I thought I knew what I was in store for when I committed to
squad lead and go on the race again.
Funny how when I think I know what I sign up for God blows my previous
experience out of the water. This
time around the race has been infinitely more enjoyable and rewarding, but also
infinitely more exhausting and taxing.
I am being stretched far beyond what I thought possible emotionally,
physically, and spiritually. This
has left me very little time and energy to blog, but I would love to give you a
recap of my first month in Guatemala.
Week 1 with Teams Patient Hope and Shadowfeet in Antigua
Highlights:
Visiting the Elderly in 2 different Abuelo Houses: Sitting
with them, Holding their hands, Trying to talk and share stories in broken Spanish,
Laughing, Praying, singing, Aisha painting portraits, Reading the Word to them
in Spanish, loving and being loved back.
Working in the Disabled and Malnourished Ward in the
Hospital: Taking Kids out of their
beds to enjoy the sunshine, giving physical touch to kids who are abandoned and disabled who rarely receive love, playing music, seeing beauty in all of
God’s children, meeting INCREDIBLE long-term missionaries Dick Rutgers and Pat.
Seeing both teams get out of their comfort zones and LOVE
those that society had forgotten and abandoned was beautiful.. Seeing them realize that this was
really going to be their life for the next year was nostalgic, inspiring, and
breathtaking.
*First time I got sick… I think this is where I picked up my
little parasite friend 🙂
Week 2 with Teams Lionsong and Cherished in Puerto Barrios
Wide variety of ministry but I had 2 favorites
Working in a local orphanage: Meeting Gustavo, the most precious 4 month old baby with a
cleft palate. He will be receiving
surgery through a local ministry as soon as he can gain some more weight to be
able to sustain the medical procedure.
He captured my heart.
Visiting families that live in the dump: To fully explain
the way God impacted me this day may require a separate blog. God convicted me to jump in and not be
afraid to get dirty. I had the
honor of sorting through trash to find recyclables with some people that live
there. Getting to be a part of a
day where kids could just be kids and fill the air with joy and laughter
changed my heart forever.
*Got VERY SICK upon leaving this location. My parasite friend was in full force
and reeking havoc
Week 3 with Teams Night Vision and God Before Us in
Chimaltenego
Ministry: Los
Gozosos, a home for disabled children.
The teams were a part of the daily care, feeding, and schooling for this
wonderful home for the month. Unfortunately, this week found me in the hospital along with
many members of these teams.
Although it was a trying week, it allowed for God to move in personal
relationships, conversations, and pressing in with Him. Our teams at this location displayed unbelievable servant hearts and really gave this ministry all that they had. Health Update: I am FINALLY
feeling better and praying I continue to stay that way!
Being on the leadership side of the race has been eye
opening and challenging. Leading them is refining and sharpening me each day. I am growing in boldness and confidence as I walk in the gifts He has given me. I’m desperately dependent on God to guide me through this process. He is so faithful! The Squad is growing and
changing before my eyes and leaning into the Lord in the most beautiful
ways. Thank you for Supporting me
and sending me out so I can walk alongside of them as they walk into who
God created them to be!
