Sunday, February 6, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
We have internet!!!!
In true Guatemalan fashion, we are just now getting Internet at our apartment. But things are going well here. We are in our third week of language school and really enjoying it. We are feeling more confident speaking Spanish and getting plenty of practice each day! My Spanish teacher is coming over for dinner on Thursday and next week she is going to teach us how to make chile relleno.
On the weekends Edgar has been helping us get our house in the city ready. Last weekend we went to Magdalena where we bought some beautiful paintings from Carlos who is an artist and also runs a Christian art school for underpriviledged kids. We also stopped by Jeremias' house and workshop in Magdalena. He is going to be building most of our furniture. Not only does he have incredibly reasonable prices, he is also a new Christian and we are happy to give him some extra work.
Cohen and Leah are adjusting well to life in Guatemala. They love riding back from the grocery in a tuk tuk. It is a bumpy ride on these cobblestone streets and they laugh most of the way home. Their favorite thing to do here is to visit the girls at Mimi's House. Leah made friends quickly with the girls especially Ruth who enjoys carrying her around. Cohen's best friend at Mimi's House is Jackie, Edgar's golden retriever who just had puppies. I have a feeling one of the puppies will be joining our family when we move to the city.
Thank you for all of your prayers for our family these past few weeks. We have definitely had some frustrations along the way, but your prayers are making such a difference and we appreciate you all!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Our Eight Girls!
There are now eight girls living at Mimi's House! This is such an exciting time knowing how these eight girls' lives will be impacted. We can't wait to get to know the girls better and encourage them to dream big dreams!
Front row: Ale, Julissa, Paola, Lesly, & Clari
Back row: Ruth, Lupita, & Evelia
Front row: Ale, Julissa, Paola, Lesly, & Clari
Back row: Ruth, Lupita, & Evelia
Sunday, November 7, 2010
November Update
The past few weeks have been such an exciting time for us! Now that we have a moving date, we have been working on things like enrolling in language school, applying for our new insurance policies, and finding a place to live in Guatemala. The biggest blessing we wanted to share with you is that we will be living next door to Mimi’s House! The house next door became available for rent in August and thankfully was still available when our friend Edgar (who is the Guatemalan missionary we will be working with) met with the owner of the house. We were even able to negotiate the price of rent so that it won’t be a strain on our budget.
We will start three months of language school in Antigua, Guatemala in January which will give us time to make a few improvements to the house. We are thankful to have this house and know that it will be very convenient once we get started with our work! What are the odds of the house next door to Mimi’s House becoming available at just the right time? We are once again reminded of how God is in control and how He is working out the details for us to move to Guatemala.
The girls at Mimi’s House are doing well. They have finished up their current school year and will be on break until January. We will also be welcoming three new girls to Mimi’s House starting in 2011. Please keep Evelia, Julissa, Lupita, Lesly, and Paola in your prayers. Also pray for the three new girls coming in January. We are excited to see Mimi’s House expanding and look forward to working with the girls once we complete language school.
Several of our partners have asked when they should start sending in their support. Since we will be moving on January 6th we would like everyone to start sending in support now so that we can work out any problems that may come up before we get to Guatemala. There are three options on sending in your support: mail in your check to Catalyst at the address below (don’t forget to put Wheeler Family in the memo of your check), pay online at the Catalyst website included below, or set up automatic bill pay through your bank. Please feel free to e-mail us with any questions.
Catalyst Resources International
P.O. Box 1594
Lake Wales, FL 33859
Memo: Wheeler Family
http://www.catalystresources.net/
Thanks again for your support! Without your support our move and work would not be possible.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
October Update
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.
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, 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
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