So these past few months I have had the pleasure to live in beautiful Guatemala with my beautiful team and an amazing staff here in Adventures Guatemala. We got so lucky to live at the base with great living conditions right outside of Antigua and work with amazing partners and have the Adventures staff constantly pouring into us.
I returned back to Guatemala, the place where missions stole my heart, and it instantly stole my heart again. First, my parents came and we had a tremendous PVT (parent vision trip). My parents got to witness and participate in the ministry and lifestyle we have been apart of these past 9 months for a week. Also, it was just very sweet getting to see my parents after having to go 6 months without them.
After PVT, we moved to the base and began our normal everyday life here! The first week, we got introduced with the staff. There is a group of 10 who work here hosting teams, worshiping, spreading light to Guatemala, and training different local churches how to be missionaries. SO COOL RIGHT! Well, they heard our story from Africa and instantly took us under their wing. They intentionally poured into us so much and showed us the hope in Christ to restore our lives. They’re so awesome. We also began attending Shoreline Guatemala, a recently planted non-denominational church out of Dallas Texas; most members are missionaries living in Guatemala. The church has an amazing home feel, similar to my Church at home, and it was just tremendous to build relationships with people of the same culture and have intentional relationships again. Our second month, a different World Race squad came and we got to live with one of their team. Yet again a team of all women but the Lord purposely called them there to live with a gap squad, us, and became our friends, role models, and sisters. Living with them grew our hearts and relationships in all things.
Along with incredible living conditions and people, we had amazing ministries. For a few days we spent time at a nursing home and working in a home for extremely disabled orphans and foster children. After that we began regular ministry working in a disabled school and tutoring center up the mountain, and soccer ministry/bible study at a different school on the other side of Antigua. My whole life I had told the Lord I don’t do well with disabled people, especially on the race. It is not that I do not love them, I just did not believe that was my most effective ministry. However, we arrive to our main ministry and it is working with a disabled children’s school. Not only that, but I get placed (without choice) into the classroom with the children with the strongest special needs. At first I stressed out hard core, but then the Lord worked in my heart so much. It’s amazing how he takes our biggest fears and turns them into our biggest loves. Those kids rocked my world more than any children ever have. They taught me so much on how to love; how we all have something disabling us, whether physical, mental or emotional, but that does not change our capacity to love. We also worked in a tutoring center run by an American who has such a heart to changing the world through education. Most children can not afford school, supplies, or any type of education so she tutors the local community and provides sponsorships for the kids to attend school. All of our ministries and ministry partners had such big hopes, dreams, and accomplishments. They never settle and reminded us that God brings the kingdom HERE on Earth and he will provide those doors in ministry and in our own lives. We were all encouraged to dream in huge ways, because Jesus is, and leads, the way. He is our hope and we can accomplish all things through him. Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” Dream and pursue them because he is the one to fulfill them!
Through all of this, the Lord brought incredible restoration to me and my team. Our brokenness in Africa became true and complete blessings. The Lord brings people to brokenness to show his greatness and love through restoration. Sometimes we do not understand his plans and purposes, and possibly never will, but it all points to his restoration through Christ and his true heart. Oh Guatemala, how have you been a blessing. In all aspects, we have been filled up, joyful, and worshiping our amazing Father. He has given us all we could ask for and more. He truly can turn any situation around and will and wants to bless you.
Looking back at this season, I can not be more thankful. This next week we are about to encounter a large amount of change: moving to a new city, new ministry, new roommates (half squad month) and then a transition home in only a month! I look and thank the Lord so much for this season in my life, and he comforts me telling me that each season from now on has their own blessings and each day only gets better than the next. Sometimes is may not look or feel that way, but he promises blessing in each step that we take, and I trust my Father. So Lord, thank you for Guatemala, you’re too good to me.
