Hola!

   Greetings from Guatemala.  The "Instituto del Liderazgo Biblico" began three new classes for this trimester.  I have developed a two year program to prepare men to be evangelists.  It will include a large amount of on-the-job training along with the formal classes.  What they learn in class will be put to use immediately when possible.  After being set aside as evangelists, their training will then continue for an additional two years.  So they will receive the equivalent of a four year Bible college education.  Graduates will receive a certificate at both levels.  Jesus trained the 12 with on-going teaching and practical experience.  I believe that using His method can produce a properly trained man in this culture within a two year time frame.  Based on that, I've developed five courses and will develop seven more for a total of 12 courses for the 2 year degree.  The next two years will have about 12-14 courses.  
    
    Commitment to this level of study and preparation is not possible on a part time basis.  Therefore, I asked two men, Miguel Leon and Isaias Xuruc, who have already proven themselves, to make a fulltime commitment before God to be trained and then serve as evangelists.  I offered to provide financial support for them and their families.  We spoke with them individually and with their families.  Both of their responses and all the events that happened during that two week period warrant long stories in themselves, but to make a long story short, both said, "Yes.”  God certainly was involved in what took place.

    Next, I made an appeal for financial assistance.  Very quickly we received a reply and a financial commitment for one of the men and a probable commitment for the other.  Thank you brethren!  Again we see the grace of God!

   So this past Thursday, we began the first of a 16 week course on the book of Acts.  There are 4 students: Miguel, Isaias, Giovanni (perhaps on more an "audit" type basis) and Benjamin (my son.  No, he does not want to be an evangelist, but does want to study the Bible and participate in discipleship training).  I am teaching this course at a college level.  The students must read a 300 page commentary by JW McGarvey (in Spanish), answer questions, and memorize verses.  They must also type a three page report on the occurrences of evangelism and development in the book of Acts and how they will utilize those methods in the church today.   Anyway, this will be a very difficult course, and we will see if they can stretch to the challenge.  I will base future courses on how well they do.  Please pray for all of us.  

   Today, Tuesday, we had begun two other courses: Hermeneutics (how to interpret the Bible) and Evangelism.  For the evangelism class we will have two evangelistic campaigns.  Miguel will preach at one and Isaias at the other.  They will also write invitations that all of us will distribute in the colonia and among family and friends.  

   About two weeks ago I was in El Salvador again with Jaffet Perez.  The church is functioning well now - glory be to God!  We meet with Eduardo and Eduardito and later with Jorge (the leaders).  Changes have been put in place for legal aspects of the board of directors.  Also, the system for accounting and handling of the offering has been changed.  It will prevent problems and instill confidence in the congregation.  On Sunday we just listened to the new teachers.  Eduardo taught the Bible class on the church.  He is an excellent teacher.  Eduardito preached the message with much zeal and conviction.  The church is headed back on track.   On the 17th of this month I will return to teach two lessons on giving.  This time Carrie, Ben, and Christina will come with me instead of Jaffet.  Carrie will present a class for the ladies on Saturday afternoon on the children's ministry.  These are two areas in which they requested help.

   We will be scheduling our furlough for late summer this time rather than May - July.  We need to be in San Salvador for the setting aside of Eduardito as evangelist, Lord willing, in July.  Also an earlier date conflicts with classes and projects here in Guatemala.  However, we will be coming and will be scheduling times for reporting on the work soon.  Until then, God bless you all and thank you for your continued prayers, support, and interest in the work in Central America.

In His service,
Denny

Prayers:
1.  Praise God for the commitment of Miguel and Isaias.  
2.  Pray for Miguel, Isaias, Giovanni, and Benjamin in their studies and in leading the congregation.
3.  Pray that our evangelistic efforts produce fruit.
4.  Praise God for the new leadership and positive direction of the San Salvador church.
5.  Pray for the poor in the church that struggle regularly for basic necessities of life.