Every day is long but every week short…
Never in all my days would I think I would be working this hard but here we are.
The standard weekday for me and my team includes leaving around 9am to travel 45 minutes into the jungles of Guatemala to visit the village of Via Hermosa and the town of Sabaneta. The village is in a rough situation on multiple fronts to include not being recognized by the Guatemalan government. Due to this, they are not able to receive a government paid teacher and so if the kids wish to go to school its a 1 hour walk to Sabaneta for schooling.
Due to this, we are acting as the temporary de facto teachers of this village and we spend more of our time focusing on improving their education.
After lunch, we head for the town of Sabaneta which is considerably more built up than the village of Via Hermosa. There they have an established school with teachers so we focus more on providing a vacation bible school environment by doing crafts, memory verses and games.
By the time we return home, we are pushing 6pm and by the time we finish any required chores, preparation for the next day, and all the other random odds and ends we need to finish we are left with around 8 hours for sleep and free time. An ongoing joke/serious request we have each weekday night is a prayer for a “Sleep Multiplier” as we already know beforehand that we will be getting less than an ideal amount of sleep for how tired our bodies already are.
While the hustle and the bustle is a real struggle during the week, I would not change this ministry opportunity for anything else. These kids are born into their situation and yet are perfectly content with their lives. They know not of the palaces that kids their age live in within the United States. All they know is that this is how their world works and yet they are happy, happy with their lives and happy with God.
My team’s saving grace from the boom of the weekday ministry is the nice relaxing bust of the weekend as this is when my team finally gets a break from the constant grind. The weekend allows my team to catch our breath, pay off our sleep debts and pursue the Lord. After experiencing famine in multiple areas throughout the weekdays, we are able to feast on how good God is over the weekend and relax in his presence.
While this is indeed some of the most rewarding work I have ever done, and the wages of candy and hugs are of course worthy compensation. I was expecting/hoping for a bit more sleep to be honest, but I guess that is just one more thing to be abandoned…
Micheal sounds like you need prayer for sleep….. I got you boi. It’s so cool to hear you say you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.I know the Lord is using you and you funny jokes. Can’t wait to see you at debrief.
Retired junior health inspector
Michael, glad the Lord is using you and your letting yourself do the Lord’s work. I am glad that what your doing you feel its rewarding. And it is man, God sees what we are doing and its not in vain. I am glad you see it that way because your doing God’s work.
Yupp Guatemalans barely sleep lol
Miss you bro, can’t wait to see you
Kevin
That comment was Upstairs…! Thank you for your service as a RJHI!
Kevin, miss you too! Make sure you drink lots of water so that you are able to survive until debrief. That way I will be able to see you!
Michael!! Thanks for the update!! It’s so cool to hear what the Lord is doing through your team in Peten!! Praying for you guys this week. Praying for rest, physically and spiritually!!! In your corner, KP
Praying for supernatural rest and multiplied hours of sleep!!
The Lord is your strength!! Praying He fills you up everyday and equips you with exactly what you need for the task at hand, including supernatural energy.
Proud of you for pressing in and giving it your 110%!
Michael, Thanks for giving us a picture of your week. What a wonderful way to learn abandonment then with kiddos that need to see the gospel played out right in front of them. Yes, before you know it, you will be on a plane to Eastern Europe. We are praying for restful sleep and super natural strength to finish strong!
I hear so much willingness in this blog, Michael! Your heart is open, whatever the cost, to love God’s children and that is enough! We will pray for rest and for sweet restoration on those weekends! God is building so many sweet memories for your heart and increasing your love for His people! AMEN