We've finished our first week here in Puerto Barrios and it's been a cool first week (in terms of what we've done, in terms of weather it's been sweaty!)
We spent our first morning in a time of intercession for the churches and communities here, praying together and worshipping together and then after lunch we went and prayer walked around the area that we live near.
A number of evenings this week were spent visiting services in a few of the nearby churches. As part of that we were able to introduce ourselves and say a little bit about who we are and one of our number would share a little testimony. Then Andrea, one of the staff from here, and myself and usually one of the other guys would share a couple of worship songs. The other night was great as Andrea and I shared singing 'Open the eyes of my heart Lord' and 'I'm trading my sorrows' by switching between the English and Spanish versions. I know at least the choruses of both of those in Spanish now but I had to leave the verses to Andrea to sing, but it was great.
We've also had a couple of 'team building' / 'get to know the area' type activities, competing against each other which has been great to do. Something I realise I have forgotten to point out – and quite an important detail – is that this month is our MANistry month. This means that all of the guys of our squad are together in this one place whilst the girls are spread across two other ministry locations elsewhere in Guatemala. So doing the team-building was great because we've been able to bond some more as just the guys.
Two of the evenings of the week we go out to the local ball park and alongside playing basketball or whichever sport is of interest that day the gospel is shared. On monday two of the guys who came along to play recieved Christ into their lives. On Thursday we were able to pray with them again and for their families.
We have been along to an old people's home, spendfing time with them, singing songs and trying our best to communicate through broken Spanish/English.
And we've also been into a hospital where we were able to pray for the kids that were sick – one girl with a stomach problem, one girl with a damaged foot (possibly needing her toe amputated although we prayed it would be healed) and three young toddlers who all had cases of D & V. Having prayed with one child Andrea was talking with her mother and after a few minutes talking she told us that the woman wanted to accept Christ and so we were able to pray with her. So in the space of a few days we were able to pray with a number of people to receive new life in Christ, which has blown me away and encouraged me so much, as well as challenged me to see that kind of thing happen more.
We were able to have a man-weekend away this weekend – our trip for the month as the married men go back to their wives next weekend – and we all went and visited Tikal national park which houses a lot of Mayan ruins.
And on the way back stop off for a swim
And having to change a tyre.
So that's us, living life, loving life, giving life, and a little bit of seeing ruins
