Hey everyone,


First of all, I apologize for my lack of communication lately. This is the first time I’ve had access to the internet since my last post. Well I’ll just start off where my last post ended and try to catch you all up to the present, one post at a time.


The drive up to the pastor’s conference was quite an experience. I wish I had taken a video of one of the many times we played chicken with oncoming traffic while attempting to pass a semi-truck on a winding two-lane mountain road.  Fortunately, we were distracted by great conversation. Sophia opened a theological can of worms by asking everyone’s opinion on the doctrine of election. With a Doctor of Philosophical Theology (Greg), a DSC Elder (Tim) and several other theology nerds (including myself) in the car, we were more than able to keep ourselves occupied and pass the three-hour drive in what seemed like only an hour. Arriving at the mountain retreat hotel where the pastor’s conference was held, we were pleasantly surprised to find the Guatemalan equivalent of a 5-star hotel. They had running water, good food, nice weather, and two pools. The rough life of a missionary ;)


The conference was great. Tim, Greg, Bart, Dr. Jacobo, and Francisco (an Acts 29 pastor from Guatemala City) all taught on the theme of accountability. Around 20 local Achi pastors attended the conference and it sounded like they got a lot out of it; I certainly did, even though I could not understand most of the teaching, as it was all in Spanish. The conference provided me with my first opportunity to lead others in worship though song in both Spanish and Achi. Some lovely ladies and some very strong Achi singers joined me in singing as an opening to each session. I will never get used to the incredible experience of singing the same songs to the same God with people with whom I can’t even fully communicate. Talk about union in Christ. The locals at the conference named us Piedras Vivas (Living Stones), which I assume is a reference to Matthew.


For the three days we spent at the conference, I was blessed to room with Greg, Eder, and Hector. Most of the conversation in our room was in Spanish (Greg is fluent in Spanish, and Eder and Hector speak about as much Spanish as I do English), but I Eder and Hector and I were able to communicate well enough to get to know each other pretty well. They are great guys and the Achi people are blessed to have such strong spiritual leaders.

Sunday afternoon, we packed up our bags and set off for San Miguel, which was about an hour drive. I’ll stop this entry here, and tell you about San Miguel in my next post. Thanks for reading everyone.

Love,

Brian Whippo