In the beginning…

Today was an amazing first day of ministry here in Guatemala! We began teaching bible stories at a local school that had around 30 children. We told them the bible story about the great shepherd and told them how the great shepherd is Jesus. Even though we wander like sheep, God is faithful to pursue us and to draw us back to Himself! After playing a game of tag in which we had a “shepherd” tag sheep and round them up, we played a game of soccer/Futbol! It was a great time and the kids loved it!

After leaving the school we went on house visits. The first visit my team went on was to visit a widow who had lost her husband last month. We did our best to encourage her, but came away feeling a bit discouraged. After that house visit, we went to a young man’s house who had professed Christ, but had recently tried to take his own life. He has a disease that causes him to have multiple seizures each day, and it had all built up and discouraged him. When we got to his house we were sad to learn that he was at his sisters house so she could keep an eye on him and give him his medicine. Unfortunately, her house was at the top of the mountain, and we had walked down the mountain to get to his father’s house where he lived. So, we had an awesome hike and got in good shape!

When we got to his sister’s house, we had a great time in which many team members shared bible passages of encouragement including Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 2:8-10, Psalm 139, and James 1:2-4. It was a wonderful time and we felt like we were really able to encourage him and strengthen him in this tough time. After these house visits it had been a full day so we went back home (a 40 minute drive) and had dinner. After dinner, we went to the White’s house for our devotion and debrief. When I arrived the lights were out and Sean and I thought that was weird. We opened the door to loud shouts of HAPPY BIRTHDAY with people dressed like batman! They had surprised me with a cake and a party! Ben and Cruz, their sons that are 4 and 6, had made me cards with ninja turtle stickers and special drawings they had done! Also, the team got me a card and had written special messages in it. It was very special to me!

Tomorrow we are going to a school that has 130 students and will do more house visits! Please pray for us to have the right words to say, for clarity in translation of bible stories, and for a boldness when sharing the gospel and our testimonies! God has given us safe travels, good health except for a couple small sicknesses, and amazing time with the children and families here in Guatemala. Pray that we do a great job in making His name known and bringing Him glory as we finish the rest of the mission that He has for us here!

-Josh