hello friends! I have been in Guatemala for a little over 6 weeks (WOW!) and I have absolutely loved it! The culture is incredible, the people are some of the kindest ever, and the food is out of this WORLD! However, none of it compares to the things that the Lord has been and is continuing to do here and it has been a pleasure to get a glimpse of it all.
I want to give you a deeper look into my ministry and everything the Lord is teaching me through it. I am working with a couple named Manuel and Myra as they start a brand new ministry, Hope for Kids! Our first day with them was their first real day with kids and it has been such a joy to walk alongside them in pioneering! We’ve seen all of the celebratory days and milestones, but it has also been an honor to stand by their side through some extremely challenging moments.
The goal of this ministry is to provide nutritious meals and English classes to local Guatemalan kids who don’t always have opportunities to get involved with programs like ours. The founders, Manuel and Myra, both grew up in challenging family situations and they can relate to these children on such a real and personal level. It is incredible to watch the passion that they have for kids who are walking through things that they have experienced personally, and it brings such a weight to the work that they’re doing.
Starting a ministry anywhere is a huge job, but especially here in Guatemala. They faced opposition from all sides. Questions of “what good will one more feeding program do?” Families shutting the door in their face with no hope of this dream ever going anywhere, and people wondering if anything would ever actually come of it. BUT— they were so persistent and were able to begin this incredible program that I’ve now had the chance to work with for 2 months!
This experience has given me a raw and firsthand look into what a life in ministry really looks like. The good, bad and ugly of finances and fundraising, and the emotional weight that comes from serving others each day. Our team has been able to help out financially however we can, but it has also caused many of us to wrestle with the questions that come with short-term missions.
“Where is the line of when our help begins to actually cause more harm?”
“How sustainable are our donations and contributions?”
“Are we setting these people up well to continue and succeed after we are gone?”
“Where is the Lord in all of this?”
“What would Jesus do if he were here right now?”
Those last two questions have been swirling through my mind for weeks now and it has been sweet to hear everything the Lord is speaking over this ministry and these children. Being on the outside looking in can be hard sometimes and has caused me to wonder where the Lord’s goodness and kindness is in the lives of Manuel and Myra right now. Watching the passion and love that they have for this cause and these children brings so much frustration whenever they face opposition and trials. It feels like we are hitting walls over and over again with little hope of this program lasting long-term.
Then that last question comes to mind. On the days when I don’t want to sit on the floor and do a coloring page with the kids because there are so many financial things to worry about. When it feels impossible to see the Lord in their lives because it feels like He isn’t showing up or providing. Crying with my team as we wonder how much longer this program can hold on. In those moments, I can’t help but daydream about Jesus.
If He were here, I’m sure He would be on the floor with the coloring page or holding the crying toddler or laughing with the little girl. He would be so present and would be truly seeing every single kid. He would be sitting and listening to Myra pouring out her heart for this village and program. He would be walking the kids home and meeting their families and giving them the biggest hugs and making sure they knew and believed that they are loved.
I was talking to some friends last week about all of my emotions and frustrations with ministry and my friend said something that I can’t stop thinking about—I wish I would’ve realized it sooner because it’s given me a completely new perspective.
“Bree, all of the things you’re feeling on behalf of the program and the kids are so valid. But, do you realize that the Lord is feeling the exact same way times a MILLION? He wants the best for this program because He loves these children way more than you ever will, they’re His.”
It was a slap in the face in the best and most necessary way possible. Who am I to think I know what’s best for this program and these kids when I serve a God who knows every single thing about them and their lives down to the number of hairs on their heads? Realizing this truth freed me of so much worry and anxiety about the future and “what-ifs” and it empowered me to be a taste of that love to these kids.
So now, instead of sitting in worry and thought or shutting off when the reality hits, I go sit on the floor and color the coloring page. I hold the crying toddler and remind them how loved they are. I walk the boy home and meet his family and pray and cry with them over the hard realities of life that I may never fully understand. because that’s what Jesus would do.
I would love to ask you to join me in prayer over this ministry. Manuel and Myra have huge dreams for this program that reach way beyond our four walls. They dream of serving 300+ meals a day and reaching kids and families in even more villages and areas. I have no doubt that the Lord can provide everything needed to make this happen! I will share some specific requests and would be honored if you could pray alongside my team and I!
There is also space for financial contributions if you feel led! The program needs about $1500 per month to cover the basics (food for 3 days per week and rent for the building). Beyond that there are a ton of loose ends that are creating a lot of barricades for the continuation of this ministry. To become an accredited organization in Guatemala (an in turn be able to receive donation and support from larger corporations) you have to get an inscription and a specific type of bank account. The process is extremely tedious and can take months, not to mention legal fees and lawyers and costs to open the bank account. Anything helps whether that’s a small one-time donation or a monthly commitment to help out! Please email or text me (info at the bottom) if you’d like to help and I can get you connected with the program!!
Prayer Requests:
-Peace for Manuel and Myra with all of the stress that this situation brings!
-Wisdom and ease in the process of becoming an official non-profit organization!
-The children coming in the door each day—they are carrying some heavy burdens that I can’t even begin to understand.
-Evan* (name change for privacy reasons) who has a brain condition that causes memory loss and frequent seizures. His father is unable to communicate or move barley due to a motorcycle accident 2 years ago that left him almost completely brain dead. His mother works full time to provide for their family due to his father’s inability to work, and his one sibling (a 13-year-old sister) takes care of him and his bedridden father full-time.
-Trust and reliance on the Lord and His provision as our team prepares to leave this ministry and move to South Africa!
His love + mine,
bree
email: [email protected]
phone: (325) 340-8349
venmo: @breeself
