Testimonials

• "My internship with the Strategy of Transformation was like a roller-coaster ride--I had no idea what I was in for. Once it was over I looked back in amazement at what God had done and thanked him for taking me along for the ride. I saw God at work in the faces of battered women, street youth, families in poverty, and the incarcerated. Reflecting back on my experience, I am reminded of a quote: 'Two things awaken our hearts to God: beauty and affliction.' I saw both of these things working simultaneously in Guatemala, often in the same person."
  Nikole Voss  - working at a ministry site with battered women.
  
  
• As an intern I was stretched to realize that in my weaknesses God is made strong and receives glory. I appreciated the theological reflection and depth in meetings with interns and learned to take initiative in ministry. It was during my internship that God crystallized his purpose for my life... to serve in a foreign missions context. I also fell in love with Guatemala's countryside, culture and people.
  Kim Hekman - helping with English and Teaching programs in a School.
  
  
• "I have been so encouraged to be able to sit under Godly men and women with like-minded passions as me.  In a world that looks like everyone has their life "all together;" it is a blessing to see modern day missionaries walk in a spirit of complete trust considering their uncertainties of what may lie ahead.  Faith like this is a blessing to sit and grow under, especially when you know you're at a season of growth for what the Lord may have for you in the future."
  Amber Price-Yoder - shadowing the life and projects in the urban guetto called "La Limonada".
  
  
• I saw God at work in various ways: I saw him work through my time spent with my host family as we learned about one another and developed a close relationship of love and respect that is still maintained today. Only a God of community and love can do that. I also saw him work through the ministry that my host family began. They started a school and the only way that they are keeping it up and running is through the work of God. They are fully dependent on Him for their daily bread. I saw God work through the lives of many people and work through many organizations while I was in Guatemala.
  Allie Meyaard - living and working at a multi-task ministry: elementary school, day care center, orphanage and foster home.

Learning to "Drive" in Guatemala

A metaphor of my experience living and serving in Guatemala;
by Kim Hekman.

This involved three aspects:

a) understanding the traffic rules,

b) learning the streets and city layout,

c) and most fundamentally, learning to drive stick-shift.

***This may seem a rather simple task to some of you-- indeed many of you have accomplished much more challenging and complicated things in your lives. But for me it was a big deal.... Remember I'm only 22 and God has blessed me with a pretty protected life from stress and challenges!

Anyhow, I learned a number of things through this challenge that I would like to share with you, I hope you are edified by them.

a) Driving through life in an 'automatic' car is very different than driving the 'manual' life. When driving manually, every action is a conscious one. This is a metaphor for my life in Guate- culturally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically... I have been forced to become more conscious of my daily 'driving' and need to think about the pace set by my decisions, as well as the consequences and the benefits. Life is not auto-pilot, and decisions are often much more challenging.

b) Processes are not only about arrival at an end goal. So often we rush to get results, focused solely on the end goal. I tend to do this so much that I forget to appreciate the process. Yet without the process of learning to drive I would have missed the lessons of patience, humility and trusting the Lord in uncertainties. Not to mention the process of understanding myself better!

c) Avoid tunnels and bridges. They usually take you to places where it is difficult if not impossible to turn around. And for those of you on the ground here in Guate, I can testify that there are very few 'retornos' on the Aguilar Batres. VERY FEW.

d) Studying your surroundings is essential. This is survival - your surroundings can prevent you from getting lost (or crashing!). This is also a metaphor for my life here in Guate, I am learning how to be sensitive and adapt to a new culture. Seeing the way that others act, look, speak, etc... It is survival. I was immensely encouraged tonight by a woman who told me she appreciated my mannerisms and actions- said they were considerate and could see I had adapted to cultural subtleties. It's a slow process, but I am trying!!

e) Guatemalans typically use different landmarks than Americans... Instead of this grocery store or that street sign, it's the bridge, tunnel, tree, or overpass. Things without names. I am learning to see with different eyes. It's a gift from the Lord, actually. I'm not referring to looking for different landmarks along the road. I mean learning to see differently: learning to see other people with different eyes; learning to see God with different eyes; learning to see myself as God sees me.

Along these lines, I'd like to share a passage that has been in my mind lately:

In Genesis 16, Hagar learns she is pregnant and flees from her mistress Sarah, who is mistreating her. In the desert, the angel of the Lord visits her. He calls her by name and asks her what she is doing. He gives her a promise and reminds her that he knows her needs and will be faithful to her. He also tells her to return to her mistress. At the end of this conversation, she has the privilege of naming God.

"She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: 'You are the God who sees me,' for she said, 'I have now seen the One who sees me.'" (v.13)

I, too, want to 'see the One who sees me', and remember his promise of faithfulness in all circumstances- distress, injustice, desperation, fear....