December, 2003

With Thanksgiving...  For the POWER of GOD to change lives!

Our local church, along with many other churches here in Guatemala, are having "Encuentros" (Encounters) to evangelize and minister to the needs of the people that the Lord places within our sphere of influence.&nbs; These are not just retreats where people listen to good bible teaching and enjoy food and fellowship.  Although there is plenty of that, the emphasis is on a personal evaluation of one's spiritual condition with the opportunity to be transparent and honest with God about the areas of one's life that are not in alignment with His Word and His plan for one's life.

Since July we have held two of these weekend "Encuentros" for women and one for men.  The first one for women was so successful that there was a waiting list to handle all the women that wanted to attend the second one.  The testimonies of changed lives is powerful!  People are tired of living mediocre Christian lives and want to experience in its fullness the abundant life that God's Word promises us.

One of the important aspects of these "Encuentros" is that everyone learns that repentance is not just being sorry for sinful behavior and determining not to sin again, but that it is a change of attitude toward sin.  Romans 12:2 refers to it as a renewing of our mind:

It is not enough to agree with God that our behavior is wrong, rather we must allow Him to show us the "fortresses" (1 Cor. 10:3-5) that have established themselves in our minds and are keeping us in bondage to sin.  When that "encounter" occurs between our wrong thinking (lies, lack of forgiveness, resentment, etc.) and God's truth (Jesus), our minds can experience renewal which will then allow for change in sinful behavior.  Abstinence is not victory over sin.  We are truly free from sin when we no longer desire to sin and that only occurs when our minds are renewed.

That is what we are seeing in the "encuentros," people being set free from sin to experience the abundant life that Jesus offers us all.  And as people are set free from sin they are finally able to commit to the process of discipleship.  People that are wounded and in bondage to sin don't get very far as disciples of Jesus, but when they experience forgiveness and healing, the Christian walk becomes a joy and not a burden.

With Thanksgiving...  for family times!

Our daughters, Melissa and Laura, will be spending Christmas with us here in Guatemala.  They both identify very much with the Guatemalan culture and look forward to any opportunity to return and see their friends, enjoy Guatemalan food, visit favorite places, spend family time together, etc.  Melissa continues to work in the computer department at Azusa Pacific University and is in charge of the MK Club (Missionary Kids).  Laura is completing her junior year in psychology at Azusa and is thinking of doing her Senior Project at Casa Bernabe, the orphanage that VERBO began over 20 years ago on the outskirts of Guatemala City.  I am on the board of directors there and also responsible for overseeing the dental care of the 135 children/young people and 45 staff.  It will obviously be very special to have her directly involved in one of our ministry projects.

Andrew and his family won't be able to make it this year as they are expecting their second child.  Kimmyn is about 4 months along and doing fine with her pregnancy, while Jordyn (4 yrs.) is eagerly anticipating having a brother or sister to play with.  Lord willing, Sandy will be able to fly to California in May for the birth.

With Thanksgiving...  for our faithful supporters!

At the end of each year we are humbled to see once again how faithful God has been in providing for our ministry and personal needs through faithful friends.  Thank you for partnering with us in sharing Christ's love here in Guatemala.  The confidence you place in us is an encouragement for us to continue to step forward in faith, following the Author and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus Christ, as we run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1-2).

In the precious name of Jesus,

The Kadera family