Serving Those Who Serve

As I began to reflect on the past month, the above phrase came to mind which describes the ministry I was honored to be asked to be part of. From serving pastors wives at the National Assemblies of God conference, traveling with the missions ministry from my church and serving the pastors of Section Pinula and their families, it was a whirlwind of activity from one side of Guatemala to the other but God was faithful and many lives were blessed.

Every two years, the Assemblies of God invites the wives of all the pastors in Guatemala to a three day conference at the Tabernacle in Villa Nueva. Each time, the number of women increases and this year, nearly 1,000 were in attendance. On the first day of the conference, I served in the medical where general physicians, gynecologists and pediatricians provided free medical consultations and exams. Medications and eyeglasses were also available. Days 2 and 3 found me in assisting in the kitchen - preparing and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, washing dishes between meal times and repeating for the next one. Although exhausted at the end of the conference, to hear the words of gratitude was worth it.

 
            

                    

                                     

Vida A Huehuetenango

Just five short days after, the women's conference, I boarded a bus with 35 other individuals from Iglesia Vida for Buenos Aires (no, we did not make a wrong turn to Argentina)! We were approximately 30-45 minutes from the Mexico border) in the department of Huehuetenango - a 6-7 hour bus ride from Guatemala City. The pastor in Buenos Aires also has two outreaches in El Naranjal and El Mirador. Each of these villages are heavily Catholic and indigenous (Maya Mam) with no evangelical church in either village. The pastor from Buenos Aires needs to walk approximately one hour each way to reach these villages. At the end of the week, we were able to bless him with a motorcycle. Each day, we hosted children's programs including piñatas!, ministered to the women, distributed clothing, shoes and toys and concluded each day with a service. Many made a decision for Christ or reconciled. Here's a few photos - way too many to include them all!

 

Section Pinula Family Retreat

I was honored to be invited by Section Presbyter Eliu Morales to accompany the section pastors and their families to the first ever family retreat at the Valle Dorado resort in Zacapa and have a small program for the children. Grateful the resort had a water park as it was as hot as one would imagine a city located in the "Corredor Seco" (Dry Corridor) would be. The retreat was a rare event as the pastors usually do not often have an opportunity to relax with their families

  

Year End Giving

As 2015 comes to a close, I have a couple of one-time expenses coming up in the new year. Please prayerfully giving to one or more of these needs:

- $535 to complete the residency process

-$375 to move me in to my new home closer to where I will be ministering most

- $1500 to pay the balance of my vehicle

      Checks may be mailed to:                                        For Electronic Contributions:

      Y.E.S. Ministries                                                    Please Visit www.yeservants.org   

      P.O.Box 700697                                                     and click on the Donation link.

     St. Cloud, FL 34770-0697

                                             

All Contributions Are Tax-Deductible.

Trusting God - One Month At A Time

Transitioning from many years of being self-supporting to fully trusting God to provide has definitely stretched my faith as I learn to completely rely on Him and resist trying to make it on my own. I have been so blessed in so many ways over the months I have been in Guatemala especially with a church where I feel at home, where I am genuinely cared for and where I am ministered to and have found a place to serve.

I have been blessed with new monthly supporters and am grateful for those who have supported me financially from the beginning, however with some changes in my support base, I am in need of consistent monthly support. Each month, God graciously provides exactly what I need to live in the country He has called me to and the country I love. My monthly budget has turned out to be $1000 (a lower amount than originally estimated!) which includes all my living expenses, allows me to set aside money for ministry and additional expenses and is the amount of income needed each month to move forward in establishing permanent residency.

If you have supported me financially in the past, will you prayerfully consider renewing your support? If you have prayed or thought about supporting me but not yet made a commitment, would you consider giving as God leads? No amount is too small and every amount is gratefully appreciated.

One of my biggest (but temporary!) expenses that I would like to take care of is paying off my vehicle. I need approximately $2000 to completely pay the balance and free those funds for ministry.

Prayer Needs:

1) continued wisdom and protection in ministry
2)monthly support
3)funds to completely pay for my vehicle (it works as much in my ministry as I do!)
4) funds to set aside for ministry expenses
5) for the nation of Guatemala. These are exciting times of necessary change (politically speaking)
    especially with the upcoming presidential election.


To send financial support, please visit the Yielded Evangelical Servants website at www.yeservant.org.

Checks may be mailed to    
Yielded Evangelical Servants
P.O. Box 700697
St. Cloud, FL 34770

Electronic contributions may be set up through the Y.E.S. website using direct withdrawal from your bank account (preferred) or PayPal (although I am charged an extra 2.5%).


Thank you for partnering with me in ministry.
Heather

Six Churches, Five Days, One Memorable Experience

A couple of months ago, I was provided with the opportunity to organize from start to finish a medical clinic in Villa Nueva and San Miguel Petapa. These two cities are part of Section Petapa - a region which includes 24 Assemblies of God churches. Several details needed to be finalized, including finding a doctor willing to spend a week attending patients for whom seeing a doctor is a rare occurrence. Many thanks to Dr. Lisa Utsey for generously giving her time and funds toward the purchase of medicines. The next step was selecting the churches where the need was the greatest. This was not an easy task. How do you choose when the need is so great and your time is limited? Presbyter Marcelino Martinez and Pastor Marvin Martinez were invaluable in selecting the churches and pastors who would be hosting us. Two weeks prior to the clinic, Presbyter Martinez graciously invited me to the section meeting, providing the opportunity for the pastors to meet me and for me to give a short message of encouragement. Each church who opened their doors went far above what I expected in welcoming and caring for us. Between 35 - 40 children were able to see the doctor each day. Special thanks to Dr. Carlos Sosa who was invaluable in purchasing medicines at a lower cost.

Samaria Church - Pastor Maroqueo Guzman

Villa Nueva 

  Jeshua Church - Pastor Romeo Ruiz

Escuelitas, San Miguel Petapa

Assemblies of God Rosa de Saron  -   Pastor Arnufo Beteta

San Miguel Petapa

                             

 Mahanaim Church - Pastor Alvaro Lutin

               Colonia Luisa Alejandra II San Miguel Petapa              

Fuente de Salvación Church - Pastor Marcelino Martinez

 Colonia Marianitas, Villa Nueva

 Aposento Alto Church - Pastor Abimael Marroquin

Aldea Martires del Pueblo, Villa Nueva

Dr. Lisa and Some of Her Patients

   

 OK - so finding at least one child in each church didn't take long :)

Six churches were ministered to this time and I can't wait for the next opportunity. I enjoyed spending time with each pastoral family, learning about each church and the challenges of ministering in areas where drugs and gangs are prevalent. In every church, ministry to children and youth are thriving as the pastors are reaching them before the gangs do. 

  

To everyone who contributed to the purchase of medicines, thank you. If you would like to donate funds for vitamins, medicines and supplies for the next medical clinic or if you are a medical professional or know of someone who would be interested in participating, please let me know. 

Praises:

• For each child and family who was cared for during the clinic
• For each pastor and family who graciously and generously cared for us each day 

Prayer Needs:

• For the churches and pastors in Section Petapa as they minister to their congregations and communities. 
• Wisdom as I prayerfully consider coordinating future medical clinics in Section Petapa

A Week of Medical Clinics

During the week of August 2 - 9, I was honored to join an international team from Christians in Action and Asian Relief Medical Services for four days of medical and dental clinics in three villages throughout Guatemala. Doctors, dentists, nurses and believers from Japan, Australia, the Philippines, Colombia and the United States joined with missionaries, doctors and students from Guatemala to share the Gospel, minister through prayer and provide medical care.

Our first clinics were held in Jocotillo, Villa Canales approximately an hour's drive from Guatemala City. The Gospel message was presented, real physical needs were met, spiritual needs were met through prayer and healings were reported.

Prayer Before the Clinic

                      

Registering to See the Doctors

After a much needed day of rest, the team was headed for a change of location, language and culture in the department of Quiche and the villages of Sacpulup and Pajuliboy, spending one day in each location. Meeting in schools each day, the numbers of people waiting for our arrival were overwhelming. 

Amadeo, (L) one of our drivers for the week
Area Presbyter (C) and his son (R)

Just a Little Bit Curious

Cutest Patient Ever!

Learned Some Quiche From These Two

Patients Waiting in Pajuliboy

 

During these four days, over 1400 Guatemalans had the opportunity to see a doctor and receive medicines and vitamins, the Gospel message was presented, prayers were offered to each one that came so that the name of Jesus would be glorified and He would be seen as the Great Physician and Healer, not the doctors who gave the medicine. 900 made decisions for Christ during these days of ministry and were connected with an evangelical pastor in their village.

Partnering with this two ministries was a first for me and I had no idea what to expect. Planning to serve simply as a translator, I soon had a line of patients as well. I learned a lot about setting up and operating a medical clinic just by observing how these ministries operated these clinics. I'm grateful for this experience since one of my ministry plans is to organize and host medical clinics. Another opportunity for ministry has opened up as a result of these clinics to again partner with these ministries to survey potential sites for clinics in Panama next year.

Called To Serve - Trusting God's Timing

CALLED TO SERVE

Heather Pappa – Missionary in Guatemala

July 2015 - Trusting God's Timing

This past month has had me on a whirlwind of emotions - highs, lows, fun times with family, sadness at an unexpected loss, spending a few days across the border in Mexico and excitement at new ministry opportunities.

Family Time     

June saw the arrival of my sister and her family from North Carolina. They were able to spend three weeks here in Guatemala. We celebrated a birthday.(Jessari turned 17) and the 4th of July.  Time with family never lasts long enough and saying good-bye at the airport was difficult

 but I'm already looking ahead  to next year's visit.

                                                                         

Merari, Jessica, Jessari, Helen and Lilly Alvir

Mom and Dad and Me

An Unexpected Farewell

July 4th was definitely different this year. A traditional

U.S.celebration had been planned until being awakened 

with the sad news that a member of the church
 family had died in a tragic accident.

 Sandra and I had served briefly together in the

Wednesday night children's ministry although in                       different age groups. Grateful to have known you 
however briefly. You are missed Sandra.

Experiences in Mexico

What do you do when you need to renew your visa and must leave Guatemala for at least 72 hours? This time, it was Tapachula, Mexico just an hour over the Guatemala border. Despite the heat and humidity and getting caught in the rain (but only once !), the food was good, it was nice exploring the city and making some comparisons to Guatemala (Tapachula is definitely more pedestrian friendly), it was good to come home back to a more comfortable climate. Belize in six months, anyone?

Downtown Tapachula
Municipal Building

Catholic Church in Tapachula

Tacos al Pastor From a
Family Owned Restaurant
Operating for 40 Years!

 
      

                                                       
                       
                                          

                

What's Next

God definitely had different plans than I did for an uneventful August.  The only ministry I had scheduled was a medical clinic at the end of the month. Well, within the last week, I am now going to be slightly busier! From August 4 - 8, I'll be joining a medical clinic hosted by Christians in Action Guatemala, then from August 11 - 16, meeting up with a Charlie's Lunch team to minister in the feeding centers here in Guatemala. After a week of rest, the medical clinic in Section Petapa begins on August 24. Approximately 200 patients are expected to be seen by the doctor, in addition ministry to their families.

                                                        

How You Can Join the Mission

·         Approximately $1500 is needed to purchase supplies for the Section Pinula medical clinic. If you are interested in helping provide funds, electronic contributions can be made through my account with Yielded Evangelical Servants through July 28.

·         If you would like to financially partner with me to join the Charlie's Lunch team, donations can be made through their website - www.charlieslunch.com.

·         Be a prayer partner

·         Monthly support

Checks may be mailed to:                                                    

Y.E.S. Ministries                                                                   

P.O.Box 700697                                                                  

St. Cloud, FL 34770-0697                                                   

For Electronic Contributions:
Please Visit www.yeservants.org
and click on the Donation link.

All Contributions Are Tax-Deductible.

CALLED TO SERVE Heather Pappa – Missionary in Guatemala

Matthew 20:26 & 28 - “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,

even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.”

The Mission

I am so blessed to be serving the Lord in Guatemala. God has laid on my heart to serve Him and the people of Guatemala in a myriad of ways. He has been so gracious in providing opportunities for ministry. My vision for ministry has always been multi-faceted – serving alongside Charlie's Lunch – a feeding ministry through local churches, teaching English and serving in Iglesia Vida (my home church) here in Guatemala. A long term goal is to develop a discipleship program for pastors in remote areas for whom Bible Institute training is not practical due to distance and financial challenges.

Trusting God to Lead and Open Doors

Often, God works on His own timeline and schedule despite our plans and desires. My plans were to immediately begin serving alongside Charlie's Lunch ministry of feeding hungry children physically and spiritually shortly after my arrival. Not without some disappointment, God's plan turned out to be different than mine. Over the past couple of months, I've been privileged to have conversations with and serve alongside experienced children's pastors, Marvin and Saraí Martinez. Their knowledge and expertise has been invaluable in preparing me to serve the children of Guatemala through being in a setting to understand their culture in an everyday environment.

UPDATE: I've been in contact with Leopoldo Valdez, the Charlie's Lunch regional director for Guatemala and El Salvador, and will be meeting with him and Charlie's Lunch founder Sam Stewart later this month!

Children's Pastors

Marvin and Saraí Martinez

English 101

Many Guatemalans want to learn English and several opportunities have opened up for me. My first students started classes 3 weeks ago with 4 – 5 additional students wanting to schedule classes. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to use this as a method to share the Gospel message.

My First English Students

(well, not the dog!)

By Praying:

• For Christ to be clearly seen through my life.
• For my personal spiritual development
• For opportunities to develop relationships among the Guatemalan people
• For wisdom as I pursue opportunities for ministry
• For the medical clinic in Villa Nueva August 24 - 28
• For financial support

By Investing:

Thank you for supporting me and the ministry.

Checks may be mailed to:                                                     For Electronic Contributions:

Y.E.S. Ministries                                                                    Please Visit www.yeservants.org

P.O.Box 700697                                                                    and click on the Donation link.

St. Cloud, FL 34770-0697

All Contributions Are Tax-Deductible.

The First Two Months

What an amazing two months it has been! On January 22, I packed up and moved from Celebration, FL to Guatemala, a country which God has kept on my heart since my first short term trip in 1988. After a season of preparation and prayer, I was home and the fun of settling in began. Establishing a bank account and and locating a place to rent were a high priority. God provided and within 30 days, I had a bank account and signed a contract on a house!



 Arrival in Guatemala City                                    Welcome to Guatemala from Pastor Eliu and Becky
                                                                             

 An impromtu ministry opportunity came up when a couple of pastors from the Ixil Triangle requested sound systems and and a loudspeaker so the areas around the churches would be able to hear the gospel being proclaimed. The Ixil Triangle is located in the department of Quiche – approximately a 6 hour drive from Guatemala City. In addition to delivering the sound systems, services were held and evangelistic movies were shown in a total of 8 villages over the course of 6 days! The first 4 days, Pastor Miguel opened his home in Salquil Grande and spending time with his family was a joy! After 4 days in the area surrounding Salquil Grande, it was off to Villa Hortensia, Quisis and Chisis. After spending the night in Quisis, it was time to return to Guatemala City. During my time in the Ixil Triangle, a women's group from Illinois was hosting a medical clinicin Nebaj. The first day of the clinic was specifically to minister to the area pastors and their families. So on the way down from Salquil Grande, I had the privilege to give transportation to Pastor Miguel and his family. Upon arriving at the school where the clinic was held, I learned one of the translators/nurses was delayed due to the Fuego volcano just outside Guatemala City erupting which had closed the airport. I was able to join the translators from Iglesia Vida (my home church in Villa Nueva) to serve in the medical clinic.

Images from the Ixil Triangle

Ixil Maya Woman Weaving on a Backstrap Loom

Worship Service in the Ixil Triangle

Pastor Miguel and family in Salquil Grande

Church in Quisis

February 19 was a special day as I returned to the village of El Tablon for the first time in 20 years. El Tablon will always have a special place in my heart as my first official construction project as a full-time missionary. The wood church building stood for nearly 18 years and until being replaced 3 years ago by a brick building. I am still remembered by the head deacon and his wife as “Hermana Ana” as Heather is all but unpronounceable by most of the indigenous Guatemalans. Many of the young women were young children at the time of my first visit and now have children of their own who are the same age as their mothers were at the time of my initial visit. What a blessing to see

this church continuing to thrive and grow!

Church Building in El Tablon

Deacon Obispo and His Wife Antonia,
They have faithfully served for 25 years.

Grady and Sandy Strop and Seth and Beth Swihart arrived for a Pastor's conference for the pastors of Section Pinula from February 20 – 22. This was a special time of ministry for the pastors and their families to be ministered to and enjoy a time of rest and restoration away from the responsibilities of their churches. I was privileged to be asked to serve as translator allowing these pastors to be ministered to in their heart language.

On February 25, I officially moved into my new home. God has graciously provided and I pray that my home will be a place of ministry, peace and refuge where God is glorified and His presence felt. There are 2 extra bedrooms for anyone wishing to visit :)

Home Sweet Home

My shower, sink and washing machine!
Just kidding - I do have all 3.
In rural areas, however, the pila functions as all of those!

Praises:

•  My safe arrival in Guatemala City
•  Establishing a bank account and securing a house to rent
•  Re-establishing relationships – some going back 20 years!
•  Protection while relearning my way around Guatemala City. The driving style here is anything  goes and one learns to quickly expect the unexpected!
•  A wonderful church home in Iglesia Vida!
• My prayer and financial partners

Prayer Requests:

• Engracia: daughter of Pastor Miguel in the Ixil triangle, diagnosed with liver abnormalities,     possibly hepatitis, also ovarian cysts. Funds needed to see specialists in a larger city.
• Iglesia Vida – construction has begun on a larger facility however, church leaders recently received   word that construction costs have doubled since the original estimate.
• Wisdom and guidance as I pursue opportunities for ministry.
•  Pursuing additional language learning. Guatemala has 24 recognized indigenous languages  Prayerfully considering learning the 2 -3 languages spoken in the areas I will be primarily      ministering.
• Continued financial support

I am grateful to all those who support me with their prayers and finances.

The First Two Months

Financial contributions can be sent to :                        Online/Electronic Contributions

Yielded Evangelical Servants                                       www.yeservants.org

P.O. Box 700697, St. Cloud, FL 34770                        Click on the link on my web page.