News from Samuel Berberian
IFC, 4 Ave. 9-66, Zona 1, 01001 Guatemala
September 25, 2013
Dear Friends,
During these past few months, in the midst of all kinds of stress and problem solving, the Lord has brought encouragement through the positive reception of the column that comes out every Sunday in our largest newspaper, Prensa Libre, called “Si me permite” (If you permit me), where I share my deep concerns about issues of Guatemala. Evidently many are reading the column because of the letters sent to my inbox, or people stopping me on the street to comment on a point they read. I never dreamed of being a columnist, but God opened this door to bless others.
DR. NÚÑEZ LIBRARY. On the other hand, these months have kept our librarian, Lesslie, busy classifying the books donated to the library, but worried at where to put them. We need 8-10 metal shelves for some 3,000 books now stored in boxes. Apart from our students, sometimes researchers come from other universities, such as one from Boston, collecting information for his doctoral dissertation. He was fascinated with the quantity of information in our library that has over 14,000 volumes (it began with my own library of 1,500 volumes). Both the Library and the Federick Crowe Institute are under the supervision of the Doulos Foundation, legally recognized in Guatemala as a non-profit organization.
FREDERICK CROWE INSTITUTE. The Instituto Federico Crowe (IFC) has been a pioneer in the education of the adult, not just teaching the basics, but preparing the students for the university. With so much poverty and illiteracy in Guatemala, education plus knowing Christ is the key to erradicating poverty. We have seen with satisfaction adults in their 30s and 40s complete high school studying on Saturdays, and continue on in the university. When a pastor or church leader stretches himself intellectually to reach new levels of reading and thinking, his congregation is the first to benefit and helps it to grow.
MEETINGS IN CHURCHES. During the past few months I have had an average of six meetings a month, in different zones of the capital city, as well as occasional trips to the interior, and to Mexico City in May. I usually ask that I be assigned a topic because I believe that we need to help the churches where they need it. Some topics I never considered before and it led me to study it deeply, and share it with God’s grace.
PANAMERICAN UNIVERSITY. The Universidad Panamericana has 9 schools, 2,000 teachers and more than 16,000 students in 90 extensions. As Dean of Theology, we are thankful to the Lord for the 141 students in Guatemala City. A recent survey affirms that 50% of the students are between 31 and 50 years of age; 23% are between 18 and 30 years, and 26% are older than 51. 62% are men and 38% are women. Surprisingly enough, 11% are already professionals (dentists, psychologists, engineers, and others). The students represent a diversity of churches and denominations, from traditional lines, to charismatic or Pentecostal groups. (In the picture top right I am with my two daughters.)
A LOOK TO THE FUTURE. From here to the end of the year, there are challenges for which we cry out to God for His help and guidance, so that we can carry out the work we have ahead. I am thankful for your prayers and your support so that the ministry God has given us will not be just another lap around the same mountain, but advancing in the grace of God, helping the people around us so they will not be conformists either. I thank God for my Board of Directors of Doulos Foundation (see the picture on the right) who dream with me for a better Guatemala. We invite you to be a part of this dream.
Your brother in Christ,
Dr. Samuel Berberian My cell phone: (502) 5202 4763
For a tax deductible receipt, write your check to Community Church, 1819 SW 21 Street, Topeka, Kansas 66604, with a note “for Berberian projects”. Thank you!
