Gain & Lose

Written by Scott Fontenot

For twenty five years or so, I have listened to people give an account of their first mission trip to Grace Mountain. None of these accounts prepared me for the things I would gain and lose by going.

On the gain side, I now have gained an appreciation of the need that Guatemala has. The people there don’t see it as I do because they have never had it any other way. I gained a respect for people who love the Guatemalen people and have returned many times to give of themselves. I gained a stronger relationship with my church members. (Even the ones who don’t sit on “my side” of the sanctuary) Doesn’t that sound silly? I also gained a stronger relationship with Jesus. Serving others is Serving God.

On the losing side, it gets a little stranger and embarrassing.

I lost fear, bitterness, and a need to be recognized. I lost the will to complain and was embarrassed to think about how many times I have been guilty of such.

There was also some things that were reaffirmed to me. Christians can joke, laugh and have fun while living on this Earth. Showing love is okay, even for a man! Now if I can show my wife, children and grandchildren these things when I need to.

Please go but be prepared to gain and lose some things that are important.

(Mr. Scott’s visit to Guatemala was a complete surprise to me. He came a few days earlier than the group. The night before his arrival we had made the statement about how much he would love Guatemala if he would only come. At the airport, I was minding my own business in the parking garage while waiting for my dad to put his luggage in the car. Suddenly a man knocked on my window and I thought “What in the world does this man want? Does he really think that I know where he parked his car?” I am pretty sure my facial expressions matched my thoughts. It was a very happy surprise! I quickly starting making my to do list for him. Anyone who cooks crawfish pasta and hot beignets for my family can visit any time!)