The following is a blog I wrote for Adventures in Missions last week and would like to share with you-
It was nearly midnight and you could feel the excitement in the air as 15 World Racers suddenly burst through the doors of a hostel in picturesque Antigua, Guatemala.
Their parents had been waiting with much anticipation for the bus to arrive from Honduras, and with open arms they collided into hugs and kisses and, of course, many tears. It was a reunion 8 months in the making and they had gathered for a Parent Vision Trip, Adventures in Missions’ new innovative program, which gives parents a one-week taste of the World Race.
Intergenerational ministry had been on the heart of founder Seth Barnes for many years, and now the dream has finally become a reality. Parents are experiencing their own Kingdom journey, serving side by side with their children…feeding the poor, praying for the sick, and sharing the Gospel.
In the process a whole lot more is birthed in their relationships.
Reconciliation. Forgiveness. Restoration.
This week at the Guatemala base we were grateful to have witnessed such beautiful interactions taking place. Fathers praying over sons, broken marriages being healed, daughters speaking truth over their mothers. We were hosting this ‘I Squad’ Parent Vision Trip (more affectionately known as PVT) and were busy preparing meals, taking care of logistics, leading worship, and supporting the trip leaders, the amazing Ken & Martha Young.
The parents were introduced to World Race core values such as feedback and ATLs (Ask the Lord) and were given opportunity to experience it themselves. One afternoon they spent time in prayer and then asked God to lead them. They were given money and told to bless people on the streets of Antigua in some way. One parent/racer team used their money to buy flowers, which they gave to a woman who is a vendor in the local market. She was so moved it brought her to tears as she experienced the love of Christ in such a beautiful, surprising way.
The team also had the opportunity one day to love on the children of Paso a Paso (Step by Step), which is a village ministry nearby. We performed skits, songs, games, and helped paint a colorful mural, among other things. We came to be a blessing but I believe all of us walked away that day much more blessed by these beautiful children than anything.
On Tuesday we all boarded vans bright and early to travel to the Guatemala City Dump, which is the largest dump in all of Central America. Over 11,000 people live off of the garbage and their entire living is scavenging trash from the dump. Families make around $3 for a 12 hour work day and families of 6 can barely survive each day. Many children never get the opportunity to attend school. We were partnering with a ministry called Potters House, passing out food and praying in the homes of the Treasures. (This is the name that the ministry prophetically calls those who scavenge for a living). They see these precious people as God sees them, and not as the world does. The PVT participants came away with countless stories of divine appointments and people giving their lives to Christ. One mother who has studied poverty extensively in the United States had her eyes completely opened in a new way. She shared with the group, “I thought I had a clue about poverty. I realized today that I don’t have a clue…”
Potters House shared with us that there are multiple faces of poverty, including such things as spiritual poverty and poverty of affection. For more info you can visit their website at http://www.pottershouse.org.gt/poverty/. It’s an incredible ministry God is using to touch countless lives!
The final day required a leap of faith of a different kind… as we took off on an zip lining adventure in the hills above Antigua. It was a 1700 foot ride on one zip line alone, with breath taking views and absolutely perfect weather. Jumping off those high platforms into the trees below, I’m pretty sure some folks were getting saved all over again!
God used this trip not only to restore relationships within families, but to give all those involved a new vision, stir up old dreams, and call each person to a deeper understanding of the Kingdom. As one parent put it, “Jesus’ signature stamp was all over the trip. It proved to me that when we risk getting out of our comfort zones, He can show up in new and amazing ways to grow us and bless us.”
A Big ‘Amen’ to that.
“And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Malachi 4:6”
*As soon as the parents left I came down sick with a bacteria/parasite of some kind which left me bedridden for 5 or 6 six days. Fever, vomiting, dehydration…honestly, the sickest I have ever been! But God is good and brought me through…I am still alive and recovering. Thank you for your prayers!
