Outreach in Guatemala.....

Have decided that it is due time for an update.  We have been on outreach since the end of March! The last few weeks have just flown by. It seems odd that we fly back to the states in less than three weeks. We are finishing up our time here in Guatemala by staying in a Hostel in Antigua.  The base, where we spent the last week and a half, didn’t have enough room for us as well as another team coming in.   Our schedule over the last month has varied so much in relation to where we are staying.

Guatemala City, our first leg, was very busy. Every day we had different ministry than the day before. The unanimous favorite would probably be prostitution ministry and street kid ministry. I would have loved to have gone back to speak to the women in prostitution, especially since a few women came to the Lord and others were definitely interested.  Seeing the lack of hope in their eyes and words was so difficult. 

We were split up into two different teams. Each team had 3-4 women who were actually talking to the women, with 3-4 guys standing back, keeping watch and praying. One of the things we tried to emphasize the most was that we are bringing light into darkness and where light is, darkness flees. 

As you walk into La Linea (the line) there is a road with rooms running down the sides. In the doorway of each of these rooms is a woman, waiting. Walking or biking up and down the road is 100’s of men. Every lady we met and talked with, we gave a rose.  At first their defenses were up, but it is amazing how with prayer, a rose, kind words and a hug, those defenses fall.  Most women would open their doors to allow us to come in and pray with them. Right when we would begin to pray, the tears would start to fall.  Most had families who did not know their profession. Many, we believe, had been trafficked and their papers had been taken away. All did not want to be there. One woman, Angelica, wanted to open a bakery but did not know how to escape the life she was entangled in. So many sweet, incredible, women who, when you looked in their eyes, did not know hope.

That was one of our ministry days.  Since then we have gone to San Miguel Chica; a small mountain town about 4 hours outside of Guatemala City. We were there about one week with the YWAM base. From there we headed to the YWAM Antigua base. There the schedule was more structured. Each morning we visited physically and mentally disabled kids at a non profit called San Herman Pedro. 60% of these kids have been abandoned. Some in garbage dumps, others in holes in the ground. This culture looks down upon them and sees them as taboo. They are the “unlovely” of the world, but after a few days of spending time with them you realize just how lovely they are.  For our team, this was challenging. Most of these kids have severe disabilities and our team had no idea how to act. They were far out of their comfort zone.  God is truly full of grace though, for He gave each one of the students a love for these kids.  Most of the time we just sat and held them one at a time.  For the majority of their lives are spent in cribs or a wheel chair, unloved.  I could write a whole page on these kids, but that must wait till I see you in person J

Ultimately, this DTS has been one of seeing Gods love in a whole new way. That Jesus came to love the unlovely. How often do we not fulfill this mandate? I am learning so much about Christ’s love for others, including my team.

Well, this has gotten long. We will be back in Seattle on May 17^th, then are driving down to Moab, Utah about 2 weeks after that. We look forward to seeing you all! Silas and I send our love.