Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
News from Samuel Berberián
IFC, 4
Ave. 9-66, Zona 1, 01001 Guatemala
August 19,
2014
During
these past four months I have seen the care and guidance of God after leaving
the Panamerican University end of March. Doing
numbers with Martha, there are at least 50 who graduated as Licenciados,
Maestros or Doctors in Theology during the 15 years I was Dean.
In
May we enjoyed the graduation of our grandson Andy from high school. Congratulations,
Andy!
Frederick Crowe Institute
and Doulos Foundation. The
Institute functions under the covering of the Foundation, and has 25 years of
serving the Guatemalans, always providing an excellent education in junior and
senior high, and providing many scholarships to students from very low income
families. 
About 40%
come from poor families and can study because a sponsor help pay the tuition,
giving $35 dollars a month for 10 months. Of
the 65 students needing sponsorship in 2014, 25 students still need a sponsor. We
are very grateful for the 40 sponsors who make possible that a student pull
himself/herself out of poverty through study, giving them dignity and a purpose
in life. We invite you to be a sponsor and help one or more students of limited
resources. 
Conferences and
preaching. I
have been preaching or teaching about four times a week in different churches
and special events, mostly in the capital and surrounding areas, each event
with a different topic. In April we were with Martha on a program on Channel 27
(picture top left) and I was again there in August. In July I participated on Canal
Antigua and again in August. I spoke several times in youth camps, in several
events for Father’s Day, and events for couples with Martha. I gave several
hours of class at Haggai Institute, at Santo Tomás Milpas Altas.
Other ministries. Pre-marriage counselling has been
an important part of the ministry God has given me, orienting different couple
in their relationship and the planning of their wedding. I continue
participating as advisor with the Committee of Cooperation between University
Librarians. My Sunday column continues to appear in Prensa Libre on page 21,
titled “Si me permite” (If you permit me) with a total of 176 columns til now. Recent
topics have focused on How to follow instructions, The habit of reading, and
another about the situation of Israel with Palestine. You can suggest topics
for this column writing to my e-mail.
Academics, new challenges.
Since we came to
Guatemala in 1977, we have participated in university academics, 12 years at
the Mariano Galvez University, 15 years at the Panamerican University, and as
professor in other universities. Recently I began colaboration with the Saint
Paul University. My dream is to support the pastors and lay leaders to receive
an excellent academic preparation so they can function better in their
churches.
One
of the messages I shared at La Vid church in June was based on Col. 3:9-11 on “Renovation”.
Many of us have the habit of doing things half way, of not working in an
organized way, and we say “That’s the way I am!” But God wants to renovate our
relationship with people, and be obedient to what He has asked us to do,
leaving aside our personal interests.
The
Word says: “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of
your heart.”
Thanks
for supporting our ministry especially in prayer,
Dr.
Samuel Berberian My cell phone: (502) 5202
4763
For
an income tax receipt, write your check to Community Church, 1819 SW 21st
Street, Topeka, Kansas 66604, with a note designating your donation for
Berberian Ministries, and the name or company you want for the receipt. You can
donate via Paypal through Community Church website: www.CommunityChurchKS.com if you
click on Contact Us and scroll down.
News from Martha (Saint)
Berberian
August 16, 2014
We
have only four contacts with the world by which we are evaluated: what we do,
how we look, what we say, and how we say it. – Dale Carnegie
Dear friends,
God has been good,
permitting us to be useful in Guatemala since 1977 when we came with the desire
of being a blessing, whereever and however. And we have done a variety of
things.
PUBLISHING BOOKS IN GUATEMALA. We have 20
titles in the catalog. The one that has sold more these past 4 months has been Técnicas de Investigación (Techniques of
Research), and Cómo Ser Escritor (how
to be a writer). Sam’s biography has been popular, Señor, Hazme Útil (Lord, make me useful), and Principios para una Familia Integral (basic principles for the
family). Our books are in 5 bookstores in Guatemala (see the picture to the
right). There are 8 books available on www.Amazon.com. Maybe you want to order a book to give
to a Spanish friend. You can see the complete catalog at www.edicionessaber.wordpress.com
Only two books are in English: Mystery of Stained Glass and Majorette to
Missionary.
MINISTRY OF TEACHING. On May 3rd I finished 15 years of teaching
two classes a week at the Panamerican University of Guatemala, and I thank God
for letting me invest in the lives of my students in the Central Campus Zone
16, and also in the Naranjo Campus, always in the School of Theology. In May I
had three conferences at the Cumbre de Damas at Iglesia Lluvias de Gracia
(picture on left). In May and June I taught an 8 class course on “Preaching” in
a Central American church in Colonia Bouganbilias de San Francisco. I preached
in Casa Horeb Zone 11 in June (see picture top left) where I used my father’s
painting (Phil Saint) to illustrate a point. In July I was assistant professor
in the Seminario Teológico Centroamericano in the doctoral course: “Writing for
Publication” with Dr. Miriam Adeney (picture to the right). At the end of July
I spoke at a ladies special event organized by Hermon Baptist Church. 
IGLE-AULA (IFC). In March of 2013 the Ministry of Education gave Fundación
Doulos authorization to open a “classroom” (aula) in every evangelical church (Iglesia)
in Guatemala, to reinsert students into the educational system to complete
elementary or secondary education. At present we have 27 churches participating
in the project, located in different parts of the country. There are 900 students
enrolled in the 5 levels. We have 130 students in elementary level I, 35 in elementary
level II, 510 in junior high level I, and 113 in junior high level II. There are 110 in senior high for
adults. Professor Rosa Solano (see picture on left) is the coordinator, backed
up by several of the Frederick Crowe Institute staff. 
FAMILY. We have spent enjoyable times with the family, especially
while Susy and her family were visiting from Haiti, with their 4 children,
happy times with the cousins, Lisa’s 4 children. Steve and his family couldn’t
come this time (from Houston). 
FACEBOOK “Martha Berberian”. We keep in touch with family and
friends through FB where I post pictures and brief information each week.
Thanks for helping with our
projects,
Martha
Saint de Berberián
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
News from Martha (Saint) Berberian
News from Martha (Saint)
Berberian
March 18, 2014
Great
teachers spend time with their students, and point out their skills and
talents. – Bruce Larson
PUBLISHING BOOKS IN GUATEMALA. In December we published a new edition of my book: La Mujer y Su Ministerio (the woman and her ministry), and in February a new edition of Cómo Ser Escritor (How to be a writer), just in time to use it in the Writers Seminar I coordinated for Feb. 17-19 with guest speaker Joyce K. Ellis from Minnesota, and about 30 participants (see foto). There are 18 titles in the catalog, and about 160 books are sold each month. Only two are in English: Majorette to Missionary, and Mystery of Stained Glass. Several books are available on www.Amazon.com. You can see the complete catalog on www.edicionessaber.wordpress.com
FREDERICK CROWE INSTITUTE. Exciting things happen in our institute.
In the picture are a mother and son graduating from high school in the same
ceremony November 2013. Ruben studied in the weekday program while Janneth
studied in the Saturday program for adults. A new academic year began mid
January, and we find that 15 students from very low income families need a
sponsor. We invite you to sponsor a student, giving $35 dollars a month for 10
months, thus helping a student pull himself up out of poverty. As Prov. 3:27
says: “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power
to act.” We are very thankful for the 10 sponsors who signed up in October.
Thank you! Another exciting thing is the Ministry of Education has given us
approval to open a “classroom” in every evangelical church in Guatemala that
requests it, to reinsert students back into the educational system to complete
elementary, junior high, and senior high.
FAMILY. Wednesday afternoons is when I pick up Lisa’s four children
at school and bring them home for lunch and fun times together for several
hours before Lisa picks them up. Table tennis is a favorite. The grandkids are
growing up so fast! Love them each one! Four grandkids live in Houston and four
in Haiti. We miss them!
PANAMERICAN UNIVERSITY TEACHING: We have 75 new students this year,
35 who study on Thursdays (foto), and 40 who study on Saturdays. My job is to
teach them how to write a formal research paper, and I have 13 classes, two
hours each, to do it. One student commented that it was the third time she was
taking the course but the first time she understood it!
TRIP TO KANSAS AND TEXAS. During the week spent in Topeka, I was
able to reconnect with many prayer partners from our sending church, Community
Church, where we were members before leaving for Guatemala. I was able to make
many visits, and share in several meetings, including Sunday morning worship
(see picture with pastor Tommy Scott), with a combination missionary message
and a challenge to “Get out of your rut, find a new mountain to climb” using
power point for the first time, with pictures of the Saint family, who in some
way got out of their routine to follow God in new adventures and challenges. I
stayed with Meg Atwood, a dear friend, whose mother (age 94) we visited every
day, and I would give her a daily massage which she loved. She passed away Nov.
6. In Houston I spoke at a ladies meeting in Lluvias de Gracia church Oct. 26. Then
Steve delighted us by giving us boat rides on Lake Houston, bringing back
memories of Word of Life Island where in 1961 I had my first formal job
waitressing in the cafeteria, and my definite call to serve the Lord at a
campfire meeting. In the foto I am with three sweet granddaughters in Houston. 
FACEBOOK. We keep in touch with family and friends via FB where I
have posted interesting items, such as when my parents, Phil and Ruth Saint,
sang in trio with me years ago. I use the name Martha Berberian in case you
want to look it up. The picture is the active vocano Pacaya, taken from our
house.
Yours because of faith in
Jesus Christ,
Martha Saint-Berberián,
News from Samuel Berberian
News from Samuel Berberian
IFC, 4 Ave. 9-66, Zona 1, 01001 Guatemala
March 17, 2014
Time has gone by since our last letter, so I have to cover activities from Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day. One of the things I have noticed in recent months is the need to have more flexibility for activities which had been planned one way, but as you get there, you discover that changes have to be made so we can be more useful and ready to bless the people. For example, Martha and I went to a couples meeting where we were planning to team-teach, but it was obvious that it wouldn’t function, so I landed up speaking by myself. On another occasion it was just the opposite, I was going to speak alone but they were expecting both of us to share, so we did. God has been gracious with my wife and myself, to be able to adjust to different situations, and when the meeting is over, on our way home we talk of the mercy of the the Lord to use us in several couples’ events in recent months.
On a personal basis, God lays on our heart to visit some people who are ill, never knowing that would be the last visit with that person, because in a week the Lord called her to His presence. More and more, we are experiencing leaning on the Lord and allowing Him to guide our steps in a practical way. When we look back we understand what the Lord was doing.
I am thankful for the members and Board of Doulos Foundation (see foto) who participate actively in our Frederick Crowe Institute and Dr. Núñez Library. In November we graduated another bunch of high school students, some of them in their 30s and 40s who studied on Saturdays. 40% are from very low income families and are able to study because someone was generous to help with their tuition. We are proud of our students, most of who go on to university studies. (See the picture on the left, and right.) In our computer room (see picture) several computers are almost obsolete. We were offered the chance to buy 10 computers for $130 dollars each, arriving in April. Perhaps you would like to cover the cost of one computer.
The Frederick Crowe Institute has completed 25 years, and the staff and students prepared a special program to celebrate God’s goodness on March 14th. We just praise the Lord for being faithful to us, permitting us to train many low income Guatemalans.
My Sunday column continues to appear in Prensa Libre on page 21, called “Si me permite” (if you permit me) and no matter where I go, someone will make a comment about the column, which encourages me to be careful and faithful in this opportunity. In the local church where we attend, Iglesia Nazaret Central, more than once the pastor, in his sermon, comments on what I had written.
Since we came to Guatemala in 1977, looking back, we have been ground-breakers in matters of academics, from the most elementary level to a doctoral program, which enables the people to reach their educational goals without having to leave the country. They are getting their training without disconnecting from their families or ministry. That way they can hold positions of high responsibilities which require academics as well as leadership in what they do. Pastor Fermin Cuyuch, age 70, received his masters in theology (foto), as well as Magnolia Mendez, and others of the Panamerican University where I have been Dean of Theology for 15 years. We don’t know what the future holds but we know Who holds the future. In the lower foto I am with two of my theology professors, Fernando Mazariegos and Ramiro Bolaños.
As to preaching, I have been speaking an average of three times a week, which can be a leaders meeting, an evangelistic event with a breakfast in a restaurant, or a Sunday service in a church. My goal is to help the people where their needs are, adjusting to their confession as well as the kind of program. If it is a graduation of students, a pastors’ retreat, or single young adults, I am conscious that each group is very different, that I have to know what needs they have so I can minister accordingly. When people tell me to preach whatever topic I want, I tell them no, tell me what the needs are so I know what to preach. I can often face the local needs easier than the local leaders.
Psalm 110:3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauty of holiness.
Thanks for your prayers, that is your greatest gift,
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.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
News from Martha (Saint) Berberian
September 25, 2013
When you expect great things for yourself or others, you are setting forces in motion that work toward producing those great thinga. – Bruce Larson
Dear friends,
As to our family, we have three children, each of them happily married, and with four children each. Steve and family live in Houston, Texas (he is a medical doctor). Susy and family live in Haiti, where her husband works with American Friends Service Committee. Lisa and family live in Guatemala; her husband is a businessman and she teaches at Christian Academy of Guatemala where her children go to school. Our three children got together in July in Guatemala (in the foto the children are Susy’s).
PUBLISHING BOOKS IN GUATEMALA. I dedicate barely a fourth of my time to writing, publishing and distributing books. Right now there are 18 titles in the catalog, and about 160 books are sold each month. Only two are in English: Majorette to Missionary, and Mystery of Stained Glass. Several books are available on www.Amazon.com. You can see the complete catalog on www.edicionessaber.wordpress.com
Jesus said to him: “All things are possible to him who believes.” Thank you for your gifts and prayers that make our ministry possible.
Yours because of Calvary,
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)