Kids, Football, and Joy in Guatemala | Mission Trip Reflections

We spent time with kids all throughout the trip.

At Casa Aleluya.
At three feeding programs one in Santa Lucia, one in La Pinada, and the newest one in El Tablon.
At a brand new elementary school Colegio Cristian Senderos de Luz.

After some of the heavier days we had, being around the kids honestly, the atmosphere just lifted.

They always pulled us in—football (soccer), laughter, teaching us Spanish, or showing us whatever game they had going.

Language didn’t really matter.

They just wanted us there.

Colegio Cristian Senderos de Luz

One of my favorite stops was the new school Hilmar started.

You could feel right away that people care about those kids.

Teachers were engaged. Students were alert, so smart, and well behaved. Honestly, I couldn't believe it was brand new.

We moved room to room doing crafts and talking about Easter.

What stood out was how many kids knew Easter more as a break from school than the story behind it.

Vacation. Candy. Fun.

So we slowed it down and talked about why it actually matters.

Jesus. Resurrection. New life.

Simply just planting seeds.

Football Always Happened

Everywhere we went, football eventually happened.

It didn’t matter what we started with—crafts, bracelets, lessons.

Someone would find a ball, and that was it.

Kids yelling. People laughing. Dust everywhere.

Some of my favorite moments were watching our teenagers jump in without hesitation.

Helping with crafts one minute, sprinting across a field the next with kids they had just met.

Football really is a universal language. I’ve honestly always been a little frustrated by the pressure and intensity sports can put on kids, but on the mission field, I’ve seen how powerful they can be. A soccer ball can break down barriers faster than words ever could.

Watching My Daughter

I loved watching my daughter connect with the girls everywhere we went.

Talking, laughing, doing crafts together, the girls flocked to her.

And I loved seeing our teenagers fully engage.

As a mom, I hope those moments stay with them, I know they will stay with me.

One of the Funniest Moments

At one point, during our visit in El Tablon, the kids tried teaching us Spanish by pointing at colors and objects.

Honestly, they were probably doing better teaching us than we were teaching them.

Scott had Google Translate open trying to keep up.

One little boy looked at his brother and said,
“This guy didn’t do very good in school, did he?”

His brother immediately yelled, “Shut up!”

We all lost it.

Moments like that remind me the Kingdom isn’t just serious or structured.

Sometimes it shows up in laughter, hospitality, and kids roasting your Spanish.

The Feeding Programs

We visited a few feeding programs—some established, some brand new and hard to reach.

Dirt roads. Packed food. Long rides through the hills.

That last one in El Tablon ended up being one of my favorites, maybe it was the adventure of it.

The kids were incredibly welcoming at all of the programs with big hugs, dancing, and laughter.

We handed out rice to the communities, made bracelets, played football, helped with Easter crafts and eventually ended up gathered together while my son and Marcos played music.

It just felt alive, and yes I was exhausted at the end of every day.

JOY

These kids had every reason to be tired or closed off, but they were so full of joy.

And it reminded me again that the Kingdom of God is already breaking into places like classrooms, dusty fields, and tucked-away villages.

Kids don’t wait for everything to be perfect to experience joy. They jump in with two feet.

Scripture 

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.”

— Matthew 18:5 (ESV)

Prayer

Lord,

Thank You for the joy kids carry so freely. Please provide for them in every way, meet all of their needs, and make your desires their desires.

Teach me to love people well and trust You with what I can’t fix.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

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