I explained in my last blog that we had a series of events as a team that landed us in Antigua, Guatemala for a few days. And while that gave us time to meet our new friend Licda, I want to let you in on the rest of our time there.
Since our team did not have a host at this point, that meant we had an opportunity to either engage with the people and place that we encountered or to hide out until we officially moved to our new ministry site. With a few days in Antigua, I can say that this team chose engagement. We decided to take what we had (talents, presence, compassion), to go into the city park, and interact with the people around us.
We have a couple musicians and several singers so we sat down on the curb, worshipped, and sang songs to tourists and locals alike. At the same time, we made a little sign to offer prayer for anyone who might want it. We made ourselves available for conversation and prayer through some simple and fun entertainment. This opportunity provided us with chances to pray with others, cry with them, and laugh in rejoicing as well.
We spent another day doing hair for little girls in the park and having our hair done. During this time, we also met Licda. It created an opportunity to build relationships with vendors that work in the park and their children. We saw them every day as we went to the park and got to build on those relationships by simply sitting with them and learning about their lives. And it lead to friendships.
Building those relationships also provided us with an opportunity to visit a local orphanage. We spent hours with a family simply listening to their story and how they came to live and work in Antigua. During that time, we played with a number of their children with differing medical needs. They were sweet and funny and simply wanted affection, attention, love, and some laughter.
I’m thankful for a team that wants to engage in surrounding communities and wants to love the people right in front of them. And this caused me to look back on these days and ask some questions. Am I willing to be available? Am I willing to use gifts, talents, and passions and to join those with others? Am I willing to be interrupted?
Doing these simple things creates space for God to move in our own lives and others’ lives. This leads me to ask – will you be available? It’s something I’m still working on but want to say yes to fully!
Love,
Kim
