Day 7, the last day. It really is hard to believe the week here is over. It truly seems like we have only just begun our work here. Perhaps it’s knowing that we saw only but a glimpse of the work that goes on here on a daily basis. We all feel like there is more that we can and should do.
We stayed in Guatemala City today. To wrap up our week, we started with some relaxation and sightseeing. Andy, Nick, Ryan and Jack went to visit a coffee roasting operation, and Julie and Jason visited the local Mayan Ruins. After lunch we had our faith lesson at the ministry house with a small group of people that live here in the city.
The week was full of emotions. There were moments of surprise, expectation, frustration, sorrow, anxiousness, fear, joy, love, you name it, it was felt by at least one member of this amazing team. We saw and learned so much about the struggles of daily life in Guatemala, and that for many, it is only by the love and grace of God that they are able to make it to the next day. Many of our experiences are simply something that can not be described.
We just completed a “debreifing” with our hosts, Kevin and Ginny, to help us reflect on our week, and think about what we are going to do with what God has shown us here when we return home. I ask myself, how will this change me? How will I recognize need in our congregation, our community? More importantly, how will I address it or respond when I do recognize it? Am I really equipped, or smart enough, or brave enough to do anything? Is anything I do really going to make a difference? The answer is simple. It’s the same answer Pastor Conrad had us respond with when we were commissioned as a short term mission team before we left. Yes, with God’s help. The week here makes one thing clear. WE can’t change things. GOD, can change things. We are merely the messengers. However, without the messenger, the message doesn’t get delivered. That is our job and our purpose, and it is an important one.
I ask for your prayers for this mission. For Kevin, Ginny, Rachel, and Randy. For the Guatemalans who work here, Ana, Aracely, Carlos, César, Julián, Manuel, Oscar and Sandra. They face every day what we did for a week. The task is monumental, and they need your prayer and support.
Please pray for us and for our safe return. We leave the ministry house here at 3:45am and will hopefully be landing on time in Chicago betwen 5 and 6pm Saturday.
Thank you for your prayers, and for reading this blog and taking interest in us and this mission. Adiós and God Bless! And most importantly, Gracias a Dios
From Guatemala City: Andy, Nick, Jason, Julie, Jack and Ryan are signing off.
Submitted by Ryan Schmeckpeper
RevGauss 