Spanish and has recently been called by the church to lead the church’s English speaking service while also beginning ministry to Spanish speaking folks in Madison. Demographically, Madison has a majority of Hispanics now, and the church has felt a burden to do more. Hearing about their dreams for reaching their community was inspiring to me.

Brazilian Bull Rider Reconnects!

A few weeks ago, I got a strange call from a lady named Eliana in Brazil who was speaking on behalf of a a bull rider outside of Sao Paulo, Brazil, who had met me in 2017. The bull rider is Eliezer Vital, and he had been a part of our gathering in Agua Blanca, Guatemala in January of 2017. Evidently, I had given him my card, and he had kept it in his wallet for these 5 years. Because he speaks Portuguese and no English, he thought he needed someone to call me who spoke English. Eliana, a pastor’s wife, and her husband ate at Eliezer’s restaurant one day and struck up a conversation with him. When Eliezer found out she had lived in the US for 30 years before coming back to Brazil, he felt that she was the perfect person to contact me. He wanted to invite me to Brazil and asked if she could help contact me.

Eliezer’s bull riding promo shot

Here Eliezer is on one of his rides in Agua Blanca, Guatemala in January of 2017. Incidentally, Eliezer won the rodeo that year.

As you might recall, in February, I had the privilege of baptizing two bull riders in Chiquimula, Guatemala. Since then, Cesar Gonzalez and I have been on a weekly discipleship call with them and several of their friends. Long story short, when I asked them if they knew an Eliezer of Brazil, they did! And the next week they invited him to our weekly call! That day, there was me in the US, Cesar and a couple of guys in Guatemala, a guy from Costa Rica, and Eliezer in Brazil!

I’ll treasure that first call with Eliezer for a long time. At one point he shared the story of trying to get in touch with me and how we finally got connected. Eliezer speaks some Spanish, and when he does say things in Portuguese, the Spanish speaking guys usually figure out what he is saying. His story filled me up with so much gratitude that even now I get a little misty thinking about it.

This photo was from January of 2017 when we did a lunch with the bull riders of the Agua Blanca, Guatemala, rodeo. Here Cesar is opening up the time with introductions. During that time together, 19 of the guys prayed to receive Christ.

Eliezer is the one in the shorts. He says that he remembered hearing the testimony of Clint Bailey, one of our team members, who was a bull rider and is now a horse trainer. You can see in his left hand one of the written testimonies in Spanish of one of our other team members. That tool with the testimony of Clint Bailey was what we used that day to lead the guys to Christ.

Another shot from January 2017, this one was taken of Clint Bailey meeting other bull riders after sharing his testimony.

10:02 PRAYER

(Praying Luke 10:2 each day at 10:02 am or pm that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest fields.)

Please pray for our friends in Northeastern Nebraska who are starting new Spanish speaking groups and churches. Pray too for Eliezer and the new guys connecting with us through these bull riders. Pray for wisdom in figuring out how to help them start new groups in their hometowns.

Also, pray for me as I leave for Guatemala. I will be spending time with Cesar Gonzalez and other leaders starting Christian Rancher groups. I will also be hiking in the mountains with a group of guys doing a men’s ministry, and we have planned one full day with the bull rider group near Chiquimula, Guatemala. Alfredo, the leader of that group, says that there are over a dozen ready to be baptized!

Also on this trip, pray for the preparations and connections with a couple of mayors on the idea of doing a big soccer tournament next year.

ENGAGE

Bill and I have really enjoyed meeting you in your churches. Note that we plan to be in Valentine, Nebraska, on Sunday, June 5th, to speak at First Baptist in the morning, and to the Cowboy Church meeting at the sale barn Sunday night. Then June 6-10 we are scheduled to be at Calvary Chapel of Colome, South Dakota, for their Vacation Bible School. If you would like us to come your way sometime this summer, let us know!

INVEST

Because of your faithful giving, you make it possible for us to continue to travel and stay in touch with our friends who are doing such amazing things. Thank you!

CLICK HERE FOR THE EASY WAY TO INVEST.

Keep those cards and letters coming on your prayers and concerns. We want to return the favor of praying for you as you pray for us.

Love y’all!

Steve

A Last Minute Trip To Nicaragua

Hi Everybody!

I should have informed you beforehand, but a couple of weeks after going to Guatemala, I went to Nicaragua! I was a part of a team of 25 people from Lenexa Baptist Church and from Fellowship West Church of Bonner Springs, Kansas.

Kelly Hughes, Missions Pastor of Lenexa Baptist, had been inviting me to come, and at the last minute everything fell into place for me to go. This team was partnering with a missions group called Project Hope. For over 20 years, this organization has been ministering to the poor and under-resourced people in Nicaragua (and other places) to help build houses, minister to children, rescue women in trouble, reach out to men with addictions, and more. Our team was helping to build 6 small homes, lead a Vacation Bible School, and touch base with the various ministries to men, women, and children. So each day our team split up to serve in various projects.

With Covid being something of a concern before the trip, we were praying that all 25 of us would test negative both before and at the end of the trip. Thankfully, everyone studied hard and passed their two tests!

There’s so much that I could share. For me, I enjoyed being a participant and getting to serve on the fly. As a result of the trip, I believe God is putting a few pieces together for more ministry in both Nicaragua and Guatemala. You’ll have to read through all the pictures to get the Guatemala connection!

The bottom line to the trip happened our last full day there, when 17 of our new friends were baptized! All told, over 50 people prayed to receive Christ during the trip. Here are some pics. I hope to explain some of these as you scroll through them.

Project Hope has its base outside of Managua, Nicaragua. Here we are eating together for the first time after arriving from the airport.

On our first day getting to the site, Travis Stearns (right) and Eduardo Mejia (left) get the group oriented. Travis and his wife, Tammy, have led the charge for Project Hope in Nicaragua for more than 10 years.

Here, Tammy Stearns leads a fun mixer activity with both Gringos and Nicaraguans!

Each day before starting our work on the homes, we started with a large group gathering of all who would be working together. The staff at Project Hope set the tone of fun and friendship and then a spiritual thought for the day.

Here Eduardo gets “volunteers” to perform various stunts as Siamese twins! Doug Hague is on the left. Ronda Reinhardt is on the right.

After large group, we broke into small groups that included most of our work partners. And in that smaller group we took the large group theme and had guided discussion and interaction before we started the work day. Here, Karl Pfloeger (seated on the right) is leading our group discussion. Standing next to him is Moises, a translator with Project Hope, helping the group with translations.

For an idea of the kind of construction we did, here is an example of what one of the houses looked like when we got done at the end of the week. Matt Clough, pastor of Fellowship West, myself, and a Nicaraguan friend, just got done roofing this house with its tin roof.

Mark Morgan and I were partnered with Alicia and Roberto Mendoza (Roberto is not pictured here.) as we worked on building their home with the whole team. Alicia gave both Mark and me a Nicaraguan-made maraca when we met for the first time.

Holding the shovel is Roberto Mendoza, our friend who Mark Morgan (standing on the left) and I partnered with in building their house. The Project Hope methodology for building the homes requires both future home owners and volunteers to work together to build their home and all the other homes in the new neighborhood. One benefit of this was that by the end of the week of construction, we had worked together many hours with dozens of people and had many amazing spiritual conversations in the process.

Tim Dykman and Nicaraguan friend, Carlos, finish out the last bit of the concrete block wall. In the background Doug Hague watches.

Here is the first sheet of tin on the roof of Roberto and Alicia’s house! The reflection in Matt’s face indicates that this job required some vigilance in keeping lathered up with sun screen!

Roberto shows his approval of the siding on the front side. Mark Schultze (walking towards the camera) was our crew leader helping us keep up with the jobs on each of the sites.

As a housewarming gift, at the end of the week, the completed homes completed received a new efficient wood stove for cooking. David, who is running the wheel barrow, was one of the guys I worked with a lot in mixing concrete. We had great conversations, and David was one of the 17 baptized the last day! Walking alongside is Kathy Moxley.

Doug and Debbie Hydeman give a gift to their family along with the stove to celebrate the completion of their house. Moises helps with the translation.

One of the defining moments of the week was when Eduardo gave a clear gospel message on our first working day, and about 18 people prayed to receive Christ.

People raised their hands to indicate that they had prayed a prayer of salvation.

After praying and raising their hands, Eduardo invited them to come forward. Afterwards our team prayed for them and congratulated them. Most of them were baptized on the last day together.

On three of our work days, we held VBS for an hour and a half in the afternoon. Eduardo led the charge, and we Gringos filled in to help and enjoy building relationships with the children. Here was a group pic after the first day.

The children used the chairs as their tables for drawing. During the week, they learned about God the Creator and what He created each day of the creation story.

Eduardo was a former professional soccer player in Nicaragua and loves to get everyone moving. From left to right, you see Brooklyn Linduff, Tricia Bell, Doug Hydeman, Halley Spencer, and Carol Dykman. Kathy Moxley was hiding behind Eduardo.

I loved the reactions of the kids. They were definitely into the motions.

Carol holds the microphone so Eduardo can tell the creation story and show the pictures to the children.

One afternoon during the week, Tammy Stearns led a women’s gathering where she and our team shared in a craft, a talk, and cake. At the end each received a crown to emphasize how special they are to God. Here, Tammy is praying a prayer of blessing over the ladies.

I walked up on the ladies’ gathering as I was finishing my work on the concrete sand pile for the day. Alicia wanted to get a picture with me.

With the men at New Beginnings ministry, Travis Williams shared his story of addiction, trouble with the law, and coming to know Jesus.

A group prayer concluded our time with the men.

Most evenings, we ended the day with a time of worship and a devotion. Here, Howard Dickinson and Kelly Hughes lead us in a song.

The one evening we didn’t have our group devotion was when we celebrated with the children and families of Taellor’s House. This is a ministry to single mothers and their children that was started in memory of Taellor, Travis and Tammy Stearns’ daughter who died unexpectedly at 19 years old in 2014. Today, this ministry is a hub for over 112 children and their families. This evening the children performed, and our team served hamburgers to all.

The team serves hamburgers to the kids and families at Taellor’s House.

Kyler Reinhardt shares his testimony with some boys at Taellor’s House who he spent time playing baseball with earlier in the day.

The children reenacted the story of the good Samaritan.

Before leaving for the evening, the team gave bags of food to each family represented. Each mom got a hug from Tammy before getting the food.

Here Sterling Farber gave a bag to one of the mothers.

On the last day, we stopped by this church in Nagarote where the last Lenexa team had been a couple of years ago. The purpose was for some from that trip to reconnect with their partnered families from the last trip and to deliver food.

Kathy Moxley shows pictures to the family she was partnered with in Nagarote. This little girl was about two years old at the time and can barely believe she was that little in the pictures!

Kyler and Ronda Reinhardt give a Bible and food to one of the moms in Nagarote. Standing to the left is an official from the mayor’s office who was working alongside us that day.

Before heading into the water, Kelly Hughes (far right) asked for a raise of hands of all those who were getting baptized. He then gave an explanation of what baptism means and how we were going to do it.

One of the things I loved about this baptism was that we had worked with most of these people for a week, and our whole team had new friends getting baptized. Several of us got in line with them just to celebrate the moment with each one.

Here Randy Schmidt baptizes a woman that he led to the Lord during the week.

Alicia was baptized.

And so was her husband Roberto.

It never gets old getting wet with new believers!

David and I had some amazing conversations working together, and his willingness to be baptized was a huge step for him. Being there for that moment was one I’ll never forget.

The Guatemala Connection

During the week, Eduardo Mejia and I got together several mornings to run. I am training for a half marathon, and Eduardo runs to stay in shape for soccer.

“You doing any soccer evangelism?” I asked, after hearing him talk a bit about his days of playing professional soccer.

“Yes!” he laughed. “Have you not heard about our soccer tournament we do every year?”

“No!” I said, my curiosity perking up.

“Last year, we did three tournaments, had over 150 teams participate, with over 1000 players, and many spectators. All told we won over 700 people to Christ!”

“Whoa!” I marveled. “When can you come to Guatemala and teach me and some friends how you do that?” I asked.

“As soon as possible!” he exclaimed. Then he told me that at the beginning of the year, he was talking with Travis Stearns about how he was feeling convicted by Jesus’ Great Commission to go into all the world, and that he felt that God wanted them to take the tournament outside of Nicaragua. Since that conversation, they have been waiting on God for direction in where to go and who to talk with.

“Have I got a deal for you!” I said lightly punching Eduardo in the arm with my fist. “I can’t wait to tell my friends about this conversation!”

Here is the flyer that Eduardo made to highlight the last tournament they did in Nicaragua. Note that they use the ball of many colors to share the gospel. We have used the same approach in Guatemala, only on a much smaller scale than what Eduardo has done.

The last night together, before our devotion, Eduardo shared with us the locations where they have done their tournaments in Nicaragua. The day before I had called Cesar Gonzalez in Guatemala and told him about our conversation. “Tell him to come to Guatemala!” Cesar exclaimed over the phone. After Eduardo’s presentation, I asked the group to pray for this to happen, and they committed to do so.

This past weekend, March 25-26, 2022, Eduardo’s team led a tournament in Matiguas, Nicaragua. Shortly before finalizing this update he sent me a note saying that 186 people prayed to receive Christ! Here he is holding the MVP trophies that were to be given out for the tournament.

10:02 PRAYER

Please pray for the new believers and our friends with Project Hope as they follow up with these dear folks. Pray too for Eduardo, the Project Hope leadership, myself, Cesar, and our friends who could multiply this kind of soccer tournament in Guatemala. Right now, I plan to be in Guatemala May 18-31 to make the rounds with Cesar and our Christian Rancher groups. Cesar has plans for us to hit up a couple of mayors about the possibility of doing soccer tournaments. Let’s pray this one through!

ENGAGE

Bill Burrows and I will be near Belden, Nebraska, at Camp Assurance April 8th and 9th for a men’s retreat. If you are up that way in Northeastern Nebraska, touch base with us. We might be able to see a few of you as we come and go!

INVEST

As always, we are grateful for your faithful prayers and support!

CLICK HERE FOR THE EASY WAY TO INVEST.

And do keep us up to date on your prayer concerns as well. So many of you are doing amazing things for the sake of Jesus and the gospel. We consider it a privilege to pray for you as you pray for us.

Love y’all!

Steve

Tammy Stearns took this pic at the Taellor’s House celebration. I think my face says it all for how I felt about this trip!

Guatemala Trip Troubles Lead to God’s Gracious Blessings

Hi Everybody! Nola, Ray Gurney, and I are back from Guatemala, and we have a few things to share with you about our recent trip.

While we had multiple groups that we were planning on interacting with during our two weeks down there, the big project on the board was with the Kekchi Baptist Association in Fray Bartolome de las Casas. That project has been over a year in the making, as 80 churches in the jungle had been prepped to pray this year for their lost friends and family. The goal was for the churches to share a gospel witness with their friends the first week of February 2022 in an evangelistic crusade that included home visits and nightly services. The hope was that this would spark the people in the churches to share their faith before, during, and after the evangelistic efforts.

As of yesterday, we got word from German Tzi, the director of missions for the Kekchi Baptist Association, that they have tallied 568 salvation decisions so far! From our vantage point, we are blown away, because the trip for us was a near disaster. If you want the readers digest version, here it is:

We got to Guatemala. All started well. But in the jungle sickness grounded our team to a near halt. Thankfully a construction guy/pastor of a church drove 7 hours to bail us out just in time to experience a wonderful time with his church and one of the most meaningful baptisms in a river that I’ve ever had. Here’s our story in pictures!

It All Seemed Okay…

A few days into the trip, we were on a roll. On the way to the jungle, we had stopped and had a great meeting with some new friends starting a new group near a lake on the top of a volcano near Ipala, Guatemala.

At the top of this volcano is a beautiful lake that fills the crater. It was near here that one of our friends from Ipala had started a new group. Though the group normally meets in town, they wanted to do something special for us, so they met us here.

Before starting a horseshoe competition, I took this group photo. Cesar and Elba Gonzalez are on the top left. Ray Gurney is next to Luis Cuellar in the blue shirt. Luis has been starting several groups in the past year. The men in the front row in orange shirts are part of a men’s backpacking ministry called “The Legendaries.” Luis wanted us to meet them, and it turned out to be something of a life saver for us later in the trip.

Juan Carlos Lopez, a construction guru and lay pastor of a church in Ipala, is the leader of “The Legendaries.” A little over a week after taking this picture, Juan Carlos and one of the men from his church drove 7 hours to come rescue us when we had no transportation!

Juan Carlos’ hat has a special message on the inside. It says “Unbreakable men in the service of Jesus to make history and to give their life for their friends.”

Our first day in the jungle, we stopped by a new church start that Cesar had been advising near Setal, Guatemala. Here Ray is praying a blessing over the food. Word had gotten out that we were coming, and they served us Kakik! It’s a spicy soup—to be eaten with large amounts of tortillas!

“Esteban, I’m not feeling well…”

After a brief stop that Sunday morning at the Embajadores de Cristo Church (Ambassadors of Christ) in Setal, we had gotten to the jungle and had just checked into our hotel in Fray Bartolome de las Casas, when Cesar knocked on our door.

“Esteban, I am not feeling well.” I knew that he had started coughing and sneezing quite a bit the last few hours of our drive that day. “I’m worried that if this is Covid, I will jeopardize the rest of you and keep us from doing the project with the Kekchis.”

Within the hour, Cesar had called his doctor, who advised him to treat it as if it were Omicron. So, Cesar and Elba left to drive back to their home in Amberes. That left Nola, Ray Gurney, and me facing a week-long project with the Kekchi Baptist Association in Fray without Cesar.

Kekchi Baptist Association Project…

The first two days we managed to go to two churches and do our evangelistic visits in homes and huts of our friends. But on the second day, Ray started coming down with the same cold-like symptoms that Cesar had.

On our first day of hut-to-hut visits, Ray struggled from just the hikes up and down the hills of this village near La Laguna, Guatemala! But what a view!

Nola went visiting with some ladies of the church. Even though they couldn’t speak the same language, they managed to communicate with hand motions, pictures on the phone, and lots of laughs!

This woman, home alone with her children, scurried to find a couple of chairs for us to sit on for a visit. Ramiro, the pastor of the church in La Laguna, is standing in the pink shirt. One of his members is in the blue shirt.

At the end of the visit, this woman told the men in the Kekchi language, “I’d like to receive Jesus as my savior, but if my husband finds out, he will beat me.” Less than an hour later, Ramiro had hopped on a bus with us to take us back to town. About a mile down the road, we happened upon an accident in the roadway. A man was laying on the pavement. “That’s her husband,” Ramiro said, pointing to the man in the road. A day later we found out that the man was in a coma, and the church members were caring for this woman in her distress.

Our second day of visits required us to ride in the back of a truck for about an hour and a half.

Then we got off the truck and boarded a boat to travel up river to get off near a village near Chotal, Guatemala.

After getting off the boat, we hiked a bit more and arrived at the Templo Bautista Rio Jordan (River Jordan Temple Baptist) Church in Chotal.

This picture captures the drastic changes taking place in the Kekchi culture. I snapped this before getting a group picture of all who had prayed to receive Christ in this home. But you will notice that one of the daughters is watching a video on her cell phone.

Several ladies wanted to have their pictures taken with Nola.

Holed Up in a Hotel

After two days of work, everything for us ground to a halt. For two straight days, we were stuck in the hotel. Ray was not feeling well, and to complicate things more, our contact that Cesar had arranged to come transport us had also gotten sick and couldn’t come. So the last two days in the jungle, we were not able to do anything.

The Heroes Show Up!

Thankfully, Juan Carlos, our new friend from Ipala, was both willing and able to come get us. And that drive back with him was so refreshing to me as Juan Carlos and I were able to see some of our Spanish “Be-the-Church” videos on his phone as Jose Garza, a truck driver and friend of Juan Carlos, drove.

The funny thing to us at that point was that we didn’t know that Juan Carlos was a pastor! We just thought he was leading a men’s ministry and was a construction guy. A few hours into the drive, he asked if we would be available to come to his church the following day to speak. Ray asked, “Do you need to call your pastor to make sure it’s okay?”

“I am the pastor,” Juan Carlos chuckled. “I think it’s okay!”

Juan Carlos sang with his daughter, Helen, in the church service.

Here I was translating for Ray as he brought the message.

This is Juan Carlos’ family: his wife, Glendy and daughters Tiffany, Mari Elsi, and Helen. One other surprise to us was the fact that the restaurant where we were eating at, belonged to them! (Nola and I had wondered why, when they sat down, none of them wanted menus!) Most days, they all take turns waiting on tables or cooking. The soup pictured was one of their specialties that Helen and her mom created.

Glendy wanted to take this picture of us with their cooking staff. The mural in the background was designed and painted by Juan Carlos! What a talented guy! Notice the two flags in the mural. The one on the left is of Guatemala. The other one is of El Salvador. The restaurant features food from both countries.

Here Nola is finishing up her pupusa, an El Salvador specialty, that Glendy and her team coached Nola into making!

Nola’s pupusa wound up on Ray’s plate! Pictured with Ray is Jose Garza, the truck driver who came with Juan Carlos to bail us out the day before. Jose speaks English a bit, and he and Ray enjoyed talking cars, motorcycles, and life as a new believer in Jesus. One year ago, Juan Carlos led Jose to the Lord, so all this is new to him. Jose asked me to translate the last thing he wanted to tell Ray, because he didn’t have the words in English.

“I don’t know why God gave me the privilege of driving these servants of God for the past couple of days, but I am so thankful for this opportunity to get to know you.” Believe me, the feelings were mutual.

Bull Rider Baptisms

When we finally got to Chiquimula on the morning of Monday, February 7th, Cesar had gotten well enough to come meet us there for the baptism that we had scheduled with Alfredo Barrantes, a professional bull rider from Costa Rica.

Alfredo has started a group among his traveling bull riders. This particular day, the group had moved on to the next rodeo, but Alfredo and his fellow bull rider, Rafael, from Brazil, had stayed back in order that they could meet us and get baptized.

Before we went down to the river for the baptism, we met at the horse stables of our friend, Luis Cuellar, to talk about what baptism means. Top left is Alfredo Barrantes, of Costa Rica. Top right in the green shirt is Rafael Da Silva, of Brazil. Here, Alfredo had asked Cesar if we could come back when the other guys were ready to get baptized.

“We will baptize you, but from here on out, you guys will baptize the next ones.” Cesar explained. “That permission comes not from us, but from Jesus Himself who said that we are to go into all the world and make disciples…baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…”

Alfredo was the first one in the water.

I loved the fact that these guys jumped in with their boots and hats and everything!

Next, I asked Alfredo to help me baptize Rafael. Below is the whole video. Whether you speak English, Spanish, or Portuguese, I think you understand why it was such a meaningful day for all of us!

After getting wet, Nola snapped this picture with Cesar. Even a week after the event, Cesar and I were admitting to how much that day meant to us. “That was the best medicine I had the whole week!” Cesar blurted to me on a Zoom call yesterday. I couldn’t agree more!

The Rest of the Story

Thankfully, Cesar, Elba, and Ray got better, and they all tested negative for Covid when it was time for us to get on an airplane and come home. In talking with Cesar yesterday, we are both still blown away by the number of salvations being reported among our friends in the jungle. All we can say is, “Wow! God is good!”

10:02 PRAYER

Please pray for our Kekchi friends as they follow up on these new believers. Also pray for guys like Luis and Juan Carlos who are starting new groups. Pray also for Alfredo and Rafael as they continue to live out their faith with fellow bull riders. Pray that they can get their visas to come to the United States this year. I have some friends I want them to meet who could help them as they start ministries for their fellow bull riders.

Pray too that Cesar, Elba, and Ray get back to 100% from their bout with the “cold.”

ENGAGE

Bill Burrows continues to expand and improve our “Be-the-Church” training. If you are interested in having us do that in your church, let us know.

INVEST

Thank you so much for your faithful prayers and support! Without you, this past trip would not have happened.

CLICK HERE FOR THE EASY WAY TO INVEST.

Keep us filled in on your blessings and concerns. We consider it a privilege to pray for you as you pray for us.

Love y’all!

Steve

PS…I won’t say how old she is, but the lady with me in the big chair had a birthday on this trip! And Ray Gurney did so on the day we flew home! Happy birthday y’all!

Thanks Ray for hiking up this hill! And for gutting it out this trip. Happy belated birthday!

New Year, New Projects, New Life in Jesus!

Good morning! Many of you have been wondering how we are all doing, so here’s the latest!

Health Report

In our last update we mentioned several health concerns—mostly related to my family members dealing with Covid-19 and Bill and Joyce Burrows having Covid in their household.

Thankfully, everyone is doing well in my family and Bill’s, and Bill and Joyce never came down with it. That allowed Bill to have his heart ablation surgery on schedule right before Christmas. He has recuperated very well from that and has started hiking again. In addition, the eye surgeries Bill had this past year have made a big difference in his eyesight. Before the surgeries, he had very blurry vision and could barely see at night. Now, he has improved sight and good night vision. This has allowed him to be able to drive at night again!

For Nola and me, our only issue was catching a pesky cold between Christmas and New Year’s day, but we are doing much better now. Cesar and Elba Gonzalez have been well in Guatemala and traveled last week to the jungle in preparation for our upcoming trip.

Two WEek Trip Planned for Guatemala

January 27 to February 10, Nola, Ray Gurney and I are scheduled to be in Guatemala. We plan to visit a few of our Christian Rancher groups and spend a little over a week in the jungle in an evangelistic emphasis. Last year, Ray and I were with Cesar and the Kekchi Baptist Association when they hatched the idea of doing a crusade February 1-5 of 2022. On the spot, we had committed to being with them and praying for them in their preparations.

Cesar has been working with this group of Kekchi pastors in Frey Bartolome de las Casas in preparations for this upcoming crusade.

This group of 80 churches have teamed up to do witnessing in the communities of all of their churches. Each church plans to send a few “missionaries” who will go to a sister church to participate in visiting friends and family who do not have a saving relationship with Jesus.

Our job is mainly to encourage and celebrate with them. Already we hear of many coming to faith in Jesus. So we hope to enjoy a time of harvest with these dear brothers and sisters. Please pray for them and for us as we strive to get there for those days.

Costa Rican Bull Rider Starts New Group

When we come back out of the jungle, Cesar has us scheduled to be with our newest Christian Rancher groups in Chiquimula. The leader of one of those groups is Alfredo, a bull rider from Costa Rica.

This is a picture of Alfredo (far right) and several of his rodeo friends who are starting a new group together.

Cesar sent me a video of Alfredo on a ride last week in Guatemala. After a year of practically no rodeos, these events are beginning to happen again. Shortly before the pandemic, Alfredo had been sharing of his faith in Jesus when given the microphone after a good ride. Now he wants to get other bull riders fired up about sharing their faith too.

Last week, while Cesar was with Alfredo, he called me on a video call to talk with them. Having performed well for several years, Alfredo talked about his thoughts of retiring from bull riding and starting a bull riding school where he can teach his skills and share his faith with other bull riders.

During the conversation, Alfredo mentioned that he has not been baptized since his conversion and asked if we would do the honor of baptizing him when we are together with him and his friends in a couple of weeks! I hope to send you a note when that happens. So stay tuned!

Medical trip news

Many of you have asked about our medical trip plans. We don’t have anything firmed up on that just yet. Please pray for continued wisdom in that department.

10:02 PRAYER

Please pray for this upcoming trip to Guatemala. I know it seems like a broken record, but pray that we stay well and Covid free before, during and after this trip. Pray that our Kekchi friends are a part of a great harvest of people coming to know Jesus. And pray for Alfredo and others starting Christian Rancher groups.

ENGAGE

Bill and I will be developing plans this week to do more “Be-the-Church” training. If you are interested in having us do that in your church, let us know. We hope to share some exciting news on that soon.

INVEST

Thank you so much for your giving this past year. Because of your generosity, we were able to bless others in need and do several new projects. May God richly bless you in 2022!

CLICK HERE FOR THE EASY WAY TO INVEST.

Thanks too for your prayers for our health. I know that many of you have had similar health challenges in your families, and we pray that you are well during these trying days.

As always, if we can pray for you, please send us a note.

Love y’all!

Steve

PS…As a card-carrying Papi, I just had to throw in a couple of grandkid pics!

After telling the Christmas story with a nativity set, Nola got the grandkids to thank God for Jesus’ birthday.

The mommas thought a pic of the cousins in matching pajamas would be really cute. After several attempts to get them still on the couch for a group photo, we realized that it was about like holding basketballs underwater! This is the only pic I got with all of them together before one of them threw up, another took his pants off, and the mammas gave up on their apparently impossible idea!

Guatemala Trip report, Covid Concerns, and the Loss of a few good Friends

Good morning. This update has been late in coming for sure. So let’s get to it.

Our Guatemala Trip Actually Happened!

First, the trip to Guatemala did happen November 8-18, after a delay for Cesar to recuperate a little longer from Covid-19. Thankfully, Cesar was healthy and we were too. Jim Kavalec, a retired physicians assistant from Burwell, Nebraska, went with me. During our time there, we scouted out various possibilities for a medical trip next year, and we made visits to key leaders of groups in several parts of the country. Overall, it was a great trip. Check out these pictures.

On this day in San Pedro Alvarado, we met with Manuel (white shirt) who has a pharmacy near the border of El Salvador.

Here we are with the staff that leads a Senior Citizen program in Sana Cruz Narranjo. Before the pandemic, the seniors gathered here. Now the staff takes meals each day to their homes.

Though the mayor of Santa Cruz Narranjo was not here, he wanted us to be greeted in his office. Here we are pictured with two of his administrative assistants. This particular mayor was elected to office right before the pandemic hit. On our last day in Guatemala, we met him in person with some more of his staff at a meeting Cesar arranged at his place in Amberes.

In Santa Cruz Narranjo, Jim discussed the possibilities of collaborating in a medical clinic there. During the visit, one of the officials showed what is in a Covid-19 kit that the city was making available to those infected with the virus.

We met with a group of men and women at the cattlemen’s association in Jalpatagua.

We had an impromptu meeting with leaders of the cattlemen’s association in Agua Blanca. Here we are outside their arena where in years past we have participated in their annual rodeo, drawing 3,000 people a night. This year marks the second year they have not been able to have their event.

We always eat well on these trips.

We gathered at a bonfire in Chiquimula, where our friend, Luis Cuellar, is starting a Christian Ranchers group. This particular night, about 20 gathered, including several professional bull riders. Unfortunately, I didn’t get good pics of them.

At the bonfire, Cesar had me share a story and then invite us all to “ride a bull” — to make a specific commitment to do something as a result of the Bible story. Here, I’m telling of a cowboy in Honduras who made a commitment not to kill anybody!

One Sunday morning Jim got a baptism by fire when he went with me on a hike to a church in the jungle.

It’s almost impossible to get an idea of the condition of the trail after a rain. Jim would like you to know that rubber-soled cowboy boots aren’t the best footwear for the hike!

After 2 hours, we arrived at the little church in Ochul Choch. Jim was spent!

Lorenzo (on the right), the pastor of this congregation, introduced me to some of his children as they were walking down to the church house. While this is the main congregation that Lorenzo pastors, he and his church have helped start 3 other churches, and while we were there, Lorenzo committed to help start a fourth one. Since coming home, I heard that last week Lorenzo and that fourth group had their first gathering.

During their worship service, the Ochul Choch congregation loves to sing.

At the end of the service, Lorenzo asked Jim to do a presentation of a head scarf for one of the ladies of the church. I’d not seen this done before! So, after a little explanation from Lorenzo, Jim did his job and we prayed a prayer of blessing for this dear lady.

On our last day in Guatemala, Cesar hosted a gathering of city leaders from Santa Cruz Narranjo and Santa Rosa de Lima.

Here, Cesar introduced Carlos Revolorio, the mayor of Santa Cruz Narranjo.

In our meeting with the city officials, each one shared a description of what they do. This team talked about one of their projects in developing more fertile crops and higher yields using organic methods that can be done on either a small or large scale.

This team helps women in Santa Cruz to come up with ways to make items to sell and supplement their family income.

At this meeting of leaders, Cesar wanted me to share about a failed water project in the town of Laodicea, the church that Jesus had a message for in Revelation 3 of the Bible. The gist of that story gets to the fact that at the end of Jesus’ message, he is knocking on the door of the church in Laodicea (a church that was rich, lukewarm, and self-sufficient) and wants to come in and be with them and eat with them. Similarly, Jesus knocks on our doors too, and we can open the door—or not. We can let Him in our lives to take over and we can let Him into our jobs at city hall (or wherever we work) to lead us with wisdom as well. Several shared of their desire to let Jesus take over their lives and lead them in their profession. Cesar will be following up with several of them in coming days.

Reed Family Covid Outbreak

As Jim and I were packing our bags to get ready to come back from our Guatemala trip, Nola called me and informed me that four of our family in Kansas City had tested positive for Covid-19.

After I landed back in Kansas City, we immediately delivered medications and started making our rounds. Soon the four became nine. For those who know my family, here is the list: Kenny Warren, my sister Lu Warren, Zac, Liz, Gail Bryan (Liz’s mom), Zeke, Lana, Andrew, and Bridgett. Kenny, Lu, and Lana have gotten pneumonia with it. Lu and Lana were hospitalized. Our grandkids have all had super mild cases. As of this writing, Lu is out of the hospital and Lana is still in. Thankfully, Nola and I have not gotten it, nor have my mom or dad.

Normally, Nola and I have traveled to Oklahoma at Thanksgiving, but this year, we stayed home to take care of the Kansas City family and to not be unintentional carriers.

Nola hands my sister, Lu Warren, a hot meal on Thanksgiving day. Her husband Kenny is standing behind her.

On Thanksgiving, Bobbi, one of our daughters-in-law, cooked for everyone, and Nola and I made the rounds delivering the turkey, dressing, and sides to our clan. Being the only Reed household without Covid, Nola and I have been the designated “gophers.” We believe that we are closer to the tail end of this, but we sure could use all the prayers we can get!

Bill Burrows Prayer Concerns

In the last update, I mentioned Bill’s cornea transplant surgery. He has done well on that, but he has had more issues with A-FIB and is scheduled for a heart ablation surgery on December 22nd. To complicate things a bit, his son, Jacob, and daughter-in-law, Melissa, who moved into Bill and Joyce’s home to relocate from Chicago to Kansas City, have tested positive for Covid.

So Covid has come to Bill and Joyce’s home as well. If Bill gets it, his surgery plans could be in jeopardy. So please be in prayer for their health and that Covid moves on from their family.

Loss of Friends

The past few weeks, we have lost several friends and ministry partners.

Sue Lindsay

On October 20th, we lost Sue Lindsay after a week of trying to recover from a stroke. Sue and her husband Peck have been long time friends of our family and this ministry. Peck has been a trusted advisor to us, and Sue was one of our greatest advocates. I remember in the early days of doing cowboy ministry, she recruited some of the first cowboys to go to Guatemala with me. Her daughter, Natalee Beck, a veterinarian, got recruited by Sue to go to Honduras several times with us. And her grandkids, Jacob and Emma Beck have been on trips as well. I can’t help but smile when I think of Sue. She loved to tease, and the last time we shared a meal with a group of pastors in Nebraska, she hid my plate!

Peck and Sue Lindsay at the Kansas/Nebraska Convention meeting just a few weeks before Sue’s passing

Frank Molano

Another friend we lost in the last few weeks is Frank Molano. Frank did rodeo ministry for years with high school students in the Denton County/North Fort Worth, Texas, region. Frank passed away a few days after having a tough fall. A couple years ago, Frank spent a month traveling with Cesar and me between Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Frank had such a heart to see people come to know Christ. And it was great that he spoke Spanish fluently and could hold groups spell-bound with his stories. There are many cowboy church pastors in Texas that came out of Frank’s rodeo ministry.

Here Frank is sharing his testimony with a group of bull riders at the University of Agriculture in La Ceiba, Honduras.

Michael Wright

The most recent friend to leave us is Michael Wright. Michael had been part of a group here in Kansas City that started meeting weekly at the home of Dick and Barb Cates a few years ago. Michael passed away in his sleep November 30th after less than a year of battling lung cancer.

Two years ago, we took a pic of our Sunday morning group to say “Hola” to Cesar and Elba Gonzalez in Guatemala. Michael is wearing the cowboy hat. From left to right are Michael’s wife, Linda, Barb Cates, Nola, and Dick Cates. Dick passed away in September of last year after battling Parkinson’s.

Each day we have is a gift. I am thankful for these friends and that one day in the not-so-distant future, we will be reunited in heavenly homecomings.

10:02 PRAYER

Please pray for health for all of us—especially those dealing with Covid-19. Also pray for wisdom for Cesar in helping all the new groups in Guatemala and the leaders of the communities mentioned above. Pray that they invite Jesus into their lives and their jobs of helping people during these difficult days. Pray for Jim and others to have wisdom in planning a medical trip next year.

ENGAGE

As we mentioned in the last update, 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. You are making these trips and outreaches possible.

CLICK HERE FOR THE EASY WAY TO INVEST.

Thanks for your prayers. If we can pray for you, please send us a note.

Love y’all!

Steve

Cesar and Elba show Jim one of their favorite dances. Continue to pray that they have energy and strength for these days.

"Be the Church" Presentations and Delayed Scout Trip to Guatemala

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

Summer Update And Prayer Requests

It’s hard to believe the summer is about done and kids are heading back to school! For us, the past few months have been challenging.

For starters, Bill and I took on the painting of several houses and have been juggling to get those done. We have a couple more to do this fall, but are looking forward to getting back to our normal routines.

Beyond that, we had to slow down in more recent weeks for health reasons. And for this, we ask for prayer.

Bill had a cornea transplant done on his right eye on July 14, and it hasn’t healed up as well as he had hoped. The doctor seemed pleased with his work, but Bill’s vision in that eye is not clearer than it was before the surgery. At some point, Bill will need to decide if he will do the other eye, which is his “good” eye. Please pray for Bill’s eyes.

On June 6th, the day after Bill’s 60th birthday, he got a nifty pair of glasses for a surprise birthday celebration!

On June 6th, the day after Bill’s 60th birthday, he got a nifty pair of glasses for a surprise birthday celebration!

AS for me, I caught a very rare (for me) cold last week from Nola. Both of us have limited our contact with the outside world in order to not pass it on. To be safe, we did get tested for Covid, and thankfully, that came back negative.

Speaking of Covid, Cesar Gonzalez and our friends in Guatemala are dealing with another round of friends and family getting the virus. Guatemala has been on red alert for the past several months. In Guatemala City neighborhood where Cesar used to live, 5 former neighbors and one member of their home church died of Covid.

And closer to their home in Amberes, there have been more friends getting it. Humberto Solares, one of our best friends and leader of two groups, got it last week along with his wife, two grown daughters and their husbands, and two granddaughters.

In a recent Zoom call with Cesar Gonzalez and Humberto Solares, Cesar asked how Humberto was getting along since getting the Covid-19 virus. “Soy muy agradecido,” he said. “I’m very grateful that I am getting better.” Humberto went on to say that he and all of his family weren’t 100%, but they all were getting better.

In a recent Zoom call with Cesar Gonzalez and Humberto Solares, Cesar asked how Humberto was getting along since getting the Covid-19 virus. “Soy muy agradecido,” he said. “I’m very grateful that I am getting better.” Humberto went on to say that he and all of his family weren’t 100%, but they all were getting better.

That might lead you to ask, “Weren’t Cesar and Elba planning on coming this summer to the U.S. to get vaccinated and visit us?”

Well the answer is “yes.” They were supposed to come, but at the last minute, Cesar and Elba were able to get vaccinated down there with the first dose of a Russian vaccine. So they decided to stay and not travel to the U.S. after that. Admittedly, they were nervous about traveling internationally with so many cases in Guatemala and having taken only one of the two doses. So, right now, they hope to get the second dose in September and then see if traveling makes sense later.

After Cesar got the first shot, I asked him, “Any reactions to that first dose?”

“No, Esteban” he said, “I didn’t feel bad at all. But for some reason I can’t explain, I have this strong desire to vote for Putin!”

Recap of Our Nebraska Trip in June

On a positive note, the trip Bill and Nola and I took to Nebraska in June went extremely well. Special thanks goes to Rex and Deb Kelley of Ord, Nebraska, for putting us up. Also we are grateful to our friends at Burwell Baptist and Ord Evangelical Free for having us speak at their services and meet with several groups from their churches.

Here are a random set of pictures highlighting some of what we got to experience.

At Burwell Baptist Church in Burwell, Nebraska, pastor Joel Wentworth and his son, Emmet, built this prop for Bill’s presentation last year on how to “Be the Church.” Joel customized the triangle for their church and uses it to point out the three vital conversations for a growing disciple.

At Burwell Baptist Church in Burwell, Nebraska, pastor Joel Wentworth and his son, Emmet, built this prop for Bill’s presentation last year on how to “Be the Church.” Joel customized the triangle for their church and uses it to point out the three vital conversations for a growing disciple.

On the town square of Ord, Nebraska, Doug Olson, pastor of Ord Evangelical Free Church, greets folks at the Farmers Market, with his daughter Anna. Not pictured is Doug’s wife Janna, who bakes home-made bread that sells out quickly on this first day of the season. Jana also is the community coordinator for The Golden Husk, the theater in the background, that is a gathering place for family friendly shows for the community.

On the town square of Ord, Nebraska, Doug Olson, pastor of Ord Evangelical Free Church, greets folks at the Farmers Market, with his daughter Anna. Not pictured is Doug’s wife Janna, who bakes home-made bread that sells out quickly on this first day of the season. Jana also is the community coordinator for The Golden Husk, the theater in the background, that is a gathering place for family friendly shows for the community.

Jana Olson, far right, gives us a tour of The Golden Husk Theater. One of her favorite events of the past year was a community Christmas play that presented the gospel and served to energize their own church.

Jana Olson, far right, gives us a tour of The Golden Husk Theater. One of her favorite events of the past year was a community Christmas play that presented the gospel and served to energize their own church.

As the sun begins to set, Dave Gideon and a friend from Burwell, Nebraska, assess their progress on getting hay out of the field. Dave and many others in Nebraska have been prayer partners and participants in multiple mission trips through the years.

As the sun begins to set, Dave Gideon and a friend from Burwell, Nebraska, assess their progress on getting hay out of the field. Dave and many others in Nebraska have been prayer partners and participants in multiple mission trips through the years.

During the trip, we enjoyed reconnecting with friends from previous mission trips and had some really encouraging conversations about future mission opportunities. As a result of those conversations, we have three teams that are planning to go to Guatemala this year.

One team is preparing to do a Guatemalan version of a rodeo Bible camp for kids in November. Another team is looking to do a medical trip in January, and the third team plans to go to the jungle in February for an evangelism blitz with a Kekchi Baptist Association of churches.

Please pray that Covid doesn’t keep us from going and that all we do will be in God’s timing.

Here’s a pic from Rodeo Bible Camp in Johnstown, Nebraska. A team is praying for and preparing to do a version of this in Guatemala in November. Please pray!

Here’s a pic from Rodeo Bible Camp in Johnstown, Nebraska. A team is praying for and preparing to do a version of this in Guatemala in November. Please pray!

Joel Wentworth shared with us that over 50 children prayed to receive Christ this year at the Johnstown Rodeo Bible Camp!

Joel Wentworth shared with us that over 50 children prayed to receive Christ this year at the Johnstown Rodeo Bible Camp!

Thank you for your continued faithfulness to this ministry. We know many of you are dealing with big challenges where you are. We pray that for every challenge you face, God opens up a huge opportunity for you to shine for Him.

10:02 PRAYER

Pray for our health and energy to do all God has called us to do. Pray for God to prepare the way for our teams to go to Guatemala this year. Also pray that God uses all of us—both here and there—to make disciples who love like Jesus and multiply like crazy!

ENGAGE

If you are interested in joining one of our mission teams this year, let us know.

INVEST

Thank you for your investment in this ministry. You have made a huge difference for us this year!

CLICK HERE FOR THE EASY WAY TO INVEST.

If we could pray for you in any way, send us a note.

Love y’all!

Steve

This is one of the houses we painted this summer in Lenexa, Kansas. I took this pic the day we finished. We are thankful that in each house we have painted, we have had opportunities to do our Play.Story.Eat. process with each other and pray for the families in each home.

This is one of the houses we painted this summer in Lenexa, Kansas. I took this pic the day we finished. We are thankful that in each house we have painted, we have had opportunities to do our Play.Story.Eat. process with each other and pray for the families in each home.