Considered one of the seven wonders of the world by Guatemalans, "Lake Atitlan" presents herself impressively as you wind down the nearly ninety degree roads which boast a beautiful view of an enormous lake the color of jade surrounded by volcanoes and mountains. They say the lake is so deep that no one has yet successfully assessed her depth. The rich and enchanting scenery truly pulls you into a world completley within itself and it's beauty is matched only by the wonderful people who live here. It was for these people that God brought together a small yet powerful group of like-minded American and Guatemalan missionaries to lead an evangelistic crusade full of music, prayer, God's written and spoken promises, and hard work.
"Panajachel" is the largest and most popular community surrounding the lake and it was here that the mission team based itself. It is an ecclectic mix in town and in addition to the large number of local residents Pana maintains itself by catering to tourists and party-goers. Integrated into some of the most rural and modest housing and schools you will find modern bars, restruants, coffee houses etc., catering to predominatley American and European visitors. The team quickly discovered that in spite of some conrtasts contained within the town there was a uniform need for God and a message of hope as poverty, sickness, injury and disability, as well as demon posession were all prevalent in Panajachel and the other communities surrounding the massive lake. It was for these people that we came, and it was these people who found us at our nightly crusades and were hopefully transformed forever in the process.
For five days people from different parts of the world and the the U.S. came and committed themselves to bettering a community in which many of us had never even been too. At the start of each day the focus for the majority of us was to paint the entire "Elim Church" sanctuary and stairways. Others from the group could be found doing events with large groups of local children and families or attending pastor conferences. The goal for the painting crew was to have the whole job complete by the Sunday night service that our team would be hosting.
The team worked better, harder, and with more joy and fellowhip than I have ever seen even while working along side paid work crews on construction sites. There were times when it looked like we just might not finish as techical problems increased and our time-frame decreased. In reality that just meant that everyone worked harder and longer, committed to the vision of a congregation walking into a freshly painted sanctuary to enjoy Sunday after Sunday.
Chris and myself were encouraged in our specific work throughout the entire experience. The people we had the honor of working along side of often shared with us how impressed they were with the program and the men from "Hogar de la Roca." We were always hearing what stand-out dilligent workers our guys are as well as the humble and polite way in which they carry themselves. One thing Chris stresses with the guys is the importance of giving with a grateful heart by grace, what by grace we have recieved. Chris and I saw that in action all week and were mutually encouraged by how far our guys have come since joining the program and by the way they shined out on what was for some their first missionary endeavor.
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| Panajachel |
The evenings and all day Sunday were reserved for hands on missionary work directly with the people from the community. In my opinion, whenever possible, any great successful evangelistic outreach should begin with music. In Jesus' day Jewish people would wash their feet as a symbol of cleansing themselves from all the dirty and distracting things they would pick up in their daily worldly lives that could seperate them from the God they love and desire so much to be near......
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| "Gold Mountain" |
Music is the most beautiful and effective means I have found to not only invite the spirit of God to be active and ever-present amidst a group of people gathered in his name, but also to purify the hearts, minds, and souls of those in attendance. Music prepares you to hear not only the word of God...but God Himself.
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| Doug Eccles and Jose Alvarez preaching hope in the freshly painted Elim Cathedral! |
Each night directly following the music and a message based on God's written word and promises for His people came an invitation. The people in attendance were told that in addition to the peace and joy waiting for them beyond this life, there was hope that in this moment they could attain a joy that transcends their circumstances and in essence breaks all the rules. Many were shy or skeptical about approaching the altar to recieve prayer but many more were not. I don't have the numbers but within the 5 days there were literally thousands of people who approached altars the missionary teams occupied to receive prayer, healing in their bodies, encouragement, forgiveness, or the ability to forgive others. Also there were those who were tired of walking alone who chose to begin a new life walking with Jesus Christ, and we had the honor of not only witnessing that moment, but to help lead them to that moment and be the first to embrace them as they entered into a new worldwide family of God.
We met this family by accident in a small remote mountain-top community after taking a boat across the lake to explore on the team's day off. This wonderful husband and wife are believers in the same gospel as us and were just beginning their long walk through the mountain jungles full of coffee trees to attend church when we happened to cross paths at their door. With only Christ in common this small group was moved to prayer and tears of joy at our chance meeting. It is amazing to think that one man and twelve started something two thousand years ago that has spread like wildfire even up to the mountain jungles of lake Atitlan. Jesus said "go" and people continue to go right through the ages. The righteous response to seeing a need is meeting a need. It was difficult for many of the missionaries I had the blessed opportunity to meet and work along side of on this outreach to come and serve on this trip. Many of them have families, jobs, and all sorts of responsiblities at home. Many also had to sacrifice vacation time and a large financial offering just to come and give themselves wholly to a large community of people who in many ways happen to have a little less then them. However I know that everyone who saw what we saw, felt we what we felt, and experienced God's movement among his people are already praying for the oppurtunity to do it all again.
