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. They come to Grandma's one afternoon a week. 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,
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