If you’d asked us a few weeks ago, we would have honestly told you that our Spanish had hit a bit of a plateau. We reached the Advanced Low benchmark while we were living and studying full-time in Puebla, Mexico, which was an incredible praise. But since we’ve arrived in Guatemala, things have seemed to progress more slowly. Not having school to attend every day has given us more freedom, but the downside is we are now on our own to climb the next few levels without the daily routine of studying in a classroom guided by a teacher. Rachel and I have both worked hard to find friends and seek out opportunities to push our Spanish to the next level, but as we approached our most recent OLI’s (Oral Language Interview) at the end of February, we were less than confident that we’d made much progress at all.
We jumped into our interviews with as much false confidence as we could muster, and then, later that evening as we debriefed about the many errors we both knew we’d made throughout our conversations, we simply prayed that we hadn’t regressed! Best case, we scored in the same level, Advanced Low.
But just last Friday we received our reports, and both Rachel and I earned Advanced Mid! We climbed one step higher, and now have just one more level to go to reach our first-term requirement of Advanced High. Thank you so much for your ongoing prayers for our language acquisition! We thank God for honoring our efforts as we study and strive to learn Spanish so we can communicate the gospel even more clearly.
On a bit of a sadder note, Tyler and I are struggling with saying goodbye to some of our closest friends here in Xela, who moved in pursuit of better job opportunities at the end of February. We met C and Y through a local church start soon after we arrived, and quickly became friends. We’ve shared many meals together in the short time we’ve known each other, and they have been so helpful in teaching us about the culture here in Guatemala. They were excellent language partners who went above and beyond to help correct our (many) grammar and pronunciation mistakes.
We are so happy that they are doing well in their new home (but wish they were still here with us as well). Please pray for C and Y to find a new church family, one that is just as encouraging to them as the one they left behind in Xela.
Just a few weeks before they moved, C and Y requested to have a religious wedding at our small church start. In Guatemala, it is very common to enter into a civil marriage, similar to a courthouse marriage in the States where you stand before a judge and sign a marriage licence. This was how they were married a few years before. But before leaving, they wanted to have a full religious wedding with all their church family around them. C asked Tyler to be his best man, and Y chose Rachel as her matron of honor!
It was a beautiful ceremony and celebration of their love and commitment to each other. It was also a great lesson in planning a wedding in only a matter of weeks! We are filled with so much gratitude for their friendship during our first few months in Guatemala, and pray regularly for their success and happiness in their new home.
Earlier in February, we were able to assist in hosting our very first team in Guatemala. A small group from our company’s home office came to spend a week with us, partnering in ministry and getting a firsthand look at the work in Guatemala. They shared at our church start in Xela on Sunday, then traveled with us to Ixchiguán, a small community about four hours away, for several days of ministry. This was Rachel and the girls’ first chance to visit Ixchiguán as well!
We were so proud of the girls for their travel perseverance and excitement to meet new friends along the way. We got to visit three churches that were started many years ago by our teammates, the Stones, and meet with several leaders and their families. We were so thankful for the encouragement this team provided and their enthusiasm to share their stories with so many.
Please continue praying for solid connections and language partners for Tyler and I. We have loved getting to know a few new neighbors and local members of our community, and pray to meet even more friends in the months to come.
Over the next few months, please be in prayer for Tyler as he is working through a really exciting Digital Engagement Cohort. This in depth training will help us learn how to utilize digital strategies and online platforms in the advancement of the missionary task here in Xela and beyond. We are also praying for Digital Responders (who have a good foundation of Spanish). These are individuals who are passionate about sharing the gospel and could help us engage seekers in spiritual conversations online. If you are interested in learning more about joining this work, please reach out!
With Love,
Tyler & Rachel
The English Update 
Hello Friends,
I got your letter! PTL! So thankful that I could read and hear about what you are walking through.
Congratulations on the language acquisition. I am so proud of you. The Father is answering my requests, and hearing that He does, only increases my f@ith and my resolve to continue to kneel. So, thank you for letting us know that He is answering.
One of the things I ask for when kneeling for your language, is that when you are sharing with someone in Spanish, that the person would recognize when you are speaking about JC that even your language is better and more eloquent. I also ask that your faces would look different. That the light of JC would shine through as you are sharing. That way, people can’t help to notice that your looks and even your speech is different when you are talking about JC.
The girls are just precious. The family photo- Your oldest looks just like Rachel, the youngest looks like Tyler, and the middle looks like a combination of the two of you. I have asked the Father to help them to surrender to Him early. That they would come to know Him and love Him with their whole hearts. That He would so transform them, that their whole lives would be different and sold out to Him. Can’t wait to hear how He answers this request.
Goodbyes are hard. I am thankful that the Father gave you C and Y. What a blessing they have been to you. I know that He has others that He will bring alongside of you to help you, to grow you and just to have fun with.
Thanks again for adding me to the list. I will be looking forward to the next update.
Hugs,
Karen Caskey
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Thanks for the great update. We hear your hearts regarding language learning. I (David) was age 58 and Glynis was 56 when we were in language school in Costa Rica. Though we were never satisfied that we had arrived where we wanted to be in Spanish, we never had a day that the Lord did not come through to help us get the work done. He was always so faithful. Our assignment in Guatemala put us out alone traveling throughout the country looking for unreached areas. It was sink or swim! Public speaking and preaching in meetings happened often. I finally just said to myself that I had to slide by the seat of my britches and get it said. Glynis always felt less proficient because I ended up being the one usually speaking in the public meetings so I got more practice. Talking on the phone was a challenge. It was easier if we could hear and see the speaker. No doubt, language learning is a humbling experience that verifies that it is not by our might nor our power, but by His Spirit that the work of the Gospel gets done. Thanks again for the update. We are praying for you.
Blessings to you,
David (& Glynis too)
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Good morning Rachel and family. You have been on my mind the past few days so I spent time in prayer for you today. Praying all is well. Gwen Ellen
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Greetings from Tsena Commocko Baptist Church. Praying th
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