Verbo's Beginnings
After a devastating earthquake in Guatemala in early 1976, a team of
young disciples made their way to that Central American country to help
build homes for the poor and share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the
many people whose only source of hope was beyond themselves.
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Our greatest equipment was not physical, as clearly evidenced
in this photo, but rather our conviction that God had called us to do something
irrational in obedience to Him!
With great faith (or was it foolishness?), we set off to change
a nation with the power of God's love. Some three weeks' travel through
deserts and mountains, with stops in junkyards and parts stores brought
us to our destination, and our first campsite, where we made the best of
the circumstances.
The first of the tents goes up, amidst luggage, tools and campers.
We were lucky for such a setting compared with the thousands of homeless
crowded into the median strips in Guatemala City after the quake, under
cardboard and plastic sheeting.
This had been a bible school until the earthquake, when the buildings
were damaged and unsafe to live in. Water was a necessity or course, and
we had to install a new pump into the well after having cleaned out the
shakings from the earthquake!
After a couple of months, we rented our "permanent" home, a small
country place to the north of Guatemala City call "Dos Alicias", or "Two
Alices", who were the wife and daughter of the owner.
It wasn't bad after being in tent city for the first few months!
Here two repairs were needed: a block wall replaced a fallen adobe one,
water supply was cleaned and repaired, and trailers installed. Bare at
first, it became a warm and welcoming home.
Above is the "big house" that housed the kitchen, the single sisters
and the DeGolyer family, and the common area we used for dining space and
meetings. Below is the brothers dorm and storeroom.
Life was challenging, and a new culture and surroundings made for
lots of interesting experiences. Frequently we gathered to share and pray
together, trusting God for strength and guidance as we sought the best
way to serve those thousands of needy folks around us each day. It spite
of an awesome and impossible task before us, the love and joy of the Lord
gave us strength.
One of the earliest jobs we had was to build small wooden houses
in the mountain village of "Cerro Alto", or "High Hill", which had been
about 90% flattened by the violent quake.
Pre-cut lumber and tin roofing were loaded into pick-ups, and delived
to the site where they would replace the fallen adobe homes of the Quechiquel
Indians. A crew of 4 or 5 would be left at the site, mostly to work, bu
those that had some knowledge of Spanish would share with the onlookers
why we were giving them new homes, Jesus' love for them was the reason.
The gratitude was overwhelming, and frequently we were rewarded
with a nice meal, usually a chicken which had been chased, caught and plucked
while we worked!
Back at home, there was never a dull moment, as we learned in a
practical way to serve and love one another as well as those around us.
Our communal lifestyle was a real novelty for the Guatemalans, and a solid
biblical focus made our little group grow from the original 15 adults and
6 children to a small community of disciples. The chores of such a large
extended family had to be shared by all .... well, almost!
Gradually, our "family" grew and grew as the Lord added people
to our numbers. Not all lived with us, but visits were ample, and Sundays
were a time of worship, teaching, and just being together as we shared
simple meals for as many as would come to our services.
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There were many great times, and as people came and went, the group
of believers grew continually. I believe the expression of our dedication
to one another and those people we came to serve spoke louder qnd clearer
than any of our preaching in thse early days.
One funny time these lovely ladies decided that the men's wardrobe
needed some attention, and blessed us all with a new look ...more green
for the land of eternal spring?
Perhaps this parrot was the inspiration!
It's amazing to think that from such a simple and haphazard beginning
that we survived at all! God just took a small group of ordinary (Well,
mostly..) people who were willing to believe His extraordinary Word, and
molded us into a family of believers, a church, commited to walking in
obedience to His word and so carrying out the plan to make disciples among
the nations!
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If you have comments or suggestions, email me at dfunnell@verbo.org