Why not?

Normal life around here isn't as exciting as some missionaries, we get that.  We have even been told by some in our travels "Oh, you teach, you're not real missionaries."  (And we nicely smiled and moved on.)  But what we do is really important too.  We recently were discussing the importance of hope in someone's life in our Sunday school class and one of the other members sent us a note the next day.  In it she thanked us for bringing hope to our students every day. We help them discover gifts and talents they never knew they had, and challenge them to do their best and to use those gifts and talents to not only glorify God but to make the world better.  I often say to parents "your child was born to do" xyz, and this is what we were born to do.  So, to all of you who believe in the importance of our ministry here - thank you.  (For those of you who have no idea what we do, or why we need money all the time, see the links on the right of the screen.)

I feel it is important to remind you readers who send us financial or prayer support, that when we talk about "our" ministry we are including you in that.  We could not be here to do what we do without you.  You are working in this crazy world of Guatemala with us!

 We have often been asked by people why we do any of this, and my typical response is "why not?"  We have been given everything, we have been immensely blessed, we have the gift of salvation, God loved us enough to humble himself and come to earth as a baby to be born in a nasty stinky cattle stall - in light of that "why not?" After a while, when you live in a community like this, you say yes to things without a second thought that most people would think are crazy.  Yup, that's us.  We have lots of opportunities to do "crazy" things but are normally too busy, so we do them during our vacation weeks. Here is a snapshot of what we (and you) are going to do today.

We have friends here whose children are all part of the Creative Arts Program, and immensely talented.  (I honestly think all of them could have a future in theater if they choose to.)  These friends have been some of our biggest encouragers over the last two years.  We know that our working with their kids is part of what allows them to do the things that they do every day.  Those things fit the "normal missionary" mold much better than our teaching.  So, when they asked us (yesterday) if we want to go with them today to help in their ministry, I had one of those say yes without thinking moments.  This was not an uniformed decision, I know exactly what their ministry is, but I think you should know too.

Please....read this blog post to find out more about them.  The rest of our day won't make any sense to you if you don't.







Did you read it?  I mean it?  It might challenge you, and it should.  Please if you didn't read it, go back and do so.  And I highly suggest reading everything my lovely British friend writes, she's brilliant and honest.

If you read any other of her posts you would see that there is going to be a big party.  That's right, a party for prostitutes and their children.  Women who have a life that I would guess all of our readers could only imagine.  Children who spend their day locked up in their house so Mom can work.  And why are we going to do this, you ask?  Because it is EXACTLY what Jesus would have done.  It turns out Jesus wasn't known for hanging out with people who had it all together, people who gave lots of money to the church, people who were accepted by society.  If that is what you think of when you think of Jesus, then please read or reread the gospels.  If you call yourself a Christ follower and that is all you do, then please rethink what it means to actually follow Christ.  Find opportunities near you this season to serve the people Christ would have chosen to serve.

I am really proud to know Natalie and Shawn, and be part of supporting their ministry.  I am really excited to go and see that first hand today.  I am also really excited to be taking my sister-in-law and niece with me.  I am proud to have family that are willing to lay down their ability to sleep in on vacation, and go and do things like this with a willing heart.  I am proud to be able to be a little more like Jesus today, and allow our supporters to do the same.

(If we have opportunity to take pictures today, I will post them later...)

Recent Events

Wow - I just realized that we've had a lot of stuff going on recently. All good stuff, mind you...

Cast of Peter Pan (2015)

Many of you follow us on Facebook so you've likely seen recent posts about this little event we just completed in November, called "Peter Pan, the Musical" - yeah - it was a tonne of work, oh, and it was worth it!

It started as just Joy and Abigail (Michael), however, as usual it was a whole family affair in the end. Poor Sara didn't make it to the end at all.

Oh, but what an awesome event! We're so proud of everyone.



Right in the middle of Peter Pan was Sara's 5th birthday. Our little girl is growing up! As is tradition in our family when the 5th birthday comes we allow them to get their ears pierced. We did not know what sort of ordeal this was going to be.

So, when plan A for the piercing fell through we had to go with plan B - "The Doctor." He really was awesome - Sara was not so excited. But in the end she was a real trooper and now has awesome cross earrings in!

Sara, waiting for the Doctor

End Results

Emma Baptism

On November 29th we were proud to witness Emma making her public profession of her believe in Christ and what He has done for her. We're thankful for Pastor Conner and Union Church of Guatemala for everything they did for us!

After Thanksgiving, and some rest time, we realized that Christmas is pretty much right around the corner. What does that mean for a musician and a sound guy? Concerts - that's right!

For the second year in a row the C.A.G. Band and Choir went to play a live concert at the San Kris mall. It was another great experience. We, again, are so very proud of the students in the band and the choir - they did a fantastic job!

This coming weekend the annual Christmas concert will be held (Friday) and then on Saturday the choir will be performing at a nursing home in Antigua ...

In other recent and relevant news Volcan de Fuego, a very active volcano near Antigua (roughly 44 km from where we live), has been at it again... Please continue to pray for safety for us. 

Volcan de Fuego

We thank everyone for their continued prayer and financial support! We cannot be here serving the Lord without your help! Merry Christmas to one and all!

-knm/jr/ac/eb/sje

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we come to the season traditionally thought of as the "season of thanks" our family pauses to recognize that we cannot be here doing this without all of you. With that thought in mind we want to extend a heartfelt "thank you" to all of those who continue to (and have previously) supported us - both with financial gifts and with endless prayers.

With Christmas just around the corner we would also like to get a jump start on wishing everyone a Christ-filled merry Christmas and, of course, a happy and safe new year!

-The Eisner Family