Update from Robby:
This month’s newsletter is a little different because Lori and I decided to each give an update on what has been happening this past month. It has been a little crazy with all the moving around but during this past month I was able to attend Hand Pump Repair Training with Edge Outreach located here in Louisville. Many of you may remember me attending training with Edge back in July on the water purification systems. The Hand Pump Training was an intense three days of hands on training where we were taught how to identify, diagnose, and repair problems on four different types of wells and hand pumps. The hand pumps that we worked with are located around the world. During the training I learned that it is estimated that about 70% of the existing wells are not functioning. These same wells and hand pumps are located throughout Guatemala. I am looking forward to getting started repairing these broken pumps and also being able to teach the people how to repair and maintain the wells and hand pumps themselves. But more importantly I look forward to developing relationships with the people that are in need of clean and safe drinking water.
I thought this summed up what I hope to share with the people of Guatemala:
Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, stream of living water will flow from within him.” By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. John 7:37-39 (NIV)
Update from Lori:
Yesterday as we were leaving the mall, Cohen asked where we were going and Robby answered that we were going home. Cohen’s response: “Which home?” Sounds like a silly question, but as I think back over the past few months I realize this wasn’t such a strange question for him to ask. At the beginning of June we moved from our house to a friend’s house for a few weeks. Then the kids and I stayed for a few weeks at my mom’s house while Robby stayed in Louisville to work. We went back to our friend’s house for a few weeks and then went on vacation. When we returned from vacation we stayed at Robby’s parents’ house for a few weeks. Finally, in September we moved into an apartment where we plan to be until we move to Guatemala.
If it sounds exhausting to you, let me tell you that it was! I must admit that all this moving and uncertainty was not my favorite. There were plenty of days when I should have been thanking God for providing a place for my family to stay that instead I was grumbling about all of the inconveniences I had to deal with. I know God was not punishing me, but instead preparing me – preparing me for a new and crazy life in a third-world country.
Today Psalm 119:71, 75-76 really spoke to me:
“It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees….I know, O Lord, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me. May your unfailing love be my comfort.”
It was good that I went through that disruption because it brought me closer to God. He allowed that craziness because He knew I needed it to prepare me for living in Guatemala. And with His faithfulness and love He brought me through it. I know that He will continue to be faithful.
Financial Update:
We have currently raised 65% of our monthly budget. We were excited to meet with Springdale Community Church again this month and hear that they will be partnering with us. They are currently working on their budget for next year so we do not have any exact amount but their support will begin in January of 2011!
Also, this month we were happy to meet with the pastor of Williamstown Christian Church to make plans for us to return on November 14th. We will be sharing with both morning services as well as a Sunday School Class more about ourselves and the work we will be doing. The goal of this Missions Sunday is to get the congregation excited about missions and invite individuals and families to partner with our ministry.
Randy Gordon, the missions minister from our home church has told us that Northeast will be partnering with us and will have a proposal to us by the end of this week! We are looking forward to meeting with Randy sometime this week.
Prayer Requests:
We ask that you pray for us as we continue our language learning.
We ask you to pray for our funding to come together so that we may move to Guatemala at the beginning of January.
Please continue to keep the girls at Mimi’s House in your prayers.
Pray that our family will have a smooth transition in our move.
Thank God for how He has blessed us as we have made these changes in our lives.
Thank God for Edgar who is the Guatemalan missionary that we will be working with.
Thank God for our friends and family who have continued to give us support and encouragement.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Thank you, Caneyville Christian Church!
Today we were able to visit Caneyville Christian Church to share about how God has led us to pursue full-time mission work and about the work we plan to do in Guatemala. Of course we are always a little nervous about speaking in front of a large group of people, but this church was so welcoming and God gave us the strength to share the dreams He has placed on our hearts.
Before we spoke this morning, we prayed that God would give us the words to say. At the end of the service a love offering was collected and we were blown by the generosity of this church. We know that this is not the result of our speaking abilities, but because the Holy Spirit was at work and the church responded. Thank you, Caneyville Christian, for letting us come and share!
Please continue to keep us in your prayers -- specifically that our financial support will come together within the next few months. We are still waiting to hear how our home church will be involved in our ministry, so please pray for those at our church who are making this decision. We will also be meeting with a pastor of another church here in town this Wednesday. On the 26th, we are excited about returning to Williamstown Christian Church! God has been so faithful in the past and we know that He will get us to Guatemala in His timing.
Before we spoke this morning, we prayed that God would give us the words to say. At the end of the service a love offering was collected and we were blown by the generosity of this church. We know that this is not the result of our speaking abilities, but because the Holy Spirit was at work and the church responded. Thank you, Caneyville Christian, for letting us come and share!
Please continue to keep us in your prayers -- specifically that our financial support will come together within the next few months. We are still waiting to hear how our home church will be involved in our ministry, so please pray for those at our church who are making this decision. We will also be meeting with a pastor of another church here in town this Wednesday. On the 26th, we are excited about returning to Williamstown Christian Church! God has been so faithful in the past and we know that He will get us to Guatemala in His timing.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Volcanoes, Earthquakes, & Mudslides
We wanted to share a little about what is currently going on in Guatemala. Although we do not know all the details, we have been hearing from missionaries currently working in Guatemala and reading the Guatemalan newspaper online for updates.
Last Thursday Pacaya, an active volcano, erupted causing thousands of people in nearby villages to evacuate from their homes. Although volcanic eruptions are common in Guatemala, many people have described this eruption as the most violent they have experienced. Several inches of ash has mixed with the rain causing a huge mess over the regions surrounding Pacaya.
Along with the eruption, the people of Guatemala also experienced a small earthquake and received news that Cyclone Agatha was on its way. Agatha brought 21 inches of rain during the first 24 hours causing major mudslides and more than 18 bridges to collapse.
In a country where people are already struggling to survive, these disasters have caused much devastation -- many people lost their homes, what little they had, and the means to provide for their families. Please join us in praying for the families affected by these disasters!
Huge blessing from another Green family
We will be working with the Greene family (Fontaine & Paula) in Guatemala, but have just received a huge blessing from another Green family. The Green family has graciously allowed us to live in their home in Louisville while they are away. This has allowed us to sell our remaining furniture and save money for our work in Guatemala.
We know that this is all part of God’s plan – we received an email from the Green’s just days before we were going to sign a lease on a short-term apartment. Although selling our furniture and other things was a bit scary, we know that God wanted us to step out in faith and trust that He would take care of us. The Green family explained that something just kept telling them to check on us to see if we had moved to Guatemala yet, and we are so thankful for their support in this way!
Update on our support
We have now raised 100% of our start-up costs and over 40% of our on-going monthly support. Thank you so much for partnering with us! Knowing that there are so many people in our lives praying for our family and joining us in this work has been a huge encouragement to us. We are continuing to meet with churches and individuals to finish raising our support.
Encouraging verse for us this month
“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Remember catalyst’s new address
Catalyst Resources International
P.O. Box 1594
Lake Wales, FL 33859
Memo: Wheeler Family
Last Thursday Pacaya, an active volcano, erupted causing thousands of people in nearby villages to evacuate from their homes. Although volcanic eruptions are common in Guatemala, many people have described this eruption as the most violent they have experienced. Several inches of ash has mixed with the rain causing a huge mess over the regions surrounding Pacaya.
Along with the eruption, the people of Guatemala also experienced a small earthquake and received news that Cyclone Agatha was on its way. Agatha brought 21 inches of rain during the first 24 hours causing major mudslides and more than 18 bridges to collapse.
In a country where people are already struggling to survive, these disasters have caused much devastation -- many people lost their homes, what little they had, and the means to provide for their families. Please join us in praying for the families affected by these disasters!
Huge blessing from another Green family
We will be working with the Greene family (Fontaine & Paula) in Guatemala, but have just received a huge blessing from another Green family. The Green family has graciously allowed us to live in their home in Louisville while they are away. This has allowed us to sell our remaining furniture and save money for our work in Guatemala.
We know that this is all part of God’s plan – we received an email from the Green’s just days before we were going to sign a lease on a short-term apartment. Although selling our furniture and other things was a bit scary, we know that God wanted us to step out in faith and trust that He would take care of us. The Green family explained that something just kept telling them to check on us to see if we had moved to Guatemala yet, and we are so thankful for their support in this way!
Update on our support
We have now raised 100% of our start-up costs and over 40% of our on-going monthly support. Thank you so much for partnering with us! Knowing that there are so many people in our lives praying for our family and joining us in this work has been a huge encouragement to us. We are continuing to meet with churches and individuals to finish raising our support.
Encouraging verse for us this month
“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Remember catalyst’s new address
Catalyst Resources International
P.O. Box 1594
Lake Wales, FL 33859
Memo: Wheeler Family
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Big news!!!
We are excited to share that we have a contract on our house and should close by the end of May. This is a huge weight lifted from our shoulders, knowing that we could not move to Guatemala until our house has sold. We love seeing how God works things out… The family buying our house is a single mom with two daughters and one of her daughters was adopted from Guatemala.
We want to let everyone know that the address for Catalyst is changing. The new address is:
Catalyst Resources International
P.O. Box 1594
Lake Wales, FL 33859
If you have sent a support check to the other address, it will be forwarded to the new address. We just want to make everyone aware of the new address. Remember to write “Wheeler Family” in the memo of your check.
At this point, we have raised approximately 30% of our financial support. We hope to hear good news very soon about financial support from several churches that we have been meeting with. We are praying that since we have a contract on our house that the remaining funds will come in quickly.
We are so thankful for all of you who are generously supporting our work in Guatemala through your prayers and financial support. We do not take this responsibility lightly. We are excited about how we will be working together to share God’s love with the people of Guatemala.
As we write this, we do not have an exact moving date. While we know that we might need to step out in faith and move before we have raised 100% of our funds, we are also wanting to make wise decisions for our family. If you are planning to partner with us through monthly financial support but have not yet started sending in your contributions, could you help us plan by filling in the response card below and sending it to the Catalyst address? We realize that many people might want to help as soon as we move, and it would be a huge help if you could send your response card in soon. Please know that even if you feel like the amount you are able to give is small, it will be a huge blessing to our family and to the people we will be working with.
Response card (Just copy and paste to a Word document and print.)
Yes! I will partner with the Wheeler family through monthly financial support and prayer.
Mail support to:
Catalyst Resources International
P.O. Box 1594
Lake Wales, FL 33859
Memo: The Wheeler Family
_____ $25 per month Name: _____________________
_____ $50 per month e-mail address: ________________
_____ Other home church: _________________
Encouraging verse for us this month:
“Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions. It is by our actions that we know we are living in the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before the Lord.”
1 John 3:18-19
We want to let everyone know that the address for Catalyst is changing. The new address is:
Catalyst Resources International
P.O. Box 1594
Lake Wales, FL 33859
If you have sent a support check to the other address, it will be forwarded to the new address. We just want to make everyone aware of the new address. Remember to write “Wheeler Family” in the memo of your check.
At this point, we have raised approximately 30% of our financial support. We hope to hear good news very soon about financial support from several churches that we have been meeting with. We are praying that since we have a contract on our house that the remaining funds will come in quickly.
We are so thankful for all of you who are generously supporting our work in Guatemala through your prayers and financial support. We do not take this responsibility lightly. We are excited about how we will be working together to share God’s love with the people of Guatemala.
As we write this, we do not have an exact moving date. While we know that we might need to step out in faith and move before we have raised 100% of our funds, we are also wanting to make wise decisions for our family. If you are planning to partner with us through monthly financial support but have not yet started sending in your contributions, could you help us plan by filling in the response card below and sending it to the Catalyst address? We realize that many people might want to help as soon as we move, and it would be a huge help if you could send your response card in soon. Please know that even if you feel like the amount you are able to give is small, it will be a huge blessing to our family and to the people we will be working with.
Response card (Just copy and paste to a Word document and print.)
Yes! I will partner with the Wheeler family through monthly financial support and prayer.
Mail support to:
Catalyst Resources International
P.O. Box 1594
Lake Wales, FL 33859
Memo: The Wheeler Family
_____ $25 per month Name: _____________________
_____ $50 per month e-mail address: ________________
_____ Other home church: _________________
Encouraging verse for us this month:
“Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions. It is by our actions that we know we are living in the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before the Lord.”
1 John 3:18-19
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thank you, Calvary Christian & Williamstown Christian!
This past Sunday we visited Calvary Christian Church in Winchester, Kentucky. Robby and I met with their missions committee a few months ago and were thrilled to hear that they wanted to partner with us through on-going monthly support and possibly send teams to work with us in the future. They welcomed us like family and it was great to meet more of their congregation. We were able to share our story and more about the work that we will be doing in Guatemala with a Sunday School class as well as a group of their elders and members of the missions committee. Their pastor, Brian, introduced our family (Leah really wanted to dance on the stage!) to the congregration during both services and prayed for us as we continue on this journey. It was such an encouraging time for us, so thank you Calvary Christian for making us feel so at home with you!
We also heard great news from the missions committee at Williamstown Christian Church. They have committed to helping us with some of our start-up expenses, which will allow us to purchase a laptop to take to Guatemala. Their support will also cover language classes once we get to Guatemala. We loved meeting with their missions committee and look forward to sharing with the entire congregation very soon!
We also heard great news from the missions committee at Williamstown Christian Church. They have committed to helping us with some of our start-up expenses, which will allow us to purchase a laptop to take to Guatemala. Their support will also cover language classes once we get to Guatemala. We loved meeting with their missions committee and look forward to sharing with the entire congregation very soon!
Friday, February 26, 2010
A few steps back...
This week we feel as though we have taken a few steps back. Before the snow hit, we were excited about meeting with several of the leaders from church and sharing our story. We have been meeting with leaders on staff for quite some time, but this meeting was hopefully going to get everyone who will be making the decision of how our home church will be supporting us together in one room. The snow delayed that meeting and this week we found out that the leaders are not ready to meet with us. Instead they will be meeting and working on long-range mission plans and *hopefully* will know something in two weeks.
Although this news from our church has been very disappointing, we are continuing to talk with other churches about partnering with us. We are confident that God has called us to serve Him in Guatemala and are trusting that He will make a way for us to do that. Will you continue to pray for us as we work to raise our financial support?
A team from Kentucky just returned home from Guatemala and I am sharing one of their pictures below. The girl on the far right is Herminia -- she is living at Mimi's House as a house parent. We are so thankful for her and for all the love and attention she is giving the girls right now. Please pray for Herminia as she works very long days -- taking the girls to school, helping them with their homework, preparing meals, cleaning the house, washing the never-ending loads of laundry, and leading the girls in daily devotionals.
Although this news from our church has been very disappointing, we are continuing to talk with other churches about partnering with us. We are confident that God has called us to serve Him in Guatemala and are trusting that He will make a way for us to do that. Will you continue to pray for us as we work to raise our financial support?
A team from Kentucky just returned home from Guatemala and I am sharing one of their pictures below. The girl on the far right is Herminia -- she is living at Mimi's House as a house parent. We are so thankful for her and for all the love and attention she is giving the girls right now. Please pray for Herminia as she works very long days -- taking the girls to school, helping them with their homework, preparing meals, cleaning the house, washing the never-ending loads of laundry, and leading the girls in daily devotionals.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Snow Delay...
Because of the snow, we were unable to have the meeting with our church leaders today. Our serve pastor said that he will call us tomorrow to set up an exact meeting time, hopefully either Thursday or Friday.
We did get some good news today -- Calvary Christian Church in Winchester, Kentucky has committed to monthly financial support bringing our support percentage to 19%. We will be visiting Calvary again soon for a commissioning service and we are anxious to meet more of their congregation. Thank you, Calvary Christian!
We are also continuing to meet with small groups and individuals who are interested in partnering with us in some way. Last week I shared with a group of moms who meet at Crestwood Baptist Church. Thank you girls for letting me share with you!
This weekend we will be meeting with three more small groups. You know I always get nervous right before we share with a group. It is still a difficult thing having to rely entirely on God though the generosity of others to provide the support for our work in Guatemala. But I can think of five good reasons to keep going...
Julissa
Paola
Evelia
Lesly
Lupita
Thank you for keeping us in your prayers! We will update as soon as we have more news!
We did get some good news today -- Calvary Christian Church in Winchester, Kentucky has committed to monthly financial support bringing our support percentage to 19%. We will be visiting Calvary again soon for a commissioning service and we are anxious to meet more of their congregation. Thank you, Calvary Christian!
We are also continuing to meet with small groups and individuals who are interested in partnering with us in some way. Last week I shared with a group of moms who meet at Crestwood Baptist Church. Thank you girls for letting me share with you!
This weekend we will be meeting with three more small groups. You know I always get nervous right before we share with a group. It is still a difficult thing having to rely entirely on God though the generosity of others to provide the support for our work in Guatemala. But I can think of five good reasons to keep going...
Julissa
Paola
Evelia
Lesly
Lupita
Thank you for keeping us in your prayers! We will update as soon as we have more news!
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