Guatemala Reflection: Understanding and Applying Knowledge

The primary mission of Fellowship Guatemala is to form missional communities in Guatemala City. They have a residency program for Guatemalan pastors. They are working to plant churches and form discipleship programs in different zones of the city.

What I learned the most was about doing ministry with a long-term vision in mind. I knew that ministry/missions work needed to have this mindset, but I didn’t really know how one accomplished that practically (especially how a long-term ministry would host short-term mission teams.)

One mission team that came down held a discipleship conference for pastors from all over Central America. By coming and doing all the teaching, they were being a big help to the missionaries! And by helping host this conference, they were also helping carry out the long-term vision of Fellowship Guatemala (discipling pastors to start missional communities.)

A break in between sessions during the discipleship conference.

I also learned a lot about working across cultures, specifically in Hispanic countries. Their culture is very open to discussion. That makes doing door-to-door evangelism an effective method of ministry. But a big difference in a Hispanic culture versus American culture is their sense of time. If you say an event starts at 2 o’clock, most people won’t arrive until closer to 3 o’clock. Each country has a complex set of cultural norms, customs, etc. Understanding the culture is key to determining the best ministry approach.

Going door-to-door in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Zone 25 in Guatemala City.

I discovered on this trip that I work very well in a Hispanic culture. My personality blends in very well with a people-oriented culture.

                        

To be continued . . .