This is one of the many stories that has come out of my recent trip to Guatemala.  It was my third trip, and it was certainly the most challenging on many levels.  In spite of the challenges, it was an amazing experience, and there is no doubt in my mind that I was where God wanted me to be, doing what he had equipped me to do.

I was really looking forward to going back to San Gabriel.  After our previous 2 trips, we had fallen in love with several of the boys there, feeling such compassion for their situations and their longing for love and affection.  Our first day with the boys on this trip, though, was a challenge.  A lot of the familiar faces were gone and in their places were many boys with behavior problems, gang involvement, and pervasive disrespect toward others.  They spent most of their time in our group posturing for each other, talking, interrupting, and putting us in our places.  The worst of the group, the obvious ringleader, was a boy named Humberto.  I wished there was a way to kick him out of the group!  Instead, I made an effort the next afternoon to connect with him, and we played frisbee together.  After frisbee came the sidewalk chalk and his art with my name on it.  We took pictures and spent time with each other in spite of the language barrier.

On our last day with they boys, we had gifts to give them.  It was just toiletries and some small toys.  Some of our team set up an assembly line in the dining area, and the boys were sent through in small groups to get their gifts.  Humberto grabbed me and said something to me.  Through the translator, I understood that he wanted it to be me who gave him his gift.  I went through the line with him and handed him his gift with a hug.  He was close to me the rest of the day, a stark difference from the frustrating start of the week.

It reminds me yet again of God’s upside down kingdom.  The kingdom Jesus set forth is a place where the first is last and the last is first, where the servant is the ruler of all, and a king washes the feet of his followers.  It’s a place where frustrations turn to joy and a missionary leaves the mission field feeling empty and blessed.  “He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25)