There are a lot of different people that read Racer’s blogs, whether it be: Friends, family, supporters, future racers, concerned parents, those who accidentally stumble upon them, or just your average avid blog reader with no other agenda than that of entertainment. Despite the overlap of characters you find, and regardless of whichever you resonate/identify with, there is something I’ve found lacking in the products you are viewing; something I myself as a blogger have neglected (no not just blogging in general (that’s a skill i’m continuing to “refine”)),and that is giving a clear picture of what we as “missionaries” do on a daily basis. We talk about the events we partake in, encounters with strangers we have, miracles we’ve witnessed, even share a few pictures. All in all, you usually only receive a few snapshots of our day to day life, but that’s just it, they’ve always been just snapshots. The truth is that there’s a lot that goes into life on the field. With all the spontaneity that comes with evangelizing, there’s always the root of organization and planning, which is something that has been revealed more to me as I’ve stepped into leadership. I noticed that the only time someone outside of the race has been able to truly resonate, and connect with all we do, was during my PVT (parent vision trip) last year. My parents getting to join us for ministry, and partake in our schedule, allowed them to understand the things I referenced. It was a beautiful way to break down the barrier of distance. Seeing as I can’t bring all of you readers to where I am (though that would be sick) I decided to write this blog; serving as a rough layout of everything that my team “Unity” (a phenomenal culmination of gals that I’ve devoted a whole blog in their dedication…but that’s another story…coming soon.) has been doing in Guatemala for the past three months, as well as the remaining time in this undeniably beautiful country to the best of my ability. So without further adieu, the very thing we oh so roughly follow everyday, our schedule:
Monday:
**Morning – teaching English in Chirijuju
Afternoon – House visits, and ATL
*Evening – The Bible Project
Tuesday:
**Morning – House visits, ATL
Afternoon – VBS
*Evening – Worship
Wednesday:
**Morning – teaching English in Chirijuju
Afternoon – soccer ministry with Cajaguelten
*Evening – Blogging
Thursday:
**Morning – Activation
Afternoon – activation continued
*Evening – debrief
Friday:
Half day for me
**Morning – teaching in Cajagualten, or House visits
Afternoon – soccer ministry with Chirijuju
*Evening – Feedback
Saturday:
Adventure day
*Evening – team dinner
Sunday:
Sabbath
*these are what we call “team time” which take place every evening (except Sunday)
**before ministry every morning we have breakfast, and then an hour set aside for devotional time.
Now that you have the breakdown of our schedule, let me decipher what it all means.
First area of importance, we have been designated two villages to do ministry in, both are stated above: Chirijuju, and Cajagualten… call me if you’d like the pronunciation, otherwise attempt at your own risk.
Second area of importance is transportation: everyday we take either a small van or “chicken bus”. The Van, traditionally eleven person, which is an ignored observation or tradition, taken as more of a suggestion. It instead seats or stands as many people as un-phesably possible. Now what we call a “chicken bus” for a largely unknown (predominately foreign coined term) reason, which happens to be old school buses from the states, painted into vibrant new and improved glory, which similarly to the vans stuff as many people as impossibly possible. (price- Q2) in which we grab another van or the Gatita which we’ve adopted as our very own personal “chicken bus” in which we know the drivers personally. (price- Q2.50) Needless to say it makes for interesting travel, totaling as 45 minute time, and an overall fun gig. Now that that’s out of the way let’s breakdown our day to day (stay with me folks)
TEACHING:
My teaching partner in crime is my teammate Mallory. We teach the oh so adorable second and first graders. I’ve taught English in other countries, but let me tell you, I’ve never met a group of kids more respectful and kind in my life. It’s such a joy to step into their classroom, and though we only teach for an hour, its an oddly refreshing and highly anticipated time. Part of our ministry regarding teaching requires lesson planning, because it’s not officially scheduled, we find the odds and ends times to get together and pour into planning. Each time we step into the classroom we know what we’re going to teach and how; whether it be games, activities, songs, and more, we seek to find anyway to form interaction and understanding. (which believe it or not is faaarrr from easy, those little rascals have an abundance of energy, and a drastic lack of an attention span). Then we spend another hour off to recess with them, where the creativity doesn’t stop, and games are created out of literally anything… they particularly like fun handshakes, futbol, and “baby shark”. This week happened to be the last week of classes before their break, a sad day, but were seeking more ways to continue teaching them English regardless. A few things our students have learned:
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Good morning
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How are you? – I am good, thank you
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Colors
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Days of the week
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Seasons
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Personal pronouns
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Colors
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Body Parts
We don’t preach the Gospel during this time, instead we share it by the way we love them, and devote our time to them. I want to clarify that these kids have wonderful families and operate out of intense hearts of gratitude, that being said, it’s always nice to see the “gringas” who traveled over oceans just so they can sing baby shark to them on repeat. Its honestly one of the biggest honors I have. Do doo da do… if ya know ya know.
HOUSE VISITS & ATL:
Ahh ATL where to begin. Other than standing for things such as: Atlanta, and Alumni Team Leading; Ask the Lord has been one of the biggest learning curves for our team and squad in general. Asking the Lord does not conform to a set ministry time, it is the everyday choice to partner with the Father and walk in the obedience of what He is saying. What this looks like is simply stepping into a prayerful time, asking the Father what He has for our day, or what He has to say to a person we are ministering to. House visits are instances where we walk around our villages and fellowship with people in the community. It has been one of the most fruitful aspects of doing ministry, and has grown me to seek people further in an intentional way. We have met so many people, and shucked so much corn… so. much. corn. (totally random side note, I know, but it’s just what stepping into people’s everyday lives tends to look like)
VBS:
Every Tuesday we have a VBS for the kids of Cajaguelten. We first spend time whenever we can to plan for what we will teach them. Finding stories in the Bible, specifically ones the Lord highlights (there’s that ATL again!) and then think creatively about fun, games, skits or songs to engage them. We’re not far off from kids ourselves, so we still have the advantage of a kid like creative kick. Coloring is a crowd favorite, and is how we start our time together. We spend the first 30 minutes coloring, getting to know the kids, writing name tags, and playing. Then we gather together and tell them a story, followed by some questions and personal testimonies that relate to the story. We finish with some songs, prayer, and some epic games. All in all it’s a wonderful time.
SOCCER MINISTRY:
I have only been able to attend soccer ministry once a week due to Friday being my off day, but I don’t need to go more than once to know it’s one of the coolest forms of ministry out there. Wow the way these kids get to be sought after in a form they most enjoy. Soccer ministry is a time dedicated to the discipleship of kids through the discipline of a skill. They learn teamwork, how to practice a new skill, and how to invest in honoring those around them. They have been practicing to participate in a tournament together at the end of the month. Each soccer practice ends a devotional time, that highlights skills they have learned, and relating them back to the Kingdom of God.
ACTIVATION:
This is perhaps my favorite day of the week. Instead of heading out into our normal schedule, the base staff spends the day disciplining, and equipping us with tools to effectively go out and minister. The morning is spent wrecking our hearts and minds with worship and then a teaching, and after time to process directly with the Lord, we spend the afternoon in our villages practicing what we were just taught. Some of the activation’s we have had so far are: Identity, intercession, baptism in the Holy Spirit, forgiveness, kingdom culture, evangelism, and hearing the voice of the Lord. Thursdays truly do activate us to do ministry in alignment with the Fathers character, and thus are a refreshing change of pace, as we get poured into so that we can pour out.
MY HALF DAY:
This is a day that I am able to work on some of the logistical responsibilities that I have as a Team Leader, as well as being discipled by my mentor, and spend some extra time resting with the Lord!
So there you have it, a rough, sorta in depth look at what ministry can look like on the field. My point isn’t just to show you a random schedule however, its to point out this: Regardless to being on the field or not we all operate through a schedule. This in the simplest form is a job, we do full time ministry all day everyday. We go out and work everyday, as teachers, as coaches, as cooks, as construction workers; wherever were needed by our ministry host, whatever role is required, we go. It’s only ministry because everything we do is rooted in Christ, and the advancement of His kingdom. We walk out these things for the sole purpose of loving others as Christ does. This calling, and job description that has labeled us “missionaries” is one we all as sons and daughters in Christ are called to. It’s not just specified to us Racers. You don’t need to travel the world to seek ministry in a schedule, and I know that for me ministry cant and wont simply stop when I step foot in the States again. This is a lifestyle choice. Move a few things around from our schedule here above and it might start looking similar to your schedule or job at home. So if we go to work everyday with the intent to minister, why can’t you too? The world is hungry for the word of God, hungry to be fully known and fully loved, hungry to be cared for and called higher. We are His ambassadors, and the calling and need is now. So don’t look at your schedule and try to fit the Lord somewhere, because He can have full reign and access to whatever our day looks like if we simply seek Him. I promise, those miracles you hear about, those crazy redemption stories that are happening around the world, they are all possible anytime, anywhere. So go and make disciples of all nations! Whether that be: in the coffee line, at your desk job, on the soccer field, in your school, with your kids, your parents, your friends.
There’s no limit, we can because He did. So where are you limiting yourself, and all the Father can do through you in your day to day life? How are you choosing into a life of ministry through the gifting God has equipped you with?
yours truly,
Emma
