November 3, 2016- It’s almost 8:30 pm, I’ve been on a bus with my squad and some strangers for about 14 hours now. We have bussed from Honduras and through El Salvador, now almost to Guatemala.
Even though it’s been a long, tiresome, uncomfortable day, it’s been fun! I didn’t realize how much I missed the rest of my squad this past month. I’m so excited to get to spend this month in Guatemala with all of them.
You’re probably wondering what it was like this month in Honduras, I’m sorry that I haven’t written this until now. Better late than never! Like I said in my previous blog, my team and I were at Hope at Hand in the beautiful city of Valle de Angeles. We were surrounded by wonderful people and gorgeous mountains. The ministry supports children at two elementary schools in the mountain, and continues the support of those children into middle school. Every day we got up and made breakfast for the kids, and took it to one of the two schools in the mountains. The second school was a farther distance into the mountain and the road was harder to travel, so we were only able to go three times.
As well as bringing them food my teammates and I took turns teaching Bible lessons. We spoke on loving your neighbors, loving God, various parables, Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, and others. We would get to the school and greet the kids, or mostly they would greet us. They waved from the gate as we pulled up and hugged us as we walked in. The kids would hear our lesson, and then we would give them food. Afterwards we spent time playing various games with them or just running around the school grounds screaming.
A few of us spent a lot of time painting in the music room each day as well. The kids loved coming in as we painted to watch us in amazement. I enjoyed letting them take turns making their own marks with the paint, giving them a chance to express their creativity on the walls of the school where they would play beautiful music.
In addition to ministry at the schools we spent a fair portion of our afternoons helping our hosts. Whatever they needed help with we were there to provide it. I learned how to make corn and flour tortillas, that mantequilla (like a creamier, less sour version of sour cream) is delicious and I will dearly miss it, and that washing clothes in the pila is a better workout and can clean better than a machine.
We got to be with our hosts during a very exciting time because a supporter came to visit and ended up buying them a brand-new truck. It was awesome celebrating and praising God with them for that! They also received a new stove, and three computers and desks for the students at the middle school.
Saying goodbye to the kids at the school was bittersweet. Even though they spoke no English, and I spoke very little Spanish, we connected with them. It was a reminder to me that God’s love transcends all barriers, whether that be time, space, or linguistics. We also got to know our hosts very well, so saying goodbye to them was also bittersweet.
November 4, 2016- It’s a new day now, 9:45 am on Thursday. We finally arrived at our hostel in Antigua at 1:11 am today, and all slept very well. We are debriefing for 5 days, then moving out to our ministry. Our entire squad is together this month in Guatemala, and will be at a ministry called Hearts in Action. The ministry works with kids in schools, villages, youth jails, etc., wherever they find children in need. The base is on a ranch and has a full-time elementary and high school. I feel God moving already and look forward to seeing how He moves in our hearts this month. I’m open to Him moving my heart to action, (get it?).
This last month I learned a lot about things that I need to work on spiritually, like letting go of fear. I must learn that it’s ok to be open, to be honest, to share my thoughts and feelings. We are all learning the beauty of vulnerability together, so I know that I’m not alone and that is so comforting. God also showed me something that the enemy frequently tries to use against me, and that is loneliness and despair. The opposites of hope! Thank you for your prayers to have the strength and wisdom to fight those off whenever I feel those attacks come against me.
I will have a good amount of time for communication while we are debriefing, so if you want to chat please do not hesitate to email me, Facebook message me, or text me if you have an iPhone! All my contact information is in the ‘contact me’ section here on my blog.
Thank you for being a part of my journey thus far! Continued prayers for funds are also greatly appreciated. If you feel led to donate you can do so here on my blog. My next goal of $13,000 is due at the end of this month, and I am currently sitting at $11,000. My 23rd birthday is the 13th, perhaps if you are reading you might consider a $13 or $23 donation. I am so grateful for all the support I have received and will receive, because every dollar gets me one step closer to remaining on the field.
Blessings to you!
Hope
(Me writing this at our hostel, thanks Annie!)
