Overlapping the months of November and December come the initial preparations for Operation Shoebox. Two containers of finished and filled gift shoeboxes are transported to Guatemala weeks in advance. Unloading, warehousing, and separating into 12 age/gender specific stages is accomplished before the 39 volunteers from across the U.S. arrives. But once the team is on the ground and in place……….Operation Shoebox really takes off! Its all hands on deck- missionaries, …
Martinez Mail November 2017
Advanced education is not guaranteed in Guatemala. For most of these Bible students financial sacrifice by family, community or village, and church provide room, board, and materials as they pursue their ministerial goals. Here in Guatemala many activities overlap as the year spools down. Of special note is the graduation of the Living Water Teaching (Ensenanza) de Agua Viva) Bible Institute. Each year Bible scholars who have completed courses and …
Martinez Mail Sep-Oct 2017 pt.2- Coming to America
As we left our missionaries Chuck & Robin Martinez from pt.1, they has just put the pedal-to-the-metal aimed for Rowlett TX and a brief visit with family. We began to accomplish tasks that can only be done while in the states, medical checkups, banking, purchases of everything we may need in Guatemala for the next 11 months. Oddly enough, we never seem to empty a suitcase, even though most of …
Martinez Mail Sept-Oct 2017 pt.1- The Departure
Even as prepared as one can be, there are circumstances that can never be anticipated. Such was the case as Robin and I made our plans for 30 days in the US. Our carefully constructed plans included keeping up with our normal ministry outreach’s in Guatemala while adjusting the focus of one eye, towards Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Mid September is the culmination of weeks of celebrating “Independence” across the …
Martinez Mail July & August 2017
Rain or shine, school children across the western highlands of Guatemala are treated to evangelistic outreach and one-on-one ministry. Living Water Teaching Summer Campaigns are in full swing. Three months, three youth teams. The fiery teams arrive overflowing with the zeal and enthusiasm only teens on a mission can. For these school aged children its a welcome break from the ordinary day at school. Today, a group of high energy, …
Martinez Mail June 2017 part 2
Most days in “the city“, Guatemala City that is, can be an adventure. Driving in the heavy traffic, on narrow streets, and trying to identify poorly marked intersections, is just another day on the mission field in Central America. On this day we are hunting down the most favorable prices on needed equipment. Generous support has made it possible to purchase sewing machines in country, facilitating additional outreaches. Robin gearing …
Martinez Mail June 2017- part 1
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 …