Guatemala Family Mission Trip Day 2: Sunday July 24, 2011

Our day started with a light breakfast of coffee cakes and fruit in the courtyard of Setca. Everyone seemed to be well rested and ready for our day of traveling to the Shadow of His Wings Orphanage to work with over 70 girls aged 3-19.

The three hour ride to the orphanage was absolutely beautiful. We saw rolling, tropical mountains that were so lush and green they looked like they were from a movie. We passed active volcanoes, coffee plantations, pineapple fields, rows of huge banana and avocado trees, acres of sugarcane and corn, and herds of sheep and cattle. Very beautiful scenery, but as we passed through the small towns and villages, the corrugated metal sheds, barbed wire fences and tall concrete walls surrounding homes reminded us that this is still a very rural, poverty stricken country where people need compassion, love and hope.

Upon arriving at the orphanage, we were greeted by a loving staff that prepared a wonderful lunch for us and explained their ministry to girls aged 3-19.  It was quickly apparent that this was not what most of us envisioned when we were told we would be visiting an orphanage. This is more of a "girls home" that cares for orphaned girls that have been placed with them through the court system. They have 5 families that live onsite and care for 8-12 girls each as a functioning family unit. We were very impressed with the families and children. We were able to spend several hours with them singing songs, making bracelets, telling Bible stories about the love of Jesus as well as just hanging out with our new friends. Several of our mission team families mentioned they wished we had more time to spend with the girls there. It didn't take long to start getting attached.

The staff also shared with us that they were expanding next year to start housing boys that need a good, loving environment to live in. We pray God continues to open doors and provides resources for this organization to minister to the children of Guatemala.

Last night I wondered how any of us could really make a difference in this place where so much is needed. God spoke to me through His word in Luke 9:10-17. After reading the story of how Jesus feed the 5000 with just a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish, I realized, once again, I had it all wrong. "I" probably couldn't make much of a difference, but "I" could be obedient to His word by ministering to these people who need it so badly. Even though I just hung out and made a few bracelets, handed out a few bottles of juice and cookies, and tried to make a few children smile, I was sure God could multiply the efforts  like He did with the loaves and fish and use the experiences of this day for huge things in His kingdom. We will probably never know how much impact we made on this trip, but one thing we do know...TODAY, Sunday, July 24, 2011, we saw two small, Guatemalan girls accept Christ as their personal savior ! Hopefully that can be the start to making eternal differences in the lives of many more as these children tell others about their experience.

Again, this is all about Gods work...we did nothing special today...but we did do what God called us to do and He used us to make a difference in the lives of a few beautiful families.

Thank you, God, for allowing us to be a part of this. I know this is just the start to seeing many more exciting things this week as You work in the lives of the people of Guatemala.

Henry Lawson

First time traveler to Guatemala