March 2006

“Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out.” (Hebrews 10:23-24, Message)

Boy–o–Boy! Has God’s family been inventive in showing love and actively helping out this past month!

First, due to doctors’ appointments, Charles spent two weeks in Canada.
He had agreed to drive a teacher’s vehicle back from Seattle to
Guatemala. Charles’ Mom was going to accompanied him on that long trip to Central America. At the Mexican border some unforeseen issues arose due to incomplete paper work on the truck, Charles was not permitted to enter with the truck, and he and Mom were “stuck” in Southern California. They explored every possible venue to gain permission for passing through Mexico, including contacting the Mexican Consulate in San Bernardino. After three days of phoning and e-mailing various people in vain, it was decided for Charles and Mom to fly to Guatemala.
The question remained however, “What to do with the truck?” Fellow missionaries contacted their home church in San Diego and their pastor agreed to have the vehicle stored at his home. Not only that, but after the truck had been dropped off, members of the church brought Charles and Mom to the L. A. airport in time to catch a flight to Guatemala, via Mexico D.F. - During the three weeks in North America, family and friends demonstrated their hospitality by welcoming Charles and his mother.

Second, a work team from Ontario, Canada came to help with construction work at a feeding centre in one of the villages outside Guatemala City.
While sharing lunch with the team on their last day, various people, including leaders of the community, stood up to express thanks.
Susan, who together with her husband, heads up a medical and feeding ministry, thanked the team for helping. The team’s coming was a big encouragement to the missionaries.

Lorenzo, a 21 year old Mayan community leader, shared the following, “I have lived all my life in this village. My people and I feel abandoned by the Guatemalan government. When Susan and Bill purchased the land, built this feeding centre and showed us God loves us, I received Jesus as my Savior and Lord. There was a time when I asked, ‘God, where are you? I can’t see you!’ God answered, ‘I am in the people who come to your village to help.’ “

Another man said, “Though I am indigenous, I have lived all my life in the city. I didn’t have any idea of life in the villages. In my church I found out about the project here in Yalu and now I am working with this ministry.”

Even the team members expressed thanks for the privilege of serving.
“Before, we could vaguely imagine what it might be like in the villages, but now, that we have been here, we know and are able to share with folks back home.”

Third, Mom visiting us and participating in our daily activities at the school, in our neighborhood and villages, was an encouragement for our whole family.

Finally, we are encouraged by you, our ministry partners. Thank you for your prayer and financial support as well as your email notes. Paul’s words to Philemon (Phil. 1:4) are also ours’ to you, “Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, "Oh, thank you, God!”
Thus, together let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out!

Dios le bendiga,

Charles & Petra, Jonathan & James Wirrell

Willing and able to serve the Lord by nurturing Missionary Kids as well
as by serving the underserved in Guatemala.