The Chivoc discipleship group began with two women, Ana and Estela.
We sat in a small, dimly lit room. Their sons played with toys on the dirt floor as we quietly sang hymns, careful not to be too loud.
It was the first time we had met in Ana’s home, and she knew the families surrounding her were vehemently against the gospel. After singing, we opened the Bible and began to read.
Little by little, as ten years past, the group grew.
First came Carmen, Ana’s niece and next-door neighbor. She brought her small sons and prayed every week with tears that her husband would come to know the Lord.
Next, Esperanza joined after graduating school. She was my age, and we soon became close friends as we studied the Word together and she shared her joy in seeking the Lord even as she lived in an oppressive family.
Ana’s husband, Isabel, joined when he could. As a new believer, he was eager to grow but could only attend every other week due to his work. Even so, he insisted the group meet in his home, so his sons could know the Lord.
Victor was one of my students at the village school. After a terrible accident at work, I invited him to our Bible study to distract him from depression and pain. He became an adopted son to all the women and a big brother to the little boys. Victor came to the Lord and grew passionate about his faith and developed a heart to reach other youth lost in darkness.
Gladis joined later, after dedicating her life to Christ and sharing with me her desire to grow in her faith. Her passion for reaching the lost drove her to come faithfully even though she suffered at home because of it.
Carlos had been helping lead another Bible study, but when it ended, he did not want to be without community. Since he was engaged to Esperanza, he joined us, bringing a quiet strength that encouraged everyone.
The discipleship group grew steadily as each member invited their families and neighbors. They developed a hunger for God’s Word and the ability to read and interpret Scripture themselves. Each sacrificed so much to come, knowing that they would face trouble from their families when they returned home. They were no strangers to suffering for Christ.
Gladis and Esperanza endured scorn and ridicule from her family for choosing to follow the Lord, while Carmen prayed with tears for her husband’s salvation every week.
Victor learned to stand firm and support the younger boys, becoming a leader in his own right.
Estela remained faithful and continued to pour into others even after becoming a widow during the pandemic.
But the fact that for the first time they could read and understand Scripture opened their eyes and hearts to so much that they put aside all fear, exhaustion, and opposition, and came every week to study the Word. When there was no electricity in the village, we studied by candlelight. When we saw a need, we gathered what we could to help.
As the group grew and grew, I realized that I could no longer effectively teach so many at once. So I invited the original eight members to rise up as the new leaders. They agreed, though nervous at such a big step. I trained and walked beside them over the course of two years, dividing the group into smaller groups, and each one began to take responsibility for guiding others.
Erick was the last to join the leaders. At fifteen, he had been one of the boys playing on the dirt floor ten years ago. But when the need came, he rose to the challenge and began teaching the younger boys.
Carlos and Isabel stepped up in ways that reflected their commitment and leadership for the group.
Estela and Ana modeling compassion and hospitality.
Each leader learned to shepherd not only in knowledge but in love, modeling for the next generation how to follow Christ faithfully.
When it came time for me to leave Guatemala, I left the discipleship program in the hands of these nine warriors, ten if we include Carmen’s husband, who came to the Lord and grew to become the spiritual leader of his family.
These are the next generation. Through God’s power and the message of the gospel, they are changing their families, neighbors, and entire village with the light of Christ. Their testimonies reflect courage, perseverance, and faithfulness.
The cycle of discipleship continues until Christ returns.
