ZOE Guatemala Mission – Day 5

How does one wrap up an amazing week like this? If you’re me, the only way to go is wrap it all up in some key learnings, memories, and observations. So here we go…

 

10. On the first day I shared my 3 goals for this mission trip with you. Unwind and draw near to God, spend some relationship deepening time with Sally, and dive head long into ZOE and their mission. Done, done, and doner!

9. I knew Pastor David was a great preacher but I got to see him be a great pastor this week. David made a connection by calling seemingly 50 or so kids by their first names and praying for them beautifully and personally.

 

8. We must have met 20 or so teen moms who in this Mayan culture, (although they certainly were not advising or planning on having children in their teens) cared for, mothered, and yes even feed their beautiful babies right in pace with live as a ZOE student and business woman. Having seen the separation and distance created by teen pregnancy in America; this just seemed more natural, more real, and more communal. We may have something to learn in the evangelical church about how our heads shake and our eyes judge when we encounter young mothers?

7. In God’s work, just like in the business world, talent draws talent. I cannot tell you how consistently true this statement is “sharp, motivated, young talent (the kind of people who make special things happen) draw to people they get the same sense of purpose from! Executive interview after interview has taught me… your team is everything . The FUMC Mansfield Media Team (Zack, Nicki, and Carter) that traveled with us were three of the coolest, sharpest, (Millennialest) young social media, video, and photography professionals I have ever worked with. If you want to put out a great product because you think Gods word is THAT important… get the best people you can get. The ZOE Guatemala Leadership Team of Carla Gonzolas (Executive Director) and Omaira Zomasa (Lawyer and Treasurer) were just that… the very people we could have found in Guatemala! Carla has built something very special here through hard work and her passion for the kids. Omaira captured our hearts by putting aside her life (and the new season of Gilmore Girls) on hold for a week to interpret and guide us every minute of every very long day! Love you ladies for how much you inspire me and teach those kids.

 

6. Guatemalans (Mayan culture) are great people to partner with. Unlike most of the world, the hundreds of differing people, tribes, and villages live beautifully together.

 

5. These kids can pray! One of my top memories will be the way 15, 16, and 17 year old kids prayed for our group from First Methodist Mansfield. Holy cow, I mean they prayed these deep, meaningful, theologically rich prayers over us, time after time. They were asking God for our safe return and for blessings in our life. Maybe prayer life gets more real according to ones direct dependency on God and others?

 

4. There is a difference between Pride and Ego. Pride is what the three Mothers of ZOE girls felt and showed when they had us in their small dark dirt-floor homes beaming with joy for the sowing machine in the corner and what her very own daughter was doing with it. Ego is what I could easily be putting off (gosh I hope not) when I invite someone into my home. Huge difference and a mistake I really never want to make again.

 

3. A chance to work is what these kids are seeking (and receiving through ZOE) not Sunday School lesson.  I believe Christ knew well that it is hard to hear when you are scared, hungry, or cold.  I heard no preaching on this trip but I saw Jesus Christ everywhere.   “Peter, do you love me?   Yes Lord!   Then feed my sheep.”  The young man below had just been trained to be the village Barber.  His poor little brother who was taking one for the Team by getting a demonstration #3 blade buzz was not too thrilled but this young mans face told me he was cutting the hair of a prince.

[A note on how ZOE works. This young man volunteered to be in the ZOE program. He would have attended weekly meetings for 6 months. Then eventually presented a business case to the Board, a Board of Directors made up entirely of the children on that local ZOE Team. Then if approved he could be granted up to $3,000 US to start a business. Then he repays the loan over time, managed by the local ZOE Team and Board, keeping the profits. Carlos here bought a barber’s chair, trimmers, and all the equipment. He was so proud.  THIS is ZOE.]

 

2. In Guatemala I am huge (and a little goofy looking).

1. Mission trips are great.  They bring the love of God to those in need.  I may have taken the trip but I may have been the mission?