It’s day 7 here in Xenacoj, and I want to give you a brief update of what my life looks like this month:
This month is all squad month. This means that instead of having the teams spread out to different cities and different ministry sites, all 29 of us are living and working together this month. I’m enjoying having us all together! With 30 people and two bathrooms, we have our struggles, but for the most part, it’s a great time.
This month’s mission is with an organization called GO Ministries. The leader of the organization, Dave, spent the last few days preparing us for this month’s work. In order to utilize our whole group, we have broken up into smaller groups, each with our own focus.
For those of you who know me, it wouldn’t surprise you that I chose to be involved in group (pillar) GO Worship. However, worship is not simply about music, or singing. While those things are definitely a part of worship, there are many ways to worship. This being said, my pillar has the task of church planting.
Church planting. This is something out of my comfort zone. While I have experience planning a western worship service, I do not have the first idea about starting a church in Guatemala. But, this is something that excites me. My job is to come alongside a local man named German and help him start a church here. German is our host here in Xenacoj. He and his family are alone here in their faith, but have such a passion for sharing God’s love with their community. I’m not really sure what church looks like here, but I am excited to see his vision and watch how we can help that vision become a reality. I also know that the Lord will grow me through this experience, and I am ready to embrace it!
On top of working on the pillars of GO, we are also involved in the schools nearby. Every morning German brings breakfast to the children, and this month, we have the opportunity to play, teach, and love on these little ones.
Yesterday was our second day at my assigned school. I poked my head into “my classroom” and was immediately greeted by name. “Mely! Mely!”. It warmed my heart. Myself, and two of my squad-mates spent the next few hours playing games, singing songs, and sharing the Word of the Lord with those precious 7 and 8 year olds. One little boy came up to me and asked me if I knew his friend and where she was. It took me a minute but I figured out that he was referring to a previous World Racer that he had bonded with. It broke my heart that I couldn’t give him an answer as to why his friend didn’t come this time. But it also reminded me of how important my influence is on these children. We spend one month with them, and then we leave. But they remember. It challenges me to invest in their hearts for the purpose of the Kingdom. To love them without holding back—because I am their living proof of Jesus. To be confident in sharing the Gospel and presenting the open invitation that He offers.
These long days are flying by. I am doing my best to soak in every moment, be completely present, and remain open to what the Lord is doing in me and through me.
The reality of fundraising has come up in conversation several times with our hosts. While I am not fully funded, I am fully confident that the Lord will continue to provide. I am beyond thankful for the many people who are supporting me back home. I would not be here without your support. I am constantly reminded of your contribution to this ministry, and I hope you know that you are a part of what God is doing here in Xenacoj, and what He is doing in me. Thank you, THANK YOU!!
