Good day (Chol, "wen ut'tat kin")! We had frijol(blackbean) for breakfast. The feeding of the stomach is the first thing they do at arrival. The hosting church, Arroyo Palenque village, once again welcomed us with abundant food. Delicious it was! The ladies in kitchen showed their teeth wide open to manifest their happiness to have us at their church.

All 22 participants (or click the picture for a group picture) from four organized churches, including 2 pastors, were active during the two-day study. Five deacons are illiterates. However, they've showed their interest in the study giving us thoughts and faithfully following the schedules. A deacon with a long white mustache caught my attention. He carried an old Chol Bible. Its cover was worn out for being used too much(?!). He loves the Word.

I enjoyed interacting with them. They also enjoyed helping each other: searching Bible verses, explaining new words, and foreseeing what would be the future of their churches. We looked over their Church Order simply to remind their tasks and functions as deacons within and outside the church. They niddle-noddled their heads as a sign of understanding. Surely, they will be a blessing for churches as they engage more in serving at tables, collecting offerings, keeping church property clean, and visiting the needy people.

Meanwhile, pastor Jose Lopez had another 10 deacons on the other side of Chol country. The Chol presbytery is in the process of organizing another presbytery. When it occurs, it will help utilize its human and financial resources more effectively, and it will also make the goal-oriented ministry visible.

[FYI] A study shows that Chiapas evangelical churches rated the highest rank in numeric growth but lowerst in financial contribution in comparison with other states. The living cost increases year after year. On the other hand, a mere pittance church offering barely covers relatively expensive travel expenses of church officers. It has been ongoing headache for us. Its possible solution would be reducing the unnecessary expenses rather than attempting to increase offerings from the peasants' pockets. Please pray for Chol churches.