Jul 27, 2022 A Child Missionary in Guatemala

Teacher, will you stay just one more day please? Tomorrow is my mom’s birthday, little Romeo persistently whispered again during the sermon. Isabel had told the kids that their program was ending, and that the mission team would be traveling back home Sunday. Isabel’s heart was touched by Romeo’s love for God and his new friends.

Romeo is full of questions and excitement, shared Isabel. He’s been so active in the kids’ program, learning the songs and enjoying all the activities. Isabel and Brenda were leading out a lively group in the children’s program at church #6 in Santa Cruz del Quiche, Guatemala. Romeo and his family are active church members. His parents were always helping and supporting the kids program. Romeo is the middle sibling of 3 between his older brother Josue, 13, and younger sister Daisy, 8.

The other evening, we encouraged the children and their parents to invite their friends to the meetings–and God is really working through Romeo, Isabel said, her voice cracking with emotion. He kept inviting friends. He didn’t give up, even though many people made excuses. Romeo has now invited 4 other children to our evening program. Three of Romeo’s friends were siblings from one family, and the fourth was an older cousin of his.

Romeo’s cousin is 13 years old, and she really enjoyed coming to the meetings. I was so surprised! said Isabel, I was listening to her sing, and even told her, “Wow! You’re new and you’re singing better than us who have been practicing!” She really sang like she knew the songs almost by heart. It didn’t bother her to be with the younger kids too. Isabel and Brenda were surprised by how God was able to reach such a wide age-range of children in the evening programs.

Sometimes it’s hard to adapt stories and activities for different aged children, but this group just had so much harmony and understanding, said Isabel. Parents, grandparents, or the older siblings of the group proactively helped the younger kids, the youngest of which was barely walking! Supplies and stickers were happily shared and enjoyed. We really praise God for such an amazing program. This is not our efforts, it’s the power of His Spirit, shared Isabel.

Towards the end of the kids’ program, Brenda surprised all the kids with printed photos of themselves. I really want them and their parents to remember the joy that Jesus gave them during our program, said Brenda.

Romeo shared with me that he wants to be a missionary like me someday, said Isabel, but he said his family doesn’t have much money. I encouraged him that God would provide and guide his life to be a missionary wherever he is–because he is already! Isabel and Brenda agreed, God is already developing Romeo and many other kids to share Jesus, to be a friend, to show the compassion of God. Truly the Lord has a good plan for all His children, and He knows just how to grow and develop each of us!

Will you continue to pray for Romeo and children around the world who want to know and share Jesus?

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” Matthew 19:14

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