Our schedule is a little all over the place here in Guatemala. On Mondays, we volunteer at a seniors’ home in Parramos. My team and I were a little hesitant coming into this ministry because we’d had one like it in Ecuador where we didn’t get to do much with the people there. It did end up being a great time to minister to each other and get to know each other’s heart for the Lord, though. Here in Guat, it’s much different. We spend the whole day chilling with the residents, who are some of the funniest and cutest old men and women you will ever meet. I can’t wait to see what God has planned for the rest of our three months there.
On Tuesdays, we start the day by doing ATL in a small village called Los Encinos, which means “the lights”. ATL is an acronym for Ask The Lord. So, we just spend a few hours in the town doing whatever the Lord asks us to do and whatever will serve the people there. It can look like doing house visits and praying for healing/peace/direction/etc., doing an english class for the kids, painting a mural, playing soccer with the kids, just having friendly conversations, and more. There is so much opportunity in this village.
In the afternoons, we go out with our ministry contact Raquel and we give makeovers to local women. Doing their makeup, hair, and nails is a really fun way to pamper the hardworking women that live here. There will be many chances to get to know the women more and share the gospel in a relaxing environment!
On Wednesdays, we do ATL in either Los Encinos or Parramos in the morning again. So far, we’ve been playing soccer with the kids at Los Encinos at 9 and then walking around meeting new people after that.
In the afternoon we go out with a couple women from the church we’re working with, Restaurando La Familia, to pass out service invites and speak with people in Parramos.
At night, we go to the 7 o’clock service, join them for worship, then go to the kids’ class to teach a bible lesson.
On Thursdays, we have a session or two in the morning taught by staff at the Adventures Guatemala base. They’re an awesome group of people who are great at guiding and teaching groups of young adults how to abide in the Lord while staying in this country. Then, we try to apply what we learned to ATL time in the afternoon. This past Thursday, we learned about our identity in Christ and hearing God’s voice. Very cool stuff.
Last but not least, on Fridays we spend all day in Los Encinos. In January the kids there will go back to school so we’ll get to spend a lot of time making relationships with the adults of the town. And when the kdis are back from school we get to give them an english lesson and hang out for a while.
Though a lot of our ministry is spending time ATL-ing, there is so much variety in every day. We never know what ATL is going to bring, or really any of our ministries, for that matter. God brings surprises and throws different things at us all the time. Some cool, some hard, all good. Everything here is helping me learn the importance of seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance in everything I say and do.
BONUS PICS
The last part of our squad to arrive in Guatemala on the 11th. This was taken in Bogota, Colombia after an eventful few travel days, about 9 hours before we would land in Guatemala.
Our friend Andrew in Los Encinos! We’ve been told he’s a trouble-maker, but he’s been one funny kid so far. Of course he had to show us how skilled he is at chicken-balancing.
Tiny little kitten baaaaby in Los Encinos. So tempted to take her back to the base and keep her forever, but finally decided it probably was a bad idea.
