I’ve been in Guatemala for almost 2 weeks now and so much has happened. I don’t know where to start. God is clearly moving here, in me, in my team, and in the Guatamalans I have met. These past two weeks have been filled with: new friendships, saying goodbyes, spiritual growth, answered prayers, people coming to the Lord, evangelism, lots of ATL (ask the Lord), learning to live like the Guatamalans, lots of laughter, manual labor, quiet times with the Lord in the morning, soccer, team worship, great feedback (both receiving and giving), great views of volcanoes & mountains, lots of rain, running for the local transportation in the rain, riding chicken buses for the first time, meeting an interesting kid named Wilson, getting sick (I believe it was a bacterial infection), personal growth in being Spirit led as well as discernment, great meals, and a whole lot of Jesus.
The ministry my team and I have been helping out is called Dar Para Dar or Give to Give. My host, Chako, has this big vision placed in him by God to bring about Prayer Mountain. He has noticed that there are many different kinds of ministries, kids ministries, young adults ministries, and adult ministries but not many family ministries. So the Lord has placed in his heart to create this place of rest, worship, and prayer specifically for the family as a whole. A place of retreat for families. It’s a beautiful vision that I have taken up myself, and I want to be as much of help as I can. At the moment, there is a ton of work to be done, mainly manual labor.
We are in phase one of phase one, but I know that it will be great place of worship once its complete! Even now, everytime my team and I hike to the mountain, we pray and worship the Lord before working. Chako has given us the freedom to start developing the atmosphere and culture of Prayer Mountain as we work. It’s a huge blessing to be part of this great project. Maybe one day I will bring my own family here to worship the Lord.
But in the meantime, there is a lot of work to do. I have been placed in charge of building a bathroom, a 30ft length shed, and an ampitheater and most likely more. I don’t know if I’ll get to all of it. I have 40 days before leaving the ministry for debrief and preparing for our next country.
My team and I have been learning so much from our host Chako. He is so Spirit led and filled with wisdom. He is teaching me to be flexible, not task oriented, but sensitive to the Spirit and the vision that the Lord is putting in us for our time here in Guatemala. He knows that there is a lot of work to be done on Prayer mountain, yet he has asked me, “What is it that the Lord is telling you to do here? What mark is God asking you to leave?” He is not after us being devoted to a program or to his mission but to be devoted to the Lord. He points us to Christ. And I believe I am slowly becoming more and more sensitive to the Holy Spirit and discerning of His leading. There is so much growth happening in me and in my team.
Also, please be in prayer that I reach my full funding. There is a deadline to be at $13,000 by the end of this month. Please pray for how God is asking you to partner with me. There is so much to be done here, and you can be a part of it too!
What a magnifico update mi hermano Elijah.
I think the first Spanish words I ever learned as a carpentarro was mucho travaho constructione-haha
Kevin that was awesome to hear your heart for this family ministry it centers around families and worshiping God as families upon this mountain.
I think it was Martin Luther who said, “prayer is not overcoming gods reluctance, but lending a hand to his willingness. “
Prayer Dash talking to God and worship throughout eternity, what a combination. He’s actually searching and actively looking for those who will worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4
Thanks for the encouraging blog and so glad y’all are co-laboring along side Chako and the Dar para Dar groupo:-)
Thank you for your updates. We are praying for you and your team. May God be with you in your journey and May He guide you in your purpose.
Elijah what an incredible example of Gods timing this ministry and blog are! The ability to be patient and be spirit lead is incredible. You guys get the opportunity to be build a permanent place of worship. That’s why I love that you guys are being diligent in praising the Lord even through manual labor.
Those are some powerful questions! Would love to hear more in future blogs as to what the Lord reveals to you and your team! So cool to hear how the Lord speaks in different ways and how it turns out so amazing and unexpected! Thanks for sharing man! Praying for the Lord to answer and provide!
What an honor it is to be a part of building the literal foundation of this family ministry- incredible! I love that you all are worshiping and asking the Lord what HE wants for prayer mountain. See you soon, Elijah!