We were standing in Central Park waiting for our ride to pick us up. There were typical Sunday services happening at churches all around. I started to hear clapping and just assumed it was another street performer. But then I could slightly hear worship, and something inside of my heart knew it was different! So I went on a hunt! Right in the middle of the park was a group of young adults standing in a semi-circle with guitars just simply worshipping! I could see on their faces they were FREE. They loved the Lord, they didn’t care what people thought, and they were just taking time together to worship. A few minutes later, their leader, Jerz, started speaking. He was explaining that all were welcome to join them, they were simply having church. He explained a lot of times people think of church as 4 walls, but they choose to have church in the park. Worship broke out again, and again I saw passion, I saw joy, I saw freedom! They were clapping and singing and dancing and just giving it their all. Not to impress anyone but to simply love the Lord. Then again the leader broke out and started speaking to individuals and small groups, he was explaining who Jesus was and offering them to accept Him into their lives.
*I stood there for a few minutes just in shock. Not because they were worshipping outside, but because what they do, is EXACTLY what we do in the United States with our young adult group, Streetlight Christian Project (SCP). The people reminded me so much of home. I then had to laugh because who knew people in other countries were serving the Lord so openly like we did!*
At this time our ride had arrived, and I felt so torn cause I was tired and I just wanted to go home and rest…But something also made me want to stay.(Clearly I knew what that “something” was.) So as the rest of the group left, Kelsey and I stayed. Very soon after that, Jerz and Jhan(who was so kind and helped us interpret!) came over. Jerz told us about Jesus and offered us the opportunity to accept Him. We explained that we were Christians and wanted to support them!
Things turned QUICKLY. Without second thought, they invited us into their circle and honestly into their family. And like that, it felt like we’ve been kickin it with them the whole time. They continued to worship and they explained (in Spanish) to the rest of the group that we were missionaries and that we wanted to be part of their church. Worship continued.
I felt the Lord was pressing a verse on my heart during this time but I was struggling with if it was for the whole group or for one person. Well suddenly I asked Jhan if he could translate a message for Jerz and his wife! I shared with them about how their ministry has impacted so many people, even when they don’t see the fruit of it. I also explained to them Galatians 6:9. I told them that their ministry sparked fire again for me because this is EXACTLY what I was a part of back home with SCP! And my tears just started to flow down my face because I could see his whole demeanor change. And I knew EXACTLY how he was feeling. It went from just pushing through, because you have to when you’re in leadership, to being changed where the Lord was truly taking a moment with him. He shared that they had been asking for confirmation for their ministry and some other things. That is what the Lord brought them.
*side note: I really love how when the Lord uses you to give someone a word, that word normally not only ministers to the person but also back to yourself!!*
They offered to pray over us and our mission. And they received some words for us. They boldly spoke out what they were hearing from the Lord. Some of things they said were hard, but they said them because they knew the Spirit was moving. And THEY WERE SPOT ON!!!!!! They spoke into our lives, our trip, our future and our ministries! They truly shared some intimate things that I had been wrestling with the Lord with and I was just completely floored!
There was also an older lady, who was also a street vendor I believe, pulled me aside because she saw I had tears flowing. And she spoke (in spanish which I understood a good amount of) and she explain a part of her testimony and how when we give thanks to God for everything we won’t want for anything. She was such a precious lady!
They then went into a message. Testimonies were shared and one thing that he shared was a message about Peter. It was simple truth but opened my eyes. I don’t want to give too much away cause that will be another blog, but he spoke about how Peter on the day of Jesus’ death, denied being with Jesus and what not, but when Jesus resurrected He revealed himself to one of the first people, Peter. Again simple truth but blew my mind and when I came home I read into that and the Lord taught me some things with that. (Again another blog).
But after the message, it was time for us to head back to catch a bus. We exchanged information and found out they plan on meeting every Sunday at 3pm Sometimes in Central Park and sometimes in other cities. And that’s exactly where you will find us. Worshipping alongside of Sobrenatural (Supernatural Church).
Our family just grew a little bit bigger here in Guatemala.
