When God writes the story, even the smallest prayers can become divine appointments.
Serving Families, Changing Lives
At One More Child, we send short-term mission teams to serve vulnerable children and struggling families across five continents. Volunteer teams come alongside our local ministry partners to meet physical needs, share the Gospel, and bring hope to communities facing deep hardship.
In 2024, Melissa joined one of these trips to Guatemala, where she specifically focused on serving mothers through Bible studies and activities. While she believed God would work and move on this trip, she didn’t expect for one specific encounter to stay with her, ruminating in her mind and heart over the following year. And she certainly didn’t expect that a year later, God would continue writing the story that began with a simple meeting.
Meeting Ces for the First Time
During a round of home visits, Melissa and part of her team stepped into a small, dark, one-bedroom home where five people lived. That’s where she met Ces.
Ces sat in the back of the room, graciously welcoming them inside. Over the next twenty minutes, she shared her story—one marked by loss, abuse, and injustice. Her daughters, grandchildren, and even her great-grandson (who has multiple medical challenges) had endured similar suffering.
Without clean water, electricity, or reliable food, life was unimaginably hard. Yet Ces was faithfully raising her great-grandson to know God, the Creator. She prayed for Melissa’s team, they prayed for her, and Melissa left deeply moved by her courage.
“Her courage and faith stayed with me long after I returned home,” Melissa later shared.
Going On Mission – Again!
A year later, in 2025, Melissa returned to Guatemala to serve once again on a One More Child mission trip. This time, her team brought food, encouragement, and the Gospel to more families across the area.
As they set out for home visits, Melissa silently wondered: Would I see Ces again?
They were sent to the farthest part of the area, joined by a local woman who helps facilitate these mission trips with One More Child. Melissa recognized her from the year before and asked if she knew Ces. The woman smiled—they were walking past Ces’ home at that very moment!
The staff explained that the schedule was tight, but maybe they could stop by later.
The very next home they visited was airy and light, with laundry drying on a line and furniture neatly arranged. Melissa followed her team to the back room—and there she was.
Ces.
More frail, more worn, but still radiating the same peace. She was visiting her granddaughter that day, who helps care for her when she’s unwell. Melissa showed Ces the photo from their first meeting, and her face lit up. She clasped Melissa’s hands, prayed with her again, and smiled the entire time they talked.
Faith That Endures
Ces’s family’s struggles hadn’t changed. They still lived under the weight of abuse, injustice, and poverty. But Ces remained the spiritual anchor for her family, modeling prayer, trust, and perseverance.
“God had heard my quiet hope to see her again—and He brought us back together, not by accident, but by design,” Melissa said.
That day reminded Melissa that God sees the details. He hears both the smallest requests and the deepest cries. The same God who listens to her in the U.S. hears Ces’ prayers in Guatemala. Seeing Ces again expanded Melissa’s understanding of God’s love and sovereignty. He is the Author of both their stories—and He delights in weaving these stories together for His glory.
Melissa left with a deeper awareness of both the brokenness of our world and our desperate need for Jesus. The trip renewed her gratitude for the work One More Child is doing, not just for children, but for entire families.
Join the Story
Melissa’s story is just one of many powerful testimonies that happen when people say “yes” to going on mission.
At One More Child, we invite churches, groups, and individuals to join mission trips where they will meet families like Ces’, offer tangible help, and share the eternal hope of Jesus. Together, we can change lives—both theirs and ours— and witness before stories unfold in a way only God, the Author of everything, can orchestrate.
Children around the world need your help.