¡Hola!  I’m grateful  for the opportunity to go to Guatemala with a great team of folks.  Here are some basic facts about Guatemala:  It is Mexico’s southern neighbor and is a land of mountains, volcanoes and lakes.  It is about the size of Tennessee with a  population of 14,376,881 and an annual growth of 2.50%.  The capital is Guatemala City  and urbanization is  49.5%.  We worked with some people in a mountainous area in eastern Guatemala.

Here are some pictures and lessons that were brought to mind during our time in Guatemala:

Guatemala is a beautiful country  We enjoyed beautiful vistas that were only eclipsed by the smiling faces of the people we met.

People are more important than my plans  The Apostle Paul reminds us, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”  (Philippians 2:3-4)

Less is More  As we visited the villages in the mountains, the people have so little but they have a simplicity of life that enables them to meaningfully interact with one another.

Love is the universal language  Although we were separated by language and culture we were able to communicate our care and concern for others

The joy of Christian unity  Our team complemented one another with our gifts and abilities.

Growth occurs outside of your comfort zone  We had five first-time visitors to Guatemala and it was truly a life-changing experience.

The needs are great but God is greater  It was a blessing to see God’s faithfulness in the midst of significant challenges.

We experience joy in serving others  Our team worked well together in ministry and enjoyed many good times together.

It is more blessed to give than to receive  As we visited the people our hearts were filled with joy as we sought to minister.

God’s word is powerful  We were thankful to bring encouragement to others from God’s word.

Ministry to the ministers is ministry to the multitude  We were blessed to meet with many local pastors.

We are to live simply so that others may simply live  We tend to compare our income with those who make more than us so we feel poor.  The reality is most of the world lives on less than $2.00 a day (see my post “Are you part of the 99%?“)

Be thankful for the little blessings of life  We have so much to be thankful for, when is the last time you thanked God for a hot shower?

God responds to the united prayer of faith of an obedient people  We saw many answers to prayer as God used the team.

God is our source of strength  We don’t realize that God is all we need until God is all we have.

The Psalmist said,

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.  (Psalm 121:1-2)

All of us have a vital role to play in fulfilling the great commission.  How is God calling you?  All of us can pray – all of us can give – and some of us have the privilege of being His  ambassador to go and take the Gospel to those who have never heard the good news.

Is God calling you to step out in faith?  It will forever change your life!

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

Follow me on twitter:  rickhiggins5