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September 2006

Greetings from Guatemala

We want to thank all that have prayed for Cathy’s mom. God has been very gracious to protect her while living alone for several years but it became even harder because of declining health. Cathy needed to spend some time with her through several medical crises and in July we were able to relocate her to a nursing home near our son, Andy and our home church. She is now in a safer place with medical care and where someone from First Bible holds services every Monday that she is able to attend. God is Good.

On our return to Guatemala, we were able to bring back new and good used musical instruments for the ministry. A Gothic Harp was graciously donated along with three keyboards, a banjo, and five guitars. We were also able to purchase parts for repairing instruments along with four violins through a music store that was going out of business. The owner took off another 75% of his already marked down price. Of course, we still had to pay around $1200 to get everything here and through customs but it would have been more than five times that trying to buy everything here. (Not counting the fact you don’t find, harps or banjos in Guatemala)

Our newest member to our outreach musical group (Carlitos), is already playing the banjo. A musician (Rebeka) who played with the National Symphony has joined our church and adds her cello to the group as well as Mario with his flute and other wind instruments. Rebeka works throughout Guatemala in the small towns showing the people how to have safe wood burning stoves that uses less wood and without the harmful smoke in the house. The people gather together around the house after the renovation for a time of prayer. Rebeka has the contacts that will allow us to outreach into those towns.

There are also new students in the Music School of Discipleship (Jessica and Susy). One of the advanced students (Esteban) will be soon playing piano in the church where his father is pastor.

The Ladies Discipleship class is going strong. Personal Evangelism is the topic for September with trips planned to the plazas to apply what is learned.

We have had several young Guatemalan preacher men preach on Sunday Mornings and hope to soon help one of them in starting a new work.

We just had a musicians retreat with our outreach group to focus on why we do what we do as we prepare for an upcoming youth retreat and a possible trip to Honduras. On November 4-5 we will have a weekend of evangelism and concerts in a place called Masagua, Esquintla. We’ll have services in a church there as well as the central park.

An emergency has been declared across Guatemala as public hospitals close their doors to the sick because of insufficient funds. Manual pumps are used to provide oxygen to patients. Families provide the medicine and even surgical pins for broken bones of their loved ones. Monitors and equipment for anesthesia is needed in operating rooms as patients wait with crushed feet and broken bones.

As the call goes out for more money to meet the medical need, I am again reminded that it is through your support and prayers that we are able to provide the Word of God to the people here. (He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. Psalm 146:3) (That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Psalm 67:2)

Thank you and may  God bless you for your faithfulness to Him,
Don and Cathy Hinds