Long time, no blog. Lately, life as a missionary has looked a little crazy. Our ministry partner, Hope, has grown me so much. They’ve truly adopted us into their family. Getting to know the volunteers and the children we work with has given me the most beautiful role, as supporter, teacher, and friend. Hope ministry is named so aptly. They show the next generation of kids the hope they have and will continue to have when their lives are dedicated to Christ. Our job, as 5 World Racers, is to join the team of volunteers in their normal, everyday lives as hometown missionaries. What incredible examples they’ve set for us of what missionaries look like.
On Mondays, being a missionary looks like doing house visits in our small town. We aim to be spirit-led as we knock on doors with no expectations except that the Lord will move. We are always greeted with smiling faces, honest hearts, and people who stop whatever they have going on to give us a seat for a while. We have prayed over so many beautiful people and their families and my eyes have been opened to what living a life led by the Holy Spirit looks like. And it’s beautiful. On Monday afternoons, we teach English. I have the incredible opportunity to help teach the advanced class. These three students are so eager to learn and open-minded to the next crazy thing we throw at them. K, B, and A have become so dear to my heart.
On Tuesdays, being a missionary looks like more house visits to people with whom we’ve already formed relationships. Lots of listening, laughing, and loving happens in this time. Visiting houses in Guatemala often means we’ll receive sweet bread and Coca-Cola, simply because we’re guests. Even those who don’t have enough for themselves will give generously to those who walk in the door. On Tuesday afternoons, we have Bible Study. This looks a little different for each age group of kids, but it usually entails crafts and songs. My favorite craft was building the tabernacle with them and my favorite song to sing with them in Spanish is “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever.” Tuesdays are sweet.
On Wednesdays, being a missionary looks like getting to ministry for volunteer Bible study. For a few hours, we dive into the Word together and share what is on our hearts. I feel so blessed that our ministry prioritizes this time that we can be poured into. It has filled my team and I up in the best way. Wednesday afternoons are for music! Being a missionary during music looks like teaching harmony in a language I don’t even speak or helping the music teachers with whatever they need.
Being a missionary on Thursdays looks very different than the other days because our team spends the whole day in Antigua. We begin the day in the Prayer Room, a tiny room in the back of a coffee shop, where we spend a few hours in prayer interceding for our brothers and sisters in Christ, for our ministry, for the persecuted church, and for whatever else the Lord puts on our hearts. We come back to the same coffee shop later in the day on Thursday for worship led by our ministry. Sometimes worship can last three hours! It’s split half and half between English and Spanish. It is truly like getting a little taste of Heaven.
On Fridays, being a missionary looks like enjoying time with my team or time in our quaint little town. On Friday afternoons at Hope, we get active. The older kids play soccer and the littles stretch and then do some sort of dancing or relay racing. Saturdays are ATL, which stands for “ask the Lord.” This usually involves praying for strangers, getting housework done, spending time with our host family, or leaving our town to have an adventure. We try our best to always be interruptible. So, even if we have a plan in mind, we want to be available to anything else that God puts in our path. The sabbath is my personal favorite day of the week, not because we don’t have concrete plans, but because the Lord always does something incredible in my heart. I have been redefining the word Sabbath and honoring the biblical model of rest since we’ve been in Guatemala and it has blessed me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Let me know if you’d like to hear the sermon series that changed my heart about what Sabbath looks like and how to practice it for God’s glory.
This is what being a missionary looks like for me in this season. For my family, it looks like teaching sixth graders, climbing power poles to keep the lights on, and taking care of a newborn baby. For my friends, it looks like ministering to college students and serving catfish stew on the weekends. In 1 Corinthians, Paul encourages the church in Corinth to do everything to the glory of God, no matter what it is. If you don’t feel like a missionary, don’t worry. I didn’t either before I left for the World Race because I didn’t choose to be. Living a missionary lifestyle is a choice we have everyday, to pray for the old man in the grocery store who is having trouble walking, or to be a Christ-like example to those we work with. So I encourage you to step into this calling we’ve all been commissioned by Jesus to live out. Do that thing you’ve been scared to do, share the gospel with your friend who needs to hear it, and love those around you all to the glory of God.
Please continue to keep my team in your prayers. We need it!
Your sister in Christ,
Caroline
Caroline, I love reading about what each day looks like for your team. Each day sounds so unique and special. Thanks for the update. I’m praying for you guys!
Love, Laurelle (Katherine’s friend from home) 🙂
Enjoyed your update
Prayers for you and your team
God bless
Caroline-
So very proud of you and the difference you are making in your work! I am praying for you daily. Much love and prayers, Beth
Caroline not only are you inspiring and witnessing there but to us back home to live more Christ-like lives. Thank you for setting example for us! Love you, Nancy Kay
This is going to sound trite, but it sounds like quite the experience so far! Currently working as an electrician–it made me laugh when you so causally listed climbing power poles to keep the electricity on as part of the routine duties! I would like to listen to the sermon series that transformed your view of the Sabbath day.
CC, I loved reading what your week looks like as a missionary in Guatemala. It gives us a better idea of how we can specifically be praying for you each day. We love you so much and love hearing how the Lord is working in and through you!
Love, J, T, C, and L 🙂
Sweet Caroline ~
You have pushed past your fear and said “Yes, Lord.” I am so full of admiration for you and your team. Your obedience to His call is changing lives ~ both there and here. Love and prayers ~ Carol
Oh, Caroline, Love, Love, Love reading your blogs, and how your life looks right now as a missionary. I think you have settled in and loving the ministry God has directed. What an inspiration you are to me. Sometimes I need to be “awakened” from the comfortable life I live in America, and you certainly are being used to do that for me. I love you, sweet girl. Praying for you and your team. ?? Debbie
Love this! Love You! praying for you daily!!
Thanks for the updates! I enjoy seeing what you are doing as you minister every day!
Nice Caroline wow.
Oh what a big responsive and encouraging support team you’ve got. Just reading all those comments.
Since you mentioned Paul writing to the Corinthian church letting them know that whether they eat, drink, work or play, they are to do it all for and too-the glory of God.
So continue to become all things, to all men and women, that by all means and methods, opportunities and creative angles, you might save some.
Never did a snap shot and preview of one week in Guatemala epitomize the definition of – “life is Mission/mission is life”
Mas excellente mi hermana
“Living a missionary lifestyle is a choice we have everyday, to pray for the old man in the grocery store who is having trouble walking, or to be a Christ-like example to those we work with.”
Yesterday during Sunday School, my teacher asked: What can you do better as a Christian?
My response sounded something like this: “I need to be faithful in sharing Jesus with more than just the people I hang out with or the people with whom I attend church. I need to reach out to those people you mentioned–the man in the grocery store…” Last night a friend of mine (We are part of a group helping with drug recovery-Day by Day) texted our group and wrote this: “If you are not telling at least one person a day about Jesus, then there may be a problem with your walk…” So–today I read your statement. God is truly confirming I need to do better in sharing with the world.
God bless your walk with Him.
Thank you for this update. It is clear you have a servant’s heart, and that God is using you for His glory! Continued prayers for you and your team, and for those that you are ministering to each day.
Caroline, this was so uplifting! Continuing to pray for you & your team as God works through you!
Caroline, I’m so proud of you and love reading how God is using you for His glory. You are definitely the hands and feet of Jesus. Just was talking with your Dad at the football game Friday about you and your journeys. May God continue to bless you and keep you protected. Much Love, Dana
I really enjoy following your blog and love hearing about what God is doing in your life. I can feel your overflowing joy in your writing of what a missionary looks like each day of the week. Wow!! I know God is using you in a big way to advance His Kingdom. I can’t wait to hear more. God bless you Caroline ??