September, 2009

VERBO Villa Lobos

2009 has been a very busy and challenging year for Sandy and I in the ministry.  We are learning to depend more on the Lord and less on our own ability to serve the poor and needy here in Guatemala.  You would think that after thirty years in ministry we would have it down pretty well by now but we still have a lot to learn.

Pastoring VERBO Villa Lobos is our major responsibility and where we are stretched the most.  Ninety percent of the church body are women which means that Sandy and I work closely together to cover their needs.  And as she is also in charge of praise and worship on Sundays that makes her a very busy lady.

Sandy leading praise and worship

In addition to my weekly involvment with the dental clinic at the REMAR rehab center and the dental care provided monthly at the Casa Bernabe orphanage I participated in four different dental/medical outreaches so far this year:

UCLA dental student team

UCLA Dental School, March 22-28, 2009

This was the fifth year that we hosted a CMDA (Christian Medical and Dental Association) student chapter team led by Dr. Mike Roberts.  We have been alternating each year between USC and UCLA with technical support provided by Eric Bustamante and his team from Help the Children.  The last three years our host church has been VERBO Villa Nueva, located in a needy area just south of Guatemala City.  The church body there hand the dental student teams have bonded well and we look forward to many more years of ministry together.

University of Florida dental student team

University of Florida School of Dentistry, March 29-April 4, 2009

The day after Dr. Roberts and his team of UCLA dental students flew out we welcomed in a dental team that was organized by the student chapter of the Christian Dental Society at the University of Florida at Gainesville.  There were several dentists on the team including our good friend, Dr. Chris Spencer who teaches at the dental school.  The VERBO church in Palin was the host for this team and did a great job organizing outreaches in three separate areas.  It was a good experience for both groups and hopefully the start of a long time ministry relationship.

Hendersonville, TN, Rotary team

Hendersonville, TN, Rotary Club, June 8-11, 2009

Dr. Bill Taylor first started ministering in Guatemala about 20 years ago when he was still single.  After several years of flying down annually on his own he got his local Rotary Club involved and they have rarely missed a year since.  Now, in addition to the dental care they have also been conducting medical clinics and eye exams with free glasses.  This year the outreach was held at Shalom Christian School on the northern outskirts of Guatemala City and almost 1500 pacients were attended to during four intense days ministry.  It is always a privilege to work with Bill and the Hendersonville Rotary Club who have demonstrated year after year their love for the poor and needy in Guatemala.

   In Jesus,

   Dr. Mike