"OMG, it's only our third day here!?"
"I can't wait to finally start ministry."
"It feels so good to finally unpack!"
"I wonder if I could live here?"
"Guys, can you believe we have 11 more months of this?!"
"Is today Friday or Saturday?"
"Who wants to go with me into the city to use wi-fi?"
"I'm actually happy about our travel day experience"
"I just want God to give me eyes to see the people of Quiché the way that He does"
"Look at the tighty whities hanging to dry, lol!"
"I'm gonna use this break to get my Jesus time in"
"Who's cooking dinner and what are we having?"
"I couldn't understand her Spanish, but her prayer was powerful and full of fire!"
These are just a few of the statements that I have heard and made since since beginning month 1 in Quiché, Guatemala. Yep, that's right … In case you didn't know, WE MADE IT!! A few days ago my squad of 47 flew from Atlanta, GA to Guatemala City, Guatemala and then took three 15 passenger vans from Guatemala City to Quiché. Being that the drive into Quiché is about 3 hours, we expected our travel day to be a little long and tiring with the flight and drive (I'm sure they all we be). However, what should have taken 4 hours (we planned a pit stop for lunch) ended up taking more than 6.
Traffic was a little slow due to the rain, and we were also at a stand still for almost 2 hours due to a very bad accident on the main road that leads to Quiché. During our delay, I was so proud of my squad for choosing joy and making sure everyone was taken care of. We were hot, we were uncomfortable, we wanted water, we needed the bathroom, we needed to stretch our legs, but not once did I hear a complaint from anyone! Instead we sang songs, found a nearby church to use the restroom in, began worshipping and praying with the members of the church, played with some of the children in the area, walked to a nearby store to purchase water for the entire squad, prayed inside the vans, and even walked down to where the accident was to pray for those involved as well the ambulance and other rescue workers.
We just so happened to find a church in the area and I initially walked over to use their restroom, but I didn't know that they were right in the middle of what I would call a prayer meeting. Some of the squad decided to play with the kids in the nursery and kids area, but I was really drawn to the prayer that was going on in the main sanctuary. The lady who was praying on the mic was speaking in Spanish, but the power and passion behind her prayers broke right through the language barriers. It was like I could feel her heart's cry and I found myself crying, worshipping, and standing in agreement with the prayers of the church for their community. Even when we were able to start moving again, I didn't want to leave.
This was definitely a less than ideal day of travel, it began at 4:50 am in Atlanta and ended around 8 pm in Guatemala, but we were united and in positive spirits throughout it all. I don't have too much experience in this World Race travel thing yet, but I'd call that a win in my book.
(Worshipping at the church during our traffic delay)
Once we finally got to Quiché, we found out that the soccer field (aka our home for the month) had flooded, so our Agape In Action ministry hosts allowed us to sleep in the dorms. Because World Racers are supposed to be 'suffering for Jesus', we are the first group that they've hosted that is allowed to sleep indoors. It's amazing! Little things like having bathrooms 10 feet away and cubby holes to unpack our bags in and dry floor to walk barefoot on make a ton of a difference. I'm sleeping in a room with 4 other girls and 2 sets of bunk beds, add that to the fact that we have running hot water and this is actually pretty awesome lodging for the World Race. Even though I can't zip myself away in my private tent when I need some quiet time, I think I'm being spoiled!
(Our accommodations for the month)
We haven't started ministry yet, nor have we found out what specific area our teams will be working in this month. There are so many different projects that are available to us, including prison ministry, working in the orphanage, helping with medical clinics, and gathering and organizing hospital supplies. I'm excited to actually get to work, but if I could choose anything it would definitely be the orphanage!
So for the past few days I've been getting acclimated to our home for the month, becoming familiar with the city and where the best places for food and internet are, talking to our hosts about their ministry, growing closer to my teammates as we share strengths, weaknesses, & testimonies, getting some good Jesus time in, and even waking up every morning to work out. Its only been 3 days, I've barely made a dent in my 11 month race, but I still feel like I've taken in so much. We're becoming a family and I love it! We cook together, clean together, eat together, sleep together, pray together, work together, play together, and do life together.
(Eating Breakfast)
(Doing Laundry)
I'm learning that there is ministry in ALL things, not just the work that we are assigned to do. My ministry for the this week has been laying a foundation for the community that I want to experience and cultivate these next 11 months. It's been learning to seek the Lord in all things and at all times. It's been realizing that regardless of language differences or economic differences our racial differences, we serve one strong and mighty God; and even when I don't have an "assignment" or when I come across an unexpected delay/change in plans, it's my assignment to share Christ's love through my words and my deeds.
If you would like to be a part of sharing Christ's love with me, I invite you to partner with me through prayer and financial sponsorships. I still need about $4250 to be fully funded and see this race through the end. I would greatly appreciate if you would become a part of getting me there. You can easily donate money once or set up an amount that you'd like to automatically give on a monthly basis directly from this blog by clicking the "Support Me" link on the left side of the page.
Thank You!
