This was my second time returning to Guatemala for a mission trip, with my first being in 2019. Though the destination was the same, the journey felt fresh, stirring, and deeply personal in new ways. One thing that stood out right from the beginning was the rare blessing of having four pastors on the same trip—a lot of leadership, maybe a bit too much! But truthfully, it created a beautiful harmony, where we learned to share the burden and joy of guiding the team while also being led by God ourselves.
I’ve always loved mission trips, but not because of what we can give or accomplish for the local community. In fact, it’s the opposite. These trips are less about fixing others and more about being reawakened ourselves. Each time, I feel my passion renewed, my perspective sharpened. There’s something profoundly humbling about standing among people who live with so little, and yet possess so much more joy, gratitude, and faith than many of us who live in comfort. Their love for God is not wrapped in entitlement or demands—it’s raw, earnest, and beautiful. The children, whom I admit I don’t naturally gravitate toward, had a kind of purity that reminded me of the ones Jesus held close. They weren’t spoiled by the world; they were full of light.
My first mission trip years ago turned my world upside down. It wasn’t about where we went or what we did—it was about the realignment of my heart, the reminder of God’s abundance, and the subtle, powerful call toward ministry. Trips like these keep my spirit grounded, protected even, from the noise of our capitalistic and consumeristic culture. They draw me back to what matters most. And when I hear the reflections from others on the team—especially fellow Canadians—it fills me with renewed hope. Yes, our home is becoming increasingly secular and suspicious of faith, but God still calls prophets into dry lands. He will use every one of us, in Canada or Guatemala, for His glory.
In Christ’s love and service,
The Rev. Eric Lee
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
– Romans 12:11-13 (NIV)