San Lorenzo El Tejar, Guatemala
The seven of us pile into a bus in front of the base where we live. We shove our way off the bus into the town of San Luis Carretas. We pile into a bus in front of the tienda (store) where we sit to wait. We get to calmly walk off the nearly empty bus into San Lorenzo: the little village where we’re doing ministry for our three months here in Guatemala.
We get off the bus, cross the dusty, dirt road, and walk over to the house that serves as our ministry’s meeting place. During our time in Guatemala, my team is working with a ministry called One Way Community. One Way is one of the most incredible ministries I’ve had the pleasure of working with, made up of some of the most incredible people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. Here’s a little bit about what we do in San Lorenzo on a weekly basis:
Tutoring:
Every afternoon from 2 – 4:30 my team works with the staff to help the kids learn and improve upon their math, reading, and English skills. They’re given problems to work on and we’re there to help them if they need it. During the afternoons the kids are also taught about the Bible through a video curriculum called SuperLibro. Superlibro teaches kids about various people and themes in the Bible. These videos not only present the stories of the Bible but also provide historical context, other verses that relate, and practical ways to apply each story to their own lives. The One Way staff also makes sure to create games, songs, or dances for the kids, to give them a space to have fun for a few hours rather than focusing on providing for their families.
Stoves:
Every Tuesday morning my team installs a stove into someone’s home. Through people’s generous donations, the Adventures in Missions base here in Guatemala gifts them to families who would have to cook over a fire otherwise. A truck drops off all of the materials to build it, and my team assembles it wherever the homeowner desires. After it’s built, we have the opportunity to pray over the family’s specific needs and as a result, build more intimate relationships with the community as a whole. Stove ministry is an incredible testimony of the Lord’s love for us as we see Him not only meet their physical needs but spiritual and emotional ones as well.
Soccer:
Three times a week, I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with One Way Community’s soccer teams. They have four teams (three boys and one girl’s) who are a part of Champions in Action. This is a non-profit whose mission is to “empower a generation of Guatemalan youth-through soccer, mentorship, and the Gospel-to transform themselves, their families, their communities and their nation.” The teams have matches in Guatemala City every other weekend and have the opportunity to participate in tournaments as well. We train them in conditioning, technical improvement, and shooting. I’m incredibly thankful to connect with the kids through the beautiful game and use the gifts the Lord has given to me.
House Visits:
On Tuesdays and Fridays, my team also goes out into the village to visit people in their homes. Families in the community kindly welcome us in, tell us their stories, and allow us to pray for them. We’ve rejoiced, we’ve mourned, and we’ve witnessed miracles with our Guatemalan brothers and sisters. It is one of the most refreshing and inspiring ministries I’ve been a part of.
One Way Community is such an incredible ministry. I am so grateful that we get to pour into the people of San Lorenzo while being simultaneously blessed by them in return. I pray that before the seven of us pile into our last bus to San Luis and shove our way into the last bus back to our home, we just continue to see the heart of God and watch Him move in radical ways. And not only in our lives but in those of the community as well. Thanks, God for One Way Community. I can’t wait to see where you continue to take them.
