Thanks

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Thankful for our Family

January 4, 2012 in Devotional, Missions, Thanks by Dave | 2 comments

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This Christmas season, we were able to return to the US to spend time with the family. Our days were full of visiting, catching up, eating (lots of eating), and just being together.

As we prepared to leave, Kelly’s mom asked what it was that we wanted to have for dinner. It was decided to prepare chicken and biscuits, a definite taste of home in then Yaple household. Still, while the meal was excellent, the preparation time is what really got me thinking. There was Kim, working into kitchen. Rebekah was there as well working alongside her, patting out biscuits onto a cookie sheet before baking. They were talking and laughing, pictures were being taken, memories shared. It was then that I was reminded that missionaries aren’t the only ones who make sacrifices.

How many moments in the kitchen has my mother-in-law missed because her granddaughter lived in a foreign country? How many meals has my Mom prepared for herself because her loved ones were far from home? We have are the ones who leave, but they are the ones who are left behind.

Nevertheless, we feel from our family nothing but support for what God is doing through us. I joked with a few Mexican friends as we were preparing for our trip that we were returning for the holidays because our parents had accused us of kidnapping their grandchildren, but nothing could be further from the truth. What happened to Jesus in Mark 3 (also in Matthew 12 and Luke 8 ) when Jesus’ mother and brothers had come to “collect” Jesus and take him home from his ministry has never been our concern. On the contrary, our parents have released us to the Lord, and pray constantly for the work that we are called to achieve. And even though my mom has wondered aloud on one occasion, “Why did He have to call you so far away?” Her sentiment was one of resignation preceded by, “When you were called by God to be a missionary, I gave you into His hands.”

And so, having returned to Mérida, reestablishing ourselves into our work and school schedules, I wanted to take time out to recognize the others who unselfishly gave so that we could be released to do what God has called us to do. Thanks Grandma G., Grandma Kim, Papa Dave, and all of the aunts and uncles (too numerous to type in a brief posting) for giving so that we could go. May God recognize and honor all that you have done, and bless you beyond measure because of it.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

November 21, 2011 in Thanks by Dave | Permalink

In this season of giving thanks, we would like to express our gratitude for your your prayers and support that enable us to minister here in the Yucatán.

Happy Thanksgiving, from our family to yours!

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Realizing the Vision

June 24, 2011 in Ministry, Progress, Thanks by Dave | Permalink

In 2008, then Bible School Director Silverio Blanco and I met to talk about ways in which we could work together to update the facilities of Instituto Bíblico, Bethel. Since that time, we’ve invited others to join with us to make the vision that we put down on paper a reality. Finally, that vision is coming to fruition.

This Spring, construction began on a new building for Bethel. This will hold a cafeteria, a library, and a multipurpose room that can be used as an additional, much needed, classroom. This month, Sparrow Fellowship from Waterford, PA, was our first team to lend a hand in construction. They worked for a week, not only laying a foundation and building walls, but more importantly investing in the mission of raising up new leaders for the work here in the Yucatan.

Take a look at the pictures below for some of the week’s action:


“From June 11-18, 2011, Sparrow Fellowship came to Merida to help in the construction at Bethel Bible Institute.”

From Sparrow Fellowship Team. Posted by David Godzwa on 6/24/2011 (9 items)

The team (from left to right) Joel Brennan, Bruce Kunkle, Seth Crowell, and Scott Cro…
Bruce and Joel talking about the finer points of mixing cement.
Version two of their mortar box. This was eventually abandoned to mix Mexican style, …
Seth and Joel blocking the wall


Joel going vertical!
Bruce and Scott putting the finishing touches on the east wall.
Isaias, the master mason, pouring the supports.
The team photo in front of the finished job. (From left to right) Isaias, Joel, Scott…


Pastor Scott, preaching at Sendero de la Cruz


Generated by Facebook Photo Fetcher 2

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Merry Christmas from the Godzwa Family

December 23, 2010 in Thanks by Dave | Permalink

Thank You Vector Ministries!

June 10, 2010 in Day2Day, Thanks by Dave | 2 comments

Recognize this picture? If you’ve seen our missions display you might.

It’s a snapshot of our struggle to teach and train in spite of the lack of resources on the mission field. In that particular instance, I was trying to set up an old projector without a VGA cable on a kiddie table. The result, after an hour of work, was frustration. We went without the Power Point that session. It’s a common tale when we have to rely on what the local church may have on hand to facilitate our presentations. In many locations, even a white board is a luxury!

However, thanks to Vector Ministries and their Speed the Light challenge, the frustration that you see in the above picture is a thing of the past. This past Sunday, at Praise Assembly in Springfield, they presented us with a brand new Sanyo projector, complete with cables! Now instead of worrying about our equipment us as we head out to train, we’ll be able to focus on discipling those we’ve been called to serve.

Thanks Vector Ministries!

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A Reason to Pray

May 4, 2010 in Prayer, Progress, Thanks by Dave | 3 comments

If you needed a reason to pray for your itinerating missionaries, this weekend surely made our need all the more apparent as torrential rain and floodwaters nearly stranded us in the state of Tennessee on Saturday.

We were travelling from Dalton, GA to Caruthersville, MO, returning from services in Georgia and a family reunion in South Carolina. We were on our way back to Missouri on Saturday morning via I-24 and I-40 with hopes to spend a leisurely afternoon with the Titus family, pastors of Caruthersville First, before holding services the next day in the Kennett section of the Southern Missouri District.

Things progressed as expected until just after lunchtime as we reached the Murfreesboro area. As we continued west, the skies opened up soaking the roads and slowing our momentum to 40 miles per hour at times on 70 mile per hour freeways. This kept up for at least an hour, finally breaking as we passed through Nashville. However, just as we thought that the worst was over, our progress ground to a halt in front of a river that had overflowed it’s banks and now crossed the entire highway.

The next two hours were spent in a number of switchbacks as we looked for a suitable detour. We traveled across US-70 through the flooded Dickson and then onto Waverly, where the river had virtually cut off that town from the highway. We crossed the water to travel down route 13 only to be turned back again 4 miles from rejoining I-40. We drove back to US-70 then and on to route 641 where we were finally able to regain I-40 and continue our forward progress toward the boot heel of Missouri.

As we looked to the right and the left of the roadways, everything seemed to be underwater–houses, businesses, churches and farms. The water was everywhere and seemingly in everything. By the time that we made it through Dyersburg and across the Mississippi it was well after 8:00 PM, and we were overjoyed to have reached Missouri and our journey’s end.

As we traveled, there were moments when I doubted that we would be able to make it through. I second guessed our decisions to continue, thinking perhaps that it might have been safer to stop and attempt forward progress at a later time. However, after spending a stormy night in the hotel in Missouri, I was confident that the urgency that I had felt to press on was well founded. The situation only got worse the following day in Tennessee.

So I am thankful that God had His hand upon us, guiding us through. And I am grateful for the prayers of those who stand behind us, as much during our itineration as during our time on the field. We appreciate this much needed support!

Still, as I am glad to be home to tell my tale, my heart goes out to the many who weren’t able to escape the flooding–those who lost possessions, homes, even loved ones to the raging waters. One quote from a news story read, “I know God doesn’t give us more than we can take, but I’m at my breaking point.” As you pray for us, please lift up these who are now suffering in the devastation through which we were guided this past Saturday.

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Reconnecting on the Road

December 15, 2009 in Day2Day, Progress, Thanks by Dave | Permalink

FriedChickenWhile travel certainly has it’s downside, one of the benefits that we receive is the chance to reconnect with friends and family all across the U.S. One such chance came this last weekend when we spoke at Saint Robert First Assembly, where our friends, Joel and Amy Maxwell, attend.

Joel and Amy are friends from our college days, when, almost 15 years ago our paths crossed in the married housing at Evangel University, then Evangel College. We shared dinners, exchanged information on where to find the best grocery deals, and basically grew up together.

Later, Amy and I worked together at Evangel while I attended AGTS. She was on the cutting edge of “exciting web technology,” even then dabbling in blogging as she maintained the University’s web presence. It was during those days that we watched our kids come on the scene. Play dates in the park or at each other’s house was a frequent occurrence.

Not all of it was good times, Joel and Amy’s lives were dramatically affected by situation in which he nearly lost his ability to walk, having been run over on the job as a security guard at Evangel. We were glad to be of support, if even in a small way as they saw their business collapse in late 2005. Their story of perseverance through adversity, however, has been an inspiration to us. To see them now, Joel having recently completed a marathon on his reconstructed leg, and rising out of the teeth of financial disaster, makes us marvel at their determination and resilience. If that isn’t enough, Joel is now serving as an officer on active duty in the Army, while Amy is a Chaplain Candidate studying at AGTS. These are solid people.

This weekend was a real treat, then, when we were greeted by the smells of Joel’s famous recipe chicken-fried chicken, with mashed potatoes and gravy to boot! I was even allowed to take part in this masterpiece of a meal in the making, as the photo above proves. Later, the kids played downstairs while we caught up around the table accompanied as well by Judi Murphy, a Facebook friend we’ve finally had the chance to meet.

The next day we held services at their church, where Amy introduced us as family, and Pastor Gabe Falen graciously allowed us the opportunity to address both the Sunday school and share during the morning worship service. The largely military congregation responded, committing their prayer support and finances.

The reunion of course couldn’t last forever, we had services in the evening to attend, but we were appreciative of the fact that, sometimes, our travels as missionaries allow us to reconnect once more with friends like the Maxwells.

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A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words…

December 9, 2009 in Thanks by Dave | 1 comment

SeligmanProjectorBut what happens when you can’t show one? Well, missionary presentations have the tendency to stretch on a bit longer. And with opportunities to speak being more and more limited, the luxury to extend is fast disappearing. That’s one situation we’ll not have to worry about this itineration cycle, though, thanks to Curt Rozean and the SO MO District CE department.

Frequently confronted with situations where a projector is simply not available, we we’re looking to find an inexpensive yet reliable alternative for ourselves. Nevertheless, a projector strong enough to cast an image in a lit room is still a bit pricey.

Enter Curt Rozean of the Southern Missouri District CE department. He was advertising used projectors for sale. At, $250 a piece, I thought that they were definitely worth looking at. I emailed him the next day, but, unfortunately, they were spoken for. I ran into him later, however, at Central A/G in Springfield that night where we spoke again about projectors. He began by talking to me about several sites where I might find a deal, but then he stopped.

“Where do you need to use the projector?” he asked.

I responded, “just from time to time here while I are in the States, when the church we visit doesn’t have one.”

He offered, “Why don’t you borrow ours? We rarely use it and I can call you when I need it.”

A projector to use for free? Would I like to borrow one? you betcha. I stopped by the district office where he gave me not only the projector, but also a table, screen, and a 50′ extension cable. Can you say early Christmas?

Now, I know that it all has to go back sometime, but I’m thankful that Curt found it in his heart to bless this missionary with a much needed tool. In fact, it was put to use just last Wednesday night in Seligman, MO, and it will be back on the job this coming Sunday night in Hartville.

So I just wanted to take a moment and post my thanks to Curt Rozean and the SOMO District CE Department. Thanks for the loan. It will be well taken care of and put to good use!

Happy Thanksgiving

November 25, 2009 in Thanks by Dave | Permalink

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In this season of giving thanks, we want to express our appreciation for your words of encouragement, sustaining prayer, and faithful support as we serve as your missionaries in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. Our prayer is that your Thanksgiving and Christmas season would be filled with the joy of the Lord and the peace that comes from following His will for your life both now and in the coming New Year.

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Shameless Plug: The Godzwas on GoAG.org

November 19, 2009 in Ministry, Thanks by Dave | Permalink

We’ve met our share of great people along the itineration trail. One of those great people happened to be Cherri Pike, who works for the Personnel and Family life department at AGWM. After hearing our presentation at New Life Church in Springfield, she asked to feature our ministry as the Missionaries on Assignment” on the GoAG.org website. This is the website set up to promote missions to our entire Assemblies of God fellowship. So for the month of November, and for an indefinite period afterwards, you can read about the Godzwas @ GoAG.org! Thanks Cherri!

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