The Goodness of God!

Going to and from ministry thru Antigua, the last couple of weeks have been such an adventure and test of my faith in the Lord. But, it’s also been such a beautiful time to be blessed by God and to be a blessing to others too. But, before I get to that part, let me just catch you up to speed about what’s been happening the last 3 weeks or so.

It took me awhile to decide what else to share about during these last few weeks. And honestly, I was in a slump about what to share about. Ministry did not look the way I expected in some ways. For example, no pre-set events and routines like what I’m used to. I’m not disappointed in any way, but instead, I’m rather enjoying the shift in perspective in how to do ministry in my day to day life. Back home, I was very much a structured individual as far as having consistent schedules and routines daily. However, being here in Guatemala has opened my eyes to ministry in a new way; listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit lead and walking in obedience, whether it looks like what I think or not. Learning to be flexible in all circumstances and letting the spirit lead.

To catch everyone up to speed, about a few weeks ago, the team and I moved into a home with an avocado farm up in a village called Chimachoy. Chimachoy is a small village about 30 minutes away from the AIM base. Initially, I wasn’t sure what ministry was going to look like in the village. But with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the team brainstormed and vision casted what ministry could look like there. The team settled on starting a kid’s ministry (Kid’s club) that will essentially take place after school on Monday’s and Fridays. It’s an opportunity to get to know the children, teach them a new sport and scripture in the process. 

Below is a list of what we’ve been doing within Chimachoy as a team:

-House Visitations

-Prayer Walks

-Children’s Ministry (Kid’s club)

-Packaging goodie kits for families (kits included things like: toothpaste, toothbrushes, laundry detergent, dish soap, shampoo, bar soaps, cleaning supplies etc.)

-Prayer Mountain (cleaning and prepping the land)

 

Below are the goodie bags that were prepped for families. Assembly lines are the best!

 

Below is the home of one of the grandma’s we got to do a house visit with in a village near Patsun (approximately 1 hr away from Chimachoy)

 

The below is a mural on the wall of Coffee Shack where Worship Room takes place every Thursday night.

 

Week 10/10 – 10/16

There was a hurricane warning during the first part of the week, which stalled and canceled all ministry activities in the area. So, our Ministry host invited the team into their home and have been such an encouragement in leading, shepherding and discipling the team as a whole. Then afterwards, we had an opportunity to join in the festivities of Children’s day with our other squadmates (The Chameleons). 

 

Throughout this week, we got to see God really provide for the team in such a sweet and simple way. Often times, we try to get a ride back to Chimachoy before 7pm, because that’s when all the chicken buses and vans stop driving people up in that direction. Well, as it turns out, the team and I ended up going into Antigua most days of the week for ministry. Ministry during this week included a visit to an orphanage on Wednesday 10/12, outside of Antigua. Then, Worship Room in Antigua on Thursday 10/13. Both nights, we left Antigua after 7pm and didn’t make it to Parramos until after 7pm. By then, the chicken buses had stopped running. The team and I were initially concerned at the start of each day about whether we would be able to find a ride willing to drive us up to Chimachoy. I remember each night really just feeling peace as we tried to flag down a vehicle with a willing driver to take 6-7 gringo’s up to Chimachoy in the mountains.  And…sure enough, God’s goodness was so evident by providing a ride each night. One of the nights, a van with a mother & son duo were willing to drive us up in their van. The following night, when the team and I were in Parramos trying to flag down a van, I could feel a bit of concern creeping in as the vendors began closing their bay doors for the night, with fewer cars passing by. I then was reminded of Philippians 4:6-7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the Peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Then, shortly afterwards a man in a police truck that had been parked across the street from us had begun waving his hand out the window at us. Initially, I thought that was the case, but convinced myself that it couldn’t possibly be. So eventually, I ignored it. But then, within 5 minutes or so, the driver started the vehicle and turned the truck around and drove up to us. To my shock and surprise, they had been waving at us. They were a team of 4 detectives and had asked what we were doing, and after my teammate Kara’s explanation to the officers, they gave us a lift in the back of the truck bed all the way up to Chimachoy! During the whole ride up in the back of the truck bed, I couldn’t help but praise and worship God for His provisions and love for us! The song that kept coming to me was God, You’re So Good! & Before the Throne of God, rearranged by The Worship Initiative & Shane & Shane. 

As both were a blessing from God, we could do nothing except for thank them and pray over them for any needs that they had. But…Guys! The Goodness of God is so beautiful! Don’t even doubt for a second that He will provide, because He always does! Whether big or small, just pay attention and expect Him to answer in His timing and in His way!

 

The team of officers that were so kind to drive us up the hill to Chimachoy!