Guatemala (MNN) — Eighteen west Michigan radio listeners are headed to Guatemala this Thursday with WCSG and Orphan Outreach. It’ll be a first-time mission trip for many of the team.
MNN sister-station 91.3 WCSG has sent teams to Guatemala before. Each time, participants inevitably fall in love with the kids they meet. And listeners hearing the broadcast back in Michigan find that their hearts expand for the mission world, too.
When the team reaches Guatemala City this week, they will start their tour of three different orphanages, says the team leader.
“There will be about 350 girls at the first orphanage, so we’re mostly going to be focused on them, and bringing the Bible message–sort of like a Vacation Bible School–to them.” the leader says the team will also help the orphans make crafts, paint, cook and more.
It might sound like child’s play, but loving the kids in Christ’s name could be crucial for these children.
“Most of them we’re going to see are between 10 and 18 years of age. They’re going through that tumultuous period of life anyway, but then they don’t have parents to guide them,” he notes. “So just to be able to show God’s love to them is going to be so important.”
This year, even more opportunities will abound. The team is headed for the first time to work with 50 children with special needs, most of whom have Down Syndrome. They will be working hard to communicate the love of Christ to these precious children as well.
WCSG team members have fallen so much in love with the kids at the various orphanages that many of them continue to go back to this day. Participants have started their own medical trips and continue to speak into the lives of orphans who desperately need the love of Christ.
As the group falls in love with the country and kids this week and next, listeners back in Michigan may be doing the same. The on-air reports WCSG is able to provide from Guatemala gives west Michigan listeners a look into God’s heart for missions and orphans.
It can be stretching for listeners. “That allows us then to share the story on the air with thousands of others who may not have otherwise wanted to try it. And once they hear other listeners just like them who are trusting God for this experience, then they might also step out of their comfort zone.”
As the team heads out, pray for their safety. Pray also for their ability to effectively share Christ. Pray that this would be the beginning of lifelong ministry for some trip goers or even listeners in the States. Above all, pray that these orphans would be blessed by the team and would come to know the Lord as they see His love lived out through the team and Orphan Outreach.
