I do apologize for the delay on blogging – the truth is that I don’t know where to start. My mind is racing on what the focus of this blog should be, but I’ve been hit with so many emotions and experiences that I am still trying to process.
I mean really, where do I start? With the sights and sounds of beautiful Guatemala? Or a description of the culture and the locals we are connecting with, the kids that I’ve been getting to know at school?
Do I tell you how God’s working in me and in my team?
Maybe I should just tell you about my awesome team. There has also been a lot struggles and great accomplishments that we’ve worked out.
I have been living in Guatemala for a little over a month now. My team, The Sojourners, have settled down into our house and ministry in San Raymundo, Guatemala. We have been truly blessed.
Our house is amazing; we have beds, electricity and hot water. And our host Lori is this amazing woman that we live next to. Anytime you stop by for what you were expecting to be a moment, you end up sitting down for hours to hear her endless stories on how God has moved in her life. Lori also runs the ministry that we are a part of. She has started an amazing school called Mañana Gloriosa that holds over 700 children.
drawing the Arch of Antigua
At ministry my team has been teaching bible classes, joining the kids in their dance routines, teaching English and art classes.
one of my star students
This month we have been celebrating the independence for Guatemala. We’ve been a part of decorating and joining pageants, parades across all of Antigua, and dance competitions in the middle of the square.
all 700 students plus parents of Morning Glory
My team has been learning how to live together. We have been figuring out a schedule with our free time after ministry to have worship and bible studies. We go out into the square to have prayer walks, talk and pray with random people who approach us,and play soccer on the streets with kids.
the real trick is to actually kick the ball
We’ve made relationships with more than just the kids and the people at the school and in the square. Almost every day we find it ourselves talking to Caesar at our favorite corner store that gives 15 cent chocobananos, and a few blocks down we chat with and get to know Andrew who started his very own coffee shop.
some friends we made while playing tag at the square
We have a good chunk of time to dive into scripture and have communion with the Lord. I have found a lot of growth in learning how to better walk along side the Lord – when to speak and when to hold my tongue. I’ve also been searching for and finding joy in every situation and gaining a new perspective of the world.
Let me just say Guatemala is beautiful. It’s always around 74 degrees in the day and ends with peaceful rainy nights. Every corner is covered with hundreds of flowers as bright and multicolored as each house on the streets. When you walk down these bright character-filled streets it’s not uncommon to hear joyful music from radios and churches echoing in the air and smiling faces waving hello at each corner.
typical way to travel around Guat. great views.
Prayer requests would be for further growth for my team and to have a greater boldness and more opportunities for ministry on our free time.
Let me know what you want to hear about on my blogs! I want to keep you all updated!
Also, do you have an Instagram? I’ve been keeping a lot of people updated @MadisonPBarrowman
