A week and a half ago I went to a girls juvenile delinquent facility here in Guatemala as an interpreter for a Vision Team visiting from the States. I spent a couple hours playing soccer and talking with the girls. Two women from the American group shared their testimonies, one about the challenges that resulted from sexual abuse as a child, the other about how God had protected her from sorrows in her life but that she had only been living a lie and did not really love the Lord.
Both spoke of how their past and present were very different because of the LORD's presence in it.
This led to a few testimonies from the girls we came to visit. All are in prison for serious crimes, drug involvement, gang involvement, etc.. Some have infants or toddlers who were born inside the walls where their mothers are imprisoned. And all of them are between the ages of 14 and 18.
-One girl shared that she missed her mom, who no longer came to visit her. Her family was angry at her for getting in trouble with the law and didn't want anything to do with her.
-Another gave me a bracelet that she made and asked me to pray for her. Her family lived in LA and she hadn't heard from them for some time.
-Another gal shared through tears about her fear regarding the next day. She was being transferred to a different place but didn't know why or where. She felt like she was being ripped away from the only family she had.
-Another told us that she was hoping to complete school when she got out of prison, and wanted to study medicine. She has at least 2 years more behind bars.
They were simple conversations, only the beginnings of a relationship, but the Lord spoke so strongly to my heart that these girls were simply that: girls. He also revealed that they were my ministry. They needed a big sister.
What is more, we are no longer being let into the prisons. The bosses in charge have declared that non-profit groups no longer will have access to come and visit prisoners. Period.
So this trip was our last chance to see the girls. Thankfully, we were able to leave Bibles for each girl, and the Word can touch lives despite our absence. But the influences each day from all sides are against the Lord's voice in their hearts- pray that the Holy Spirit conquers the negativity, anger, emotional abuse, and tension that surrounds these girls every day. Pray that he gives them trust in HIS ways and timing to bring justice for mistreatment these girls are subject to. Pray that he touches the hearts of the authorities that we might be able to once again enter the prisons and build relationships with these girls.
I am praying that God reveals the reason for touching my heart so deeply during this visit... I have deep convictions about continued work in this particular mninistry in EdT's network, but my hands are tied.
Kim <><
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
GuaTrivia
For those of you participating in GuaTrivia, here are your answers!
Kudos to you for wanting to learn about other cultures!! =)
#1 ) d #2 ) b #3 ) b #4 ) c
And feel free to check out other entries in this blog... there are lots of stories!
Kudos to you for wanting to learn about other cultures!! =)
#1 ) d #2 ) b #3 ) b #4 ) c
And feel free to check out other entries in this blog... there are lots of stories!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Disabilities?
Yesterday I had the privilege of helping for a special event at a school here in Guate. The school is a fancy, expensive French school with a campus more beautiful than any I've ever seen. The event was a series of workshops with a ministry called Very Special Arts that works among handicapped persons to help them develop their talents. They have given classes in various types of dance, painting, and music. They seek out artists in the 'lowest places'... Many handicapped persons can be found on the streets begging for money, others are abandoned by their family and live in orphanages even on the streets.
The incredible thing is that this event was a series of workshops given by the artists. I was assistant to María Eugenia, a woman with a spinal condition that limits her coordination and movements of arms and legs. She taught a seminar on how to paint using your feet. She had all the students on the floor, shoes off, with paintbrushes wedged between their toes and trying to draw circles and squares.
I found myself reflecting on the incredible humility, positivity, and abilities of a woman who has never been able to leave her wheelchair without the assistance of another person. Yet despite her 'disabilities' I found myself wondering who was more disabled: her or I?? I revel in independence and pride myself in not needing the help of others. I am not able to appreciate a stroll through the grass accompanied by a sister in Christ as María appreciated it. I eat my food using my own hands, but rarely appreciate being fed each bite from the hand of the Lord. Could it be that I have disabilities I am unaware of? Is God truly shown strong in my weaknesses? María has taught me more than a new style of painting. She's reminded me of my dependence on the Lord's help and grace each moment of my life.
The incredible thing is that this event was a series of workshops given by the artists. I was assistant to María Eugenia, a woman with a spinal condition that limits her coordination and movements of arms and legs. She taught a seminar on how to paint using your feet. She had all the students on the floor, shoes off, with paintbrushes wedged between their toes and trying to draw circles and squares.
I found myself reflecting on the incredible humility, positivity, and abilities of a woman who has never been able to leave her wheelchair without the assistance of another person. Yet despite her 'disabilities' I found myself wondering who was more disabled: her or I?? I revel in independence and pride myself in not needing the help of others. I am not able to appreciate a stroll through the grass accompanied by a sister in Christ as María appreciated it. I eat my food using my own hands, but rarely appreciate being fed each bite from the hand of the Lord. Could it be that I have disabilities I am unaware of? Is God truly shown strong in my weaknesses? María has taught me more than a new style of painting. She's reminded me of my dependence on the Lord's help and grace each moment of my life.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Dead dogs..
Well, yesterday marked 1 month on the ground in Guatemala. I find it hard to believe it has already been that long. And I truly love serving God where He has me.
Wednesday I had the privilege of sitting in on an EdT intern meeting... and the Director of EdT, Joel, walked us through the II Samuel 9, the story of David's kindness to Mephibosheth.
...You will want to take a moment to read the chapter in order to understand my reflections here. It's not too long.
In this story, David asks one of Saul's former servants, Ziba: "Is there anyone from Saul's family that I can show God's kindness to?" This is remarkable. "Is there anyone from Saul's family that I can show God's kindness to?" David is at the height of his prosperity and power, with the ability to do whatever he wants. And he seeks to "show God's kindness" to the family of an enemy. And not just any enemy, but one who sought to kill him relentlessly.
...When was the last time we asked within our communities: "Is there no one left to whom I can show God's kindness?"
The only family member to be found in Saul's family is Mephibosheth, who is lame in both legs. (The story about his injury is found in II Sam 4.) Ziba appears very opposed to honoring Mephibosheth, seems to dub him unworthy of the kindness David seeks to extend. Nonetheless, David has Mephibosheth brought to him. David tells him that in honor of his father Jonathan, he is giving back all the land that Saul owned, and that the servant Ziba and his family will care for it, and that Mephibosheth will always eat at the King's table.
...Have I judged someone unworthy of God's kindness? On what criteria? From whose counsel?
But there is more to the story.... Mephibosheth does not say: 'Finally! someone recognizes the injustice of my circumstances!" Instead, out of his humility, he replies: "what is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me??"
...This story really hits home after seeing a dead dog lying on the carretera (highway) the very same afternoon. It's pitiful-- even revolting-- imagery.
What is more, the Bible says Mephibosheth was living in Lo-Debar, which translates 'no harvest'. Everyone knew nothing good came from Lo-Debar. No one wanted to reside there. Bottom line, it wouldn't be the first place one would want to extend charity, grace, or kindness.
Yet the story doesn't end there either. A few chapters later David is forced to flee for his life because his son Absalom wants the throne. Ziba the servant comes to visit David while he's in hiding. He tells David that Mephibosheth did not come; that he has betrayed David to support Absalom. When hearing this, David transfers all the land into Ziba's name. After the commotion has settled and David returns to the throne in Jerusalem, he confronts Mephibosheth on betraying him
(ch. 19). Mephibosheth responds:
"26 My lord the king, since I your servant am lame, I said, 'I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so I can go with the king.' But Ziba my servant betrayed me. 27 And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever pleases you. 28 All my grandfather's descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table."
It's also mentioned that Mephibosheth neither trimmed his beard or his nails until David returned to Jerusalem. He was indeed loyal. David in turn offers back the land he had given to the deceitful servant. But Mephibosheth does not even care-- he merely desires to be once again in the presence of the King.
What do we most desire-- to fellowship with the Lord and be in his presence (at His table!), or ___(something else)___?
My work here in Guatemala is in Lo-Debars. Someone recently asked me: "What good can come from there?" regarding a particular context we minister in. Yet there is another Lo-debar in the scriptures. Jesus grew up in Nazareth, which was regarded as a worthless place. In John 1, one of Jesus' own disciples says: "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" The Lord seems to have a way of revealing his grace and purposes through the people of Lo-Debars. Mephibosheth had his priorities right... the most important thing was being in the King's presence. He knew he was a 'dead dog' unworthy of honor and inheritance. Each day I imagine he rejoiced as he fellowshipped with the King. When the King was not present, he neither shaved nor bathed and wept for David. And through all this, he was lame in both legs. Life wasn't perfect. But he was given a seat at the King's table.
Wednesday I had the privilege of sitting in on an EdT intern meeting... and the Director of EdT, Joel, walked us through the II Samuel 9, the story of David's kindness to Mephibosheth.
...You will want to take a moment to read the chapter in order to understand my reflections here. It's not too long.
In this story, David asks one of Saul's former servants, Ziba: "Is there anyone from Saul's family that I can show God's kindness to?" This is remarkable. "Is there anyone from Saul's family that I can show God's kindness to?" David is at the height of his prosperity and power, with the ability to do whatever he wants. And he seeks to "show God's kindness" to the family of an enemy. And not just any enemy, but one who sought to kill him relentlessly.
...When was the last time we asked within our communities: "Is there no one left to whom I can show God's kindness?"
The only family member to be found in Saul's family is Mephibosheth, who is lame in both legs. (The story about his injury is found in II Sam 4.) Ziba appears very opposed to honoring Mephibosheth, seems to dub him unworthy of the kindness David seeks to extend. Nonetheless, David has Mephibosheth brought to him. David tells him that in honor of his father Jonathan, he is giving back all the land that Saul owned, and that the servant Ziba and his family will care for it, and that Mephibosheth will always eat at the King's table.
...Have I judged someone unworthy of God's kindness? On what criteria? From whose counsel?
But there is more to the story.... Mephibosheth does not say: 'Finally! someone recognizes the injustice of my circumstances!" Instead, out of his humility, he replies: "what is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me??"
...This story really hits home after seeing a dead dog lying on the carretera (highway) the very same afternoon. It's pitiful-- even revolting-- imagery.
What is more, the Bible says Mephibosheth was living in Lo-Debar, which translates 'no harvest'. Everyone knew nothing good came from Lo-Debar. No one wanted to reside there. Bottom line, it wouldn't be the first place one would want to extend charity, grace, or kindness.
Yet the story doesn't end there either. A few chapters later David is forced to flee for his life because his son Absalom wants the throne. Ziba the servant comes to visit David while he's in hiding. He tells David that Mephibosheth did not come; that he has betrayed David to support Absalom. When hearing this, David transfers all the land into Ziba's name. After the commotion has settled and David returns to the throne in Jerusalem, he confronts Mephibosheth on betraying him
(ch. 19). Mephibosheth responds:
"26 My lord the king, since I your servant am lame, I said, 'I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so I can go with the king.' But Ziba my servant betrayed me. 27 And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever pleases you. 28 All my grandfather's descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table."
It's also mentioned that Mephibosheth neither trimmed his beard or his nails until David returned to Jerusalem. He was indeed loyal. David in turn offers back the land he had given to the deceitful servant. But Mephibosheth does not even care-- he merely desires to be once again in the presence of the King.
What do we most desire-- to fellowship with the Lord and be in his presence (at His table!), or ___(something else)___?
My work here in Guatemala is in Lo-Debars. Someone recently asked me: "What good can come from there?" regarding a particular context we minister in. Yet there is another Lo-debar in the scriptures. Jesus grew up in Nazareth, which was regarded as a worthless place. In John 1, one of Jesus' own disciples says: "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" The Lord seems to have a way of revealing his grace and purposes through the people of Lo-Debars. Mephibosheth had his priorities right... the most important thing was being in the King's presence. He knew he was a 'dead dog' unworthy of honor and inheritance. Each day I imagine he rejoiced as he fellowshipped with the King. When the King was not present, he neither shaved nor bathed and wept for David. And through all this, he was lame in both legs. Life wasn't perfect. But he was given a seat at the King's table.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Ministry visits!
This past week was exciting and encouraging. I am beginning to visit with ministry leaders whom we are hoping will join our network. We offer grassroots leaders theological and leadership training seminars, encouragement, and resources (as able). Since I do not have my own transportation yet (Lord willing I will be mastering the stick shift pronto, its just that the hills into town still make me a little nervous!), I have been finding rides from friends and family from the church here. They have been a wonderful blessing.
I am also encountering the challenges of language and location... sometimes I miss comments and subtleties, and finding the ministries is sometimes a little tricky. I find myself at times doubting my capabilities in communication and relating to others. It is a process of learning not to trust in my own strength...and I'm seeing how God fills the gap and is shown strong in our weakness.
The ministry visits are exciting... I get to see leaders in action, and they also have many stories to tell and lots of vision for where their ministry is headed.
This past week I met with Martha, who runs a colegio (private school) for pre-kinder through 6th-graders. In two small rooms in the school, they are currently housing 15 orphans who also attend the school. Martha also has children living in her own house that come from such circumstances. Things are tight financially, and she and her family have learned to trust Jesus for every day's provision. Martha is proactive in seeking out that provision - in the last few years she has won an award from Avon for being an agent of change in her community. Her trust in the Lord, humility, and heart for children are a beautiful testimony of Christ's love.
I also met with Pastor Avelino this past week. He is running two lunch programs for 190 children in neighborhoods of high risk and extreme poverty. Each lunch is accompanied by a Bible lesson and encouragement for the children. Each day kids are receiving encouragement- to hope for a future outside their difficult circumstances, being reminded that Jesus loves them. This program has been going in his neighborhoos for almost 18 years, and 9 years ago they began things in a second neighborhood. Each child brings a tupperware and glass, and many children take their lunches to-go, perhaps because it is shared with other members of the family. A few of the children enrolled in the program are physically or mentally disabled. In these cases, Avelino and his church have taken on the responsibility of taking the children to therapy, and in some cases purchasing a wheelchair or other necessities. Recently, Avelino's wife has been diagnosed with cancer and the doctors say there is not much they can do for her. However Avelino's own family's struggle has not kept them from sharing God's hope with the community. Their brokenness and fear has allowed them to identify even more with the people they are serving. Pastor Avelino is indeed a river of God's grace in a difficult place.
Photos of Pastor Avelino (with the kids) and his wife (serving the food):
I am also encountering the challenges of language and location... sometimes I miss comments and subtleties, and finding the ministries is sometimes a little tricky. I find myself at times doubting my capabilities in communication and relating to others. It is a process of learning not to trust in my own strength...and I'm seeing how God fills the gap and is shown strong in our weakness.
The ministry visits are exciting... I get to see leaders in action, and they also have many stories to tell and lots of vision for where their ministry is headed.
This past week I met with Martha, who runs a colegio (private school) for pre-kinder through 6th-graders. In two small rooms in the school, they are currently housing 15 orphans who also attend the school. Martha also has children living in her own house that come from such circumstances. Things are tight financially, and she and her family have learned to trust Jesus for every day's provision. Martha is proactive in seeking out that provision - in the last few years she has won an award from Avon for being an agent of change in her community. Her trust in the Lord, humility, and heart for children are a beautiful testimony of Christ's love.
I also met with Pastor Avelino this past week. He is running two lunch programs for 190 children in neighborhoods of high risk and extreme poverty. Each lunch is accompanied by a Bible lesson and encouragement for the children. Each day kids are receiving encouragement- to hope for a future outside their difficult circumstances, being reminded that Jesus loves them. This program has been going in his neighborhoos for almost 18 years, and 9 years ago they began things in a second neighborhood. Each child brings a tupperware and glass, and many children take their lunches to-go, perhaps because it is shared with other members of the family. A few of the children enrolled in the program are physically or mentally disabled. In these cases, Avelino and his church have taken on the responsibility of taking the children to therapy, and in some cases purchasing a wheelchair or other necessities. Recently, Avelino's wife has been diagnosed with cancer and the doctors say there is not much they can do for her. However Avelino's own family's struggle has not kept them from sharing God's hope with the community. Their brokenness and fear has allowed them to identify even more with the people they are serving. Pastor Avelino is indeed a river of God's grace in a difficult place.
Photos of Pastor Avelino (with the kids) and his wife (serving the food):
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