I can’t believe that the first week of 2017 has already passed. It feels like just yesterday I was boarding a plane to fly to Costa Rica for our first month of ministry, and now we will be boarding a plane in a few weeks to fly to Malaysia!
This month I am living in Chichicastenango, Guatemala. Yeah, try saying that name 5 times fast! My team is paired with another team from our squad as we serve along side Pastor Juan and his wife. Juan is a man full of passion. His passion is contagious because of his love for the Lord! This month we are partnering with Juan as we serve this city. Ministry looks a little different day to day, but the purpose behind this months ministry is to show people the love of Jesus. This month we are painting the church, preparing bible studies for police officers, teenagers, and children, partnering with police officers for different service projects, and teaching English in the local schools.
(Something the Lord has been teaching me and calling me into is leading with music. I like being comfortable when ‘leading’ worship back in Southern California. I have never been the person to play the guitar, pick the songs, and truly “lead” in that way. Recently on the race, some friends of mine have been calling me higher. They encouraged me to stop letting my skill define me. They called me to a place where my identity was in Christ, not in my inability to play the guitar. So, this month, I am stepping into that. I’m not letting my skill define what God has blessed me with.)
(Fun fact: it’s really cold here in the Guatemalan mountains! We bought these wool blankets at the market, and things have been much warmer and happier at night!)
(Guatemalan Markets!)
Something unique about this city, and others in Guatemala, is the culture. Many people here still practice the Mayan religion. This religion believes that there are many gods and your sacrifices will determine your blessings. On our first day here, we passed by different alters with sacrifices burning from earlier that morning. Juan’s heart is to make Christ known to these younger generations. He doesn’t want the people of Chichicastenango to continue to live in this darkness.
Juan is man who has been blessed with opportunity. His ministry allows him to teach English to the children in this area. He made a deal with the principals that if he teaches English, he gets to talk Jesus. The Lord is faithful because Juan is now teaching English (and the Bible) to over 600 students!
Stay tuned for an update on life on the filed as well as pictures, videos, and more (:
Peace and blessings,
Caitlyn
