MONTH ONE!
We have been in Santa Cruz Del Quiche, Guatemala for ten days! I have loved Guatemala so far – our entire squad of 55 racers has been living together for the whole month. It has been fun getting to know everyone and to hear about the different ministries teams are involved in all over Santa Cruz Del Quiche. All squad months means tent city! I was hopeful when I signed for the race that I would not have to sleep in my tent for an entire month. God has a sense of humor! We have been blessed with great weather in the 70's-80's. Although it does rain a lot, almost every time we head to our tents to go to bed, it has made sleeping in our tents a lot cooler. Even though it is difficult to not get water in our tents! We are blessed to be staying with our hosts Agape in Action. They have been posting updates about our squad on their website and Facebook page if you would like to check them out – apageinaction.org, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Agape-in-Action
This month my team, Relentless Hope, and another team of seven have been serving at a children’s daycare center for single mothers. We serve five days a week from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and help in a variety of ways. The daycare has around 100 children ranging from one year olds to six year olds. I was with the four year olds the first week helping in the classroom and playing with them. It has been exhausting, a great arm workout throwing little kids around all day, and full of so much joy. Seeing the joy and smiles we bring them and having them fall asleep in our arms after a long day of playing is so special. This week we have also started painting a wall in the playground area of the day care.
When we first learned what our ministry was I was disappointed that it wasn’t what I pictured – working in orphanages, hospitals, or a life changing ministry. I have learned to not doubt God or put Him in a box of where He can work and trust that He has my team there for a reason. I know ministry will be different every country we go to, so it is important to not have expectations and be open to where God has me. Saying yes to God means saying yes to the things I don’t see immediate results from or see the purpose behind. I don’t have to know all of the answers to have God work through me or use me. Giving up the control of how I picture God using me on the race has been challenging – and it has only been ten days!
If you are feeling discouraged or can’t see the purpose behind how God is using you don’t loose heart. God is so much bigger than the expectations we create for how God can use us when we place our faith in Him. Do not overlook the small acts of kindness and love you can show someone because it’s not ‘radical’ or doesn't tell an exciting story.
"Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
The race has been a lot of fun so far and I feel so blessed to have this experience! I know this adventure is just getting started! I want to say a big THANK YOU to the anonymous donor who gave me $1,020! This means I reached my third deadline of $11,000! It is so encouraging to receive such a generous donation! Thank you for your continued prayers and support!
