http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org News, updates, and book reviews from the Pettengill's, missionaries to Honduras. Fri, 18 May 2012 13:14:35 -0400 http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org en hourly 1 http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/visitor_from_another_world 2012-05-18 07:36:42 Mike http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/visitor_from_another_world On Friday we receive a visitor from another world. OK, it only seems like another world. But, honestly, what could be more different from La Ceiba, Honduras than Seattle, Washington?

Northview Community Church of Mill Creek, Washington (north of Seattle) is a supporting church of this ministry and our family. They are sending a representative from their congregation to check up on us and love on our family.

The great news for the Pettengills is that Northview is sending one of our dearest friends, Dannie McKeown. For a week Dannie will help us in our ministry, get to know La Ceiba and hang out with us in the heat. It will be a joy to share our ministry with Northview and reunite with one our favorite people. ]]> http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/don%27t_think_it%27s_not_spiritual_warfare 2012-05-16 07:47:49 Mike http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/don%27t_think_it%27s_not_spiritual_warfare Our mission team knows when we are doing things right. That is when Satan attacks. Last summer we were all simultaneously bombarded with attacks that really tore us down. If Tuesday is any indication, here we go again.

On Tuesday our eight-person mission team collectively had two cell phones stolen, two car accidents and one other car problem. To put that in perspective our team has had zero cell phones stolen in nearly four years, yet two stolen in the same day. Really?!?!

This, beloved reader of our humble post, is where you come in. It is time for you to pray. We do not again wish to be buffeted by Satan. We appeal to you to pray for us (Romans 15:30), at all times (Ephesians 6:18), for your prayers have power (James 5:16).

Pray we have dependence on God (Proverbs 3:5-6). Pray we give glory to God (Matthew 5:16). Pray we posses a spirit of unity (Romans 15:5). Pray we stand firm (2 Corinthians 4:17). And, pray we are willing to sacrifice even more. (Romans 12:1-2). ]]> http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/gringo_church_weekly_study 2012-05-14 06:34:26 Mike http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/gringo_church_weekly_study Each Sunday morning our mission team gathers together to sing, pray and study at what we call Gringo Church. This is a small worship service where we praise God in our heart language of English. Shannon, Erin and Mike T. lead us in singing, John leads us in prayer and Mike P. leads us in study.

Last week our team concluded a nine-week study through 1 Thessalonians. This week Mike began a new two-week study in Philemon. The biblical study of slavery and the social and political implications of Christianity is interesting, but the changing power of the gospel is the focus of this study. The Apostle Paul shows Philemon, and us, how the gospel was designed to radically change our hearts and fundamentally alter our beliefs. Jesus is not a 12-step, self-help, repair program. He is a focus changing, life altering, leave it all behind, radical liberating insurgent.

Following our brief study in Philemon Mike will take our team through the book of Titus. Mike is already applying the knowledge he is gaining in his studies at Reformed Theological Seminary. Pray God can speak through Mike each week. ]]> http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/book_review%3A_the_secret_of_contentment 2012-05-12 09:04:39 Mike http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/book_review%3A_the_secret_of_contentment William Barcley is the pastor of Sovereign Grace Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. He has served as Academic Dean at Reformed Theological Seminary and taught at Gordon College. Barcley addresses the issue of discontent and how the reader can find contentment from knowing God and enjoying his sovereignty and loving mercy.

Barcley does a fine job outlining a heart condition that frequently accompanies greater theological concern. As we demonstrate discontent we are calling into play a questioning of God’s sovereignty. How could we not be content if we truly understand and embrace God’s plan and perfect orchestration of his will in our lives?

It is natural for humans to complain and be discontented. It is part of our sin nature. Our murmuring, however, is a clear sign we are not satisfied with an aspect of our life. We are either out of God’s will or lack an understanding of the depth of his sovereignty.

A believer who truly rests in God finds contentment in the joy of God and being conformed to the image of Christ. Contentment does not mean our lives are painless and exactly as we foresaw them. Contentment means we find pleasure in knowing God is in control and his flawless will is unfolding, even if it is not our ideal plan.

The book is ideal for group study with subsections and discussion questions following each chapter. Barcley uses Scripture, tales and personal accounts to guide the reader into a deeper understanding of the joy and peace that can be found in our contentment. ]]> http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/pastoral_associate_couple 2012-05-10 09:43:42 Mike http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/pastoral_associate_couple For the next few days we will host Francis and Bonnie Smith. The Smiths attend Meadowview Reformed Presbyterian Church in Lexington, NC where Francis is an Assistant Pastor.

Francis and Bonnie are part of MTW’s Pastoral Associate Couple (PAC) program. PACs provide pastoral care for missionaries while on the field. PACs commit to care for those in their assigned field for a minimum of five years, and to visit the field one week each year. Throughout the year, the couples provide pastoral care and encouragement to teams and individuals, as well as an honest assessment of issues that may arise on the field.

Last year our team selected the Smiths as our PAC and this is their first visit to La Ceiba. They will meet with each missionary on our team privately and get to know us and our ministry. The Smiths will provide counseling and care for our missionaries as needed and will be a vital part of our team maintaining spiritual and emotional health in the years to comes. ]]> http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/maddy_headed_to_belize 2012-05-08 08:26:49 Mike http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/maddy_headed_to_belize Maddy, our almost 16-year-old, has been booked to go to Belize this summer and serve as a missionary there for two-weeks. She will be in Belize July 7-21. This will be her third short-term mission trip. She previously served on the Lummi Indian reservation in 2006 and 2011 in New York City.

Last year Madison loved her month of missions work in New York City. For this summer she decided she wanted to go someplace she could use her Spanish and experience in the Latin culture. She will be in the city of Corazal in the north of Belize. While there she will be helping translate for shot-term mission teams and serve as she is called.

It is thrilling to us that she has such a heart for missions and such a desire to serve. Please pray that God prepares her heart to serve well this July. ]]> http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/floyd_vision_trip 2012-05-06 10:42:07 Mike http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/floyd_vision_trip Ross and Angela Floyd are here for a few days for a vision trip; that is MTW-speak for a job interview. The Floyds arrived Saturday and leave Wednesday. They are here to explore the possibility of joining us as fulltime missionaries. Ross and Angela will spend time with each of our missionaries and explore all of our ministries. In the end the desire is to determine if we (and they) feel they would be a good addition to our mission team.

Ross has experience as a welder and metal worker and enjoys working with his hands. He as attended several mission trips and spent an extended time sering in Peru.

Angela received a Spanish minor in college and she currently works in the MTW home office. She enjoys doing administrative work and has lots of short-term mission experience.

The Floyds are from Georgia and they are seeking to join a mission team where they can be involved with short-term mission teams and use their abilities on the field.

After they leave us the Floyds will fly to Colombia to visit the MTW mission team there. Please pray for clarity for Ross and Angela and our team as we all try to discern God’s calling for them. ]]> http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/first_medical_clinic_at_our_ministry_center 2012-05-04 08:26:35 Mike http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/first_medical_clinic_at_our_ministry_center Every Thursday we host a medical clinic in the poor community of Armenia Bonito. Most residents can’t afford the $.35, one-hour bus trip into town to receive medical care, let alone the cost of the treatment itself. On Thursday we moved locations and hosted our first medical clinic at our own ministry center. We moved from the community’s town hall that has served us well for over 200 other clinics to our covered, indoor soccer field half a mile away.

Everyone agreed they preferred our site to the town hall. Patients waiting to be seen didn’t have to wait in the sun. They were under cover, in the shade, with open walls that allowed for a refreshing breeze. Not only was it shady and cool, but when we had a mid-afternoon rain we all stayed dry.

Patient intake, the waiting area, patient care and pharmacy were all under the same roof. Everyone received prayer, evangelism, professional care, patient education, medicine and instruction. The new facility was a great blessing for both the patients and those of us serving. ]]> http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/pregnancy_class_for_new_moms 2012-05-02 07:40:19 Mike http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/pregnancy_class_for_new_moms On Tuesday Erin held a pregnancy class for three ladies in Armenia Bonito. These classes have become a popular event for many of the moms in this community. Erin has taught eight such classes.

In Honduras there is very little education or assistance for pregnant moms. Usually they just “figure it out” on their own. Even to the extent that a baby born in the hospital does not have a doctor involved. At the hospital they simply put a woman in a room and have her deliver the baby without assistance. Medical staff are there only for emergencies.

In these classes Erin teaches relaxation and breathing techniques. She teaches what is a normal labor and delivery and shows a video of a live birth. The ladies learn emergency signs and symptoms, emergency situations for newborns, and how to time contractions.

Local hospitals require mothers to bring certain items to the delivery. In fact, a woman is not allowed to hold her baby until those items are present. At the end of each class Erin provides a gift to each of the moms containing the required items. Each mom is given a disposable diaper, a onesie, socks, hat, and a blanket. Erin also gives each mom Spanish language educational material on newborn care and a supply of prenatal vitamins.

Finally, each woman is promised a picture of their newborn when they bring the child by our clinic for their first checkup. Baby pictures are incredibly rare and appreciated.

These classes provide these super-poor women with a level of preparedness and education that is unheard of here. Delivery is still a lonely process, but for these ladies it is now a lot less confusing and scary. ]]> http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/moving_day 2012-04-30 07:56:13 Mike http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/moving_day For nearly four years our daily ministry in Armenia Bonito has taken place inside the community’s town hall building. This week that all changes. Starting Monday all of our ministry events will be held a half mile away on our ministry center.

When we came to Armenia Bonito in June of 2008 the town hall was almost ready to fall down. We helped renovate it and have been using it ever sense. For 200 weeks we have hosted weekly medical clinics, Kids Clubs and ESL classes in the town hall. We estimate that we have used this structure for over a thousand different events.

Our two-acre ministry center is not complete, but the soccer field is ready to be used.

Now, all of our weekly medical clinics, Kids Clubs and ESL classes will be held in our indoor soccer field. This facility is the size of a basketball court and will provide ample space, easy access, protection against sun and rain and a cool breeze. There is still work to be done on this building, but it is ready to be used.

This moment is a little surreal, but we will not forget to thank God for his blessings. ]]>