Wheeler Family Update - Christmas 2025
Christmas 2025
The Savior — yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! - Luke 2:11
We are excited about this Advent Season: celebrating Jesus’ birth and seeking more of Him in our personal lives and in the ministry here in Guatemala! We pray that you along with us will also experience Christ and His presence in fresh ways in the coming year! We count you amongst our many blessings!
2025 has been a full year with joys and some difficulties, as well. We hope to have a face to face with you in the coming year (here or at your place) to share more and hear from you, too!
For now, Just a bit of news:
Last December Kendon had cataract surgery and enjoyed not having to wear glasses anymore. Sadly, he had a detached retina in his left eye in August. This has been a long and stressful recovery of which he is still in the middle. (He may think that the worst part is having to let me do all the driving!) Hopefully in late January he will have the silicon oil removed and be able to see again in that eye.
Upcoming January...
Michelle had an angiogram, and no surgery was required yet on the brain aneurysms. We’ll go back to Jacksonville again in January 2026.
Her long-anticipated 18th birthday was in May. Michelle's senior year classes in graphic design ended in August and then she had a great experience in a month long internship at a nearby business in September.
Graduation was in November and then Kendon put her to work with several computer projects. She hopes to take some online courses next year.
Changing Lives
Wendy and I are coming up on 38 years of serving God in Guatemala. In many ways it truly seems like yesterday that we were packing up and getting ready to move our young family to Central America! A number of you have supported us the entire time we have been here! Some have joined our support team along the way. Regardless of how long you have stood with us in prayer and financial support, we are grateful!!!
During the last couple of years, we have noticed an increase in the cost of living here. We have also lost a few supporters, primarily due to aging, retirement and even death. We are asking Him to replace those supporters and are seeking an additional $1000/month support. If you know of anyone who might like to join our support team, would you consider approaching them on our behalf or putting us in touch with them?
As I read Matthew 6 this morning in The Passion Translation, I was drawn to vs. 31-33:
“So then, forsake your worries! Why would you say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For that is what the unbelievers chase after. Doesn’t your heavenly Father already know the things your bodies require? So above all, constantly seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly."
Praise God that we can focus on chasing after Him and not have to worry about "What will we eat?" or "What will we drink?" or "What will we wear?"!
Other Highlights...
We’ve had numerous great teams (16) come down to work and minister this year: the kids absolutely love the extra attention and activities with visitors!
We are participating in Prepare International’s two-year leadership training program with all our staff. Kendon and I have had several trips to the states. We had a big family reunion in April to celebrate the 90th birthday of Kendon’s mom, which was a lot of fun. We have visited our kids and 6 grands, as well as churches and supporters.
In addition to seeing family, it was a blessing to go to the New Room Conference in Montgomery, Alabama. Other trips included connecting with different church and individual supporters and conducting a three-day training for seven new missionaries God has brought to NLAI!
One of our trips was to bury my mother, who passed away in June after a couple of months of difficult illness. Thankfully my brother David was able to come down both in March and May to spend time with her. We loved having her here with us for 4½ years, even though she had Alzheimer’s. Five precious ladies gave 24/7 care to Mom and became like family to us. This has been a time of transition and mourning, but we do not grieve like those without hope! Thank you for the visits, flowers, notes, and prayers. I’m grateful!
So, praise the Lord for Advent! His coming, to give us Hope and Eternal Life!
Last Sunday 19 of our kids were baptized: that’s worth celebrating! God is on the move! Thank you for being a part of what He is doing in hearts and lives in Guatemala!
Love in Him,