Over the years, I have had the privilege of serving on a number of Christian music tours, church camp outings, and international mission trips. Each event had its own focus. But my week with Paradise Bound was different than all others on several levels. During our time in Guatemala, we built five homes in 2 days and dispersed food and medical supplies to over 200 families. The team spent hours engaging local children in games and sports, singing bible school songs with motions, and ministering to entire villages through skits and preaching. All of these efforts and gifts were given with a single focus in mind, reaching Guatemalans with the Gospel for salvation. Serving on this mission was challenging and sometimes exhausting, but this was Christian Evangelism 501. This was the real deal—evangelism with visible, tangible, sincere, heartfelt results. To feel a Guatemalan weeping and trembling in your arms as he allows the Holy Spirit to wash over him in salvation is a life-changing experience for everyone in many ways. I was honored to serve alongside my daughter, who had previous experience with Paradise Bound. We painted Bible verses of the new owner, Geronimo's, choosing on the inside walls of the house we built. Those verses in context were later used to bring the family to an understanding of what Christ sacrificed for all of us. "As for Geronimo and his house, they now serve the Lord!"  We often pray for those that we as Church send internationally, to bring people to Christ. It is yet another thing to serve alongside those missionaries and see the fruits of those prayers come to life. Life changing for all.

God impacted me throughout the trip by providing healing in my heart for the passing of my mother. I was also impacted by the children through God. Seeing their smiles blessed me so much. God is so much bigger than any expectation you can have about this trip. Through serving others, it’s amazing how much you grow and how much you are filled with God’s love.

Going to Guatemala on this trip was one of the best experiences of my life. While I expected to go and serve and bless others in need, I was totally unprepared for the amazing blessing of the work God would do in me during this trip. Living and serving with a team wholly focused on God and his worship and work was an amazing privilege and joy. Seeing the Spirit of God work in power among the people of Guatemala was awe-inspiring and beautiful. I have never before seen so clearly the hand of God at work, and being so immersed in his community and sharing the Gospel reminded me of the way life is supposed to be. I would go back in a heartbeat. Thank you for all you did to keep this week focused on growing in and serving our amazing God. This ministry is doing amazing things, and I am blessed to have been a part of it.

I was blessed to be able to return to Guatemala with Paradise Bound for the second time after a 6-year hiatus. After the first time I went, I knew I would be back. The ministry, the people, and the community simply spoke to me and moved me. This time, God was placing new challenges on my heart and allowing for new realizations. Upon my recent return, I reflected, and these are some take-aways. First, it’s not about me; it’s about something greater. Our world is much bigger than our little West Michigan Community, and our brothers and sisters in Christ reach far and wide. Yet, there are still so many to reach with the Word of God. I was blessed to be able to have just a small part in this process. One example was when I met a Guatemalan teacher in one of the villages. Despite our language barrier ( I only know a little Spanish), we could share the joys and struggles of educating students while I painted her nails; we also shared pictures of our families. This woman impacted me in just the span of a short conversation. She helped me remember through our shared vocation and faith that my identity is not in what I do but in who I am in Christ. Second, God is BIG and can do much more than we ever think or imagine. When I would pray for a breeze on hot days, God quickly responded with the wind. It gave me goosebumps. Third, community is built by sitting, listening, laughing, and creating common ground. Sometimes, detaching from what distracts us so easily can create space for building what really matters: relationships. There was so much joy in just being able to sing, read, and pray with this group of people. Time spent with those you love will not be a waste. The spirit of God is moving in Guatemala though the mission teams and through PBM. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside a multicultural group of people and see first-hand how God is working.

My time at PBM was amazing. I have never felt the power of God so much as I did the week in Guatemala.  I have come back trying to be more intentional about seeing God work and finding ways to step out in faith to follow God's calling. Even making some big life changing decisions. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of the people we built for and prayed over, which still amazes me that we spend the whole day in prayer for the their home, their family, their spiritual growth.  I hope that I had a small impact on them cause PBM and the people of Guatemala had a huge impact on me and my relationship with God.

We were very excited to hear that our Paradise Bound mission team was returning to the same village we were blessed to visit two years ago.  During this most recent trip, it was evident to see the investment that PBM puts into each village they work with.  It was a joy to see the changes within Los Lotes, more new homes, more community, and hope within the people there.  Having the opportunity to reconnect with the same family we built a house for on a previous trip was priceless.   We enjoy working with Paradise Bound.  They invest time in building relationships within the villages and preparing the mission teams to be a part of God’s will in the lives of the villagers they come to serve. 

In February, I had the privilege of traveling with the Fearless Family’s first official team to Guatemala.  I hoped to learn more about PBM’s ministry and expand my world view.  The PBM team functions like a well-oiled machine, intentionally fostering the trip participants’ spiritual development and the beautiful people we served in the villages we visited; Cambalcol and San Ramon. Every day, I was filled with God’s presence in the beauty of His creation that we were surrounded by; lush greenery, streams, volcanos, and more, all set in the middle of majestic mountains.  I still have much to learn about the culture and life in Guatemala, but one thing was apparent; the villagers value relationships.  They worked together to welcome our team by providing beautiful decorations and a delicious lunch to refresh us after a morning of work.  I wholeheartedly recommend that you consider traveling with and supporting Paradise Bound Ministries.