Through the Eyes of Fusion
For the month of September, we got to welcome a World Race: Fusion squad to live with us. They not only joined in our everyday life, but they also joined us in a huge variety of ministry. This team of seven helped with our monthly missions conference, spent time with grandpas at a nursing home, helped build a house with Habitat for Humanity, installed stoves for families, and prayed for people around Antigua.
The team shared with some of the specific ministry that greatly impacted them. Here's what they had to say.
During my team's stay at Adventures Guatemala, we were able to partner with Servant's Heart Ministries for two days. We helped install simple cinder block energy efficient wood burning stoves in people's homes. It was incredible to be able to be a part of such a rewarding outreach program. Almost all of the homes we visited only had open fire cooking available to them previously.
The benefits of an actual stove were not only the decreased amount of fuel that would be needed to cook now, but also the health benefits of not constantly inhaling smoke in these small tin kitchens.-Jessie Meltz
This month, one of the ministries we had was visiting the grandpa's home. Honestly, eldery ministry was the last thing I would like to do, because I don't like eldery and I don't know what to do with them. Other than that, I don't have good relationship with my grandpa. He is alcholic and now he is staying in an institution.
I was very uncomfortable and even little bit nervous when I first got there and saw the grandpas and grandmas. However, I wanted God to renew a sense of love for eldery. So, I kept trying to interact with the people there.
I talked to one gentle grandpa, basically repeating what he said and nodding. He kept saying 'bonita' or 'beautiful' as he touched my arm and teared up. I think he missed someone. I was little bit startled so I left him and he kissed on my hand. I went out and I met one grandma who sat in a wheel chair. She was very tiny and didn't say a word, but she grabbed and pet my hands with gentle smile for a while.
After the day, I was spending time with God, and He gave me compassion for my grandpa. It was through the grandpa and grandma I met in the grandpa's home. I couldn't stop crying when God revealed me that I'd thought my grandpa was the person who I didn't have to love. I had believed that it was okay for me not to love him, and that he didn't deserve to be loved.
In the past, I had wondered why he lived so long, and I was waiting for him to die. That day, I felt God had waited for me to forgive him. I prayed for his salvation so we can enjoy heaven together. I want to pray for him with hope instead of regret and sadness, since God is his Savior and he is child of God.-Hakyoung Lee
You whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and I have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4
We are so thankful for this team, and their commitment to give their all in ministry throughout the month. They chose to invest in the people around them, and in turn God ministered to them. Keep them in your prayers as they continue to serve for their final two months of the World Race!