Me and the boys, Pedro is the one on the left.
As I walked the paved road through the jungle back to Jerusalem I was joined by five preteen boys, my self-appointed protectors. Pedro, the oldest, boldly questioned how I wasn’t scared of the Devils in the woods. They looked all up to me with large anxious eyes awaiting my answer.
I met the boys on my way into Franscisco Madera a town close to where our team was living. That morning I was cranky and overly sensitive so I decided that a walk was the best option. After about a mile I ran across three preteen boys riding what’s called a triciculio. A three wheeled bike with a large flat place on the front to carry cargo. They were smiling as one took a turn peddling and the other two enjoyed being pushed around.
I realized it would be impossible to retain my bad mood while giving the boys a ride, so I half mimed half asked if they would let me pedal. Within seconds of pushing off we were all laughing our heads off. The Gringa giving a bunch of guys a ride on a triciculio must have looked hilarious!
After spending some time in Franscisco Madera the boys decided to walk me back to Jerusalem and that’s when the serious questions begin to come up. Pedro who was 12 and spoke the most Spanish told me that he had given his heart to Christ when a group of missionaries visited. He explained that they were all scared of the devils in the woods and didn’t understand how I could walk with out fear. I got to explain that Jesus Christ is stronger then anything that they have encountered, and that there is power when they pray in Jesus’ name!
A few days later I went back to Franscisco Madera to see Timato the man who helped translate the Bible into Chole. On my walk back to where we were staying the boys joined me again. We took turns sprinting (I won, although I’m not competitive at all=) ) and talking about God. Their curiosity was beautiful and I got to emphasize the power that God has and the importance of prayer and knowing scripture. Pedro was exceptionally receptive; I could sense a thirst in him to know God more.
Praying with Timato
At the end of the walk we stopped and prayed together. It was beautiful; all the boys asked me to pray for their parents. As we were praying I was overwhelmed by the beautiful plan that God has for Pedro. In the Bible Jesus talks about how the Peter the disciple is the rock on which the church is built. I feel like God is going to use Pedro tell many of his friends about Christ’s love.
Our group is in Antigua, Guatemala until Saturday! Check out the main World Race web page http://www.theworldrace.org/. Our race story is the featured blog and my friend Emilie did a great job telling the story of our race here. http://www.emiliejanson.theworldrace.org/. Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers!
