I recently spent 8 days serving with a missionary in Guatemala. I was a small part of a team of 21 wonderful people from Surrey Hills Baptist Church in Yukon, OK. We had an incredible time and it was amazing to be a part of God’s work of loving the world to Jesus Christ. Here are a few thoughts on what I experienced and learned while in Guatemala.
1. Poverty in the U.S. is not real poverty. Now don’t get me wrong I know there are people in the U.S. hurting and suffering right now, but let’s face it there are very few people living on dirt floors lucky to have a sheet of metal over their head. The U.S. is the only country in the world where people drive to the poor house talking on their cell phones.
We worked with some local workers who were paid $50 per week and they were the ones with a job and glad to have it. That is an annual income of roughly $2,500. In fact the per capita income for Guatemala is $2,662. We are blessed in the United States.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” Matt. 5:3
2. People can be joyful in any circumstance. We visited one of the poorest neighborhoods in Guatemala City and encountered people with a love and smile that you would certainly not expect because of their living conditions. Many on our team including myself experienced children coming up to us and just giving us a big hug with a huge smile on their face.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy…” Gal. 5:22
3. Hard work is not as hard when you have a purpose. We worked very hard with just hand tools, moving dirt, removing trees and clearing the way for a road. We had many say they were able to work harder and longer because of the boys who we knew we were providing a safe home. We had experienced the depths and the poverty so we were able to press on for those in need. We completed the task because we were working for God’s purpose.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Rom. 8:28
4. All people are beautiful to God. God has an amazing universe he has created for people to enjoy and wonder about Him. He has created people of all different tongues and tribes and shapes and colors and sizes. He loves all people no matter their station in life. We must learn to love all people as well.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
5. Missionaries meet people where they are and love them. Nathan Hardeman is a wonderful man of God who has been called to love the poorest of the poor in Guatemala City. He has a mandate from God to “Help troubled youth become mighty men!” Please visit his website www.geberderek.org While there I encourage you to read about his vision and pray about supporting Nathan in his work.
One of the things our team learned from watching and hearing Nathan was what it really means to be a missionary. Nathan didn’t say to those he is reaching out to that they must change before he will love them. He didn’t say they must change their language or their clothes or clean off their face. He just says that he loves them and God has a purpose for them. We will be much more effective in reaching our part of the world if we live that way in the United States.
“Love is patient and kind…it does not insist on its own way…” 1 Cor. 13:4,5
6. Some are not going to make it. A statistic that jumped out at our team was the life expectancy of those in gangs in Guatemala City, 24 years of age. Nathan shared with us many stories of boys he tried to reach that are now dead. The tragedy of life is not death, but death without a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We do not know who is going to make it or who is not going to make it so we must tell everyone that God leads us to reach while there is still time.
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
