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