It’s always amazing how fast time goes on a mission trip! It seems like you have just unpacked bags and before you know it, it’s the last day. The mural team worked in overdrive to complete two murals for a classroom. The “young gals” of the team did a wonderful job! The men continued the magic makeover of what was once a storage room into a useable classroom, busting out windows in concrete walls, installing lighting, windows, and a new door. Extreme makeover! The major projects were completed, and we enjoyed a wonderful day with the children in VBS and the women’s ministry. The most special times are those when we pray specifically for individuals, child by child, woman by woman. The Lord’s presence is felt so powerfully in those moments! As long as it often takes to get to know someone, it is truly remarkable that we can connect so deeply with people in such a short time, no doubt the Lord’s doing.
The men stayed over in Palencia for a special outreach to the men of the community. Much prayer has gone into this event! Last year was the first men’s meeting to be held in Palencia, and we saw the Lord do great things, so we have been praying for even greater impact this year. We’re waiting for the men to return to get the full report, but we are already praising God because we know He always does GREAT things!
As we spend more time with our ministry partners here, we appreciate more and more their deep commitment to and love for the Lord and dedication to serving Him by serving people. How we learn from them!! It is also so encouraging to see young men working so faithfully in ministry. Tito, Rolando, Axel, Oswaldo, Lenny, Otto, Evan, just to name a few. What wonderful, Godly role models they are! A positive male image is so important here and has tremendous impact.
This team, as with all the teams, has done an incredible job here, giving so much of themselves, making themselves vulnerable to be true servants and learners. We don’t come here to “show them how it’s done;” we come to be pliable, usable vessels and allow the Lord to do as He pleases in and through us; He does the work!
We’ve heard repeatedly during these two weeks in Guatemala how appreciate the workers here are for just our presence. Yes, finances are always needed for any work, but it’s the “power of presence” that is most effective and impacting. We encourage, challenge, and support one another as believers in Christ. We join hands together to be His hands, feet and voice. We work together as the Body of Christ! What joy! We have so much to learn from one another, and as I review all the “one another” verses in the Scriptures, I am reminded that this not only applies to those in our own family, community and country, but to all the “one anothers” around the world.
Today we will enjoy the beauty and historical significance of Antigua, which was once the colonial capital of all of Central America. It’s a time to relax, refresh, do a bit of shopping, and reflect on what we’ve experienced here. But that is a process which we know will continue for some time to come, processing what the Lord has shown and spoken to each of us and seeing how it will effect how we view the world, ourselves, and our own purpose and relationship with the Lord.
Thank you so much for your prayers; they certainly have been felt! Please continue to pray for those who minister here day in and day out. It can be discouraging at times. Resources are so limited; the workers are few, but we are only called to be faithful to what He has set before each of us. We are asked to do what we can; may we not neglect that which we can do for fear that we can’t “fix it all” and do nothing.
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