The James 1:27 team will be departing for Guatemala in 1 week! I’m experiencing a nervous excitement for our visit as we prepare lesson plans, gather supplies, and begin to organize the packing list. I’m excited to see old friends and make new friends while exploring the beautiful country that awaits. We will be doing a lot of work while we are there but I’m hopeful to stay in the moment and allow God to work through us and not try to take control of each situation. I ask for your prayers, that God would break the cycles of darkness and bless each part of the work we will be doing.
The Orphanage:
We will spend our days at the school on the campus of an orphanage for kids who are HIV+. We will be teaching classes for kids birth to 6th grade about career exploration and how what they are learning now can be used in the future. There will be about 80 kids at the school, 14 gringos, and a couple interpreters. While we manage the school, each teacher, nun, and adult that is in regular contact with the kids living at the orphanage will go through a 3-day intensive training about becoming a trauma competent caregiver. The training is run by a Guatemalan organization that will equip each caregiver to provide the emotional support a child who has been through trauma needs to grow into a healthy adult.
Prayer Requests:
1.) The kids would begin to dream about their future and see life beyond the orphanage
2.) The training would bring healing not only for the kids, but also for those attending the training as many of them have likely experienced trauma as a child that has never been addressed
3.) The team would be patient and graceful to ourselves and the kids as we teach and interact with the kids
The Bunk Bed Project:
Sunday will kick off with a carnival and reunion for all the families that have participated in the bunk bed project on previous trips as well as the families selected to receive bunk beds during the week. For those of you unfamiliar with the bunk bed project, families who are at risk or known to be abusive are identified by the church and invited to attend 4 classes on how to build healthy families. Those 4 classes include topics of the origin of sin and brokenness, alcoholism, domestic or sexual abuse, and nutrition. The first 3 classes are broken into kids and adults so that age-appropriate content can be presented to each audience. The nutrition class is taught with families working together to learn about making healthy food choices. At the end of the 4 classes, each family is given a set of bunk beds to take home with them. Many families come from homes that are either one room or one bed homes. When a family shares a bed, there is increased opportunity for abuse to occur. The bunk beds provide a physical separation and the classes offer hope and tools to resist opportunities for abuse, encouraging safe sleep environments for children.
Prayer requests:
1.) Families would find freedom in Christ to break the cycles of abuse
2.) Families would be restored and find hope and healing through Christ and the local Church
3. ) The team would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and teach in a way that is pleasing and glorifying to God
The Retreat:
We partner with an amazing team of pastors and missionaries on the ground in Guatemala. They work tirelessly to proclaim the Good News of Jesus, host numerous teams from the United States, and graciously serve their local communities. On our last day, we will host a retreat to allow them time and space to rest, find restoration, and encourage one another. The retreat will include group devotions, worship, one-on-one counseling, couples counseling, and free time.
Prayer Requests:
1.) Our partners would find rest and be ready for a busy season of hosting teams and serving
2.) Our partners would find freedom and grace to speak of the troubles and hardships they experience in ministry and allow God to encourage them in broken places
3.) That we as a team would be supportive and vulnerable in our own struggles and brokenness
Thank you so much for your prayer support as we travel. Stay tuned to our blog for fun pictures, videos, and stories of our time in Guatemala!
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