I’ve been in Guatemala for a little over a week now. We are staying at the Adventures in Missions base, where I share a room with my team and I get my own bed. It’s a nice change to sleep inside! Everyone eats breakfast together at 7am each morning, then the teams go to their assigned ministries for the day. We pack a sandwich for lunch and are back at the base by 5:30 for dinner. To go to ministry, we take the local busses. They are called chicken busses, but I have yet to see a chicken on them. To catch the bus, you wait on the side of the road. When you see the right one coming, you stick your hand out and it will stop long enough for you to get on. They are a very common mode of transportation here as people often work in different towns than they live.
In addition to finding a daily routine, I have been learning a lot about Guatemalan culture! We received cultural training the first few days after we arrived. Then, at one of my team’s ministries, they have been very intentional about teaching us the culture.
This past Saturday, we helped the ministry with an Art Exhibition for their students (it’s a Christian school). They allowed us to borrow their traditional clothes for the event. We each wore a huipil (blouse), faja (belt), and corte (skirt). Each piece is hand-woven by women and they take a long time to make. For example, the huipil can take a couple months to weave! Each one has a unique design full of beautiful colors and patterns. It was a great honor to wear their clothes for the day.
Overall, I am very excited for this time in Guatemala. After only a week, it has been clear how much God has been working here, and it’s incredible that I get to join in His work.
On another note, one of the things I’ve been learning about is the amazing gift of listening to God’s voice.
“I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live” ~ Psalm 116:1-2.
Every morning, I’ve been spending intentional time listening to God. I ask Him questions and He responds. Sometimes, He gives me a Scripture to read and other times I have a picture come to mind. There are many different ways He speaks. Overall, it’s been incredibly powerful to realize just how much God wants to talk to me!
It’s not always easy to listen to God. Often, I want Him to answer all my questions right away. I can get impatient and frustrated in waiting for a response, but He is patient and kind with me. Ultimately, it’s not about having my questions answered, it’s about knowing God more and strengthening my relationship with Him.
I love reading your updates and about the work you get to join God in doing. Praying for you as you make yourself available for where He leads.
Well, you know this one is my favorite! Eat your fill of beans and tortillas for me! :D. Praying for you!!
Sophia,
Thank you for taking the time to share your time in Guatemala-what an incredible time for you to learn how to hear Gods voice not just in your questions but what He has for you each day! We in the US are way to busy to listen- thank you for the reminder. Praying for you to hear God and do His will, even if it sounds hard or crazy ??. To HIM be all the glory????
Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences and your heart with us. I enjoy hearing the fun differences in culture like taking the chicken bus. I especially love to hear how God is using you in His ministries as well as teaching your heart to hear His voice. I continue to pray for all those areas as well as a unified community within your team and your group and the ministries you serve. I love you.
Sophia,
Thank you for the update! How exciting to be open to whatever God has for you each day! Guatemala sounds incredible so far. The traditional handmade clothing has me intrigued. Can’t wait to see your pictures upon your return. We are praying for you and your team!
Thank you for the update, Sophia. Seems the Lord is on the move and I know you eagerly join Him in the work! You are a brave soul taking those chicken buses – I’ve seen those in action and they are quite something.
Sophia, your ministry sounds like so much fun! And it was just your first week in overseas ministry! I am so glad that you are practicing listening prayer. I really like how you conclude what you have learned during those prayer times: “Ultimately, it’s not about having my questions answered, it’s about knowing God more and strengthening my relationship with Him.” This is so true.