In the aftermath of tropical storm Eta, the rural people in the northeastern regions of Guatemala begin to take stock of what is left of their lives and livelihoods. These are the fortunate ones. For others, land and mud slides have completely wiped away meager and fragile family dwellings. Their reality is grim. Just hours after the rains subsided, Christian relief organizations began to mobilize, preparing 30 lb. bags of …
Small Step or Giant Leap?
“If the Great Commission is true, our plans are not too big, they are too small.” –Pat Morley Rummaging through the filing cabinet of our missionary commitments, postings, outreaches and sacrifices, Pat Morley’s words could not be more fitting. At one time, it seemed as if our plans were too big, but looking back, we know see them as not big enough. We, Chuck and Robin Martinez (or C & …
Make the Time!
Here at SGSP Aviation Ministries, at our base in the western highlands of Guatemala, we wear a variety of hats daily. Wearing my aircraft mechanic hat, I may be facing a single task or several separate tasks. Actually doing the work is the easy part, it’s the preparation and the finalization phases that demands discipline and time. Reviewing a work order, gathering equipment, prepares you for the actual work. …
Some Days You Celebrate
Robin’s sewing classes have been going strong for many years, focusing on skill building, social connections, and Bible teachings. Her classes continue to be a popular and rewarding ministry. The Mayen women are from close-knit families and communities. Warmth in Latin American cultures is expressed by physical closeness, hugs, and kisses on the cheek—a traditional and almost mandatory greeting. All of this changed because of covid-19 and feelings of isolation …
Neighbors United Against…
SGSP Aviation Ministries, sharing another missionary moment from our home base in the Department of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. In the rural regions like our western highlands, people have little patience for crime. These banners appeared recently at the entrances to our municipality. In very direct terms the “neighbor’s” give fair warning. The banner loosely translated says this: We, the neighbors, are united against delinquency. If we grab you, you will find …
Who Are You Working for Anyway?
Many years ago, as a new missionary-pilot, I was also training to become an aircraft mechanic. On the mission field, I must be knowledgeable and well able to manage all the mechanical aspects of the aircraft, in addition to being the pilot. Back then, I was posted at Harvey Young (1H6), a small airstrip in Tulsa OK. While in training, there is always a level of supervision, a safety net …
Serving Creatively
When I was a young boy growing up in San Antonio TX, my family lived in a house with a large front yard covered with a dense, spongy carpet of St. Augustine grass, a gleaming white concrete walk made a lazy “S” from curb to front door. When the lawn was cut and edged it was the greatest thing to run around barefooted feeling the coolness of the deep grass …
Life on Pause
Like a scene out of the Twilight Zone, where for one science-fiction reason or another, hapless characters appear in a world that is seemingly on pause. In our city of Quetzaltenango (Xela Ju), there are areas that are near 500 years old. Some of these established routes started out as animal trail then developed into path, street, road, and finally into these concrete avenue’s. I can imagine that rarely if …
One Last Detail
“We Give Wings to Good Works” is the God-inspired mission and vision of SGSP Aviation. Good aviation comes from giving even the smallest detail adequate attention. Before I kick the tires and light the fires, prayer is always the first and final detail.
Silence is Golden
Chuck & Robin return-to-base (RTB) at Quetzaltenango (MGQZ), after SGSP’s last scheduled ministry support flight of 2019. If you have been following posts throughout the year, Robin has been mastering new tasks and duties like fueling, aircraft marshaling, hangar management, and flight planning. She also enjoys the headset/intercom system when we fly, because it gives her a direct and uninterrupted line to my ears. This enables Robin to chat with …