Guatemala - June Missions Trip

So we just got back from Guatemala and I'm trying to summarize a week's worth of relationships, construction and God into a few words.  There were 24 total – 14 Americans and 10 Guatemalans.  It was a huge trip that pulled 2 cultures together for the sole purpose of glorifying God.  Since our next series is all about what T.R.U.E.N.O.R.T.H. stands for, here’s how we saw TNC on our trip.

Trusting – There was a whole lot of trusting going on.  From the parents that let their kids go on this trip, to the trip leaders trusting God to provide unity for a diverse group, the only way this trip could have worked was to trust in Him.

Responsible – Not me – the kids.  We are so proud of all the students that were with us – and you moms and dads should be, too.  They worked hard, played hard and definitely went out of their comfort zones!  Whether you prayed, lead a team or hung out with new friends, we are proud of all of you!

Unpredictable – From lost luggage to pick-up basketball games with someone who didn’t speak English; from an orphanage full of special needs kids to being held up by banditos (ok – the last one didn’t happen), every day was a lesson in being flexible.  Missions Rule #1 – be flexible!!

Excitement – mixed with a little nervousness of the unknown.   So many on the team had never been on a missions trip, never been out of the country, never been on a plane.  So kudos to all of you who turned fear into excitement of the unknown. 

New family –  Ok, that’s two words.  But as many trips as we have been on, we are always amazed at the way so many diverse people come together so quickly and so easily.  In a world full of selfishness, it is so humbling to see what can be accomplished when we let go of ourselves and only seek God’s will.

Optimistic – We broke a lot of new ground this trip; New relationships, new locations, new horizons.  We are so excited to see what God has in store for the Los Gozosos Project and for Guatemala Bible Seminary.  We pray that others continue the work we started and that God pours out His blessings on both places. 

Resilient – Rain or shine, early or late, our team of 24 worked until the job was done.  Whatever the job, we persevered with God’s strength.  There were a lot of days with tired muscles, but no days without smiles.  I think our group could have stayed another month and not been exhausted!

Traditions – While new cultures, customs and traditions can be exciting at first, it’s easy to start missing Chick-Fil-A and HDTV.  But everyone jumped into their new surroundings and ate, drank and slept Guatemalan with no complaints.  I think God truly blessed our trip because we all embraced whatever He put in front of us.  And more than one of us became addicted to Rosa de Jamaica, Arroz con leche and homemade Tortillas con caso.

Hard-working – While we all didn’t pour concrete, we all did jump in.  Our team knocked out tons of jobs, from painting, to making a garden, to putting up cinder block walls, to pouring concrete columns, to dog training.  And everyone pulled their weight, regardless of the task.  I know a lot of the team tried new things they had never done before – and did them well!

Thanks again to all our team, whatever country you are from.  You made the trip one of the best experiences of our lives.   And if you haven’t been, I wish we could take every one of you at least once to experience God in a whole new way.  I pray that everyone who went came home a different person – I know we did!

 

Katie and David Czapala

Leaders for June Guatemala Missions Trip