Guest Blogpost

Thank you to Penne Smith from Iowa. She recently returned from a week serving with Bethel. She, her husband and 3 daughters had a great week serving those in need in Guatemala. Their first such experience. Thank you for sharing Penne!

“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves…” Philippians 2:1-3 (NIV)

Our first full day in Guatemala was spent in Chimaltenango helping to distribute wheelchairs to roughly 80 disabled people from the very young (3 years old) to a lady that was 99 years old!   Many had traveled hours to get to the location by carrying their loved one. It was humbling to see their gratitude and patience, some waiting for almost 4 hours for their turn to be fitted! They were so humble, selfless, gracious and thankful. After they were fitted, they would meet with a local pastor who would pray with them and encourage them. It was a great experience for me, as I was able to work on the pediatric specialty chairs to adapt them for the children. I was humbled by the knowledge of Saul, (from Bethel Ministries) who had no formal training in wheelchairs, but by experience and reading text books, as well as taking wheelchairs apart in Bethel’s wheelchair shop (another amazing and humbling place, where many of the employees are in wheelchair themselves!), he had learned how to fit wheelchairs with great skill!! He was so patient with me as I fumbled with my wrench and sockets. Me, the Occupational Therapist, thinking I know wheelchairs… “in humility value others above yourselves…”