One Way Community (OWC) is a ministry serving children in a few villages in Guatemala. My team has been serving with them for the past week in San Lorenzo so we can orient ourselves on how they do ministry and replicate it in Petén. Mornings consist of house visits, talking with families (mostly mothers and kids because fathers are out of the picture or working in the fields and trash dump). Afternoons we do soccer training and tutoring. This week we moved to Petén with four of the OWC volunteers to expand their ministry to this fourth location.
They have served in Petén before, but only short term trips. We are all excited to see how God will continue to work through both their team and ours in a new location.
Our last house visit in San Lorenzo was so special. Jordan and I went with Maynor to visit Fe, who lives at the highest point in the hilly village. Fe’s house was absent of children running around as her kids are grown. One of them is a lead volunteer in OWC, specifically working as the soccer coach and discipler. I went on my first home visit with him the week before.
Fe shared some of the miracles God had done in her life within the past week. God provided soap after she gifted hers to someone who needed it. God also provided a full propane tank after she asked God for one because there was no way to cook her meals. We praised God for being our provider and comforter. As she shared, I could sense so much faith and peace in her. I told her this, and she responded with humble gratitude and saying a World Race team a year ago gave the same feedback. Fe gives so freely, even though she has so little. God blessed her in return of her faith. Before we left, I had the privilege to pray over Fe and her family.
Fe encouraged me to rely more on the Lord. To give when I see a need, not expecting anything in return. To also rely on the kindness of friends. To pray boldly. To experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows with the Lord. To abide with God regularly.
I hope this also encourages you to rely on the Lord.
Please be praying for good and healthy communication with my team and the OWC team as we live together in a new town. Please pray for lives to be changed in our ministry starting tomorrow. Please ask the Lord to speak to all of us, guiding our decisions. Please pray for respect, patience and flexibility as we go through culture shock. Please pray for a vehicle, OWC needs another one to effectively transport supplies and people to ministry each day.
Here is a link to the One Way Community website, with information on how to give. They are raising funds for many things, including Children’s Day. They want to provide a meal to the children in all of their locations! How amazing would it be if we could each participate in that blessing. Most of their volunteers are full time. Some are also going to university. They need supplies for ministry in each of their locations. They need a base in each location. Currently they are hosted by people in the community, but don’t have much freedom in how to use the few rooms they have. They need at least another vehicle. We had 13 adults in a 5 passenger pickup for 2 hours, anything is possible. But currently we are using their biggest vehicle in Petén while a majority of their team are 12 hours south using a sedan. Please pray to see how God wants you to partner with this ministry.
Not my will, but His,
Sarah
What an honor it is to be a part of just the beginning of what God is doing in Petén. Prayers for building a foundation and reputation there. Lots of love, Sarah!
Maggie
Sarah,
What a great recap this morning as the sun comes up on my craft cup of coffee in my comfortable surroundings and prepare for the Exodus men’s Bible study this evening.
Transportation that you’re barely making do with and A need for much resources-PRAYER/and $ please Oh Lord, You are so worthy of it and so worthy of the Guatemalan people in these towns. So many of which are being raised up to go to other hard places with the gospel or even just to make it another day with food clothing and shelter. Please look up on them and prepare a well for them, meet them in that place.
Like Moses, Jesus stood up and essentially said let my people go, and inaugurated the kingdom of God, as the deliverer of all peoples, not just beginning with Israel like Moses.
““The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.””
??Luke? ?4:18-21? ?ESV??
Thanks Sarah, You and your team continue to do what you can, with what you’ve got, to the glory of God and the care and redemption of the Guatemalan people
Sarah it is evident the heart you have for the people impacted by One Way and for Jesus. I’m so excited to work with you and one way as a team these next 6 weeks!
Thanks for sharing. Exciting to hear. Praying
Sarah!
It was lovely meeting you on the Guatemala base.
Keep leaning in to God.
Sarah,
Thanks for the updates. Loved hearing about Fe and the OWC. Lord help you with speaking Spanish with the Guatemalans. Keep abiding.
I really love how you move people towards action Sarah. You are a woman who gets things done! It’s so cool to be a reader and have the opportunity to see needs and fill them from all over the world. Think how you bless those that read these blogs in being able to take part in kingdom work through prayer and financial support without having to leave themselves. It’s awesome!
I had some really sweet visuals when you were describing your interactions with Fe. One of my favorite things was spending time with the older women in Guatemala – even more of a bonus if I got a hug and and a smile and sometimes even a kiss on the cheek! I also love what she prayed over you. Let it be done Lord!
Excited for you sister! God speed and sending my love!
Sarah!! Thanks for sharing this!! So sweet to read! I miss you and your team and can’t wait to hear more stories when we hug again at debrief!! I am praying for you, that you would find rest and dwell with the Lord. I’ve heard how busy your team has been. Praying for supernatural time to abide in Jesus and be still with God. In Him we find rest for our souls, so I pray that over you and your team!! LOVE YOU!