I’m so blessed by the people I do ministry with. I have less than a month left with them, and every time I think about that I’m reminded of the little family we’ve made up in the mountains. My team and I love our ministry partners (we call them our ministry hosts). Our ministry hosts are made up of four people. John & Ilsi, Marly, and Daniel. Oh! And John and Ilsi have the cutest little two-year-old named Larissa. They love us so well and treat us like we belong. As we do daily life together, I’m always reminded of how loved I feel around them and the little (big) family I’ve fallen in love with.
Ministry with them is fun. Like, REALLY fun. We plan each day together, it’s not just one person making all the decisions. They invite us in and ask for our opinions and make sure everyone has a part. They know how to put us to work and still make it fun in the midst. Ilsi is all about making sure we experience the culture of Guatemala and invites us to everything she is invited to. I’ve been to baby showers, funerals, and graduation parties. Being able to love the village in such a real way is one of my favorite parts of ministry. I’m also almost always in the kitchen with Ilsi cooking and baking whatever food we have to give to the teachers, the women, and even just to us for fun. I’ve learned through this family that ministry is full of joy all the time, not just when you’re given “fun” things to do.
Every one of them bring something different to the table. John offers wisdom and discernment as well as comedic relief in almost any and every situation. Ilsi knows the needs of the community and gives us many opportunities to love on the people as well as a “lead by example” mentality that has really been amazing. Marly works hard to keep things organized and clean. She also translates for us on Women’s Ministry days and VBS days. Daniel offers so much laughter to keep our faces smiling throughout the day. He brings much abundance in joy and wisdom to the table.
It’s not just the ministry part that I love most about them. They genuinely want to get to know us and want us to feel welcomed while we are here. We take time out of our days to talk with each other about our prayers and struggles as well as our families and what we love about home and Guatemala (John is also from the States and Ilsi has been there so they know all about missing Chick-fil-A). We connect with each other and make sure we are heard and are doing well.
I’m so blessed that our ministry hosts do ministry with us every day. I see them as a family away from home that I will miss so much when it’s time to say goodbye. They make ministry fun. They really have shown my team how to make ministry a lifestyle, not just something you do as a job title or a trip.
