My favorite parts of days in Petén:

1. Mornings with the Lord. Our team of ten young adults all live in Abuela’s home, most in the same room, but the mornings are quiet, calm, and still. Sometimes the parrot is squacking and greeting me with a ‘hola’ but most of the time it’s peaceful. After reading scripture and prayer, we start breakfast and prepping for 7 hours of ministry.
2. When all the kids run up to me at the end of the day and we exchange hugs. ‘Adios, asta manana!’ Students are taught to give hugs at the end of the school day, I’m happy it’s carried over to activities too. Ministry takes a lot of patience, especially when I work with the younger kids, but we keep reminding each other it is for the Lord and to keep showing His love. Having a language barrier is also rough when I’m trying to give instructions for a craft or game. Their hugs, especially the tight ones, remind me that they do appreciate me being there, and want me to continue giving them attention.
3. Dinners around the table together. Our team of 6 combined with 4 from One Way. We all moved 12 hours north to serve in Peten. Culture differences get in the way, but we are learning to work together well to serve the communities and each other. After a long day of ministry, refreshing shower, and making dinner, we gather around 8 pm for dinner. I’ve noticed that guatemalans take their time when eating. Each meal is at least an hour, and they make time to slow down and re-energize. This invites good conversations, humor, language puns, and precious memories.

Other ministry updates:

We noticed on our first day of ministry at Vista Hermosa that a lot of mothers came to observe our ministry. My materials for Beauty for Ashes (the Adventures in Mission’s womens ministry) does not fit super well with daily activities for women. But we still created a ministry to serve the women of Vista Hermosa. In a week or two I want to start using the Beauty for Ashes materials to dive into deeper and more intimate conversations with the ladies! During my second day meeting with them, I heard their heart to learn English.

I’m still trying to figure out what they might use English for, but we are directing the vocabulary towards verbal conversations one would have on a daily basis or running a business. This also helps me learn Spanish! I would love to be able to use English lessons to open up conversations about their feelings, their daily lives, and the Gospel!

A few of them are learning fast and are so eager to help out and correct their friends. Julie recently invited us into her home for a meal. Hopefully we can do that this next week! My goal is to build friendships and share the gospel.

I am about $1,500 away from my final goal. If you feel lead to partner with me, please give through this new website. I also have several teammates who need more support. Please email or message me if you want their information!

I also have 6 days of the month that are open for prayer. If you want to commit to pray for me on a specific day of the month, I can sign you up! Just let me know if you are willing and I will give you a day.

Prayer Requests:

• Children would be changed for God’s glory. Conversations about faith would come up during ministry. We are here to share the gospel and make disciples. We have their trust. God is powerful, we want to be obedient to Him.
• Fruit from serving the women in Vista Hermosa. That they would be open to the gospel, and willing to make decisions for Christ. That God would direct the team in activities and english lessons to open up those conversations.
• Healthy communication with our hosts. Cultural differences make it difficult to communicate, and we are all learning. We want to serve God with them effectively, and adjustments still need to be made.
• Physical health. As of this morning, all of our team in Petén is healthy. But there have been very few days in the last three weeks where 100% make it to ministry. Please pray for sickness not to spread, food to nourish, and bodies to stay strong for the Lord.

Adventures is working on moving their blogs and giving to a new platform. It may take a few weeks, but this is a heads up!

Link to giving

Not my will, but His,

Sarah