Well as I plan out my last few days in Guatemala, I am flooded with so many different emotions. I am sad to leave my kids, excited to be in Nicaragua in a few days, nervous about what will come next, happy looking back on my team’s progress over the last month and heart broken to leave my ministry family.
Summary of my month in Guatemala:
Our first travel day was very successful. We had a 3 hour flight followed by a 6 hour bus ride into the Santa Cruz mountains. We stayed at Agape in Action in Quiche with Sally and Erv. This month was an all squad month for us so all 55 of us were together. Even though we were all together, each team went to a different ministry. My team and I were blessed by being paired up with Casa de Sabiduria (House of Wisdom). It is a Christian School that works with an orphanage. We did a VARIETY of ministry during our time there. We would play with the kids, do devotions, level the land next to the school so they can add onto the school, paint, dig a trench and love on the kids.
The hardest part of this last month was the trench. We were digging a 3’ deep 2’ wide and 50’ long trench. Us six girls did this while fighting the rain. Which by the way it rained every single day we were here. The last day in the trench, we were all struggling. It had really poured the night before so the trench was the muddiest and messiest it had been. We were sore and tired but we all could see the end and knew we were there for a reason so we kept shoveling. I kept praying “God please tell me why i’m in this trench instead of on the other side of that wall laughing with the kids”. It was a couple hours later that I finally got my answer. Like I said before, it was the muddiest day yet. It was so bad that I had to keep getting out every 10 minutes or so to scrape the mud off of my boots and shovel because they were so full of mud that it was slowing me down. One time while I was getting back into the trench I realized how much it helped to take the time to remove that excess weight when it was weighing me down and slowing my progress. Then I realized the mud represented a lot more for me. It is the negative conversations and hurtful moments of my past that i’ve never let go of that I carry around with me daily that are slowing down my progress. My team and I left our blood, sweat and tears (literally!) in that trench but I also left my desire to carry around baggage. I called upon God and asked him to remove my shackles that I had put on myself to my past and he did.
During this month I also owe my progress to my teammates. We have grown so much in this last month. We are doing a morning bible study and we have already read through Romans and finishing up Ruth now. To see all the different ways each verse is interpreted is amazing and so helpful. We are also guiding each other to be the best daughters of God possible. Which means challenging and helping each other through the struggles. I feel like I have gained 5 sisters in the last few weeks and that’s amazing to me. But I will give more details on them in my next post because right now there are 5 other people you need to know.
My teams’ ministry family. David, Loly, Rene, Analu and Julio. Pastor David is a great father. He is wise and always knows what to say. Loly is my Guatemala Mommasita. She could never replace my Mommasita, but she is a close second and I’m so thankful I had her this month. Saying good bye to my family was single handedly the hardest thing Ive ever had to do, so having Loly helped a lot for me. She loved us like we were her own. She cooked us meals, acted silly with us, made a huge deal out of Amber’s Birthday, made me laugh, comforted me and most importantly hugged me as long as i needed and as often as i needed because I was breaking inside. Analu is 17 and the sweetest girl ever. She is the little sister Ive always wanted. This girl is so genuine and kind that I fell in love with her on day one. She will always have a spot in my heart. Julio is 9 and God’s love shines through this boy all day everyday. His presence is so contagious and amazing, that i would spend everyday of the rest of my life with this boy if it was possible. He is the reason a piece of my heart will forever be in Guatemala and why I will be returning as soon as possible. Finally, Rene. He is 20 and a true man of God. I can’t even put into words how great he is. He loves deep, cares for all, helps everyone, laughs continuously, never gives up and truly follows God. He has helped our team on so many different levels this month. He took 7 females into the market to go shoe shopping (very brave), he worked with us even when he didn’t have to, he has been a shoulder to cry on, a friend to laugh with and a brother in Christ. I cannot imagine my life without him! We say good bye to this amazing family tonight and it is going to be so hard. This family is not just a family to me, they are my family!!
Fundraising update!! I AM FULLY FUNDED!! Thank you to all my supporters. I wouldn’t be where I’m at in my spiritual growth without all the prayers and support.
Next month sneak peak. My team and I will be staying on Ompete Island which is located on Lake Nicaragua. While there we will be living in an orphanage and helping with whatever they need!! That’s all for now..more to come soon!! ; )
Until next time,
Bre
Just being silly!!
Team Agape Warriors
The school before..
The school after!!
My team and I with our finished trench
Julio and I
