O give thanks to the Lord for He is good; because His mercy endures forever! Psalm 118:1

Of course, Thanksgiving is not a holiday here in Guatemala. But as I began to teach Grace and Abi about why we celebrate today, I realized some similarities in the pilgrim's story and ours. The Pilgrims left their homes and traveled to a land that was not their own, to live among people who lived very differently than they. And the indigenous people came to their aid, they taught them and protected them. So are our friends who have helped and taught us so much. We are grateful to God for each one,,, (and there are so many more than those who are pictured here...but my computer is not cooperating.)

Today as you celebrate with friends and families, I pray that you will take a moment to remember to thank Him for all of blessings to you. Talmud Berachot 35A says, "If you enjoy something in this world without saying a blessing, it is as if you stole it." All good gifts come from Him and He is deserving of all of our praise! May your day be blessed!

It was a joy to spend time with Matt and Heidi Bell and their son Isaac along with Dr Calvin Williams, his wife Latrice and daughter Brittany this past week! These two doctors came to do surgeries in Chichicastenango with Dr. Tom Hoak and then came to spend some time with us here for a clinic out in the Zona Reina on Friday and Saturday clinic here in Canilla. As Leslie mentioned in the last post, we are immensely blessed knowing that we have a referral system through Buen Samaritano Hospital for those patients that we see that are in need of surgery. The girl that we mentioned in the last post who received Christ did not show up for her surgery; we are unsure why, but we continue to pray for her, remembering again that so often once they leave the door of our clinic, all we can do is leave them in God's hands.

Our clinic in San Pedro also brought about a feeling that change is in the air there. Their leadership changed about 6 months ago to, as far as we understand, a non-Christian mayor. This trip, we noticed that the usual cheerful and excited atmosphere was replaced with an apathy and seeming sadness even on the faces of some who often bring the most smiles. We had about one third of the amount of patients we have ever had show up in about two years of working there - further signifying a change - and one of our favorite Christian translators listened to music in one ear the entire time he translated and also displayed a Catholic symbol around his neck. Please pray for the leaders and people of San Pedro that God will turn their hearts back to Him with the passion and joy that has always characterized this village. We know that God never gives up on those He loves, and we pray that his love and mercy will once again draw these people back to Him. Please also pray for discernment for us as we seek guidance on our role at this time.

We look forward to friends Bob and Jodi arriving this weekend for a week long visit, staying through Thanksgiving... it is always a blessing to be able to celebrate this American holiday with fellow Americans!

Please also note that you can keep up with us on Facebook under our page - Adonai International Ministries (just make sure to check out the one based in Guatemala, as there is another Adonai International Ministries as well).

We have been blessed to have a group of doctors who are committed to doing surgeries for those who cannot afford private care and who cannot find resolution within the government health care system. Dr. Tom lives in Chichicastenango (about 2 hours from here) and gave up his private general surgery practise in the US to come and serve here. He works out of a private Methodist hospital in Chichi. Every three months our good friend Dr. Heidi (ob/gyn) comes to serve alongside of him. It gives us a really good option to present to people who are in need of surgical intervention. We know that they will receive caring, compassionate, excellent care and that they will be presented with the Gospel and covered with prayer as well.

This last weekend when Maria came into San Andres, we were so grateful to have this option for her. She was brought by a cousin who is a Christian and knew that this young girl had been repeatedly raped. She brought her to us because they were afraid that she was pregnant. They told us that she was mute as well...although she could obviously hear. Her pregnancy test was negative but her ultrasound showed what looked like a very large abdominal tumor. We talked with her and her family for a long time about her options and about a God who sees and who has compassion for His children and in the end Maria prayed the prayer of salvation - and she was not mute! It is so great to know that as she goes to Chichicastenango this weekend to consult with the surgeons there, that she will be cared for with the love of Jesus. Please pray for her - that God will supernaturally heal her body and her heart.