I came to Antigua, Guatemala two years ago to learn Spanish. When I found out Team B would spend a week here on the way to Nicaragua, I rejoiced! This little city contains some of the happiest memories I’ve made in my first 25 years. I remember everything so clearly; La Merced, the rustic, ornately designed Catholic Church that sits on the North side of Antigua. In the opposite direction towers Volcan Agua, the friendly volcano that stands watch over the bustling city below.
Our Media Team arrived here a day earlier than the others in order to set up ministry and lodging. We awoke early yesterday morning and hiked up to Cerra de la Cruz (Hill of the cross). It’s a 15 minute hike up to a large concrete cross that overlooks Antigua. The view is breathtaking. You can see all of Antigua below, some villages beyond and you gain an even greater appreciation for the massiveness of Volcan Agua. We spent our time worshiping and praying over the city.
Something in my heart stirs for this place more than just memories. I feel that God has a specific treasure for me here. This country suffered through a 30-yr civil war that ended with a peace agreement in 1996. During that 30 years, genocide rampaged through the Indigenous villages seated in the mountains. Whole villages were burnt to the ground killing many. Those who escaped death were forced to seek out a safer place to live.
Many tourists from all over the world scour the streets of Antigua. They come to learn Spanish in one of the many schools that compete for their business. This is a place where cultures collide and religions melt into one another. From Cerra de la Cruz you can see the town milling below. Everyone goes about their business, lost in the day’s duties. They don’t even know we’re watching them. Antigua, wake up. Don’t walk around oblivious anymore. You have been self-sufficient for far too long. Isn’t there a cry in your heart for more? Isn’t there something within you that screams ”
this is not enough!”? There have been 3 small earthquakes in the past 2 nights and as the body we have felt something in the Spirit moving. More than the earth is quaking here. The Lord watches Antigua and the earth responds in groaning agravation. When will the Truth be revealed?
Pray for Antigua, Guatemala to awaken to the things of God. Pray that she will no longer count on herself and her own capabilities, but rely on the Lord. Pray that Truth will flow through her streets and bring restoration to the places damaged by the lack of it.
