We made it to Guatemala – our twelfth (bonus!) and final country on The World Race – crazy! We’ve been
chillen in Antigua for about a week now, getting to know the city, our contact
and his family, going on a few tours, learning about and getting our feet wet
in the ministries we’ll be working with, and having some ad-hoc times of
ministry/ worship on our own – it’s been great!
Feliz Semana Santa means “Happy Holy Week� and apparently it’s
a big deal here in Antigua; people
travel from all over the world to experience all the goodness this place has to
offer. There are hundreds of drawings/ paintings/ forms of artwork done along
the cobblestone streets every day with a variety of different materials such as
sand, colored flour, hay, plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables – it’s quite
a sight to see! The artists are super talented and it’s amazing to see the
detail they’re able to produce with the materials they’re using. There are also
numerous parades/ processions (that sometimes go all through the night) where
people carry massive (and HEAVY) structures with images of Jesus or other
saints for multiple blocks at a time. People dressed in purple robes carrying
incense up and down the streets can be seen all through the day as well, along
with many church services and just an all-around hype due to the time of year. It’s
pretty wild how many people come out for this… the streets are PACKED!
The people carrying the huge structures in each procession range
from all ages and actually have to pay to carry them – it’s considered an
honor. The mentality behind the practice is that it’s a way for them to pay penance
for their sins and actually suffer/ work for Jesus’ forgiveness. It’s
challenging to see hundreds of people, including women and young children, carrying
structures weighing up to a few tons around the uneven cobblestone streets,
wincing with every step because of the sheer pain they’re experiencing. I just
want to run up to them and tell them about Jesus’ love, that they’re forgiven
simply because of His death on the cross and that there’s nothing they can do
to work for forgiveness or salvation. I want them to know they are forgiven, saved,
and redeemed by the blood of Christ – by
grace through faith, not works. The deed has already been done; Jesus has
already paid the price. That’s why He says, “‘It is finished’� (John 19:30).
Our contact, Luis, told us a bit about the history of the
practices and how he’s attempting to bring light and truth into the hearts and
minds of youth in his country. He and his wife started an organization called Nueva
Generacion (New Generation) a few years ago that travels to different schools
all over Antigua and beyond to teach Christian values and share the gospel with
kids from various backgrounds (some from poor communities, some indigenous people,
some from gangs or on the streets, etc). They definitely have a heart and a passion
for youth to know the love of Christ and to fully walk in it, so it’s been
exciting to see and come alongside them in their ministry.
Speaking of ministry, we’ll be working in two main areas
this month: schools and hospitals. Due to Semana Santa, all the schools and
hospitals have been closed for the week so we haven’t officially gotten started
yet, but beginning next week we’ll be busy! We’ll be having weekly Bible
studies/ book discussions/ worship time at Luis’ house every Friday night as
well where we’ll gather to praise the Lord and begin studying the book “When
Helping Hurts.� I’ve never read it before but I hear it’s pretty insightful and
I’m excited to learn.
Last week was our first fellowship time together so we got
to meet Luis’ family and get to know each other a bit more (they’re so sweet!
His wife is fabulous and he has precious twin four-year old daughters.) We went
around and shared about who we are, our least favorite food, if we’ve ever been
in love (haha), and what we’re passionate about; it was definitely a fun icebreaker
activity. (Have I mentioned that Luis is hilarious? Well, he is!) I especially
enjoyed hearing about everyone’s passions and how God has uniquely gifted each
one of us and wants to use us all in different ways to bring His kingdom to
earth! We’re all different but working for the same goal and by the same Spirit – it just really pumped me up and showed me a beautiful picture of the global
body of Christ and how creative God is. I love it! I can’t wait to see what He
continues to do with each one of us as we step out in faith and follow Him. 🙂
We’re working with another team this month (Team Deep Waters,
woo!) so we’ll be switching off daily going to the schools and the hospital. We’ll
be traveling around with Luis to different schools to teach the curriculum he’s
created and share the gospel; we get to be creative with it as well so I think
we’ll be adding in a few songs, skits, dances, art projects… who knows. 🙂 It
should be a good time. We’ll also be volunteering at a local hospital and
spending time with/ loving on people with disabilities (mainly cerebral palsy
patients); we had our first day there on Tuesday but I’ll tell you more about
all of that in my next blog! Lastly, we’ll be visiting an orphanage for a few
days and loving on the sweet kiddies there.
Since we’ve had some free time, we’ve decided to take a few
trips to the local park and WORSHIP THE LORD! It’s been awesome! We’ve been
bringing a guitar, art supplies, a volleyball, our singing voices and dancing
shoes, and praising the Lord through a variety of ways – it’s been so fun! Heather
or Nathan (from the other team) usually play the guitar, Kige and Court do some
fantastic artwork and then give it away, and the rest of us either sing, dance,
play with the local kids who come around, talk to people who gather, or just do
whatever the Lord is leading us to. The first time we went we attracted quite a
crowd and it was a blessing to see people so interested in what was going on…
praise God! It’s definitely been a fun way to get out and bring some kingdom to
the streets! 🙂
Ok, one more story and then I’m done. 🙂 Last Sunday at
church I felt like the Lord was saying we should watch The Passion of the Christ on Good Friday together as
a group. At first I was like… this is
strange, is this just me thinking this? But I couldn’t get it out of my
head so I finally decided to bring it up to a few of my teammates later on in
the day. It turns out, Luis had already mentioned to B.Cox that he wanted to
watch it with us for our Bible study time that Friday but hadn’t told anyone
else about it. When B.Cox told me this I semi-freaked out… I thought, what?! That’s crazy! God really does speak
to me! (I know He does… He is a good Father… but sometimes it’s just sweet
to have reminders/ confirmations of what He’s saying.) So yea, we all gathered
at Luis’ house tonight and watched The
Passion. Man, it rocked me. I felt completely humbled and absorbed in my
thoughts for awhile afterwards, simply reflecting and meditating on the incredible
sacrifice Jesus has made for all of us. Tears were definitely shed as well, as I
was reminded of and overwhelmed by the infinite love our Father has for us. It’s
ridiculous. It’s radical. It’s unbelievable. This is our God.
“‘For God so loved the world
that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever
believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life’� (John 3:16).
