If They Have Jesus, They Have Everything
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” — Proverbs 22:6
This verse became the heartbeat of our recent mission trip to Tactic, Guatemala.
This past July, I had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala with a mission team for the fourth time. Every trip is uniquely special because God meets us exactly where we are. He always has something new to reveal about His heart, His people, and His faithfulness.
Set against the breathtaking mountain backdrop of Tactic, God’s creation is on full display around the Vida schools. Rich green hills stretch in every direction, and children walk to school along paths that many outdoor enthusiasts would gladly travel just for the scenery.
The contrast can be difficult to process. Such incredible natural beauty exists alongside what, by North American standards, appears to be poverty. We think about our homes filled with toys, technology, overflowing bookshelves, and a culture that constantly tells us we need more.
And yet, the children we meet at the Vida schools have something that cannot be purchased.
They have Jesus.
And if they have Jesus, they have everything.
Throughout the week, Proverbs 22:6 came alive before our eyes. We witnessed what happens when children are raised in an environment where Christ is at the center. At the Mocohan school especially, we saw the fruit of faithful investment over many years. Strong leadership from the school staff, dedicated teachers, and older students who now model Christlike character for the younger children all point to the same truth: discipleship works because God is faithful.
The kind of leadership we witnessed doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years of faithfully sowing seeds, trusting God even when the harvest isn’t yet visible. It requires deep faith to continue teaching, serving, and loving children day after day, believing that God is accomplishing far more than anyone can see in the moment.
And He is.
One of my favorite reminders from every trip is how quickly God builds relationships. Language differences and cultural barriers seem significant before we arrive, but they quickly fade as His love takes over. A smile, laughter during a game, a child reaching for your hand, or the simple gift of a hug become reminders that God’s family speaks a universal language.
The language of love.
The language of belonging.
The language of Christ.
In those moments, we’re reminded that we truly are one family under God—brothers and sisters united not by geography or language, but by the saving grace of Jesus. 
Every trip to Guatemala reminds me that missions are never just about what we bring. They’re about recognizing what God is already doing and having the privilege of joining Him. We returned encouraged because we didn’t simply see a school. We saw a generation being discipled. We saw faithful leaders investing in children. We saw young people growing into leaders themselves. We saw the promise of Proverbs 22:6 bearing fruit.
Thank you for praying, giving, and partnering with this ministry. Your support makes it possible for faithful leaders in places like Tactic to continue raising children in the truth of God’s Word. We are grateful to have witnessed His work firsthand, and we’re even more grateful that He invites all of us to be part of the story He is writing.
Please continue praying for the students, teachers, and leaders at the Vida schools. Pray that God would continue to strengthen them, that these children would grow into men and women who love Christ wholeheartedly, and that generation after generation would know the hope found only in Him.
Because if they have Jesus, they have everything.
With Love, Amy Carte
