Our day began at 4 am when my team loaded up a pickup truck to travel to the village of El Naranjo. We drove two hours through the mountains in the dark, parked on the side of a dirt road, and began our steep descent to the base of the mountain. With my team in long skirts and chacos, the muddy path created our first challenge. When we weren’t looking at the ground to make sure we didn’t slip, we were able to see some beautiful views. We meet a couple people along the journey down but it was very quiet.
After two hours, we arrived to the village where the pastors’s mother had prepared us a breakfast- snail soup caught fresh from the river that morning. After thanking them for the meal, we find our way to the little church. People began to filter into the church casually (time is more relaxed here). This church has experienced feelings of abandonment from past pastors, as well as a depletion in attendance last year. There is now a pastor who selflessly travels there weekly from a different village to pastor the church and there has been an increase in attendance, praise God.
My teammates Amy and Mikahla shared two messages about seasons of waiting and patience. Their words flowed out of them. I believe it was exactly what the congregation needed to hear from God. While Pastor Wesly gave his own message, Joana and I led the children’s program. This church does not have a Sunday School program with teachers established so we were excited to provide something. We had 19 kiddos who gathered with us to learn about when Moses parted The Red Sea. We had music & dancing, coloring pages, prayer, prizes, and games. The children were grinning from ear to ear- once they adjusted to four random white women teaching them their bible lesson. There was one girl who I particularly bonded with, R. R, who has a physical disability, was very excited to have the opportunity to do activities and be with the other kiddos. I am still learning what disability looks like in Guatemala- how individuals are treated, included in society, and their rights. Nonetheless, I was glad to spend time with her.
We ate a quick lunch of eggs and beans prepared again by the Pastor’s mother before beginning our hike back up the mountain. Within a few minutes of ascending, I sensed discouragement within my team. With the high level of altitude and limited water in our backpacks, we knew this would be more difficult than expected. I got out my speaker and played some worship music.Throughout the hike, we would take breaks, pray for each other’s pains, carry each other’s bags, and sing. The pastor who was also heading home for the day even shared his pineapple with us.
After 3 1/2 hours, we made it to the top of the mountain. Drenched in sweat and mud, we thanked God for getting us to the top safely.
Despite the difficulties we encountered that day, we got to share the gospel! I experienced God’s goodness and faithfulness even while being emotionally and physically challenged. With every step I took, I had gratitude and excitement that God put me there.
Psalm 19:105 say “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”
Be well. Love well.
Mags
