loaves, fish, and new homes

Alright, everyone, I’m back with another blog. I absolutely cannot comprehend the fact that I have been living in Guatemala for a month now but here I am! The streets of Antigua are no longer a maze. I have become friends with all the Uber drivers. Melendrez Coffee has gotten my business more times than I can count. My room with seven other girls feels like home. Going to ministry at One Way in San Lorenzo has become second nature.

 It’s crazy how any place can become home but that is one thing that race has taught me. From a tent in Gainesville to the bed I am currently and every single place in between I now have a home. I have found a home not only in the place that I rest my head but also in all the ministries I have served with.

 Since coming to Guatemala I have been serving with a ministry called One Way Community. This is another place that has become home, so I want to tell you all about it. One Way does so, so many things for the community of San Lorenzo: soccer ministry, chicken ministry, art classes, providing lunches, helping build houses. Basically, you name it, they do it. But our group has been focused specifically on house visits to tutor the kiddos.

 Because of covid-19 the kids only get to go to school once every fifteen days and even then, it is only to pick up a homework packet. What this means is they are given a packet that they may or may not understand, they may or may not have the supplies to complete, and they may or may not have help with. So, each day we go to a new house and either teach English or help them with their packets… or both.

 This might sound boring because we are just doing school BUT LET ME TELL YOU. It is one of the most fun and rewarding things I have ever done. Teaching colors on a roll-out electric keyboard? Doing dances to learn numbers? Singing new songs to learn new words? Do hearing kids giggle while I make a fool out of myself trying to speak Spanish? I don’t know about you but that is about as fun as school can get. BUT that doesn’t mean it’s always easy.

 One of our first weeks here we were taught to go to ministry with our “loaves and fish” basically meaning head into ministry with what you have and trust in the Lord to provide the rest. For me teaching these little dudes means heading in with a love of kids, a background in coaching, and some really broken Spanish. For me, this is sometimes anxiety-inducing as I feel like I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I AM DOING, But what I have found over and over is that that is enough. And when it’s not there is always someone there to step in and translate or help me in any way, I need. God doesn’t always call the equipped, but He always equips the called.

 This week I want to challenge you. Whether you are in Guatemala teaching kids English, finishing up a semester of school, or just going to your nine to five. Look for ways God can use you in other people’s lives. And when you think, “Well, I can’t do that, I’m not ready.” You keep taking steps. You trust that if the Lord calls you then He will give you what you need. It might be scary. It might be a little strange at first. But I know it WILL be worth it. So, this week I am calling you to step out in faith and see what the Lord has in store for you.

all my love,

sarah hicks