This past week our squad of 37 peeps had a debrief in Antigua, Guatemala. Debrief was a time to assess the ministry our teams have being doing, hang out with the people not on our teams, get rested, and get filled up. I was expecting just that from the time in Antigua, and got just that. Except on our second to last night God had something major planned out of a simple trip to a fast food burger joint. We made many late night trips to Wendy’s during our week in Antigua, but this one was a bit different.
One of my good pals Evan suggested we get a picture with a local after our late night gluttony. We made our way into the park searching for a local worthy of featuring in our Instagram post. Evan and I sat down and snapped a picture with this very polite man sitting on a bench near the center of the park. We got talking with this guy and his story was absolutely incredible. William was a former drug addict and was in a wheelchair for a good portion of his life. One night when his life was at his lowest point he cried out to God and said, “God if you exist, I’ll stand up for you.” William was instantly healed and now can walk! William lives on the streets with his girlfriend, getting most of their meals from the trashcan, but he still is content because he believes in the grace, power, and cross of Christ. My squadmates, Nathan, Kendall, Anna, Joey and I prayed with William and returned to the hostel encouraged by William’s faith.
When we returned to the hostel, I was explaining to my teammate Miriam what had happened in the square. She felt an instant conviction to go give William and his girlfriend some clothes, due to it getting very chilly at night in Antigua. Miriam, Joey, and I returned to find William and his girlfriend. Sadly we didn’t find them, but what we did find was a blessing from the Lord. That night we met Alex, a man from Honduras that is stuck in Guatemala with no money. He sleeps on the streets, but one thing separates him from all the other homeless guys that sleep outside of the municipal center, ALEX IS ON FIRE FOR THE LORD! Joey and I made plans to go an evangelize the next morning with Alex. We still had no clue what the Lord has in store.
Joey, Nathan, another cool guy named Max, and I showed up to the square to meet Alex, totally expecting for him not to be there. Alex sees us and comes up to us and says, “Where have you guys been?” We laughed it off and followed Alex to the Market to go minister to the people who hang out there. The first man we approach has a huge black eye and a massive cut above his other eye. Alex told us that it is because he fell when he was drunk the previous night. We talk with this man and he tells us his story, how he lived in Georgia for a while, and his troubles with his wife. In about an hour and a half of conversation we lay out the Gospel for Falsto and he prays to accept Jesus Christ into his heart. It was on the the most beautiful things I have ever been a witness to. How about that for a testament of the LIVING GOD!
After that amazing time with Falsto, us guys and Alex went out for lunch. Alex spent most of the time talking about his vision for this next season of life. He’s thinking that God is calling him to stay in Antigua and minister to the countless homeless people he sleeps next to every night. I remember him saying this so clearly, “I just want to give these guys Jesus, because that is all they need.” Before going our separate ways for the day I made plans to meet Alex for church in the morning. Shoreline Guatemala is where we go to church in Antigua. It’s a church plant from Dallas that is bringing Jesus to the city of Antigua. We really wanted to get Alex plugged into a church that can come along side of his vision of bringing Christ to the homeless in Antigua.
That next morning I went to the square to meet up with Alex. It was about 10 minutes after the time we were supposed to meet and I hung my head for a second thinking Alex might not come, and sure enough, I look up and Alex is walking toward me with a smile on his face. Alex didn’t just bring himself, but two of his homeless friends, Juan Carlos and Francisco, who don’t know Jesus yet. We went and got Falsto from by the market, and made our way to church. I had no idea how each of those guys felt walking into a modern day church, but they seemed nervous and somewhat unworthy. After church they felt nothing but worthy and loved. Juan Carlos said, “It was very beautiful and touched my heart.” Both Juan Carlos, Francisco, Falsto, and Alex plan on going back this next Sunday. One thing is for certain, I’m sure Alex will bring even more people this time to experience the grace, love, and forgiveness of Christ Jesus.
I am still in awe of what God did this past weekend and all the glory belongs to Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone!
– Pray for Alex to keep bringing Jesus to the homeless of Antigua.
– Pray that Falsto would know that Jesus is so much more than alcohol and the things of this world, and that he would keep his eyes fixed on Christ all the days of his life.
– Pray that Juan Carlos and Francisco would come to know Christ in full.
– Pray that Shoreline Guatemala would be able to effectively minister to them.
– Pray that God would keep calling people back to him.
