Daily Devotion: 8 Days til Guatemala

Daily Devotion from Terry at Across All Borders

May 26 - Bartering and Souls

Luke 10: 7 "...for the worker deserves his wages."

2 Timothy 2: 24 "The Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful."

Time has been worked into your trip for souvenir shopping. I enjoy taking teams to local markets to purchase items made and sold by local artisans because I know that their lives and the lives of their families depend on the purchases made. But I also dread our free time in the markets, as well, because I have seen local artisans be hurt by team members in the past. And when they hurt, I hurt.

Bartering is expected in Guatemala. Typically, the seller will see you and start with a price much higher than he is willing to accept. I would even suggest that you not pay the initial asking price. Do not be taken advantage of by seasoned sellers. But the market is not a battlefield. Our goal is not to defeat or conquer the seller, nor should we find any personal satisfaction in leaving a seller frustrated and with too little profit just so you can tell others how you "talked him down". If you find what you want for a good price, buy it. If it costs too much, go on to the next seller.

Personally, I have found that if you wait a moment to convert the initial asking price into dollars in your head, they will come down at least once before you even say anything. By that time, I know the price is more reasonable. Compare the prices at a couple of other stands if you need to and feel free to ask me if their price is fair for you and your price is fair for them.

A trip to the market is not time off from being a representative of Christ and a carrier of His presence. Our true enemies are spiritual, and the inheritance we seek and have been praying for is eternal salvation of souls, not a bag of cheap trinkets. Remember that market and street vendors are just like those you will work with in the village. This is their livelihood. Don't work to help people lift themselves out of poverty in one part of Guatemala and be part of the reason they stay in it in another.

God, I desire to not get caught up in strife for any reason. Let me not be contentious with others for the sake of my own personal gain. You are a God of patience and goodness. Let your kindness increase in my heart and mind and flow from my life always.