I wanted to give everyone a highlight of Guatemala. Guatemala was unlike any other month, it was special because we were doing something called “Unsung Hero”. This means we had the opportunity to find ministries that are furthering the Kingdom and had the ability to make partnership with them to future world racers, if they are the right fit.
One thing that I learned in Guatemala, was that The Lord will make divine appointments. Through Gods timing and divine appointments; He will make a way for you to run into the right person, at the right time. When my team and I were open to the Holy Spirit to move; He would show us where we needed to be, it was quite incredible what The Lord would do. At different times we were led to homeless people that were crying out for help to break addictions, handing out roses to women on the street that we wrote bible verses on, encouraging other missionaries on the streets, we were able to work with different ministries, and also just simply talking and getting to know the locals. This month was full of amazing God moments but one ministry that became close to my heart that I want to share with you was a ministry called BuildingGUATE.
In Antigua, Guatemala the roads are filled with cobblestone. It was a dream to look around and see the beautiful architecture and to see the streets filled with people from all over the world. One thing that I loved to see were the traditional indigenous people selling their handmade textiles throughout every street. Even through these packed streets, The Lord made it appoint to meet incredibly special people. One being the founder of Building Guate- Oscar and also a couple that has given up everything to be missionaries at Building Guate- Steve and Le Anne. Seeing a dream come reality was such an encouragement for me. At this point, it is in the Lords hands whether or not future world race teams can work there. We did the work of filling out the paper work, and even helping them swing pick axes to help dig their septic system.
It was about a forty minute drive from where we were staying in Antigua to get to where this ministry is, Escuintla. We were all anxious to see the site and wondering what we got ourselves into at five in the morning. Walking on to the property, we see children running around laughing and playing, a hole in the ground to fetch their water, brick houses, some cows and chickens and stray dogs that roamed around on the property. The missionaries and the co-founder told us little bit about what they do and gave us a tour. We met some of the locals, toured the school, the houses and also, did some of the hard work because there was definitely some work to get done!
After, six hours of swinging a pick axe we took a walk of the landfill. The air was filled with a rancid smell of burning chemicals and rubber. With each breathe the thick smoke that covered the air was now being inhaled into our lungs. Nobody knows this because I was trying to act tougher than I actually am but tears started to well in my eyes when I stepped a foot into that landfill. I was not only trying to keep it together for the sake of my teammates but surrounding the area, there were workers. This is how they make a living; the workers spend all day in the smoldering hot sun to pick out recyclables because at the end of the week they knew they would have $30/week for their families. This is the landfill community or also known as the “forgotten people of Guatemala.”
The co-founder of BuildingGUATE, Oscars story is a quite an amazing one. He started this ministry after he saw little children scavenging through the trash to get meals to survive. The same trash they pick through for food was the same trash they have made for their homes and he wanted to see a change. He wanted to help these families. Oscars’ ministry is all about taking people out of that landfill to provide for them a home, education, teach them basic health skills, have bible studies, and also, do a soup kitchen for the community once a week.
This ministry is teaching the opposite of what they believe. This ministry teaches that education super in important. In this community, it is the complete opposite. Once the children are big enough, they will send them to the landfill because that is more money that the family will have to survive on. So, education gets pushed aside. Most of the adults cannot even read and they don’t know the basic things in life like we do. Anything from the proper ways to brush teeth, why flossing is so important to how a child is conceived and when ovulation happens. This is all taught in school and also, when moving into one of their houses the new home owners will agree to take care of their children and also, must send them to school. When chatting with a lady that lives there I began to talk to her about my family. I told her that I only had one older sister she was absolutely shocked because in this community it is rare. They normally will have at least eight children.
I also, had the opportunity to check out the school and meet the kids. The school was amazing, I met around five teachers there that just love the children and wish for sponsorship for every single child in the community. There were kids that I met that were so happy to go to school every day and unfortunately, I met a few that were saddened because could not attend the school because they did not have a sponsorship. It absolutely wrecked my heart.
(Picture at the school with the teachers)
Being an American, I understand that when hearing about sponsorship for a child in a third world country, can be skeptical. I know I sure am guilty of it so maybe it is just me? The questions pop up, well where is that money really going? So we think about it when that sad commercial comes on or that motivational speaker gets on the stage but, at the end of the day we don’t do it.
But I want to encourage everyone to sponsor this ministry. Seeing it first hand was heart wrenching and life changing for me and I am so happy that I have the opportunity to share it with everyone back at home. These children so deserve to see the sacrificial love that Jesus has for them and this can happen through a sponsorship. A person that they don’t even know that lives thousands of miles from them shows a love that nothing can touch. This will provide for them future skills that they can take with them forever, it will give them opportunities for them to get a different job other than working in the landfill, give them health skills that are necessary and also, share the gospel to the unforgotten people of Guatemala.
I 100% believe in this ministry and I believe in the work that the founder and the missionaries are doing there.
So happy that I had the opportunity to see was how much these missionaries and the founder relies and trusts in The Lord. They dropped everything to serve this community. That was a lesson in itself for me. I was so happy to see such compassion for these people and a dream to show love throughout the whole community.
Another way to support this ministry is through supporting the missionaries there. They need a sponsor too! This organization is incredible and it is inexpensive ……it is one dollar a day. It is $30/month. Just got to the website I listed below and click where you would like to donate.
http://www.buildinguate.com/home.html
Psalm 41:1 Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble. The Lord will protect him and preserve his life.
The Bible often speaks of God’s care for the weak, poor, needy and of his blessing for those who share this concern. God wants generosity to reflect his own free giving.
