A big lesson I learned during my time in the JMU chapter of InterVaristy is, “ministry is people.” Ministry is not always about building something or putting on a program. Those things are important and build the Kingdom, but in my experience, they don’t bear a lot of fruit unless an intentional relationship is made. I’ve found that relationships bear the most fruit and make the most impact.
As we wrap up here in Guatemala, I want to share with you some names, faces, and stories of the people in Guatemala who have wiggled their way into my heart. This month, we built a soccer field for an elementary school that will keep kids off the street and out of gangs for years and years to come, but our ministry didn’t stop there – bless the Lord! Our ministry was also people and relationships.
Gabee and Sophia – Gabee was our ministry contact at CANI and she brought her sister, Sophia, to school with her one day so we could meet her. We quickly became friends with the both of them and they were a huge part of our experience and ministry here in Guatemala. At the school, we practiced our Spanish with them while they practiced their English. They brought us pineapple, gave us bracelets, and would sit and chat with us after we finished working. We invited them to the Women’s Night at the church we were attending, and they both came and we got to know each other on a much deeper level through sharing what we are fighting for and against in our walk with God. Last weekend, they took us to the Antigua market for Adventure Day and it was glorious. Gabee has a huge heart, and she bought us so much traditional Guatemalan food for us to try. Sophie taught us a ton about the food and culture as we walked through the market. Both of them went above and beyond to teach us about Guatemala. They and their mom made us fiambre, the “Thanksgiving” meal of Guatemala; ponche, a Christmastime staple made of fruit juice and fruit pieces with spices (kind of like apple cider but with a TON of other fruits); and tamales (homemade, wrapped in huge leaves!). We enjoyed their gifts, Spanish lessons, and food, but we also had so much fun getting to know them. When we said goodbye, it was sad, heartfelt, but fun. We really love these women, and it was such a delight to get to know them, learn from them, and experience culture with them. I wish we could take them with us for the rest of our Race! Thank God for social media! These women are now our forever friends. Loving them was probably the best ministry we did the whole month. (And since I know they read our blogs: HOLA HERMANAS!! TE AMO Y TE EXTRAÑO!)
Maritza – Maritza was my teacher at the school. Rebecca and I assisted in her classroom by answering the kids’ questions about their end-of-school exams (to the best of our ability) and grading tests. It was awesome to watch her interact with her students, who she called, “mis amores” or “my loves.” She was so full of kindness and grace in her interactions with them, and even though it was the end of the school year, she never showed signs of burn-out. She loved those kids so well to the end. She loved Rebecca and I well, too. She was so kind and patient with me as I stumbled through my Spanish and only politely giggled at me when I messed up. I got to chat with her almost every day after the kids went home about her family, church, and hobbies. I tried to go to church with her one morning but got lost in Antigua and didn’t make it (super bummed). I loved being a part of her class and I’m so thankful to have her as a friend. She also said we could borrow her motorcycle any time 😉
Jorge – Jorge is the principal at Casa del Niños. Most of my interactions with him were receiving instructions for the day in Spanish and asking a lot of questions to help me understand so I could pass those instructions along to my teammates. One day, I asked him to teach me how to whistle and I think he enjoyed laughing at my unsuccessful attempts. He would start every interaction with “okay chicas!” and I want to hold that in my brain forever. The soccer field we were building was a huge dream of his, and he was so so so delighted to see it come into being. It was so rewarding for us to be a part of his dream. During our last week of ministry, he let us take a whole day off in the middle of the week so he (himself!) could take us to a huge, iconic kite festival in a town about an hour from Antigua. The traffic was so bad that we didn’t get to go into the festival, so he took us to a cemetery in Antigua so we could experience the Day of the Dead/All Saints’ Day traditions in Guatemala. That day was so special to us because he took time out of his life to take us to the festival and ensure that we experienced Guatemalan culture. On our last day of ministry, we played soccer on the brand new field with him and his family; it was such a joy to see him so full of joy! (Also, peep that beautiful field!!!)
The children – We did ministry not only with the children in the school, but lots of other children we came across. Some of my favorite moments at ministry were with the students in my class – learning songs, singing, chatting, and playing tag with them. They loved teaching me Spanish vocab and correcting my pronunciations with laughter. Being silly with them was the highlight of my interactions with them. Our first week of ministry, while we were digging a ditch, my teammate, Lauren, and I sat down and chatted with three little girls from the neighborhood who were watching us work. After chatting with them for about 15 minutes, we asked if they wanted to help us, and those three little girls grabbed shovels and dug in – literally! There were many instances when children would come up to me or my teammates on the street and ask us questions; they were so curious and full of curiosity and fun. Two boys in Antigua working as shoeshiners asked us if they could shine our shoes and I laughed at them and asked them how they were going to shine my Chacos! Kids are just so awesome; I’m excited to keep doing ministry with them in other countries. They are so full of life, fun, and grace. I have so much to learn from them.
I don’t have pictures of the following people, so my words will be all I have to describe them; I hope to do them justice!
The AIM Guatemala staff – There is a group of six Adventures in Missions employees (who are also alumni Racers) living in Guatemala. They gave us our Guatemalan culture orientation, took us to their favorite restaurants in Antigua, taught us how to use the chicken busses, and most impactfully, chose to invest in us as a team and as individuals. Two of them sat down with us and asked us intentional questions about our month-long and year-long goals so they could pray for us. Another pair met with us and taught us about healing prayer. We saw the team at church every Sunday and they pursued conversation with us. One night, we had them over for dinner and they led us in incredible worship; it was the first time I felt completely free to worship in any way I felt led. The women on the team invited us over to their house and we learned from them about identity, worshipped together, ate delicious food, and played games. I had the opportunity to meet with two of them for one-on-ones and their intentionality and wisdom had a huge impact on my month and on my walk with Christ. WOW I’m so thankful for this team of people!
José – I met José while spreading gravel for the soccer field. We spent a couple hours chatting while we worked. It was awesome to practice speaking Spanish with him, learn about his life and his family, and talk about our hopes and dreams together. He works on a chicken bus 6 days of the week collecting the bus fare and spends his 7th day working in construction. He has two children – ages 13 and 9 – and he doesn’t get to see them a lot because he works so much. His dream is to go to America for a few years to make money for his family, but it’s so expensive and he can’t get the papers he needs. A few days after we spent the afternoon working together and getting to know each other, I saw him on our chicken bus and he remembered me! Our last week of ministry, he went out of his way to come to the school before he went to work so he could see me and ask me how we were doing. That was so, so special for me. I wish I had a picture with him so I could show him to you! Getting to know him and being his friend was a highlight of the month for me.
Juana – Juana is a Mayan merchant in Antigua. During an afternoon of “Ask the Lord,” she came and sat with us in the park and started talking to us about her life. Her son, Enrique, had just broken his leg. We took the opportunity to pray for her and for Enrique’s leg. I bought a bracelet from her to support her business and I wear it every day and pray for her and her family.
Austin – Austin is a man who sits on the corner of Calle de Santa Lucia and 4a Calle. He has a massive infection in his leg and holds a sign asking for money because he cannot work. We walked past him every day for a week and every time, I felt nudged to go talk to him and pray for his healing. I chickened out every time. Finally, during our “Ask the Lord” afternoon, I told my group that I wanted to pray for him specifically. So we stopped by on our way to the bus stop and I got to chat with him one-on-one in Spanish. I asked him about himself and what happened to his leg and if there was anything medically that could be done. I asked him if I could pray for him because I believe in a God who can do anything and can heal him. He said yes, so I prayed for him in Spanish while TL prayed for him on his other side. At one point, I stopped praying and TL told me, “Keep praying!” so I kept praying in my broken Spanish. I prayed with belief, calling on in my head and in my prayers the stories in Scripture of entire towns and communities coming to follow Jesus because of one man being healed. Austin is well-known in Antigua; many people pass by him every day. His healing would not only be miraculous, but impactful for the whole city. We prayed and prayed and I expected change, but when I opened my eyes, there was none. To be honest, I was discouraged. After we prayed, I tried to chat with him some more, but I didn’t understand a word he was saying, and it was as if my ears were closed to understanding him; it was weird. I left that afternoon hoping to see him again and pray for miraculous, city-changing healing, because I still believe it is possible. I’ve seen him twice since then and stopped to chat with him and pray for him, but his pain and condition has not changed and neither has my faith that God can heal him. We have one week left in Antigua before we move on the Nicaragua, and I intend to seek him out at least once a day to engage with him and pray for him. Will you join me in prayer for his healing?
It’s wild to believe that our time in Guatemala is ending. This month has been incredible, and my first time out of the country was a great success! I am already looking forward to returning to Guatemala one day. I especially hope to visit CANI, see the soccer field used by lots and lots of children, and visit my new friends. It was them, really, that made this whole month worth it.
The rest of our time here in Guatemala will be spent in Antigua at “Debrief,” a time when our mentor and coaches fly into the country, the squad is all together, and we process what in the world just happened in our lives and our teams. On November 8th, we depart for Nicaragua! I’m sad to be leaving Guatemala so soon, but I’m excited for what God has in store for me and for my squad in Nicaragua. Thank you all for your continued prayers, love, and support!
To God be the honor, power, and glory!
Xoxo Jess
