Wednesday in Guatemala - More Than I Can Imagine

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Today will be the last day that we get to work in Xenacoj (pronounced Chen-a-coe). The people here are so beautiful. The children wander the streets at all hours of the day as if looked after by the community at large. The men work in the fields or in the sweatshops making the clothes than many Americans wear. The women care for the children and weave beautiful fabrics. The people here do not have very much compared to American standards, but they also seem to have something that’s missing from many Americans. They have a sense of contentment and a sense of family that goes above and beyond what you would find in most U.S. homes. I’ve definitely been moved by these people.

I kind of expected that when I came on this trip. I expected to be moved (even wrecked) by the people of Guatemala. I also anticipated that we’d be able to have an impact on their lives. I’ve definitely seen that as we’ve entered the homes of many offering new stoves, words of encouragement, and prayer. This has also been pretty amazing.

What I underestimated was the opportunity to be a part of life change in the lives of the students who came on this adventure. I am getting to talk with kids I had never met before this trip. They are opening up about the challenges they face at home, and they are sharing how God is impacting their lives through the trip. In my small group last night, several guys commented that they want to stay and help more. One teen shared that he wants to come back with family in a couple of weeks. And one student was an absolute emotional wreck as he processed what he had witnessed in Xenacoj that past few days. It’s pretty amazing to see this and to be part of the team that gets to help these teens work through these thoughts and feelings. I now understand that I was not just brought here to be a chaperone, God had bigger plans for me. I am so thankful for each of these kids!

Please pray for our team as we wrap up our work in Xenacoj today. Pray that we would leave it all there and that we would be effective in ministering to these beautiful people. Pray for our students (and adults) as we continue to process what we’ve seen. Pray that we’d all be able to transfer and use it in our own lives and in the lives of others when we get home. Pray also that we would be challenged to get out of our comfort zones as the normal and not the exception.

Tomorrow, we will go to see the Mayan ruins, and we will spend time in Antigua. And Friday will be a very long travel day. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to check in more than this until I get home. Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers!

http://www.facebook.com/michael.shaw18 Michael Shaw

Jon,

You wrote something very insightful:

“The people here do not have very much compared to American standards, but they also seem to have something that’s missing from many Americans. They have a sense of contentment and a sense of family that goes above and beyond what you would find in most U.S. homes.”

In my younger days I did some third-world travel in villages in the Andes Mountain region of Ecuador so I know of what you speak. There is no question that the material comfort we enjoy as Americans has extracted a price in terms of less powerful family relationships and indeed watering down all human relationships, especially community relationships and friendships.

However, it is also my observation that most, if not all, people who live in villages in Guatemala, Ecuador and other places in the developing would trade their family relationships and friendships (the relationships, not the people themselves of course) and content village way of life in a New York minute for an American passport and a chance at the way of life, opportunities and material well-being that we enjoy as our birthright as citizens of the United States.

Blessings on your return home.
- http://jonstolpe.com/ Jon Stolpe
  
  Michael, It’s a strange phenomenon to say the least. We always think that the grass is greener on the other side. This reminds me of a story…
  
  There was a man standing on the side of the beach enjoying an afternoon of quiet fishing. A young entrepreneur came up to him and said, “You should buy a boat.” The fisherman replied, “Why?” The young man said, “So you can go out into to deeper water and catch more fish.” The fisherman replied, “Why do I want more fish?” The young man said, “You can sell the fish and buy a bigger boat.” To which the fisherman replied, “Why do I need a bigger boat?” The young man said, “You could catch even more fish and start your own business. You could hire lots of fishermen and buy more boats.” The fisherman scratched his head and said, “Why do I want my own business with lots of fishermen and lots of boats.” The young man stated obviously, “So others could work for you, and you could relax and enjoy time doing what you enjoy.” The fisherman threw his line back in the water and answered the young man, “That’s just what I’m doing now.”
  
  I’m sure that the Guatemalans would appreciate access to better healthcare, safer food, and cleaner living conditions. But I also think they would miss their slower pace of life.
http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

Thank you for sharing. I have read time and again from those who have served abroad that other nations have a contentment we lack here. I’ve also heard that the toughest mission field is in the USA.
It’s sad that our materialism has deadened our spiritual senses. I just read a post on the anemic church- not hungering for Spiritual food.
God lead me to post today on the American Christian and what that means.
God help us. We need an awakening, we need revival here in this nation!

Jon Stolpe Stretched

What's Stretching Me Now?

Wednesday in Guatemala – More Than I Can Imagine