On of our ministry team members, Juanito (meaning “little John” in Spanish) speaks to address the family. He has been independently coming to Guatemala for years to help in ministry. He describes with assurance how God brought him here to serve this family. “We are brothers and we are to serve. Glory to God.” He describes his thankfulness for this time. Juanito serves alongside us with ease and joy. With a determination to honor God with his work and his time.
“Something important to know here”, Fernando describes, “is a lot of people in this town do good things then go to me to ask if they will go to heaven for those good things.” The response is easy and simple, he says, we do good works because we are saved, our good works are not what saves us. We are to help one another like what it says in the Bible. “If I have the option to help someone and I don’t, I am not fulfilling what God says to do. We want to do big things, like build houses. But doing small things like sharing a meal is important and impactful. We don’t want to give a bucket of money to help people we can just help them, we need to learn to share with one another and represent Jesus. We come in the name of Jesus and we help.
The Luis activates the family to go and be like Jesus. This is for everyone; “Now its time to see how you can help those around you, it does not have to be big things, it can be small things and that is the purpose”.
The simplicity of the gospel of Jesus is beautiful.
“We dedicate our time and our work to the Lord, now we want to dedicate it to you”. We brought cake and coke to celebrate what God is doing. Before eating we want to give space for the family to say something, they have a gift for us.
The father of the family speaks to us. The English translation of his name is Nebuchadnezzar. He is a counselor here in Guatemala. There are very few counselors here, so people travel from far places to meet with him. He smiles and serves and blesses the families that come to him with joy and eagerness. “God bless you Fernando and your sons and you all. Thank God and you too, what I see in you and what you are accomplishing are the words of what Jesus said. He says go and preach, and you are doing so. Making Jesus known. The love of Jesus is here, it surprises me. May God continue to cover you in a way that is special. Everything we do, we do in the name of Jesus.
“Fernando and his sons we are grateful for. I am thankful and so is my family. For those who know Jesus and those who don’t, a lot of people think He exists when we show that love. Thank God again for them and you, in the name of my family, my wife, my children, and my parents. We are very grateful for all of you. We are happy for the gift that came from God through you. We would not have enough to pay you, but He will compensate. We are very happy, when you started [building the new room] our hearts were happy to see you guys everyday and it will be hard for us when you guys leave. Like and empty nest. May God protect you and bless you and your families. I hope to see you in heaven , we are thankful that Jesus is our friend, thank you for what you have given, may God bless you.”
The family worked together to make gifts for us in thankfulness for the house. They all began making them when we began constructing the house. I was amazed by their generosity, it means something different in Guatemala. The men of the family helped construct these crafts for us. They wanted to prepare something for us so that we don’t forget them.
The rest of the time was lighthearted and full of joy. They gifted us handmade bags, incredible paintings and doll figurines. We got to serve them their food and take pictures. I am so impacted by this family, by their generosity and thankfulness. By their humility and unity.
