TO:  Our friends that want to know what in the world is going on with the Harveys!! 

Some readers see this part of your email after the subject line in the inbox. Write something brief and catchy, compelling them to open the email.

For those who want the abbreviated version look for the italicized paragraphs below and read that. Your prayers in this time of change will be greatly appreciated. 


 

It has been our great pleasure and joy to serve the Lord in Guatemala for the last 22 years. We arrived in January, 1993 without knowing all the challenges and joys that would be ours for responding to His call. Over that time we have been blessed to work with children in several children's homes; train hundreds of pastors and leaders from a point where many could not read and write to actually being able to offer them a 4 year college degree; and have served many families through our health care ministry. What a joy this has been! God has raised up a wonderful team at ASELSI and we rejoice that the acronym for ASELSI - Equipping the Saints, International - has become a reality in all areas of the ministry.

 

Over the last 5 years we have faced many physical health challenges. We were determined to stay in Chichicastenango as long as possible. We soon found that racing 3 hours or more to the capital for emergency health care and then paying out of pocket was very expensive and difficult. Once our Medicare kicked in we knew that we needed to spend more time in the US so that we could get the care needed and not pay for it all ourselves.

 

In May, 2014, we flew to Oregon to begin to get this medical care. John was going in and out of arrhythmias and Sharon was experiencing a variety of symptoms that were undiagnosed. Over this past year we continued to be in weekly, sometimes daily, contact with Emanuel Perez, our Director and with others to work with them in this transition stage. Sharon made 2 trips to Guatemala by herself in September and then November/December to also help with various parts of the ministry.

 

God has been faithful to us and to ASELSI! (Why would we ever doubt Him?) John has received excellent health care and is now, once again, able to enjoy walking and other activities. He is still limited but is able to do more than he has in 5 years.  Sharon has gotten some answers for her problems through ongoing physical and speech therapy, tests and procedures, etc. Yesterday she underwent a procedure that dilated several places in her esophagus as well as having biopsies taken. Next week she will have surgery to correct hyperparathyroidism by removing one of the parathyroid glands. Recently a doctor discovered that she has 3 cervical discs that are fused and putting pressure on her spinal cord. She had experienced tingling and numbness in her feet and hands for over a year without knowing why. Medicare and our supplemental insurance have covered all of this!

 

It is real blessing to be a bigger part of our children's' lives and get to know our grandchildren better. We are enjoying being part of City Harvest Church in Vancouver, WA. John and the pastor of the Spanish congregation there have started an ASELSI extension with about 13 students studying together every Monday night! Once a teacher, always a teacher!!

 

At ASELSI, Emanuel continues to lead our staff as Director of ASELSI and as President of the Guatemalan Board of Directors. We found a real spirit of peace and the desire to continue to work for the Kingdom together among our staff and leaders as we visited last month. God is moving and He is using the many Guatemalans who have been trained at ASELSI as well as our great group of missionaries who volunteer.

 

We also want you to know that Christian Fellowship of Columbia, MO (our wonderful home church!) will continue to receive tax-deductible offerings for ASELSI as they have done for so many years! We will continue to draw a salary for the present.

 

During the month (APRIL) we were in Chichicastenango, we packed up our home and have turned it over to Emanuel, Jessica and Abiel. We will move into their smaller home in front of the ASELSI building so we will have a place to keep our things and stay there when we visit. Our hope is to visit at least for one to three months a year and maybe more, depending on our health and finances. Sharon remains on the Board of Directors as Vice-President and will continue to give oversight to the finances as she has done since ASELSI started. I am now President Emeritus of ASELSI and will continue to give counsel and to raise funds for the ministry.

 

So, yes, things have changed, especially for us, but God has not changed His vision for ASELSI and we believe that we will continue to reach out to meet the spiritual and physical needs in Guatemala as well as in other countries that we serve in. Please PRAY about what your part is in all of this! Many of you have visited us in Guatemala or been touched when you have heard us share at your church. Many have sensed the quality and dedication of the workers that God has raised up for this time and season. We need to count on you as givers so that all that has been sown into during the last 22 years will continue to bear more and more fruit!

 

Thank you to those who have loved us, prayed for us, cared for us and blessed us over all the years! You have had a huge part in all that has been done in God's name for the people of Guatemala and other Latin American countries. May the Lord continue to put ASELSI and this amazing ministry on your hearts to give. We love you!!  

Looking forward to an eternity together with you,


 

John and Sharon Harvey


 


Please feel free to write us at jharveyaselsi@gmail.com (John's email) or at johnharveychichi@gmail.com (Sharon's email) if you have any comments or questions. We always love to hear from you!