Last month I participated in a mission trip to Tactic, Guatemala, where my team served with Impact Ministries at their medical clinic. I was one of three interpreters who, along with the medical professionals on our team, worked with and helped treat dozens of patients each day. It was a joy and privilege to serve the community of Tactic in this way and to get to know some of its warm, welcoming people. The people of Guatemala are so joyful and generous in spite of their circumstances! In addition to working at the clinic, our team also spent a good portion of our trip learning from Impact Ministries's missionaries about Guatemalan culture and the influence of Mayan and Catholic beliefs, which helped us better understand the cultural context and the people we were serving. I was blown away by real stories of witch doctors, demonic activity, intense opposition to Christianity, etc., and yet Impact Ministries has been combating the spiritual darkness with solid faith, loads of prayer, and the life-giving good news of Jesus. I was encouraged and challenged by the missionaries' strong, practical faith and trust in God's power as they labor long-term and steadfastly to make Him known. Helping to bring physical healing to the people of Tactic for a few days was a rewarding experience, but even more wonderful is knowing that it was just a small piece of the bigger, beautiful picture of spiritual healing that God is painting in Tactic and across Guatemala!
