I have been so incredibly blessed over the 10 months that I have been on the World Race. The Lord has allowed me to meet, learn from, and share life with so many incredible people. Some of the most incredible and inspiring people I have had the privilege to meet are the people and missionaries that host us and allow us to work along side them in their ministry. Guatemala is no different in that respect. Our host this month is an incredible man of faith and it is amazing to see his trust for the Lord and how the Lord works in his life.
“But seek fist His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”- Matthew 6:33
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”- Proverbs 3:1-3
Our hosts name is Juan and his life is an example of these two verses. Juan’s life is an incredible story. He was born in Guatemala but moved to the United States later in life. While in the United States he worked several odd jobs and was even homeless for awhile when he couldn’t find work. Through trials in the United States he learned to give up all of himself for what the Lord was asking of him.
He said the last place he would do mission work was Guatemala, however that’s where the Lord was leading him. After planting a church in El Salvador and meeting his wife, he moved back to Guatemala with nothing. He only strives everyday do listen to what the Lord is asking him to do and then go out and show the love of Jesus to everyone he meets.
Perhaps the most inspiring and amazing thing about Juan is his complete trust in the Lord. When Juan and his wife moved back to Guatemala, Juan told her that before they built a house of their own they had to build the Lord’s house first. So they built a church. Juan has not had a salary for 8 years. He works at a local public school teaching English to 500 students, but he does this so that he can preach the gospel to the kids there. When the headmaster of the school asked him to help with teaching English he told her he would do it only if he could preach the gospel and if he couldn’t do that then he wouldn’t teach English. The Lord has never been absent from Juan and because of Juan’s faithfulness He has provided everything Juan needs.
Juan’s life if marked by the purpose the Lord has given him. He knows his life is not about making money or having treasures stored up for this world. Juan knows his purpose is to preach the gospel. Juan knows that his life is supposed to be marked by love and faithfulness to the Lord and the Lord will take care of the rest.
Juan’s ministry is called New Generation Guatemala. In Chichicastenango, a majority of the residents are Mayan and still practice the Mayan religion. Juan reaches out to everyone around him with love but specifically the kids of his city. He dreams of the Lord raising up a generation of kids that know the love of Christ and then transform the city of Chichicastenango and the world around them.
He does this without provisions for himself. Juan is primarily concerned with what the Lord the is asking him to do and he thinks about his own needs later. Juan says, “This is not my ministry, this is the Lord’s ministry and he can use me if He wants to.” He also says, “People usually think that you need to have everything before you start doing ministry. You need money, a lot of ministry partners, and a office or church to operate out of. We build our plane while we are flying. We are doing the ministry we know the Lord has called us to do and we trust and wait on Him to provide; and He has always provided everything we need.”
What are you waiting for to start what the Lord has called you to. The Lord is faithful to those who are faithful to Him. Trust in the Lord. Take the first step of faith into what the Lord has welcomed you to do with Him for His glory. You don’t need every little detail figured out to do ministry or affect the world around you. You simply need to Lord and faith and trust in Him. “Without Him you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
