Santiago is just fourteen nautical miles, as the crow fly’s, from Quetzaltenango and Serving God by Serving His People (SGSP) Aviation Ministries mission base. It is one of several municipalities that dot the shore of Lago Atitlan, I’m told each is named after an Apostle from the Bible, (Santiago is James in English). Robin and I took to the sky’s climbing up to 10,500 ft., to clear the ridge between …
He is Risen!
Almost 15 years ago Robin and I arrived in Guatemala brimming with anticipation as we began this missionary journey together. Looking back, it seems as thought we had been preparing for that day most of our adult lives. A life lived, is a series of events. Some events we reflect on daily, and others we revisit year after year. Emotions that get stirred up are sometimes sweet, sometimes bitter, sometimes …
The ladder of Success
It was early. The sun had just broken over the 10,000 ft mountain range on the east side of our valley. The city of Quetzaltenango, in the western highlands of Guatemala, was awake and moving, even in darkness before the dawn. Curious about a noise outside of our home early that morning, I opened the creaky metal door and found this ladder against the wall. A young man was preparing …
It’s a Good Thing…Really!
After a 18 months of service, the tire on the left is worn to the limits of safe operation, and has been replaced with a new one. Aircraft tires are exposed to punishing rough surfaces, and hard braking with every landing on rural strips. Here at SGSP Aviation in the western highlands of Guatemala, its business as usual with one exception. There is a glaring empty spot on the shelf …
Complex Simplicity
I was 15 when my father, a career Marine, was nearing retirement and assigned a final duty station. A small pickup carried us across the Mojave Desert to Barstow CA. Every military base has a mission. This was a supply depot. At the edge of town was a train yard (aka Hump Yard), where military beans, bullets, and band-aids arrived or departed. On the first night, just as I …
Make the Time!
Here at SGSP Aviation Ministries, at our base in the western highlands of Guatemala, we wear a variety of hats daily. Wearing my aircraft mechanic hat, I may be facing a single task or several separate tasks. Actually doing the work is the easy part, it’s the preparation and the finalization phases that demands discipline and time. Reviewing a work order, gathering equipment, prepares you for the actual work. …
Some Days You Celebrate
Robin’s sewing classes have been going strong for many years, focusing on skill building, social connections, and Bible teachings. Her classes continue to be a popular and rewarding ministry. The Mayen women are from close-knit families and communities. Warmth in Latin American cultures is expressed by physical closeness, hugs, and kisses on the cheek—a traditional and almost mandatory greeting. All of this changed because of covid-19 and feelings of isolation …
Neighbors United Against…
SGSP Aviation Ministries, sharing another missionary moment from our home base in the Department of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. In the rural regions like our western highlands, people have little patience for crime. These banners appeared recently at the entrances to our municipality. In very direct terms the “neighbor’s” give fair warning. The banner loosely translated says this: We, the neighbors, are united against delinquency. If we grab you, you will find …
Get Thee Behind Me…..
Since March here in Guatemala, curfews periodically kept us behind closed doors, the last digit on our vehicle license determines if driving is allowed, and even your age group limits your movements. On this day neither rain nor sleet, nor snow, (nor government restrictions) could keep us from our appointed rounds. Today we walk the high street of our municipality, making purchases in small shops (bodegas) along the way. Arms …
On a Day Like This…
Guatemala is known as the “Land of Eternal Spring” and on a day like this it is easy to understand why. The western highlands continue to be Chuck & Robin’s mission field, home, and ministry base for SGSP Aviation Ministries. Looking over the back wall of our home, through the obligatory spirals of razor wire, the fields are bursting with life. This is the 3rd harvest of the year with …