We have officially finished the first full week of ministry in Guatemala! My team and I did some house visits and led various children’s ministries ranging from playing soccer to teaching English to hosting a book club.
On Tuesday afternoons, we help with a soccer program run by a local church and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Since most of us don’t know much about soccer, we help the kids focus and have fun. Before we start practice, all the leaders meet to do a short devotional and prepare for the afternoon.
One of the Guatemalan coaches said something this week that has stuck with me. We were talking about how we get to show kids what it means to follow Jesus. He looked at us (a group of 17-20 year olds) and told us that while we are young, the kids we are serving are the future. Our time to lead has come, but their time is still coming. God will use the truths we share while playing soccer to prepare the next generation of church leaders and faithful followers. It’s incredible to think of what God does in little moments like when we tell the kids that He loves them. It also made me realize the importance of sharing the truth. If we don’t teach them, who will?
Just as this coach challenged me, I have also been incredibly encouraged and inspired by the ministry hosts of the school we help. Similar to the soccer program, we start each day with them by doing a short devotional/discussion. I have loved hearing the stories of how God has worked through them. One of the attributes I most admire of them is their ingenuity. They surrender everything to God and allow Him to use them however He wants. For example, they aren’t the best at painting, yet they have worked diligently to paint their school with beautiful murals. They trace the patterns and create giant “paint by the numbers”. With its fun paintings and colors, the school feels like a bright spot in the town. It accurately shows how it is a light for Christ in a difficult place to live.
The way my ministry hosts follow Jesus aligns with what God has been teaching me about simply living as His vessel. I am an instrument of righteousness (Romans 6:13) and a vessel of the glory of God (2 Corinthians 4:7). I don’t have to strive to reach these characteristics, they are already who I am because of what God does through me. Even on the days that I feel tired or weak, God works through me and glorifies Himself. Thankfully, it’s not by my strength or power!
I am excited to continue serving with the soccer program and the school as God works through me to bring His Name glory. I am also expectant of more lessons from the people I serve alongside!
