Prepping and Evangelism in San Lucas

Saturday, June 4, 2016

San Lucas, SAC, Guatemala

I woke up this morning to cloudy skies.  Yet the air was soft and not cold or hot.  Today was to be a more relaxed day – a day to continue to get to know my teammates better.  After a wonderful breakfast we explored the area close to Iglesia Galilea.  We walked the area close to where we are staying in San Lucas.  We checked out the local café and cuisine.  I also made my first visit to a Guatemalan grocery store to buy “Picamas”… a delicious hot sauce introduced to me by Sean and Jared.  Yum!

Soccer is HUGE here in Guatemala, and there were games going on all day today, played by all ages. 

After lunch, we went out to the public square to talk to the local people and invite them to Iglesia Galilea.  I was a little nervous at first, having to speak Spanish.  We were to hand out invitation cards to those passing by.  It was really amazing to see the acceptance of the people to the invitation cards.  In the US, most people would scorn getting handed a tract.  Here, every single individual who I gave an invitation card to said, “Gracias.”  So friendly… Wonderful smiles… It made me remember that God doesn’t ask us to be fluent in other languages, or to have perfect speech.  He just asks us to go, invite others to Him, and let Him take care of the rest.

After coming back from the square, we had a leisurely afternoon… some played soccer here at the compound, others relaxed, chatted and played games.

Over dinner I watched fireflies floating around lighting up...  Something I haven’t seen since I was a kid.  Guatemala is an amazing place full of beauty and culture.  From friendly faces, to flowers, to fireflies, God has truly blessed me this day.

- Steve Oostema

This is my first time in a foreign country other than Canada.  Stepping out of the airport and driving to the compound was so surreal.  The smells, views, and noises gave me sensory overload.  I actually was questioning my reasons for wanting to be in a country where I felt so uncomfortable.  However, the first day here made me realize why I came.  Iglesia Galilea has a wonderful ministry to offer in San Lucas.   

Our first day here was very relaxing.  We had a great breakfast.  A few of us went for a run and it was fun having the locals just stare at us, but smiled when we said “Buenos Dias.”  

At 2 in the afternoon we passed out Gospel tracts downtown.  I was very apprehensive about passing them out, but everyone I gave a tract to smiled and thanked me.  The language barrier was a big fear I had about coming here, but it actually helped out.  Not knowing what anyone is saying helps me not worry about what they say.  

I am looking forward to Monday when we get our hands dirty.   Some people will be heading to Zapote to help build a stove and some of us will head over to Membrillal to work on the school roof.  This is a great chance to show the love of Christ.  

Some of the oddest things I noticed about Guatemala – Every American fast food restaurant is huge here (even Taco Bell), there are motorcycles everywhere and most are food deliveries, most houses have rebar sticking out of the roof.

- Matt Hilbelink