07/16/2025
Here's our latest July Update:
We begin this update with thanksgiving in our hearts for all our faithful friends. Caryl and I can feel your prayers and appreciate all the support you have extended to us over the years. I’ve often talked to you about Caryl’s faith and how it has encouraged and amazed me. The level of faith that God has put in Caryl has been a blessing to me and many others..
I (John) made another trip to Guatemala. I was there from May 29th to June 5th. It was another productive trip based on the feedback I received. I spent a few days ministering to the leaders of the Guatemala City House of Prayer. It was a special time for me to spend more quality time with those leaders who work so hard in the Prayer Room. I also met with my friend Jose who is a business man and entrepreneur. It seemed as if God surprised me everyday with different people who needed prayer and who needed to be encouraged. In writing these newsletter for decades now, I sometimes find it difficult to fully communicate all that the Lord did through me and how God uses me. I’m well aware of the responsibility that comes with having a prophetic gift. The Lord continues to humble me as I prayed for people in Guatemala. I’ll try to give a few examples.
I prayed for one lady who I met in March 2025 when I last went to Guatemala. Obviously, I knew nothing about a difficult circumstance she had just been through regarding an important relationship in her life. She made the difficult decision to break off a long term relationship with her boyfriend. She was heart broken because she was doubting herself and wondering if she had made the correct decision. The prophetic word I gave her spoke directly into her decision and the Lord confirmed it was the right decision to make. She was weeping as I prayed over her. The Lord had ministered to her in her greatest time of need. It was only later that day that I was told her whole story. I was once again amazed at how God is in “the details” of our lives.
I also ministered to one of the worship leaders. I met him for the first time on my last trip. Once again, I know nothing about his life and what he is praying for. As I began to pray for him, I sensed the Lord using him to travel to other Houses of Prayer in Central America. At the time, I had no clue if Central America even had any other Houses of Prayer! I had little faith as I prayed for him. I also prayed about a “season of creativity” that he was entering into. This season of creativity would involve making a CD with new worship songs. Later, the translator told me that this leader was going to travel to Costa Rica to teach new worship leaders at a newly formed House of Prayer for two weeks. I was also told that he was in fact in the process of making a new worship CD. Hearing this only lifted my faith level to a whole new level. While I do love the opportunity to pray for people, I also sense the responsibility given to me by God to be able to strengthen and encourage His people.
I’ll give one more example. Another leader I prayed for had been asking God to confirm that her ministry was pleasing to Him. She felt alone in what she was doing and needed to be encouraged. She had been doubting herself and desired confirmation that God was “with her.” All of what she had been praying for was obviously unknown to me. I later learned she prayed to God that I would be the one to bring her confirmation to continue with her ministry. Once again, I did not know any of this until later. As I began to pray, I prayed something like, “I see the Lord standing behind you. He is with you. He wants you to move forward with your ministry. God is building your faith even now and wants you continue to move forward.” This lady was greatly encouraged. She was visibly shaking and crying as I prayed. Once I was done, the lady shared with the group everything she had been praying about. I was shocked upon hearing her story and how the Lord graciously spoke into her greatest prayer need.
There are twelve more examples I could give but I hope the three I mentioned above will suffice for now. That’s the power of prophetic ministry. Even after three decades of being used by God in this way, I can’t believe the ways in which God chooses to minister to His people. God’s word says in 1 Corinthians 13:9, “we know in part and prophesy in part.” God’s power is demonstrated through prophetic ministry. I can’t always explain it to people but you recognize it when you see it!
In our last newsletter, I mentioned my friend, Jose. It was a real joy to be able to spend a few days of fellowship with him. Each time we met, I was able to encourage him give him God’s perspective on a few business matters he was dealing with. One day, we went to his office and he introduced me to two of his main managers. Jose wanted me to meet these managers so I could get to know them and be able to pray for them.
Someone asked me the other day about retirement and what my plans were. That’s not a word I use to describe myself! We are not retired. Honestly, it seems as if there are more doors opening the older we get. We know this is God’s favor on us. If you’d like me to minister at your church or home group please contact me and we can talk about those details.
God has a way of keeping our lives interesting. Caryl and I embrace each day as a gift from Him. We continue to lean into God and His plans for us! May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. Peace!
