Filters – Stoves – Hope

Hey there! 

It’s been a few months since I’ve written an update. Having a wedding (or two…) and newly married life has taken precedent over my blogging routine, but alas here I am playing catch up. 

In March I had the opportunity to go spend a week in Guatemala serving alongside our ‘base’ and experiencing their daily ministry first hand. The timing was interesting as I returned from the trip less than two weeks before my wedding…with a few things left on the to-do list. The opportunity was too good to pass up as it was my first on-field experience since starting in my role as ‘Base Development Manager’. Thankfully Stephanie was gracious and understanding! 

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The Adventures in Missions base in Guatemala is right outside the beautiful city of Antigua. Every year tourists are drawn to the cobblestone streets, rich culture and surrounding volcanoes. 

Many of the long-term missionaries on our staff live in Antigua, but the actual base is a eight miles outside in the small town of Parramos. In use for just over a year the structure is beautifully yet simply designed and helps host all of the World Race and short-term trips that come through. 

 

It can easily accommodate a group of 60, helps employ multiple locals and is perfectly located to serve different villages in the surrounding area. 

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Within my position I help create ‘Development Plans’ for each base. The Guatemala base has a beautiful dream of 12 different villages in the vicinity of our base. How do we reach each one with the life changing news of Jesus Christ? 

We start by partnering with local ministries, organizations and pastors that have similar desires for these areas. Working together we see the ‘felt needs’ of the community and work towards empowering community leaders to help solve the immediate challenges. 

This looks different in each village but in my few days down there I was able to see it play out in a few ways. 

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 First, just outside the village of Pastores we hosted a huge ‘Carnival’. In unison with the youth leaders that do bible studies and weekly outreach, the long-term missionaries and short-term team hosted an afternoon of activities for all ages. There were games, food and a gospel presentation about why we were there. The ministry in that village will continue, but sometimes one-time events can bring lift and awareness to what is already happening. 

Later in the week I was able to visit a few more villages that are a part of our stoves and water filters ministry. Working through local pastors and community leaders we had the chance to install stoves and water filters for families, improving their quality of life. This not only meets their physical needs but gives the pastors a chance to come back and continue the relationship with the family, opening the opportunity for spiritual refreshment. 

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 It was incredible for me to see all different parts that go into the Kindgom of God. The hundreds of people who support the long-term missionaries, short-term missionaries and staff (that’s me!). The google documents and meetings I have in the office that help with development. The missionaries willing to serve in Guatemala. The local pastors and church leaders. 

Each piece played a part in the bigger picture of what God is doing in Guatemala and how we can be in tune to HIS plans. 

Although my time was relatively short I came back from Central America encouraged. I’m fortunate to see the ‘hands and feet’ at work. Thank you to everyone who continues to invest in missions, both around the world and in our communities in the USA. 

It’s not just water filters and stoves…it’s hope.