A Recap and an End

 

Before we head to our next ministry, here’s a quick recap of our time in Guatemala outside of dump ministry:

 

 

We rode around in the ministry van, named Petunia. She leaks a little when it rains, but has served us well. Our record for the number of people we crammed in: 30. There were even games played when we had 20-something people. I don’t know how the space allowed. There were tickling sessions. With mad beats from David, there were a few free-style raps made about Petunia and our time riding in her. When we didn’t ride in Petunia, we would climb into the back of a pickup. Our record in that: 13 in a tiny pickup bed. It was very squished.

 

Several days we were able to walk around neighborhoods and pray over the people. I have been surprised at how receptive people are to prayer. They don’t always give specific prayer requests, but they almost always say yes to prayer. Some people invited us into their homes. Some gifted us with freshly made tortillas. Some asked us to come to their house next door. One man sought us out on the street and asked us to walk over to his house and pray. 

 

Other days we visited the children’s hospital and the orphanage to spend time with the kiddos. We went to the park a couple of times to play soccer or hang out with the break dancers. We were invited to several churches. Sometimes we were a part of the congregation. Most of the time we took part through music, drama, testimonies, and prayer. It was an honor to visit so many churches. (Services are not just on Sunday. There is guaranteed to be one somewhere on any given day.) One of the churches helped to surprise us with a party last night to celebrate our time here. It was a night spent in Guatemalan fashion and it was wonderful!

 

I’m not sure that I’m ready to say goodbye to everyone here, but our next ministry awaits. Our first goodbye out of 11 had to come sometime. We’ll see if they are all this difficult.