I hardly know where to begin with this post. Today was the last day of classes for me at the ITL (Instituto Teologico Latinoamericano). The students have their final exam tomorrow which will be administered by brother Abraham Alata. I, of course, will be traveling to Honduras.
Tonight, the entire student body and staff of ITL and their families were present for dinner. I did not really think anything of it, in part because I was tired and, in part because my mind was on the things I had to do to finish packing. We had a good dinner together and good fellowship. Tonight, we even had dessert (peach cobbler). After dinner, we all gathered in the larger part of the dining area (which is used for chapel) and sang some songs. I figured we were going to have a devotional and then everyone would say their goodbyes to me since no one is going to want to get up and see me off at 5:00 a.m. Boy, was I wrong!
After a few songs, the president of ITL, Hiwatthia Jones, made a short speech explaining the purpose and theme of ITL and then asked me to come up. He then "pinned" me with the traditional fish hook pin (on the collar) that the students and staff wear. I was deeply honored. Then one of the vice presidents, Anibal Ramirez, presented me with gifts from the school. I was so moved I did not know what to say (which is rare as those of you who know me realize). I managed to choke out a few words of appreciation. I am still moved and overwhelmed by this outpouring of love and well wishes. I do not know how many times I was asked to give their greetings to my family, my brethren and the students in Honduras. What a great group of brethren!
As I have said, I do not know if I will be able to continue daily reports after this one. If you do not receive notice of one, then I am not able, but I will catch you all up when I get home. Thank you all for your prayers. Que Dios les bendiga!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
One Day to Go
Wow! Today was go, go, go all day long. This was the day I was asked to speak in chapel. I love speaking in chapel in the various schools we have around the world. Because of some errands we needed to run, we cut our lunch break down to 30 minutes and turned out a little early in the afternoon. After our errands, which included an impromtu stop at the national palace for some pictures, we stopped on the way to church for supper at Pollo Campero which has some of the best fried chicken I've eaten. It is the only restuarant I remember from my first visit here over 29 years ago.
At mid-week services tonight, I was asked (I had been asked on the weekend, so I was prepared) to share with the Linda Vista congregation some of the material I am teaching in the Godhead class. So, we spent 40 minutes talking about the deity of Jesus. The class went well, I think. After services were over, there was a meeting and then we headed home, arriving at the Institute around 10:30 p.m. It's been a long day, but a really, really good day. One more day of classes to go and then on to Honduras!
God bless!!
At mid-week services tonight, I was asked (I had been asked on the weekend, so I was prepared) to share with the Linda Vista congregation some of the material I am teaching in the Godhead class. So, we spent 40 minutes talking about the deity of Jesus. The class went well, I think. After services were over, there was a meeting and then we headed home, arriving at the Institute around 10:30 p.m. It's been a long day, but a really, really good day. One more day of classes to go and then on to Honduras!
God bless!!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Half-Way Through
It is amazing to me how quickly these teaching weeks go by. Today, I completed half my time with this class. On this particular trip I will not be with the students on Friday, since I will be traveling. Next time, I will be able to stay through Friday and have a full five days with them.
Today, we covered less material than yesterday, but we had more discussion and I think better results. This morning the students did well overall on their quizz of the material we covered yesterday. Covering less today will, perhaps, help them tomorrow's quiz. I will say, however, that everyone scored a 100% on their memory work.
I am in earlier tonight and am pretty tired so I will be turning in soon. I have been getting up early with the help of some of the neighbors. It seems the custom here is to celebrate someone's birthday by lighting off strings of firecrackers. The evidence suggests that a lot of people in this neighborhood have aged this week. This morning's celebration began at 4:20 a.m. I vote for candles on a big 'ole birthday cake!
Thank you for all your prayers and support. God bless.
Today, we covered less material than yesterday, but we had more discussion and I think better results. This morning the students did well overall on their quizz of the material we covered yesterday. Covering less today will, perhaps, help them tomorrow's quiz. I will say, however, that everyone scored a 100% on their memory work.
I am in earlier tonight and am pretty tired so I will be turning in soon. I have been getting up early with the help of some of the neighbors. It seems the custom here is to celebrate someone's birthday by lighting off strings of firecrackers. The evidence suggests that a lot of people in this neighborhood have aged this week. This morning's celebration began at 4:20 a.m. I vote for candles on a big 'ole birthday cake!
Thank you for all your prayers and support. God bless.
Monday, October 26, 2009
One Day in the Books
The title of this post may give some the idea that I mean a day of studying and research. Actually, I mean one day of class is in the books. I will be teaching here for only four days because of having to travel on Fridays this time. Because of that, the school here has changed its schedule to 7 hours per day. We meet at 8:00 a.m. to begin class for the day. Chapel is at 10:00 a.m. and class resumes at 10:40 a.m. and goes until noon. In the afternoon we resume our study at 1:00 p.m. and dismiss at 4:45 p.m., giving us the 7 hours we need. This makes for a very long day.
I am trying something new this time. For the first time in my classes with Bear Valley, I am teaching in Spanish. My brother and friend Abraham Alata is on hand to help when I need it, but almost all of the class today was in Spanish. I am still a little rusty, but I was very happy to be able to understand the questions that were asked of me and to teach in a language I have not used full time for almost 25 years. I think (hope, pray) that after two weeks of teaching this material in Spanish, I will have gained ground in my efforts to recoup what abilities I have lost over the years.
Thanks to all of you who are keeping me, my family and this work in your prayers. Hasta mañana y ¡QueDios les bendiga!
I am trying something new this time. For the first time in my classes with Bear Valley, I am teaching in Spanish. My brother and friend Abraham Alata is on hand to help when I need it, but almost all of the class today was in Spanish. I am still a little rusty, but I was very happy to be able to understand the questions that were asked of me and to teach in a language I have not used full time for almost 25 years. I think (hope, pray) that after two weeks of teaching this material in Spanish, I will have gained ground in my efforts to recoup what abilities I have lost over the years.
Thanks to all of you who are keeping me, my family and this work in your prayers. Hasta mañana y ¡QueDios les bendiga!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
A Great Day of Worship
Today has been a great day, so far. I don't know of anything that will keep it from continuing just as it has started. After stopping for breakfast at McDonald's on the way, Hi, Byron, Abraham and I headed for church at the building of the Linda Vista congregation. I was blessed to do the preaching this morning. There were something over 100 in attendance, with many young people and children. After the worship service, the congregation posed for several group pictures, some of which I have posted on my Facebook page, for those of you are part of that web community.
In the Linda Vista congregation, the worship service is first, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and then Bible Class starts at 11:00, finishing at 12:00 noon. Some of the ladies prepared a meal afterward and we enjoyed good food and fellowship, while some of the men were in a meeting. We made it back to the school facilities around 2:30.
Worship this evening begins at 6:00 and Abraham Alata will be bringing the lesson. I look forward to another great worship service.
God bless and I will post more tomorrow.
In the Linda Vista congregation, the worship service is first, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and then Bible Class starts at 11:00, finishing at 12:00 noon. Some of the ladies prepared a meal afterward and we enjoyed good food and fellowship, while some of the men were in a meeting. We made it back to the school facilities around 2:30.
Worship this evening begins at 6:00 and Abraham Alata will be bringing the lesson. I look forward to another great worship service.
God bless and I will post more tomorrow.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
A Day in Antigua
Let me say first that this is not my first visit to Guatemala. However, for all practical purposes, it might as well be. My first visit was in May 1980 as part of a mission team doing a survey trip here in preparation for moving to this country. As things turned out, due to political unrest and the evacuation of long term veteran missionaries from Guatemala, our team decided to look elsewhere for a field in which to work. Those of you who know my wife and me know that our team settled on Chile, where we moved in 1983.
What does that have to do with this trip? Good question! As I said, this might as well be my first trip to Guatemala because much has changed in the almost-30 years since my last visit; not the least of which is me. Nothing looks familiar in this city, I'm sure in part because there have been so many cities in between. Today, was different, however.
After picking up Abraham Alata, our translator who flew in from Lima, Peru, we (Byron Benitez, Hiwatthia Jones and I, along with Abraham) headed for the city of Antigua, the old colonial capital of Guatemala. I had visited Antigua on my first trip and today was the first thing that looked familiar to me. Not very much has changed in Antigua in these intervening years. We had a marvelous time. I enjoyed the sights and the fellowship very much. Now, it's time for some rest.
More tomorrow.
What does that have to do with this trip? Good question! As I said, this might as well be my first trip to Guatemala because much has changed in the almost-30 years since my last visit; not the least of which is me. Nothing looks familiar in this city, I'm sure in part because there have been so many cities in between. Today, was different, however.
After picking up Abraham Alata, our translator who flew in from Lima, Peru, we (Byron Benitez, Hiwatthia Jones and I, along with Abraham) headed for the city of Antigua, the old colonial capital of Guatemala. I had visited Antigua on my first trip and today was the first thing that looked familiar to me. Not very much has changed in Antigua in these intervening years. We had a marvelous time. I enjoyed the sights and the fellowship very much. Now, it's time for some rest.
More tomorrow.
Instituto Teológico Latinoamericano
I arrived in Guatemala City yesterday (Friday, October 23) around 11:30 a.m. after an agreeable flight from Oklahoma City via Houston. The flight from Houston was full; full enough, in fact, that before we left, the airline asked for volunteers to take a later flight. We were offered a first class seat on the later flight plus a $500 travel voucher. I think the next time I find myself in that situation, I will volunteer.
I was met at the airport in Guatemala City by Hiwatthia Jones, one of the missionaries who works with the school here. I spent the afternoon touring the facility (and I must say the Lord has blessed the brethren with a very nice facility), unpacking and getting some rest. I enjoyed lunch and dinner with the student body and staff. My first night was restful; I slept well in spite of the new surroundings, which often means I do not sleep well.
I will try to post a report of my activities each day while I am here. Unfortunately, I will not have this access to the internet the next week in Honduras, at least as far as I know at this point.
More later and God bless,
Donnie Bates
I was met at the airport in Guatemala City by Hiwatthia Jones, one of the missionaries who works with the school here. I spent the afternoon touring the facility (and I must say the Lord has blessed the brethren with a very nice facility), unpacking and getting some rest. I enjoyed lunch and dinner with the student body and staff. My first night was restful; I slept well in spite of the new surroundings, which often means I do not sleep well.
I will try to post a report of my activities each day while I am here. Unfortunately, I will not have this access to the internet the next week in Honduras, at least as far as I know at this point.
More later and God bless,
Donnie Bates
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