This is a short update from me (Steven) but Gaby will be writing another one soon on what she’s been up to in med school.
I’ve learned quite a bit about ministry in the past eight months. Still much to learn but God, in his loving grace, is teaching me over and over again how ministry is less about me trying to fix people’s problems and more and more about leading people to the One who can fix their problems, the ultimate problem being sinful hearts.
When Gaby and I first came to Guatemala, we had many ideas of what ministry would look like for us here. For me, I had an idea of being able to reach many people at once. I’ve had a growing desire to provide theological resources and writing (or translating) articles in Spanish, I’ve wanted to preach in the church, and to teach in the classroom. While I have done (and am doing) these things, I’ve learned that the majority of ministry happens one on one with other people, speaking to their individual needs or concerns.
Unfortunately, since this is a public blog, I cannot go into detail about everything I do or about the particularities of what Gaby and I are facing. However, after eight months, I can say a few things.
I know many other missionaries in our area and read their own newsletters and blogs. Many of these missionaries work in orphanages or are bringing short-term ministry teams every other week and as a result, have many pictures and stories to tell and share with their supporters. Looking at these pictures and stories, I realized I didn’t have the same kind of stories or things to share. I can’t send a report every week telling supporters how many homeless children I have fed or how the VBS went at the remote village somewhere in the jungles of Guatemala. That’s just not what I’m doing.
Among my several other responsibilities, every week I meet with many students (from ages 12-18), listen to the valid issues they’re working through, and do my best to explain God’s Word to them. Many times the issues they’re dealing with have to do with the Bible or Christianity itself. How do I read it? How do I actually get something out of it? What does the Bible say about *fill in the blank*? Other times these issues can be more personal; this usually happens when what we’re discussing in the Bible happens to clash with the sin in their own life.
So a weekly update is hard to give because the fruit of my labor here cannot be seen in one week! Yes, there are moments that are more defining than others but I won’t truly know what God is up to in these students’ lives until much further down the road. Yes, I see hints of progress little by little but it’s true that it takes a longer time to see how deep truth has really sunk in.
Regardless, I need your prayers terribly. I need your intercession. Gaby and I are so grateful for you. We are grateful that you are reading up on us. That you are supporting us with your prayers and that you are giving generously out of your own pocket to support the ministry in Guatemala. We are hard at work at the ministry where God has placed us and through your support, so are you.
Thank you.
P.S. I am planning some more detailed updates on happenings in Guatemala for the near future. Keep a look out!
