a shift. a story. a different world. this is a land of abundance. Press snooze at 3:45 a.m. I awake. I stuff the eclectic assortment of belongings into my overflowing pack. Headlamp on. Check. Bags. Check. Breakfast food. Check. We walk to Marco’s house. Pack the van. Adventure awaits. The van climbs the serpentine roads into the mountains. Hours pass. Halt. Roadblock ahead. We document a quiet Mayan protest [Mayans were physically blocking the road to draw attention to the Guatemalan government for their rights]. An hour long rest stop. Vechiles permitted to proceed. Hours pass. The van ascends a dirt road and stops at the clearway in the forest. We climb up the mountain burdened with our packs. We reach our destination. We lay our packs in the Lord’s house so we can rest in Him. Pastor Luis and his family greet us and invite us into their home for lunch. Humility clothes this family. Golden beams of light penetrate the cracks in the walls and disperse throughout the room. Peace dwells here. This is our classroom. [Pastor Luis and 4 of their 8 children] We watch Pastor Luis’s wife and 11 year old son kill our dinner. One. two. three. A chicken. A duck. A rooster. The ladies are gathered for a quilting lesson from Pastor Luis. An afternoon spent with children glowing with joy. Laughter lingers in the mountain fresh air. Smiles warm my soul. to be continued . . . .
[Pastor Luis’s house]
[inside Pastor Luis’ house. kitchen table and bedroom.]
The word of God is their substance, their rock, and their foundation. Grace overflows here like a waterfall gushing out of the lush forest. The phrase, “Faith + nothing equals salvation” is the main scene. It is nighttime. The electricians finish their work. Switch on. Light illuminates the room. We sit among fellow believers in their first worship service with electricity. Powerful cries of praise fill the sanctuary which doubles as the master bedroom for the pastor and his wife. Men, women, and children travel by foot 3 hours to hear the living word of God- this is radical. This is trust in the Lord. This is humility. These are heirs to the kingdom of God. Prayers and blessings exchanged for one another. We eat at a table of honor as brown, wide-eyed little ojos (eyes) observe the guests. Honor is the goal in this home. Give them the first-fruits of the household (killing the best rooster, chicken, and duck for the royal feast). I now lie under my mosquito net. Raindrops dance on the aluminum plated rooftop. I reflect upon the day. This is reality. The Gospel is in full practice here. This is life to the fullest: thanking the Lord for everything that is offered before us. This is obedience: to love people and love God with all one’s heart, mind, and soul. My God lives in these mountains.
