Guatemala Impact Trip: Spreading The Gospel Over 2,700 Miles Away

This blog is written by Ariana Bruininks.

Our team had the privilege of venturing to the beautiful country of Guatemala a couple of weeks ago. Pastor Buckie Thornock, our Kids Pastor at the Portage Location, led the Impact Team. Radiant members Shannon, Abigail, Sarahmarie, Emmaline, Makenna , Rachel, Olivia, Landon, and myself (Ariana), served alongside our partners in Chichicastenango, Guatemala!

The wonderful Shead Family (Michael and Chrissi) have been living and serving in Guatemala for over ten years now. We as a team were lucky enough to get a glimpse of the amazing work they have been doing for over a decade. Our trip had a specific focus on kids ministry and allowed our team to engage directly with the children of Guatemala. We participated in various outreaches and workshops within the local Guatemalan Churches, engaged in construction projects, and spent quality time with the Shead Family. The trip was full of too many extraordinary memories to count, but I will do my best to give you a look into some of the breathtaking moments our team experienced.

Photo of team and the Shead family at their weekly kids bible study.

Testimonies

As a team, we witnessed multiple testimonies of faith throughout the trip. During our trip, the group partook in multiple home visits, and we were able to hear several Guatemalan families' stories firsthand. A testimony that we left remembering vividly was that of a Guatemalan mother & father who had recently lost a child. The group anticipated the language barrier making it quite difficult to communicate with the locals — especially in a setting as intimate as the home — however, you would be surprised how much an individual's emotions can speak for themselves.

Immediately upon arriving, you could see an immense amount of pain in the father's eyes as he guided us to their bedroom to greet his wife. The fact that this couple had the courage to welcome complete strangers into their lives just a week after losing their child showed incredible strength and faithfulness. We sat with the couple in their home for over an hour as Chrissi translated their story. The night the pair lost their baby, they called the Sheads for support. Immediately the Sheads — without hesitation — comforted their friends and helped them grieve the loss of their son. The Sheads even helped the couple lay the child to rest when it seemed like they had no strength left to do so.

Although no one can prepare you for the loss of a child, the support of those surrounding you can carry you through the meekest circumstances. Two couples, one from the States and the other from Guatemala, built a friendship centered around God’s unfailing love. The husband spoke about his faith, expressing that he and his wife would hold firm to their father's promises even though it seemed impossible. That couple was just one of many impactful interactions our team had on our trip. However, their raw demonstration of strength by sharing their very recent heartbreak was what made them so memorable.

Photo of team preparing to enter home of Guatemalan family to provide prayer & encouragement along with food & supplies.

Another memorable moment, or in this case moments, from the trip was directly interacting with the kids. The children of Guatemala are so hungry for the word of God. The way they worship is unlike anything I’ve seen before. To see young individuals so unashamed of the Gospel is truly something special. The way they sang out the name of the Lord and lifted their little hands in praise was a personal highlight of the trip.

Many of the children we met, whether they were from the local school or church service, knew God’s power exceeded their own. One boy in particular expressed to us the desire to be prayed for due to some personal struggles at home. At the young age of 6 years old, he pleaded for prayer for his parents. The fact that the young boy could acknowledge his pain and ask for prayer was amazing to witness. He knew the hurt he felt in his heart and the brokenness within his home could not be dealt with on his own. In that moment, we were able to show that child the importance of prayer and the power God can have within our lives. A simple prayer showed that young boy what it means to submit your worries to God and place your trust in a higher power.

Michael & Chrissi

Due to the inspiring hospitality of the Shead family and the devotion to the ministry they have built in Guatemala, I only saw it fitting to include part of their story.

Chrissi & Michael hosting a workshop for the first time on their new property for local church leaders.

Michael & Chrissi made our visit more spectacular than anyone on our team could have anticipated. They shared the incredible stories of their time in Guatemala and opened their home to us with such love and compassion. One night before sitting down for dinner, Michael shared with some of the team how and why he and his family ended up in the great city of Chichicastenango. We were all curious to hear how their faith had led them to where they are today. Unlike many of us expected, The Shead family was extremely close to choosing a path that didn’t involve being missionaries.

Michael was set on serving as a missionary for a while, and he had even found a partner (Chrissi) who was just as passionate about doing so as well. However, just months before taking the step to do so, they were struck with the overwhelming pressure to back down and not go. A mentor of theirs even expressed to them the many challenges that would come with uprooting their lives. Eventually, the couple outweighed their faith over their fear. Michael knew becoming a missionary would have more challenges than he was willing to acknowledge; however, he knew the desire the Lord put in his heart to serve was present.

Although doubt found a way to creep in, and the devil had his way momentarily, faith overcame. I think we can all agree that The Shead’s choice to take a leap of faith was worth the risk. Seeing others follow the Lord's call, even if it may sound like a whisper, is such an encouragement.

What Did God Do & What Is He Still Doing? 

God’s will is being done in Chichicastenango, Guatemala. Although there is always more work to be done, it is clear that God is on the move to transform hearts. Throughout our trip, God guided our group in ministering to children of all ages, aiding Guatemala church staff in spreading the Gospel, working on construction projects on local properties, leading the community in prayer, and immersing ourselves in an unfamiliar culture. God truly held our group in the palm of His hand throughout our trip and gave us the tools necessary to bring honor to his name through each interaction we made.

Photo of Pastor Buckie Thornock painting the Shead’s new home.

Through the witnessing of salvation, the many expressions of faith, and the sheer presence of the Holy Spirit, I am certain that the Lord was and is still on the move in Guatemala. The Lord has a clear desire to expand His ministry throughout the entire country of Guatemala. Our team had the opportunity to plant and water the seeds of the spirit throughout our journey. As a team, we couldn't have been any happier with the demonstration of God’s simple love within Guatemala! 

All in All

Over the full week our team spent there, we left Guatemala with an entirely new vision and knowledge. We got to see firsthand how God is working across the world in regions like Central America. We learned not only the ins and outs of differing cultures but the true simplicity of God’s love. We learned that simple faith and simple love reap a life of true fulfillment. You don’t have to have an eccentrically beautiful chapel to worship God correctly, or a perfect voice to sing out His praises; just a desire in your heart to follow the Lord. Guatemala showed us what it truly means to surrender ourselves from things of the earth and replace them with the desire of the Spirit. God has been so good to us as a team and a church! All in all, thank you, Jesus! 

Photo of children in Guatemalan public school praying & accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior.