The Focus of Harvest Fair

I love Fall!! I miss Fall in the US, but I love it here. Even if I don't get to see the spectacular color show of the changing leaves, or feel the crisp autumn air, or wear my Packers sweatshirt while cooking up a batch of chili to enjoy during a Sunday afternoon game, Fall here gives me something even better: Harvest Fair! Each year at this time I am reminded of why I serve where and how I do. And, as I am usually caught up in the day-to-day dealings of ministering, I always need (and am thankful for) this special annual reminder.

We've just put on another successful Harvest Fair at Christian Academy of Guatemala. In the grand scheme or Fall festivals, it probably wouldn't win any awards. It isn't the biggest or best harvest fest I've ever attended. It doesn't have the best costumes or games or prizes I've ever seen. The food is pretty good, and the fellowship is comforting. But placed next to similar events back in the States, it's just another Fall festival. At CAG, Harvest Fair is an annual event organized by the school's student council and run by the secondary classes. It's always based around a theme (this year: Alice in Wonderland), and takes weeks of preparation, both in and out of school. And while all of this preparation is going on, I am generally worried, stressed, and frustrated. In the end, however, it always turns out just fine. So what's the big deal then? Well, for me, Harvest Fair always brings back the real "why" behind my ministry here: missionary kids.

During my time of being a missionary to the missionaries, I have encountered and endured challenges and ridicule, both from others and myself, in regard to the fact that perhaps what I'm doing is not a "real" ministry ... is not really "missions." But when I step back and look at an event like Harvest Fair, I KNOW that it is. Here's why: the children I am so blessed to teacher, mentor, love, and serve at CAG are here because their parents made a choice to leave behind the familiarity and comfort of home to come and serve others. While most of these kids would tell you that they are happy here, they would also tell you about missing friends and events (like a Fall festival) back home. They are here honoring their parents' Call, which may or may not be their own. They are sacrificing a "normal" childhood so that others may benefit from the service of their families here in Guatemala. And it is satisfying to be able to give back to them even something as simple as Harvest Fair.

In my Freshman class alone, I serve families from the following ministries:

University Bible Fellowship (pastoring)

World Vision Seminary (pastoral education)

Cathedral of Faith (church planting)

Advancing the Ministries of the Gospel (medical work, feeding and education centers)

My Father's House (missions hosting, building, medical work, pastoring)

Wycliff (audio and video ministries)

Zion Fellowship (pastoring and Bible studies)

When I consider the hundreds (and likely thousands) of lives touched by just these ministries, it brings my ministry of providing educational support (including helping to put on a Fall festival) to the children of these families into a greater perspective; and my focus is again made clear. I have been called to serve those who serve others. And that is worth recognizing, praising, and focusing on EVERY day of EACH season!! Happy Fall!!! :)

New Year, New Me, New US!

Has it really now been five months since my last update? Unfortunately, the blog doesn't lie and it has been. And seeing as Sam is four and a half months old now, that would make sense. And here's a recent pic to prove as much:

My sincerest apologies for my disappearance and great thanks for your continued love and support in spite of it!!!!

With the obvious exception of having added our dear little Sammy to the mix, Javier and I continue our ministries at Christian Academy of Guatemala in much the same way as last reported. I am back to school part time this year, but somehow find myself working with more kids and staff than ever before (does this mean I've somehow become more efficient in my mommy-hood???). While I did graduate a number of elementary students from the supplemental early literacy program last school year, a large influx of new students requiring English language support have come under my jurisdiction this year. In addition, I have a new staff member dedicated to working with literacy support for middle school students, which is a long-awaited answer to prayer. And as my dearly-loved Class of 2010

has made its way out into the world, I have eagerly taken on the role of Class Advisor for this year's freshmen (Class of 2014 for those of you playing our home game). This class is made up of the very first group of kids I worked with when starting at CAG three years ago! They were just entering middle school (sixth grade) back then; and now they're nearly grown! I feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity to reconnect with this special group of young people! Our first big event, Harvest Fair, is soon upon us, and we'll be starting plans for it this week!

Javier continues his support to the school computer lab, being a presence for any and all requests of teachers and students alike. His patience and love of everything technology related are such great gifts! As our church continues in its search for a new pastor, Javier, in his role as Elder, has been both running the contemporary service each week AND helping to lead worship. He loves being able to serve UCG in both these ways. I continue to sing on the Praise Team, when time (and Sam!) allow. And although we have had to let go of our beloved Messiah performance this year, we are hopeful to be able to participate in the church's Christmas cantata (...for which the rehearsals begin this week!!).

When I think over all that has transpired in these last few "lost" months, I feel supremely blessed. I praise God every day for fulfilling His promise of our beautiful son, Samuel Peter; and Javier and I are both, in turn, eternally committed to showing Samuel how to love God by serving others. We are overjoyed at being able to do so through our continued work here in Guatemala.

If you or someone you know is interested in helping support our work here in Guatemala, you can do so through our mission, Commission to Every Nation. Through their website, you can make a one-time donation or a monthly commitment to helping us serve others. All donations are tax deductible and greatly appreciated by both ourselves and those you help us to serve. If you have specific questions about our ministries or just our lives here, please do not hesitate to contact us here or through email at: slynnll@gmail.com

End of the Term Prayers

Is it possible it's been four months since my last update?!!? It seems to be. For that, I apologize. Here are some ministry highlights...

Javier has taken on his role as elder at Union Church with gusto. He has been helping lead different services, serving communion, as well as providing spiritual support to the widowed. His human resources programming for the government project continues to move ahead despite a few roadblocks, and so do his university-level software/programming seminars. I am always amazed at how many different groups of people he is able to serve with such a wide variety of skills and talents.

My literacy program, as always, has been my priority the second half of this school year. In preparation for my maternity leave, I have recently performed an end-of-term early literacy inventory with kids in grades K-2 and am so pleased with the results! God has been good in leading me to provide for the needs of these kids. I have/will be "graduating" six of my primary students from the program this year (a third of all the kids in the program!!). And the entire first grade has met all required benchmarks for the year!! In witnessing such results, I am affirmed that God is the true force behind my work.

My middle school Destination ImagiNation team did a great job at their recent national competition. It being their first trip to the tournament, I was proud not only of their great teamwork and attitude, but even more impressed with the wonderful witness for Christ that they provided the whole day long. I do not doubt that their presence touched hearts and minds that day. Their problem solving skills placed them in third place in the competition, but their love and dedication placed them first in my heart!

Prayers of Thanksgiving for both of these groups of amazing kids!!

And, alas, my seniors are full of senioritis and "ready" to move on, regardless of the support I (and their other sponsors) try to lend. Most are trying their best to finish strong, but all are understandably both tired and anxious. Please be in prayer for them as they reach this milestone of life.

And now Javier and I are home. The baby's room is ready. We have all the supplies we think we might need. And I've finally reached "term." So now we just wait for God to give the signal that the time has come. Having just been to the doctor yesterday, she reports that both the baby and I are healthy and almost ready for the delivery. The baby has dropped, but is, as they say, "sunny side up," meaning that it is facing out instead of back. In addition, the umbilical cord is presently in a bit of a precarious position. Both of these conditions are not currently a problem, but need to change before delivery day in order for us to go ahead with a natural birth. Please be in prayer with us that God will, in his perfect timing, correct both of these situations.

And one final prayer request...that both Javier and I will be able to build and sustain a new and successful ministry to the one who will be our first true disciple. We will let you know when s/he arrives!!

If you or someone you know is interested in helping support our work here in Guatemala, you can do so through our mission, Commission to Every Nation. Through their website, you can make a one-time donation or a monthly commitment to helping us serve others. All donations are tax deductible and greatly appreciated by both ourselves and those you help us to serve. If you have specific questions about our ministries or just our lives here, please do not hesitate to contact us here or through email at: slynnll@gmail.com

New Year, New Endeavors

Apologies for a much-delayed update. I'm not even sure where the time has gone. Javier and I enjoyed a restful Christmas vacation and have begun preparing our tiny home to house one more...meaning rooms have been switched around, closets cleaned out, and many bags and boxes of whatnots have made their way to the church rummage sale. We now have most things settled and are on to trying to find the right infant items to fit the space we have.

The doctor says all is well now in my 24th week and so I'm trying to commit more hours to being back at school these days. With the help of Karina, my assistant, I have been able to complete all the mid-year literacy assessments in grades K-5 and have made adjustments to our schedules so that all kids who require literacy intervention are able to receive such. At this point, we are providing individualized services for seventeen elementary students.

My workload at the middle school has changed as I have now graduated all of my English Enrichment students. I miss meeting with them each day, but am proud to see them able to move on, knowing they have worked hard to do so. Preparation for our Destination ImagiNation competition continues as my team of all middle school boys attempts to build their structure and create their presentation by mid-April. I am hopeful that I will still be able to attend their performance with them.

Next on the agenda for the Senior Class (as much as they would like to believe it to be graduation!) is the annual CAG Fun Run, which will be held January 30 and managed completely by the seniors. It is a community service outreach and we are hopeful for a good turnout this year! Two weeks after that we'll be off to the rural town of Cubulco to serve at Centro Medico Cristiano Senorita Elena during another CAG annual event...Servant Days. During Servant Days, each class, from Kinder to 12th, chooses a service project to take part in. Elementary students serve a need on campus; middle school students serve a need in a local community for a day; and high school students spend a three-day period moving out to serve needs in various locations across Guatemala.

Javier continues to volunteer in the computer lab at school. In addition to this and his online work, he also finds himself increasingly busy presenting innovative ideas to heads of the Guatemalan government regarding the use of Open Source software to run their social programs. He is determined to help build strength and security in his country by using his special skills in the area of technology. While it often makes me nervous to know he's rubbing shoulders (again) with the people of the country who have the power to do both good and evil, I know he is doing so with a true desire to make his home country a better place. And I trust that it is God who is allowing him to try to do so from this unique angle. He is also excited to have been asked to join the Elder Board at Union Church of Guatemala! His voting in will take place next week. As if that weren't enough, Javier has also started learning Korean so that he may be better able to communicate with and serve the large Korean population here, of both missionaries and businessmen.

As always, we are only able to stay on here and take on these endeavors through the grace of God and your support. If you or someone you know is interested in helping support our work here in Guatemala, you can do so through our mission, Commission to Every Nation. Through their website, you can make a one-time donation or a monthly commitment to helping us serve others. All donations are tax deductible and greatly appreciated by both ourselves and those you help us to serve. If you have specific questions about our ministries or just our lives here, please do not hesitate to contact us here or through email at: slynnll@gmail.com

With Thanks, Love and Blessings-

Sherry