Transformation

The Farmers at Almolonga

Transformation. The thought and action of something being transformed for the better can truly be remarkable. The meaning of the word is, “a complete change, usually into something with an improved appearance or usefulness.” The first time that I visited the village in Guatemala, Santa Rosa el Rodeo, I immediately thought about the concept of transformation.

Santa Rosa el Rodeo is between two heavily populated areas. The colonial town of Antigua is towards the East and the city of Escuintla in further West. However, the village has more of the characteristics of a country area. It is very small and very populated.

The village has three roads that intersect with the main road. The first road or “first street” is where the church is located. It is known as the home of all the criminals. Most residents conclude that the drug dealers, prostitutes, and thieves live on this street. It is amazing that God decided that this is the place and exact street to start the church.

In the village there is a social cycle that takes place. The men of the village have very little work. They either work in a rock-yard or sugarcane field. The lack of work could be the reason for some of the conditions found among the people. Many men are alcoholics and physically abusing spouses seem to be very common.

The village is dirty. There is trash everywhere and it seems to point to a deeper condition that exists among the people. I believe the physical trash seems to point to the spiritual clutter that exists in the hearts of the people. The village needs to experience transformation. I believe that God is powerful and his transforming power can change this area for generations. 

Recently, a friend we met in Guatemala, Vivian Solares, shared a story with me. The story was about another village in Guatemala that characteristically resembled the village that we have been working. The following story is about a village that has experienced the transforming power of God:

"Almolonga, is a village in Guatemala with an encouraging story of transformation. Before being                        visited by God’s power, it was a place overrun by fear, demons, poverty, idolatry, and drunkenness. The main feature was the alcohol-induced slumber experienced by many of the inhabitants as a result of serving an idol called Maximon. This perverse idol was a figure created to connect with the Guatemalans by highlighting the smoking habits, liquor drinking and immorality of this creation.

Sign in Almolonga that reads, "Jesus is Lord of Almolonga"

God called a humble man, Riscajehe Generated, to fight against the power of darkness found in this village. Because of this man’s obedience, people began to experience the liberation and transforming power of Jesus Christ. It has been reported that 90% of the 18,000 inhabitants surrendered their lives to Christ.

Since the power of God began to transform the community, the crime has had a marked decline. The police chief testified, “Currently, we usually have 20 to 30 people a month in jail.” Before, crowds would gather just to witness the nightly drunken fights. The police chief wouldn’t have any rest. Before, the community had four prisons and they were not sufficient to accommodate all the prisoners.

Today, things are different. People have changed their attitude; the last prison was closed in 1988. Remodeled and is now called the ‘Hall of Honor,’ which is a place for weddings, receptions and do community events.

In addition to the decline in crime, a great social change has occurred. There is an absence of prostitutes and bars. The former bars have been converted into small shops with new names such as ‘Little Jerusalem’ and ‘Jehovah Jireh.’ Before the intervention of God, most men were alcoholics and their homes were untidy. Neglect and physical abuse were rampant. It was very common for men to beat their wives, sometimes with sticks. Today, there is more communication between families and the abuse has declined. The unemployment, beggars, drunks sleeping on sidewalk and other negative things have declined significantly due to the transformation experienced in this village.

Also, there has been an economic renewal. A phenomenon has occurred agriculturally in this village. The celery, cauliflower, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, radishes and other vegetables are incredibly larger in size that those grown in the surrounding villages. Agriculturalist from the United States has visited the location to study scientific principles that have allowed the production of better crops. The only logical conclusion is that God has blessed their crops and the farmers of Almolonga. Today, the people are selling vegetables in all of Guatemala, and exporting them to other nations.

Abnormally Large Carrots in Almolonga

The only logical conclusion is that this village has truly experience the transforming power of God. God has transformed the lives of people, the social influences, and the economy of this village."

My prayer is that the village of Santa Rosa el Rodeo can experience dramatic transformation. I long to see the people to come into a relationship with Christ and allow him to transform them through discipleship. I pray that God will transform the men of this village. Provide jobs for them and teach them about stewardship. I pray that the relationship between men, women and children can be transformed. How amazing would it be if the village appeared clean with very little crime? The clean appearance would point to the clean hearts and desires of the people.

I ask you to join me in prayer for transformation in this village. We met a Canadian woman that worked in this village for twenty years. She has started two schools in this area. However, upon meeting her, she was very bitter. I later found that she was an atheist and a humanitarian. I believe that she was trying to bring transformation in her own power. The truth is that I would be bitter as well if I spent twenty years reaching out to those people without in change. However, I am confident that the transforming power of Christ can bring a change in this village. They need transformation like the story about Almolonga!