Breaking Through The Language Barrier

Laughter, an expression of joy & happiness, is the same in any language. This morning the team went to visit the school Lakewood helps support. Children stared at us curiously, some greeted returning members of the team with smiles and hugs. Students and Teachers gathered for the morning assembly. We danced to Toby Mac with the children and shared the story of Zacchaeus. We talked with the children about how much God loves them, He will never leave them, and how we can trust Him when we are afraid. Then they had prepared a few songs & dances for us too! They are so precious!

We then broke into smaller groups and got to visit each classroom individually to deliver a small gift to each child. There were smiles, hugs, and squeals of delight. We were able to communicate through our translators with the students as we spent time in the classrooms learning their names, meeting their class' pet turtle, and just loving on them. Their laughter echoed throughout the entire school. The love of Christ & the joy of the Spirit was tangible in that school. I cannot wait to return on Monday!

Afterwards we went to Zone 21 Church, a new church plant within a community desperately in need of His love and grace. Zone 21 Church sits near the top of a hill & as we approached it I was reminded of Matthew 5:14 which says, "You are the light of the world. A city set in a hill cannot be hidden." God is and will do amazing things through Zone 21 Church. The team spent time praying over the pastoral team and prayer walking the land the church sits on outside of Guatemala City. We all prayed at the same time in our own language. The sound was beautiful to my own ears, I cannot imagine how it blesses our Father to hear His children call on His name.

I don't speak very much Spanish although I am surprised how much is coming back to me each day. But that doesn't place as strong a barrier as I was expecting. You see, we as a team have the same Spirit of God living in us that lives within the church pastoral teams here, the teachers at the school, our drivers, & our translators. We're all one body in Him and He broke the barrier when He said "It is finished." Now, we are charged to go out & share that good news!

That's exactly what we're going to do this afternoon. Please be in prayer for the team as we go out in evangelism groups to share Christ's love with the people living in the Guatemala City Landfill.



-Ellen Hill