During the last two days we have done ministry here in Guatemala by distributing food, building relationships and delivering water purification systems.

We get to come alongside F. Masteko and his sons, who live and labor in this beautiful little town. They have great relationships with their neighbors who kindly invite us into their homes.

When we are welcomed into a home everyone

greets us kindly. They quickly bring plastic chairs and stools for us to sit on, some even go to la tienda (the store) nearby to buy a liter of Coca-a-cola to serve us enthusiastically from styrofoam cups. They are kind, grateful and humble and willing to serve.

We deliver food bags with dry beans, corn, rice, pasta, seasonings, oil, salt and sugar. We put together 200 of these bags during our time in quarantine. We made the water purification systems by using a small filter and attaching it to a rubber straw and a bucket. It took us 2 minutes to put together the system. It would have taken some of these families' 10 days wages to purchase one of these systems for themselves.

The Masteko family have such a heart to care for the missionaries that come to serve alongside them. Like Jesus, they bring us alongside them as they build relationships, love, meet practical needs and laugh together.

He describes how he sees some missionaries who still work to be saved, but we will work here because we are saved. The Masteko family fights the false gospel of working to win salvation. They intentionally work for their joy, never out of obligation. And the difference in how they love is very obvious. God perfectly placed the Mastekos here in the battle against the powers and principalities that Paul speaks of in Ephesians 6. Masteko men build relationships, women cook and create at home. His family is a team, a beautiful representation of the Church of having a body with many parts. Every part is necessary and important. Their response to encouragement is "gloria a Dios".

"For the greatest of you shall be your servant. Whoever exults himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exulted."

Matthew 23:11-12

We work in an upside-down kingdom.

Join me in praying for the Masteko family, praise God for their heart for people and His call on their life!