One step of Faith

The “Unexpected Guatemala Team” that is on the ground right now is a visible act of people taking steps of faith. Steve Fulton called several weeks ago with a strong nudge to help by coming to assess the numerous projects Pastor Tomas and Doris shared with our church when they visited in August.

Steve has a mind for detail and assessment. He knows construction. He knows project management. He and his wife, Sherry, have served as host for many of our Guatemalan guests over the past 2.5 years so he is open to learning about the culture.

Rachel Williamson (Mammagoose) took a step of faith with a call that came about 3-4 weeks after Steve’s. She was having a strong nudge too. Her gift is art and a gigantic heart. She expresses some of that through photography and wanted to come help by taking pictures. A large church needs several people who are willing to share their gifts to help tell the stories God is writing in our church family. Rachel is taking photos so we can share the larger story.

She brings wonderful ideas and most importantly, a respect and love for God’s children here in Guatemala.

Rock, (or Rachel Luna, as her parents named her) is learning by experience (the good, bad and ugly) what goes into planning an international mission. She was with me when we took the youth to Nicaragua in 2008. But she is not here as a high school student today; she is here as an incredibly talented young adult that is making a difference with her life. We were blessed to find her between her college graduation and the “next step” of her professional life as a social worker with a long life already of mission and service. Rachel is a “rock” and I wonder sometimes if the disciple Peter, may have been her brother…

In the 90’s some other people took a step of faith. A Methodist pastor in Guatemala had women coming to him in need of food and shelter. Their husbands and/or fathers had died in the Civil War and they were in great despair. He knew that helping had to be more than giving something to eat. His step of faith and the faithfulness of others to support him, established a mission called Ruth and Nohemi. Here the women learned to sew and make an income to support their families. We did learn from Pastor Deigo, who currently leads this mission, that the original women are passing their trade along by training the youth. And as it ha

We visit this mission often to hear the story, support their business and to be reminded that one step of faith when we’re following Christ, can change the world one life at a time. Primarily…it changes those who need it most: each one of us. Lord, may our hearts always be open enough to hear your nudge and simply follow one step of faith at a time. Let it be.