BlOGPOST GUATEMALA! Episode #2 – Familiar Faces, New Beginnings, and Chance Encounters
Hello readers! It thrills me to tell you that I have finished the second week of the World Race 2012! It was a week filled with wonderful people, service, and soul convicting truth from the Holy Spirit. Here is the lowdown in Antigua-town…..
- Familiar Faces
This week we continued to minister to the kids in the Hospital and the adults and the “Grandpa” houses. My little friend David Herrera is still struggling daily. But I know that God sees him and I believe in my heart that can heal him, but more importantly reveal himself to him. It was a good time as I got to build relationships with two new guys Elmer and Mayner. Both are teenagers with little bodies but big smiles, big hearts, and big love. They also are pretty handy in the wheelchair arts, and even teach me a thing or two as we go back and forth from the playground and computer room. My hearts desire is that they would know Jesus as their Lord and Savior more than anything, because I know he can give them more in a single whisper than I could a dozen lifetimes. I have really grown to love the guys and if you were here I know you would too. The “Grandpa Houses” are becoming progressively challenging but rewarding with each day. The language barrier paired with the fact that some of them of Alzheimer’s make communication and relationship building a struggle. But with bribes of toothpaste to bust them out of the joint and requests for a type of grass I don’t think the Lord intended us to smoke, it certainly stays entertaining!
- New Beginnings
Meet Luis Carlos Castillo!
He is our ministry contact here in Guatemala. He works with a ministry called Nueva Generacion or New Generation. The focus is to bring “Morals and Values” classes into the public school system with a curriculum solely drawn upon from the Bible. Through these classes and much prayer, relationships are formed with students ages 12-20 and from this Christian discipleship can happen for those who accept Christ as the Savior. This week we began the process of traveling to schools of different calibers in and outside the city of Antigua to start establishing relationships with the students. In each of the classes we went in, we were able to introduce ourselves and play games with the kids. I even was requested to sing a little opera in each class much to the delight of Luis who is a singer himself. Next week weactually begin teaching the material. We are expecting God to do great things in the hearts of these kids, because for many of them drugs and sex is so rampant in their everyday life and religion takes the place of relationship with God in many of their families.
Fun Facts About Luis……!
Luis is a humble and kindhearted man. He lives in Antigua with his wife and two beautiful daughters that are “literally” a miracle from God! He loves the Lord and is passionate in what he does. He is also a wonderful singer, songwriter, and musician. It is such a blessing to meet brothers in Christ all over the World! I am excited for what God will bring forth in our relationship!
- Chance Encounters
As a believer in the divine all knowing God, I don’t believe in chance. But what looks like chance encounters to the world are in reality divine appointments from God. Thursday afternoon after lunch, I began to feel a real weight in my Spirit. Knowing that we were headed to the hospital that afternoon something told me not to go and to stay in my room and read the book of Matthew. After wrestling with thoughts of how people on my team would perceive me if I didn’t go, I finally surrendered and obeyed what I felt the Lord was asking me to do. As I sat in my dimly lighted room I dove into the book of Matthew like I never have before. There were scriptures I read that were review, some things I read went deeper than before, and others things that flat out left me puzzled and challenged. Later that evening we were invited as a team to have a dinner with our hospital contact Pat, whose neighbor is a Guatemalan lady that hosts foreign exchange students and volunteers. Seeing an opportunity to develop new relationships I introduced myself to all of those not on my team. After getting my food and seeing all of the World Racers on one side and the handful of students on the other, I decided I would eat with the strangers. Walking over to them I saw one girl sitting by herself at a table. So I asked if I could sit with her and she said yes. Once the introductions and typical “small talk” was over she asked the reason for my presence in Guatemala. I told her I was working with a missions group called the World Race. Then she said, “As person who grew up with atheist parents, I have always admired people who had God, I pray but what is that you have?” I then felt the Lord immediately and clearly tell me to share the gospel with her. As I began to talk all of the scriptures from Matthew began to pour out me like a river of love that only the Holy Spirit could do. I could see in her eyes that something registered in her heart and that a seed was being planted. After our conversation was over she thanked me for sharing, but I didn’t need to hear words to know the Lord was softening her heart. Then suddenly I remembered in that morning in prayer, I had asked God to give me an opportunity to share the gospel with someone today. I discretely walked to other side of the room and praised him for answering my prayer. God blesses obedience and he hears our prayers Praise the Lord! We ended the night with a fantastic Guatemalan meal, music, and dancing. I am praying the Lord would continue move on that girl’s heart and reveal himself to her in way that would change her life. We are called to preach, but He alone can save!
- Fun
On Saturday, our day off from scheduled ministry time, we took a day trip and climbed the Pacaya volcano. One of three major volcanoes in Antigua, it is one of two that are still active and its last eruption was in 2010! It was about a 2 hour hike to the top were we roasted marshmallows under the hot rock. We have experience several earthquakes since we have been here in Antigua. It was the first one I ever felt, so a southern boy got his taste of the fault line! We are just praying that none trigger Pacaya!
Once again thank you for you love, prayers, and support. Thank you for taking the time to read as well!
Stand on the Truth, Walk in the Light, and Rest in His Love.
Ryan Miller
