It is officially the wet season so, cloud cover and thunder storms are a daily occurrence. But once in a while you get a gap in the weather pattern, sometimes days long, other times just for a few hours. Meanwhile, inside the tall doors of the Mercy Wings International (MWI) hangar in Quetzaltenango, several days of meticulous, painstaking, work is just beginning. Like a finely choreographed Ballet, all is in place and ready. The …
May 2017- Save It For a Rainy Day
“Life on the mission field has its “focused” moments, like getting the Gospel out to the people, or ministering to the physical needs of those within your reach. Then there are those moments when the unexpected fights for all your attention.” -Chuck Martinez, Missionary to Guatemala. A few flights– The weather pattern as we move into wet season, it is less erratic and becoming easier to predict. Support flights were few during this month of seasonal transition, …
Adventures in April 2017
Holy Week in Central America. The streets are filled with precessions and displays that are both colorful and solemn at the same time. With great care, residents along the processional routes build-up brightly colored carpets. These carpets are not rolled out, but created, using colored wood shaving, flowers, and vegetables. Everyone enjoys making carpets in front of their houses with the help of family and visitors. There is no formal census defining religious affiliation in Guatemala, and it is estimated that …
Robins Revelations May 2017
Robins vision born two years ago, is to train young women in a useful skill. This is a group are students at Living Water Teaching Bible Institute, Quetzaltenango Guatemala. A finishing touch is what Robin likes to call these four month long training courses. Donated machines and materials are used to bring out and cultivate abilities that serve the individual but also minister to people and community. Costs for US domestic, then international shipping to Guatemala …
Forethought & Fumblings in Febuary 2017
Contrary to popular belief every hour of missionary flight is preceded by several hours of paperwork required by Federal Aviation Regulation and host country requirements. After the actual flight, there may be a need for some maintenance, that will always be followed by more paper. Using aircraft to serve the people of Guatemala sometimes requires attention be focused on support or facilities concerns. So, what goes on around the edges …
Many Blessings During March 2017
Robin and I were pleased to have our daughter Rachael and grand Lylah visit us in Guatemala for almost the entire month. At the same time, preparation were being made for LWT’s evangelistic medical campaign in Aldea Barrios, Olintepeque. Joining the U.S., team of 23 volunteers were special visitors from Shiloh Christian Center, Sierra Vista AZ, and Church of the Hills, Lometa TX. By the end of this Evangelistic Medical Campaign 2,450 people were treated for vision, dental, …
Back in the action
Early October came with a surprise, a kidney stone, and medical bills. Today, these are just a memory. Struck down, but not destroyed! In pilot talk, “I’m back in the left seat”. What could have remained an extremely heavy situation, very quickly turned into a manageable team effort. I am grateful for every prayer offered, every encouraging word extended, and every dollar hurriedly sent to get me (us) back in the game, on …
Wasn’t expecting that…..
Martinez Missionary Medical Update: At home after two days in the hospital. Had not been quite right the last week or so. A small but ever present pain in my lower left back and abdomen, was getting noticeable. Shocking pain woke me from sleep, followed by waves of nausea. After a few hours, it all subsided and I thought to myself……boy glad that’s over. The following day, exactly the same thing …
Celebrating Independence
The 15th of September in Guatemala is a special time across the country. It’s “independence day”, a celebration marking the end of near 300 years of Spanish colonial rule, way back in 1821. Across the country schools parade wearing the colors of their national flag. In the weeks leading up to the 15th, we hear schools practicing with drum, bugle, and xylophone. We have been in Guatemala for over 8 years, and enjoy the …
Proverbs 31:22
At the beginning of the semester Robin began training up LWT/BI students in the art and skill of using the sewing machine. The vision is to equip these young people with a skill that could sustain them in life and ministry. Donated machines, thread, scissors, and yards of material let the training begin. Twice a week these students meet and learn to craft various items. After just a few weeks, the machine is not as scary, and useful and fun …