By: Jonathan O’Connor
Over the last few weeks, God has been laying on my heart the importance of discipleship with the youth that live here at Hope of Life. As I began to pray about this and talk with my family, the Lord showed us the mission field right outside our door at the Village of Transformation where we are living. We moved to Guatemala with the idea that God wanted us to serve along side Hope of Life to take the love of Jesus to remote areas outside of the ministry. I hadn’t realized that there was a need for discipleship and Godly mentors for the children and youth right outside my door.
The Bible says in Matthew 7:24 & 25, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the wind blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock.”
Throughout my life, I was blessed with many family members and friends who poured into my life and shared a love of God with me. I was taught the truth of God’s Word, and I was given the opportunity to make Jesus the foundation of my life. I want to be able to share the same love and passion with these teenagers as they grow, so that they can really know who Jesus is. I want to be able to encourage them in God’s Word so that when the storms come, their foundation will be solid on the rock of Jesus Christ.
Our purpose is clear from Jesus: Go and make disciples. Sometimes this means I am in the mountains of Guatemala, and other times it means I am being intentional with my time to love kids right here inside the ministry- teaching them and equipping them for a life of serving Jesus.
Please pray for the youth here at Hope of Life, that they will experience and grow in the love of Jesus. We would appreciate your prayers as we are working with both the teen girls and teen boys on Saturday nights. Phil Monk (lower left) assists me in teaching the Bible Study. The boys are studying through the Gospel of John, and the girls are focusing on knowing their true identity in Jesus. My prayer for these youth is that they will become strong, Godly leaders to better the future here in Guatemala.
