The past few days we have been in Antigua, Guatemala for debrief.
Debrief is a time for the whole squad to come together to rest and be refilled and rejuvenated.
Most people think debrief is a time to not do ministry but that’s definitely not the case.
We do not have a designated/specific ministry that we work directly with, but it gives us the opportunity to go into the city and focus our full attention on engaging with the people around us while we explore the community and culture
While struggling at the ATM for the 100th time, I met a guy named Flo
I shimmied past him while trying to get around his gigantic pack
I obviously knew he wasn’t with the World Race so he must be backpacking
After initiating conversation I found out he was from Austria, he was interning at a hospital in Nicaragua and was now backpacking through the nearby countries before heading home
He was super nice and was shockingly open to talking to me and my teammate Julia
We watched anger build up in him while he proceeded to tell us about his hospital experience in using very colorful language
He was mad that none of the doctors cared about anyone unless they were a part of their family
He commented on how they didn’t have any love for anyone
After his rant subsided, he decided to ask us (other white people) why we were in Antigua
Being very careful of my wording I decided to tell him about the World Race and how our goal was to show the love of Jesus to everyone we came in contact with around the world
I explained to him that I thought it was really awesome that he was able to be an example to the other doctors on how to love people and care about them when they aren’t a part of his family…because that’s what we are trying to do, is be an example and love people well so that they can experience the love of Jesus and in turn, love others well
He laughed at my statement because he didn’t agree that he was being an example and loving them well, he was more-so just mad and frustrated, finished his internship and left
After he found out we had 10 months left on our race, he laughed and wished us luck on having enough love to last that long
I mentioned it wouldn’t be out of our own love, but since it’s the love of Jesus, it will be more than enough
He laughed and went on his way to the coffee shop we had suggested
That is probably the last time I will ever see Flo
I have no idea if Flo believed in God
I have no idea if our conversation made any kind of impact on Flo’s life
But what I do know is, I was obeidient and stepped out in boldness to pursue a conversation with a stranger, I shared my faith and the journey God currently has me on and I tried to speak life and encouragement and truth into someone besides my self.
I didn’t share the gospel. I didn’t try to force him to give his life to Christ on the sidewalk of the ATM. And I didn’t condem him for using colorful language or being angry and bitter.
I realted to him on his level of backpacking. I pursued him and his interests because I care about who he is as a person. And I had a normal conversation with another human that God values, in hopes that it planted a seed
And sometimes that’s all we are called to do!
In addition to my conversation with Flo, once I returned to the hostel a few girls and I decided to go on a walk around the community.
We followed a mass of people to get ice cream until we found out it was ice cream for people who had just left a funeral.
We immidiately turned around and pursued the original course of our walk only to find out we were directly in the middle of hundreds of people in the pursuit of a funeral procession.
3 really white girls walking and laughing amongst hundreds of Guatemalans mourning during a funeral procession.
It had absolutely nothing to do with ministry but it was one of the funniest and most uncomfortable situations I have ever been in
Welcome to the world race yall!!!
