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Guatemala Ministry
Comments from a 2006 trip participant
What an amazing experience! I’d never been
on a mission trip before, and I’d never
experienced a 3rd world country
first hand. At first I was intrigued by
the differences and stunned at some
familiarities. I’d never expected to
see Sears, Office Max and Pizza Hut
while there. Admittedly the signs
from home definitely comforted me.
It wasn’t until I got home that I realized how much the sights, sounds,
smells, tastes and experiences had overwhelmed me. Coming home felt
as much like a culture shock as leaving home did.
If I had to describe the experience in one word, it would have to be
“Blessing”. It was a blessing to be able to participate. It was a blessing to touch the
lives of people far from home. It was a blessing to see how another
culture lives. It was a definitely a blessing to learn just how lucky I was
to be born into a family and a country that has so many advantages.
You see in the media that other countries live differently than we do, but
unless you experience it first hand,
it’s hard to comprehend. It had never
occurred to me that people in the 21st
century live without electricity, or
running water. Not everyone can just
run out to their nearest convenience
store or strip mall to pick up whatever
they need – whenever they want. One thing that
struck me when I got home was a comment from
my step-father. He commented on how I now have
a taste of what it’s like for members of
our armed services to serve over seas. To know how he felt when he
was plucked from his home town and sent half way around the world to
a foreign culture, where nothing was familiar. His comments helped to
give me a greater appreciation for the sacrifices our military personnel
make for the sake of our freedom. So that we can enjoy all the luxuries
we have – luxuries which most of the world will never understand or
experience for themselves.
on a mission trip before, and I’d never
experienced a 3rd world country
first hand. At first I was intrigued by
the differences and stunned at some
familiarities. I’d never expected to
see Sears, Office Max and Pizza Hut
while there. Admittedly the signs
from home definitely comforted me.
It wasn’t until I got home that I realized how much the sights, sounds,
smells, tastes and experiences had overwhelmed me. Coming home felt
as much like a culture shock as leaving home did.
If I had to describe the experience in one word, it would have to be
“Blessing”. It was a blessing to be able to participate. It was a blessing to touch the
lives of people far from home. It was a blessing to see how another
culture lives. It was a definitely a blessing to learn just how lucky I was
to be born into a family and a country that has so many advantages.
You see in the media that other countries live differently than we do, but
unless you experience it first hand,
it’s hard to comprehend. It had never
occurred to me that people in the 21st
century live without electricity, or
running water. Not everyone can just
run out to their nearest convenience
store or strip mall to pick up whatever
they need – whenever they want. One thing that
struck me when I got home was a comment from
my step-father. He commented on how I now have
a taste of what it’s like for members of
our armed services to serve over seas. To know how he felt when he
was plucked from his home town and sent half way around the world to
a foreign culture, where nothing was familiar. His comments helped to
give me a greater appreciation for the sacrifices our military personnel
make for the sake of our freedom. So that we can enjoy all the luxuries
we have – luxuries which most of the world will never understand or
experience for themselves.
| In 2006 a team traveled to Guatemala to help in the ministry of Kairos house. Kairos is a ministry to families who have members of their families in the hospital. Many people in Guatemala cannot afford to stay in hotels when they travel to the hospital and often times stay on the street. Kairos house offers refuge to these individuals who may have traveled days by foot to get to the hospital with a sick family member. |