SHEA LINDON' STORY -GSM GUATEMALA SHORT TERM MISSION COACHING STAFF
I had NEVER been on a mission trip; prior to saying I would go to Guatemala. I had expectations of seeing this but never could have imagined what was going to happen. Before leaving, I was shown things by God that would tell me when I returned back after just 9 days, everything would be different, my world would be turned upside down, the people in my life would be different, and relationships would even be different. To be honest, I really didn't think it would be that drastic, but it was. I know very little Spanish, probably enough just to get by which isn't saying much.

I got in on a Thursday and actually got a chance to start doing some work on that Friday, the "easier" day of the week I guess you could say. Mostly chamuscas (scrimmages) and then the coaches get to play against the older kids....ok...so I'm struggling to breathe the air and I'm supposed to play against kids half my age on this rock that you call a field. It was humbling to see the fields, these children and seeing at the same time, smiles on their faces when you give them the smallest of smiles. The smiles are genuine, real. I was able to work by serving the kids and coaches water and galletas (cookies). I never dreamed their fields would looks like this...some dirt, no not dirt, sand on top of granite for the most part. Cleats are almost pointless to be honest at least where I was. Both in the morning and afternoon, this is what took place. Just that one day alone, was tiring, but at the same time it was so exhilarating that it made me think - this is going to be different. What made it just as tough were the elevation changes (over 5000 feet above sea level) and the heat of the sun.

Sunday, a great chance to be part of the "Guatemalan lifestyle". I got a chance to go to a local church and then spend time in fellowship with the community to see a small tidbit of what one type of a "typical Guatemalan Sunday" looks like. It was not what I expected, not like you see in the states. Community is important (well in some places, where I was this seemed important). They gathered at a small park, where kids play, adults play and they just enjoyed being around one another and encouraging one another. Wow....you may see this in communities in the states where people are right near one another, but this was a good sized area around us and all kinds of people from different neighborhoods just hanging out. The adults were playing soccer on a basketball court, yes, a basketball court....somewhat typical field to see in the city. It was great to experience this.

The next 5 days became a whirlwind of work and emotions the whole week as I began to work in the outreach soccer camp ministries. Each day, showing up at the field to see, sand on top of rock, not what I expected. I eventually got used to it knowing it wasn't going to change. It was non-stop as soon as we pulled up each day. Kids were already at the fields, some in attire we wouldn't think to be "play attire" in the states - girls in skirts and sandals while some kids showed up in crocs and some guys in dress shoes as well. They just wanted to learn how to play soccer in a safe environment. After day one, covered in dirt, sun/wind burnt, tired, but looking forward to the next day I began to see the needs of these kids and the adults around. I was soon ready to get involved in the various types of training sessions and began picking up key words I would need to know in order to speak to the kids, but it was still hard. I really wanted to verbally share the Gospel with these kids, but knew, that was not necessarily my place, God reminded me I don't have to communicate with words to share who He is, but just to be present would make a small difference in these kids lives. I was impressed each day with the attentiveness of the children during the devotional time and even some of the curious local adults who happened to stop and listen. Some of the kids already knew Christ, but the ones who didn't you could see the eagerness in their eyes and on their faces.

On that Wednesday the staff went on promotion day for the following week camp and this for me was heartbreaking and humbling. The living conditions alone just was tough to bear, homes made of sheet metal on all sides in a 8’ x 8’ or maybe 10’ x 10’ area, the floor being the dirt/ground, no foundation. It was a chance for GSM to come into their community to let them know about a free camp, but letting God's presence be known to this community.

GSM operated 6 weeks of camps and every Thursday was an awesome day. This was the day to see the Gospel presented in two different ways; I think the one I was surprised at was the use of the Evangel Cube. The one I enjoyed seeing used was the use of a real nail and letting a few kids feel what it would have been like for Christ just having the initial contact with the nail. I did have a chance to be part of sharing about the Lord, when a boy saw my mustard seed necklace and asked what it was. I called Autti over and asked her to speak to the little boy about having faith of a mustard seed and how having that little bit of faith in God we can do anything. A powerful experience!

It is amazing the smallest of things we take for granted in the states, me including in this list and this is only the surface.
- God's Word being readily available at almost all times.
- Soccer fields that we complain are in bad shape for some reason or another; I don't think I complain about fields at all now.
- New clothes: These kids and adults probably get stuff that is 3-5 years old.
- Clean water: Knowing about their water situation and that they even sell clean water in little baggies (same little bags we were handing out at camps)
- Electricity: Hearing that the electricity in some areas is only on for a few hours sometimes and is only used at night as necessary.
- A home with heat and air conditioning: Won't find this in most homes, in which some homes in the city are a small 10x10 building and this has EVERYTHING for the home, toilet/shower (which can be one in the same), living room/bedroom and kitchen, we complain when we don't have enough room for our stuff or wishing something in our home were bigger.
- Family: Possibly the biggest thing and I still struggle with it since coming back and what it means to sacrifice.

I have to say that coming into this, if I didn't have a mindset of being a servant to all of those around me, I would have gotten a big check on your pride; well, my pride was checked in other ways, praise God. I can only say by God's grace He has given me a heart for service.

I honestly can say, I am not the same person I was before, my heart is heavier and it yearns to be in serving my God through soccer, that short time was another way of God showing me the gift of acclimation to my surroundings (minus the language obviously). He is still using soccer right now, as I am working in my 2nd year as a high school women's soccer assistant coach in working with the training of the goalkeepers. Last year opened doors and this year already has opened doors to share God's Word and living a Christ-like life with these young ladies.

In December, God opened the door for my return to Guatemala for 2 weeks during their Academy Season. I look forward to seeing what God reveals to me and what new areas of growth that is going to take place. To my GSM family, I love you guys and look forward to working alongside you again and you are in my heart and prayers.



In Christ,

Shea Lindon
910.470.0087
cheekygirlshea@gmail.com

2 Timothy 1:8-9
"Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share in the suffering for the Gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of His own purpose and grace which He gave to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began"

Ephesians 2:8-9
"For it is by grace you have been saved through faith - and this is not from yourselves, but it is the gift from God, not by works so that no one can boast."