Long term impact.
October of 2011 – by Hector.
ONE MORE PEB FOR THE GLORY OF GOD
blessing of our All Powerful Lord, the life of the Bible Education Program
(PEB) began in 1997. In the town of Xalbal, Playa Grande, Gary and Nancy
Lengkeek, my beloved Patty and I, alongside a group of 12 students and their
wives, launched into the beginning of Bible courses that we designed for this
community. At the end of two years and a half, the students graduated with much
joy. Thanks to the Lord, PEB began in 1997 and has continued. Since then, we
have seen 10 different groups reach their graduation day. Giving glory to God,
on the 8th of October 2011, the group of PEB students from San Pablo
La Laguna, Sololá, received their diplomas. 11 men and three women received a bachelor’s
degree in Bible and Ministry, and four women also received recognition as
students of the Women’s PEB Program. The celebration was huge. It was notable
that each one of the graduates could appreciate that they were loved by many
people as more than 1,000 people filled the church where we celebrated the
graduation.
This PEB group is a community of
men and women transformed by the Lord. I know this because with their lives and
teaching each of these leaders has impacted many people in their churches. We
saw trucks decorated with balloons. We saw how church leaders rushed to receive
their new pastors. We saw happy and emotional faces, and we perceived a
fragrance of thankfulness and adoration filling all that took place.
These moments of the closure of
this PEB filled me with much happiness because it has taken the offerings of
many brothers and sisters, their prayers, and even accompaniment for us to see
the fruition of this particular Project. May God bless you greatly, and may He
always cause you to prosper so that you can continue in your support and
continue seeing sheep transformed into disciples, and disciples into pastors. Also,
much joy is evident because our team SEPAL has participated to ensure that PEB
has functioned. It is precious to not be alone in the work. It is worthwhile to
mention the effort and special work that Sula, Marilee, and Beth have provided.
The most beautiful aspect for me, is to see my family, my beloved Patty and my
children, enjoying this mission that the Lord has given us.
From this group, there is no doubt
that many new stories about the servants of the Lord will arise. Over time we
will learn of these stories and will share them. At least three of these men
will begin new short term projects in the ministry, and others will disciple
many people, preparing them as new PEB students in the near future. With all of
our heart, we desire to push forward because we have seen that the work of the
Lord really is worthwhile. On the horizon, we see at least three new PEB
Programs. Approximately 8 men already our meeting in Panajachel, Sololá, and they
are establishing a group. At the end of November, we will be visiting the
church of Chisec, Alta Verapaz, and there is also a group ready in the region
of Nueva Tacana, San Marcos.
What can we say with all of our
heart in this moment? Praised is God, blessed forever and ever. Holy, Holy, Holy. Lifted up
are You by us all, your church. Thank You, Lord, because you make us worthy to
be your servants and allow us to enjoy what you do with so much love within our
rural churches in our country.
May the Lord bless you always and
thank you for all your love, your prayers and your support.
In Jesus Christ
Héctor Pivaral
Director of PEB program
Connie – You must have dug way back to come up with those old pictures. Happy memories for us all. – We’ll be praying for you as you leave tomorrow for Thailand. Love you bunches 🙂
Gary and NAncy, you are inspirational believers in Christ. All that you have done to grow the kingdom and to make the choice to leave the known for the unknown with your 2 young children all those many years ago is something that has touched my heart. Thanks to you, Dan and I have grown in our faith as well as a deep love for missions as well. May God continue to bless you and your ministry. You truly are special children of God and we love you like out third set of parents!Love u!
Connie, you and your brother Kevin did something few people have had to do…you shared your parents with the world. What with Guatemala and Bolivia and boarding school, and everything in between, then and now. And just in one situation, look at the results! Yet they raised you both to be much like them – disciples of Christ and life-long learners of God’s Word. Given the wisdom, experience, open arms and open hearts that they bring, I just wish I could be a part of an organization that they were leading. Just imagine the kingdom work that would be done. That would be awesome.