This past Spring, a team of 14 people felt called to serve the people of Santa Lucia, Guatemala, a country in which 80% of the people live in poverty. Working with Bethel Ministries International, the focus of the team the focus was to touch the lives of the very poor. Several of the team members had never participated in a mission trip before; God was stretching and growing his people. And grow they did; they went with the intention to give, but by the end of the week no one was sure who received more – the people of Guatemala, or they themselves.
Through the generosity of this church and others, the team accomplished much. Food hampers, clothes, shoes, school supplies and God’s Word were shared with 22 families. 18 solar lighting systems were wired into various homes (this helps reduce the expense of burning candles), 40 tubes of pressure sore cream were given to Bethel Ministries to use on wheelchair-bound persons, 6 children were registered and supported to go to school and 3 homes were built with enough funds remaining to build a 4th home after we left.
Prior to our arrival, Bethel had sent out social workers to register 50 people who would benefit from receiving a wheelchair. And come they did – people of all ages. For one middle-aged man, crippled at 10 years of age, receiving his first wheelchair and the freedom to wheel himself around was a huge blessing.
Early morning devotions set the tone for the day. Then the team was divided into builders, electricians, and visitors. Everyone who came, came to work and serve, thus much was accomplished. Plans for future trips are in the works! Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
PS: Education is “free” in Guatemala, but still expensive. If you would like to learn more about sponsoring students check out this link: bethelministriesinternational.com