Faith and Privilege

Maurya Wendling has encouraged the team to share a single word to describe our experience.  Each night after dinner we share our "word of the day." My word for Monday was "reunion." It felt like a homecoming of sorts as I reconnected with Guatemalans who work with Mission Guatemala.  Elmar, one of our drivers, remembered how much I love music and handed me a portable player that we used last year at work sites. With it I could connect my iPod.  It was a nice gesture. I felt appreciated, known and loved.  He chuckled knowingly as he handed the player to me.

Another of our team, Laura Espinoza, shared "open" as her word of the day.  She remarked on how open the children were with us.  The preschoolers ran easily into our arms for hugs and affection.  They lead us around by the hand to play.  Up the hill from the mission center lies Nueva Esperanza.  The children there are fed each day one balanced meal by the mission through a feeding center built by United Methodist donations. The children ran to embrace David Burns.  They quickly turned to us.  A little toddler named "Meme" (short for Manuel) wanted me to pick him up.  He gave me a hug and then felt my beard and tugged at the hairs on my chin. It was so cute.

Openness experienced from Guatemalan children
who have come to trust Mission Guatemala

 
On reflection about this openness I realize that God has established  trust; a sense of belonging, safety and love through the work of Mission Guatemala. God is making Mission Guatemala a part of the community. I sensed a change even from last year.  There is a greater affection and warmth from everyone we meet. I told the team during our sharing that, "This is what we call the kingdom of God." My heart stirred as I saw the recognition of this truth settle into the minds of the team. It was a faith filling moment.

Two years ago when Rev. Glenn Howell and I visited Mission Guatemala for the first time, "I asked Tom Heaton, the founder and executive director, how his mission was sharing the gospel with the people they served.  He answered,"by doing all the good we can; by doing what Jesus did." Mission Guatemala has no worship center or chapel.  There are no worship services offered. His message of good news about the kingdom of God is to "bring it."

I have grown in these three trips down here to Guatemala. I now see where I had not seen before. Jesus taught, "The kingdom of God is among you." I believe it. I see it in the smiles of little children being loved day in and day out. I see it in the Mayan people who extend their hands in friendship knowing we are people who are doing all the good we can...in Jesus' name.

This afternoon (Tuesday), I was privileged to install a stove in one family's modest home and complete another that had been begun by the morning crew.  At the second home I overheard the lady of the house say to her husband, while looking at their new stove, "Es bonito!" which means, "It's beautiful."  Their poverty compared to how we lived in America is significant.  Their gratitude was apparent.  Her words struck me profoundly.  My eyes misted with sudden realization of what this stove means to this family.  To me it's just a simple stove made of concrete, clay and a metal top.  To her it is the nicest possession she now owns.  I shared in her gratitude by uttering a prayer of thanks to God for the privilege of standing on that holy ground.

Installing another of the over 130 stoves placed in homes in the region

Words shared tonight by team members included full, fulfilled, satisfied, and purpose. It is obvious that the words of Jesus are being fulfilled in us.  "For when you do it for the least of these my brothers and sisters, you have done it for me."  We are being filled with faith in powerful and mysterious ways by serving these precious souls.  What a sacred privilege.

Lifting Lives and being Lifted,

Pastor Scott