The Least of These

News Flash- The soul touchers are now causing choas in Mexico! Since arriving only days ago we have recieved a warm welcome from the church here and our host family. Lorna and I have settled swiftly into the Mexican way enjoying dances in the park, tacos and even the national ballet, which was an amazing display of typical costumes, music and dancing.

Although relitively upbeat we were left slightly traumatised at having to leave our dearest friends in Gautemala, not to mention our beloved frijoles and platano fritos! We actually don´t have words to decribe our experience in Gautemala, hence the long silence. It was a rollercoaster or events, emotions and friendships.



Not only because of our reunion with our favourite Mexi-americans, living in Argentina, teaching in Guatemala and generally painting the whole world beautiful, friends Tim and Annette Gulick but for lots of other reasons as well.

Starting with the church, Shekinah. A church that selflessly serves and wholeheartedly loves the community it´s in. In the heart of Gautemala city this church has a heart for Guatemalan people, which was a blessing to watch. Spending afternoons helping serve food in the Lord´s Kitchen to literally hundreds of homeless men, women, children and families was only a token gesture of gratitude and and support of the work that goes on day after day through the ministry of Shekinah. A token gesture from us but one that left a lasting impression of what compassion actaully looks like. As hundreds of people: people who live, work and fight on the streets to survive, queued patiently waiting to be fed I looked upon ¨the least of these¨. Despite the alcohol that used to numb pains and ease cravings, drugs that are taken and the inhumane lifestyle these people suffer there was no anger or hostility in that kitchen. Many came in hungry and they were fed; fed with hope shared with them by the staff in the Lord´s Kitchen. Fed by compassionate hands of people who love them, people who day after day want to show them the love of Jesus. And so as I watched them enter one by one, children, tranvestites, prostitues, the, least, of, these: I was in awe. As well as eternally grateful for the hands of those that serve and for the presence of God in that place. All eating together round tables of six not one hand was raised in anger or one voice raised in drunken agitation but instead a chorus of a hearts cry was sung. People hungry, yes for food but more so for the presence of the holy spirit. No utterence of complaint was heard when asked to wait to be seated or to enter the small service being held for those who wished to attend. One gentlemen actually refused to eat until he had heard the message being proclaimed by Debbie (Pastor Debbie Flores) that day. And so as I write this from another country I can still see his children, the ones serving and the ones being served. My lasting impression is not what one might think. It is not of the rags they were clothed in, nor the stench of alcohol that plagued the air. When I close my eyes and even in the brightness of the Mexican sun I can see them clearly. Those extravegant worshippers in Gautemala. Those who blessed our lives by being themselves and allowing us to join them. Those who truly worship with their lives and not only with words. It no longer scares me to read that faith without deeds is dead because I have seen faith, deeds and the life that those two combined brings to the least of God´s people. And so we said, what can only be described as a hyterically traumatic yet fun (as is everything they do) good bye to the young people of Shekinah. Our last night of pizza and chatting around Agueda´s living room table was a reminder of why we love them. Because they are a generation of young, beautiful, talented, inteligent individuals that give it all to God.












They continue to search for more of him and so as much as we´d love to take the credit for them wanting to hang out with us, the truth is that the reason for us hanging around each other so much is that the presence of God was with us. That and the fact that Lorna really is very funny which helps! They are awesome and we miss them already!










Ok so I like I said I really cant describe all that has gone on in the last month The life of the church here is so vast. We´ve visited children´s ministries, churches outwith the city, clinics, homes and even a baby shower! But I know that however painful it may feel to leave the peolpe who have blessed our lives, fed our tummies (with the most delicious food ever, ever, ever) and nurtured our spirits for the past month I am totally, ridiculously excited. Excited to no that we have left but that the work continues. That tonight Josepi with go out onto the streets to feed and to share the homeless. That the team in the Lord´s kitchen will continue to show compassion; that Agueda and Walter will continue to host the young people who flock into their home; that the musicians will be practising, commited to the responsibility they have been given of opening up hearts for worship and that Pastor Alvaro and Debbie will continue to nurture this awesome part of God´s army that they are leading.

I hope that as you read this you are blessed knowing that in Guatemala there is a generation living for God. Without lights, without camermas but with action. We love you eternally Erica and Lorna xxx