So what now?

If you missed the first post about the specifics of the trip click HERE. In this post I want to write out some reflections on the trip, my changing view of missions, Living Water and what God is doing in me.

Using skills, not just trying to make friends

I have previously detailed how I desire to go overseas and feel like I am supposed to do it soon. I have thought that this would be some sort of relational-first mission, in which I just moved somewhere, learned the language, made friends and told them about Jesus. For some people I think that this might be the right approach, but for me I don’t think that it is. I want something tangible to be doing and helping with. I want to use my brain, skills, and talents to be about the good of the people, while all along being very relationally driven. There are many reasons why God urged me to do Petroleum Engineering, why He gave me a brain, why He has gifted me the ways that He has, why He has blessed me the way that He has and I want to use those to bring Him glory. I want to use engineering. I want to use my passion to help people. I want to use my brain. I want to sweat. I want to bleed. I want to serve. I want to use what I have to bless people, ministries and be on mission for the renown of Jesus Christ in whom we have reconciliation to God.

Extremes are difficult

Being surrounded by extreme wealth (both Gringos and native Guatemalans) in Guatemala was very hard for me. It is hard for me to walk in a high end wine and cigar shop while destitute beggars sit outside on the cobblestone streets all day. It is hard for me to see the kids with no shoes walking everywhere, while some (myself included) have over 10 pairs of shoes. It is hard for me to see people trying to just sell a few necklaces, blankets or flutes for a few bucks to survive, while we spend that without even thinking. Seeing all these things was not new for me or eye opening at all. However, the pain of reality is still there in my heart. It hurts because I can’t make a big dent in it all. It hurts because it will be like this until Jesus reconciles all things back to Himself. But one day, that day is coming. Jesus will restore all things back to perfect relationships with Himself and other things.

Missions is a huge task and not for the faint of heart

The task is monstrous. The mission is overwhelming. The work is never ending. The call is unending. Maybe that’s why Jesus said that those who endure to the end will be saved. Endurance is daily relying on Jesus and is of the upmost importance.

Working hard, sweating, serving and fast-paced action

I absolutely love sweating, working hard, serving and fast-paced action. This is part of the reason that one of the men on our trip gave me the nickname ‘el toro’.  Not much gets me going like working hard outside with my hands. But not just any work. Mowing the lawn? Not so much. Drilling a water-well for those that desperately need it? Yeah. Maybe God is revealing more and more what my passions and gifts are. Working hard for the good of the people is where my heart is bent. Tangible help, blisters, sweat, real change and lasting benefits.

Living Water and the long-term

Living Water is set up for the long-haul. They are seeking to get into just about every country in the world, because water is so important and is a great platform for sharing the love of Christ. Living Water is committed to maintaining the relationships and wells that they have put it for the rest of time. They are focused on building relationships with local churches, pastors, schools because those are the people that will have lasting impact in these communities. I think this is a healthy model for a ministry. Long-term goals. Lasting impact. Relationships. The Gospel at the forefront.

Opportunities for continued involvement with Living Water (aka Conversations with Mateo)

The third day of drilling I had a conversation with Mateo (a man on our trip who has been involved with Living Water over the years in different forms). Out of the blue, he asked if I had looked at the website for job postings. I thought he meant Chevron, so I said no because it was not time to start looking at that. He clarified that he meant Living Water’s website. He went on to say that he was going to email the head couple of guys in Living Water on Sunday (he knows them closely) to tell them that they needed to hire me. I was so taken back at this and was unsure why he was saying this. He said that they needed me because I had an obvious passion for the Gospel, water and helping people. He started to brainstorm about ways that I could be involved using engineering and my passions. He just kept saying that he sees me working for Living Water and traveling the world helping people and spreading the Gospel. I was so shocked to be hearing this, because in the depths of me I had thought this but had never expressed it out loud to anyone. However, in my insecurity I feel very unqualified and scared to take this on. We kept talking about it over the course of the trip. Something about that thought resonated with my heart and makes me want to pursue it more. I am not sure where to go with this, but I am just praying about it now. Praying about how this might fit into God’s call on my life to be about His Gospel.

Overall, it was an incredible trip and one that will be a milestone in my life. I am looking forward to seeing what God does through this. Thank you for your continued prayers for me. I pray that God may use my life and my stories to challenge others to seek Him with everything that they have.