I had a wonderful time this last week with some wonderful people. The seminary group from Seattle Pacific University has just finished their time here in Guatemala. It was an honor to be able to guide them and translate a little during their journey. It was a cross cultural immersion course that they needed to take to complete their masters degree. They were greatly affected by the people living in the Ixil triangle. They heard the stories of how God worked to build the Jorai Bible Institute and Colegio HOREB. They heard horrible stories about the civil war that ravaged the area, with the people getting caught in the middle between the guerillas and the army. What left perhaps the greatest impact was visiting homes. One student wrote about a home visit:
Thank you for introducing us to M's family. I think that was the coolest part of the trip to me. I'm not sure I've ever felt moments of desolation and consolation paired so vividly than in that moment. To see God in the darkness and pain, and also in the joy and the playfulness, was very powerful for me.
We also split into groups and visited with local pastors for a full day, in their homes and churches. One pastor shared about a time when he wasn't a Christian, was badly injured, and almost lost his leg. He received a visit from an angel who healed his leg. Afterward he became a Christian and today walks hours everyday to preach the Gospel.
The group leaves carrying the stories of the people of Guatemala with them, seeing more completely the body of Christ, and with much to process as they continue in or begin their various ministries.
A high school group consisting of 25 people from Westminster Chapel in Bellevue will be traveling to the Ixil triangle tomorrow. We will be teaching at HOREB as well as installing stoves into families' homes. This will be the first time in Guatemala for most of them. Pray that their hearts would be opened as well as the people we will serve, so God will produce much fruit from this visit. Also pray for my dad, our translator Nancy, and I, that God would give us the stamina as we dive right into guiding another group.
Thank you!
