Samuel Berberian reports from Guatemala
Apartado Postal 1602, 01901 Guatemala, Central America
Dear Friends, January 10, 2013
Beginning a new year, you can’t help but look back to see what has been done, and if we have been pleasing to the Lord, being the most useful possible to those who the Lord has called us to serve. Above the regular activities and preaching engagements, we can see how the Lord in His wisdom has called us to a diversity of services, requiring us to be flexible, adapting to situations.
In December, we were invited with my wife to a couple’s breakfast meeting 3 hours away in Totonicapan. After the service was over, getting to the parking lot, a couple who had attended (on the verge of divorce) asked us to have a few minutes to talk. At the conclusion, looking to my wife, we were sure that the Lord had arranged that meeting so we could minister to this couple. In recent months we have made two trips to Coban (4 hours away). I made a trip to Pasadena, California to preach in the Armenian Nazarene Church, and I have preached in different churches around Guatemala City, such as this little church that meets in a Firestone shop. I have participated in several weddings too.
The new year is full of challenges such as restructuring some of the programs in the School of Theology of the Panamerican University (where I have been Dean for 15 years), and looking forward how to handle age, opportunities, and the training of the leaders who eventually will take our places. Well, we won’t be forever in the job, but we have to be faithful until the time the Lord indicates that changes have to be taken. Last year we had 185 students studying theology: pastors, leaders, professionals, and others who are preparing to serve the Lord. The youngest is 18, the oldest is 81! A new year begins January 17. Let’s see how many will sign up! The field is ready, the laborers are few.
The graduation of the Frederick Crowe Institute was November 10. Some of our best students are from very low income families; they are able to study because a sponsor helped with tuition ($250 per year). As to the institute building, we have been making necessary modifications with minimal expense. We thank our many friends who are helping us with the monthly mortgage of $2,250. We invite you to be a part of this vital project that blesses so many people.
For the age we have, the Lord has been faithful permitting us to have the health, clarity, and willingness to do the job the Lord asks us to do. A week ago on a radio program I was interviewed and the closing question was: What is the secret in keeping the same spark in your ministry, since you arrived in Guatemala? My simple answer was: “The gratitude to the Lord who called me in spite of me, to serve Him in a place where there was acceptance.” True to say, many of you have a share in what is accomplished here in Guatemala, because beside the strength of the Lord, your support has made the reality so that we could move around, cover expenses, and sponsor nationals for their improvement.
Not long ago I preached from Jeremiah 35:1-19, about the Recabites, who did what was correct, not necessarily what they liked. The Scripture promises that God will supply our “needs” not our “wants”, but in today’s society we are bombarded with self-pleasing spending. But God shows us a way different from today’s world, and as we face 2013 we will need to make lots of decisions related to needs vs. wants, what is right vs. what we like, and if what we do glorifies God.
Thank you again, and the Lord bless you too in the New Year, the things the Lord wants you to do.
Your brother in Christ,
Instituto Federico Crowe/Biblioteca Dr. Emilio A. Núñez, 4 Ave. 9-66, Zone 1, Guatemala City, Guatemala
My cell phone: 011 (502) 5202 4763
For an income tax receipt, write your check to C.M.M. (Christ’s Mandate for Missions), P.O. Box 7705, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28241 (Jorge and Ana Marie Parrott direct this ministry). Please designate your gift for scholarship, building, library, or other.
Update from Martha (Saint) Berberian
January 2013
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
God has permitted Sam and me to serve the Lord full time in Guatemala for 35 years. My ministry has focused on teaching, writing and publishing. For example, in October I coordinated three one-day-seminars for writers with our guest teacher, Joyce Ellis, from Minnesota, with 25-35 participants each day. Joyce and I prepared a total of 65 pages of handouts; to be honest, we hardly slept those days, but the joy on the faces of the participants made it worth it all when they got their diploma. Each participant dreams of writing articles, their autobiography, or maybe a book.
WRITING, PUBLISHING AND EDITING. I have been writing teaching material since 1980. Most of my books grew out of my courses, though my newest book, Mega Iglesias en Guatemala (Mega Churches in Guatemala), published in June, came from personal research. With 70 pages, it describes 14 mega evangelical churches in the greater Guatemala City area. I admit that I am a good writer, a better editor, but a bad distributor, especially outside Guatemala. I usually take a box of books when we visit churches. The people are glad to have the books brought to them instead of having to go to a bookstore. They especially like the low prices and practical topics. I will try to place some of my books on Amazon.com by March. Please pray for this new venture. www.edicionessaber.wordpress.com
MINISTRY OF TEACHING. We finished the third trimester Dec. 1st at the Panamerican University School of Theology. I have taught two or three classes a week all year with 20-30 students in each class. It is a blessing to invest in the lives of students. And now I am taking a course, learning how to teach virtually using BlackBoard, not easy for me, but challenging. We need to be innovative and creative. Yes, I’m the one who takes all the pictures, and do some filming too, of my students, Sam’s preaching, trips. Love it! A valuable ministry tool too.
FAMILY. Grandchild number 12, Marcos, was born in April to Susy and Ivan, joining his two sisters and one brother (see picture of the 4 kids in bed). Since May they are living in Haiti with much to do with social and spiritual ministry. Lisa and Estuardo’s children have grown up; Andy (18) and Martin (15) are taller than us now; Daniel is 13 and Natalia is 7. The children enjoy Grandma’s cooking (see picture). Steve and Elaine’s children are also growing up (in Houston). We are thankful for each of our three children, their spouses, and all twelve grandchildren, and one great grandchild too, Kristina and Mark’s son, Ryan Samuel.
HOLD UP AT THE FREDERICK CROWE INSTITUTE. In the picture on the left are the students using the 26 computers donated last March. Saturday afternoon, November 24, two young men came in asking to sign up to study. Sam showed them around, they left, and ten minutes later six fellows came in with guns. Sam’s face was covered with a black plastic bag. He and other staff members were forced to lay face down while all the computers and other valuables were taken during the next 30 minutes. The necessary statements were given to the police but it is doubtful that the things will be recuperated. So the old computers were taken out, others have been donated, so now there are 15. May God cause the thieves to return the merchandise, or provide in some way so the students can have their computer classroom set up when classes begin January 15.
When Jesus was anointed at Bethany, many criticized the woman but Jesus said: “She did what she could” Mark 14:8.That’s just what Jesus asks us to do today: to do what we can with the means He has given to each of us.
With much love,
Martha Saint-Berberian, BerberiansInGuatemala@gmail.com – www.BerberiansInGuatemala.blogspot.com
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