I’m proud of this Squad! Already they have begun to establish a legacy of honor and
respect with their contacts in Guatemala. I’ve been raised with a mother and
Father who instilled the importance of honor and respect towards other people; “yes
sir, no sir, yes mam no mam.” It’s
become a part of my life message. Someone has said to me many times, “there is
always something coming off you.”
It might be, joy, anger, sadness- doesn’t matter- there is always
something coming off of us. I encourage people to take responsibility for
what’s coming off them. As it
relates to this squad they have been working with various “ministries” all over
the country! I have witnessed
first hand how they have blessed the people they have come to partner
with. As these teams leave, they
are leaving things better then they found them.
It has been said that World Racers can be like locusts
because they are such a large number of people and can take over things and
leave places almost worse then they found them! I refuse to ever speak that over this squad!! That comment
has pained my heart every time I’ve heard it uttered. We’re not only representing the WorldRace and set the tone
for future teams but we are professing Christ and are representing Him!
May it be said that we are a group of people who are
excellent in our ways. That we honor and respect those before us and behind us-
and that we leave things better than we found them! I say it will be said of this group of young men and women! And I will continue to push this
standard.
Over the past few weeks I have bounced between three teams
in two different locations in Guatemala.
As I’ve been with these teams I’ve had the privilege to work along side
them in various ministries. Pastor
Benjamin in Panajhchell Guatemala has been using the team to do various
construction projects among many other tasks. The team helps run church and assist Pastor Benjamin with
whatever he needs. He is a very
motivated man who makes the most of everyday he has for the betterment of
others. I’ve met few men like
him. Pastor Benjamin and his wife
are sold out and pour their lives into anyone and everyone.
In Antigua the
two teams there are working with Carol and Forrest Kendall from the states who
are making water filters and wood-burning stoves for families in the Mayan
villages. Dirty water is a huge
problem here in Guatemala, and is responsible for many unnecessary deaths and
sicknesses every year. This
ministry builds concrete water filters for people in villages that last a
lifetime. They don’t just drop off
the filter and call it a day. They
build relationships, and share the gospel. They have lived here many years They revisit the homes, and check in to make sure the water
filters are working and being used properly. They teach kids about the importance of having clean hands,
through washing them, and having clean hearts, washing them through the blood
of Jesus. They also build wood
burning stoves for people. Most
houses have open fires inside, which blackens the walls and snuffs the clean
air. Without these stoves, most
people are in danger of having repertory problems, and possibly even burning
down their house. We have been
aiding this ministry by helping to build the cement filters, sifting sand, and
helping out in other random projects.
Only God knows how many lives they have saved with a simple $50 cement
water filter.
