Harold Kauffman
Remembering Harold Kauffman
Harold Kauffman lived with the guiding vision that Jesus Christ was the Light of the world and that this light should be shared with as many needy souls as possible. Early in his ministry, he agreed to move and help establish an outreach congregation.
In the mid-1960s, he and his family answered the call to Chimaltenango, about thirty miles west of Guatemala City. He was instrumental in helping establish the church there, but as he labored, his desire grew to spread the Light into remote areas with little to no Gospel influence.
Early in the 1970s, a new mission was founded called Mennonite Air Missions. “Air” because Harold’s dream of using an airplane to spread the Light into remote areas was going to be realized. Harold obtained his pilot’s license, and the fledgling mission bought a small Cessna. Then began the process of seeking God’s will for where to reach out in the interior of the country.
Eventually, the mission would have three runways of its own as well as make use of other runways where they were useful to the cause. More important than aviation was the love that Harold carried in his heart for all men. Harold was a good example of living out the first and second commandments. He loved God, and he loved people.
He had a gift for reaching out to new people and showing real interest in their lives and needs. People sensed his unconditional love and were drawn to his message—salvation through Jesus Christ.
Harold was gifted in mentoring and employing others in the work of spreading the Light. As fast as he could, he put foreign and national brethren to work, carrying the Gospel and doing the work of the ministry. It wasn’t long until small growing congregations sprang up in different parts of Guatemala.
Harold and his wife Darlene spent over thirty years serving in Guatemala and visited regularly for another ten years. He was deeply loved and appreciated by the Guatemalan brotherhood. For many, he was their spiritual father. To those of us who had the privilege to work with him, he was an example of open-hearted love, cultural adaptation, and selfless service.
Harold went to be with his heavenly Father on September 26, 2024, at the age of 99. His wife Darlene had preceded him by thirteen years.
We thank God for His deep work of grace in Harold’s heart, enabling him to be faithful in the ministry he was called to. Harold touched many people in his efforts. Now that he is gone, it remains our work to keep spreading the Light.
~ Duane Eby
The Gift of Respect
One evening, I was in a hurry when I popped my head in the door of the kitchen at mission headquarters and blurted a quick question to one of the folks inside. Suddenly, I realized how rude I had been, caught myself, and addressed the entire group with a “Buenas noches!”
Since moving back to Guatemala, I’ve had to think harder about my social interactions to respect the people and culture here. What we North Americans would consider normal in our daily interactions comes across as rude and self-centered in Latin American culture.
First Peter 2:17 gives us what seems to be a simple, clear instruction: honor everyone. That seems straightforward, doesn’t it? Perhaps it’s straightforward when we’re in the small circle of friends we grew up with. What about when we move to another area or start a job in a new organization? Different groups of people have different social expectations.
Is it important to fit in? To treat others as they expect to be treated? What does it mean to honor? The word honor used in 1 Peter 2:17 means “to prize” or “to value.” Paul explicitly instructs us to consider others better than ourselves. Unfortunately, our natural behavior is exactly the opposite—to focus on ourselves.
How do we show others that we value them? Here in Guatemala, it is disrespectful for a child to address an adult using only their name with no title. Not only that, it would also be disrespectful for me to address an ordained or an older brother in the church by only his name—I should address him as “Hermano” (Brother).
Many practices in Latin American culture are built around honor and respect, particularly for those who are older or in authority. My wife and I are still trying to train our children about cultural and social expectations here in Guatemala so that they are not rude to others. Sometimes they feel silly doing things that seem unnecessary and strange.
But is it silly to honor others by our words and actions? Of course not.
Is Latin American culture better than North American culture because it emphasizes courtesy more than our culture does? There are many aspects of Latin American culture that are not good; all cultures of earthly nations will have ungodly aspects. But this aspect of courtesy in Latin American culture is one we North Americans could learn from.
North American culture is busy—we have things to do and places to go and money to make. An economy of time is important, and our lives show it. Slowing down and taking time for another person is one of the principal ways we can show we value them.
Taking time can mean as little as standing up to greet an elderly person or using a title of respect. It may mean stopping to listen with full attention when someone wants to share something with you rather than looking at your watch and moving on. It could mean inviting someone over for Sunday afternoon and chatting rather than napping.
It may mean taking the time to shake hands and greet all the brothers at church Sunday morning (perhaps not possible if you attend a large church) or greeting everyone when you arrive at a party or similar event.
Perhaps North Americans are better at throwing money at people or problems than we are at giving our time. Ask yourself, would you rather give a donation or take a half day to help someone who is struggling?
Consider what it would cost you to value others more, not with your money, but with your time and your words. What could you change today that would show your neighbor—your brother, your coworker, your pastor, your boss—that you value them more than you value yourself?
As you consider, remember the Good Samaritan who took a whole chunk out of his day just to help some guy he didn’t even know. Remember Jesus’ example when He was trying to rest and a crowd came knocking (figuratively) on His front door. Rather than slam it in their faces, He took compassion on them, invited them in, and served them.
People—and their souls—are more precious and valuable than anything else in this world. Are we treating them that way?
What an upside-down, tragic trade it would be if a soul were lost because our time was so valuable we had none of it to give!
~ Andrew Crider
Larry, Sergio, Isaías
Baptism in Pital
Sergio Lorenzana accepted Jesus as his Saviour at the General Bible Institute at the “Farm.” After he completed his instruction classes, we planned for his baptism on August 16, 2024.
The month of August is in rainy season, so we prepared as much seating as possible inside the small church house. With the help of those who came for the service, a tarp shelter was strung up out front to provide extra seating.
The Lord provided us with a dry afternoon for the service, and even though the electricity went off right at the beginning, we proceeded with the service. Baptism was administered by Brother Isaías Muñoz.
Please pray for Sergio as he begins his Christian life, that he could remain faithful to the Lord and be used of Him in the church.
~ Larry Martin
Galen and Wendy Miller with attending ministry
Ordination in San Bartolomé
On the evening of October 29, 2024, the chapel in San Bartolomé held a diverse group of people. Besides the local congregation, people from Mixcolajá, Guatemala City, Oratorio, El Porvenir, and the United States were in attendance. The congregation heard a diverse mix of languages.
Levi Martin preached his sermon (The Minister’s Responsibility to the Church) in Spanish, Irvin Miller preached (The Church’s Responsibility to the Minister) in English, and José Benito translated/summarized the messages into K’iché (the local Mayan dialect).
Another service was held the following morning with an even wider variety of places represented, including Tecpán, Nahuala, and Los Achiotes. There was even an individual from Chile!
After the opening remarks and singing, Brother Isaías Muñoz had the message. Then Brother Victor Ovalle directed some questions to Brother Galen Miller.
“Are you ready to accept this charge, and by the grace of God and the help of the Holy Spirit, commit to the work of the Lord, as a faithful minister of the Word in His church?”
“Do you promise to attend to the doctrines of God’s Word, preach and teach them, and be faithful to the end?”
“Are you ready to direct the congregation under your charge in accordance with the instructions and teachings of the Gospel and in all things show yourself an approved worker in the vineyard of the Lord?”
Upon receiving an affirmative answer, the three bishops of MAM (Victor, Isaías, and José) laid hands on Galen and gave him the charge of minister of the congregation in San Bartolomé. This was both a solemn moment and a joyous occasion.
As is customary in Guatemala, everyone was invited (perhaps “compelled” would be more accurate!) to partake of the delicious lunch.
Having a “plural ministry” team is a positive but too often unrealized situation for the congregations in Guatemala. Lord willing, there will be more ordinations soon, but there is still a great lack of willing and dedicated men to take leadership roles in the churches.
Please pray for Galen and Wendy as they serve in San Bartolomé, and pray that more men, especially native brothers, will join the work in Guatemala.
Current Staff Needs
- Houseparents at mission headquarters – headquarters oversight, hospitality
- Single man at mission headquarters – building maintenance, vehicle maintenance, airport runs, etc.
- Single man at San Cristobal – work with Victor Ovalle as driver and helper
- Single man at Santa Rosita – personal work
- Single ladies at headquarters and outposts – domestics, schoolteaching, personal work
- Couples/families for outposts – serve and provide leadership for outlying congregations
To volunteer or suggest someone, please get in touch with David Martin ([email protected]) or Brian Yoder ([email protected]).
Prayer and Praise Items
- Pray for more leaders for the Guatemalan churches.
- Pray for the bishops of MAM, as they are very busy and have various health challenges.
- Praise God for directing the work of MAM for over fifty years.
- Praise God for peace and relative stability in Guatemala.
