The Surprises and Challenges of Mission

Today was a busy day, in many ways typical of what one encounters on short term mission trips,  At the end of the day, Stephanie led a devotion, durning which we discussed the events of the day. she asked us each to share what we had found surprising, and what we had found challenging.

This morning we were welcomed to our week at Escuela Integrada by students who greeted us with hugs, and small gifts.   Students stood up and sang songs, recited poems, spoke of the schools history and offered prayers with completed confidence and self assurance.  That was a surprise.

We met friends from three years ago, both students and staff, who remembered us, and greete us with great joy.   That was a happy surprise. 

Even young Guatemalan children are REALLY good at soccer.  That surprised Noah, but Connor and I were more challenged by that.

Some of us were challenged by the language barrier, while, playing games and making crafts with kids who speak only Spanish.  It was frustrating to be limited in how you can share .  Others were surprised and how much you actually can communicate if you let go of your anxiety about language, and just jump in.

Today we visited the home of a young teenaged student named Angel, who we met on our last visit, and who’s education is sponsored by a Bethel Family.  Angel has lived in a two room appartment in Antigua for the last five years with his grandmother, Elsa.  They moved to Antigua five years ago after Elsa was wounded by ten bullets as a by-stander to a shoot out in Guatemala City.  The wounds left her without the use of her right arm.  She struggles to support herself and Angel.  Their story was challenging.  

Elsa’s wish for Angel is that he be a good student.  Angel works very hard at his studies, and has the best grades in his class in English.  He would like to be an architect or an accountant. He would also like the change to study in an American college, and play soccer there.   Angel and Elsa have dreams,  and love, and joy in their life.  That may be the best surprise of they day.  That gives us all hope, and as the Apostle Paul tells us, “Hope shall not disappoint.

The team prepares food bags for students families.  Escuela Integrada tries to help meet the needs of student’s families, so that the student will not have to work, rather than attend school.  

Darby spends some time with a young student.

This is the view from a home we visited today.  We installed an efficient wood stove, which involved carrying an 90+ pound concrete slab about 300 yards up a steep hill.