“Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”
-Hebrews 12:1
September 15th is Guatemala’s Independence Day. This day is a time to celebrate the country’s freedom from Spain and it is very important for every Guatemalan in this beautiful country. The festivities start way before the 15th, and continue on for a couple days after. White and Blue flags are flown from cars, houses, and carried around by everyone. The parades go on every day during the week leading up to Independence day. There are kids from all different schools in a variety of different costumes and traditional Mayan dress, dancing in the streets and playing their drums. It is an awesome time to be living in Guatemala! One of the other important traditions that occurs during the week leading up to Independence day is the “Antorcha de la Independencia” Race. This race is run by different people from all over Guatemala. The participants go to another town from their own and light a torch. They then run with the torch back to their hometown, where they celebrate. It is a huge deal for the people here. And me and my triad** got to be a part of it!!
We ran from another part of town back to the school with the torch. This run was no joke. With all the hills and the high altitude here, it makes running difficult. On top of running, me and my group were chaperoning the kids and checking on them if they were not feeling well. It’s a difficult task when there are almost 300 kids from the age of 6 to 18 running down the middle of the street. Overall, it was a challenging day. But the Lord taught me something in this organized mass chaos.
As I was running, I got a picture from the Lord of how we look on our journey through life the Lord. Leading the way of the race is the torch. This light represents the Lord guiding our path. Always constant and directing our steps before us. But behind the torch, is us on our walk (or run) with the Lord. There are some that are following close behind, some further along but still going strong, and then there are some that get distracted by the sights around them. I feel like I can relate to the last one, always getting distracted by the things around me. Letting my own wants outweigh my decision to keep on the path the Lord has set out for me. Letting my need for the things of this world take me off course. These distractions are from the enemy. Satan hates seeing us run right behind our Father, so he will put every thing that he know will distract or discourage us, all around, in order to take us off course. But the thing is, the distractions or getting off course is not permanent, and you do not have to stay there.
The Holy Spirit was right at the back of the pack of runners. Right there to encourage, redirect, or pick us up and bring us back to the place we need to be. It was so encouraging to see this image the Lord had for me, to know that it is okay if we fall off track, get distracted, tired, or discouraged. The Lord is still there to comfort us and bring us back to the place we need to be. To run with endurance the race the Lord has set out for us.
“He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers yeah strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will fall give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
-Isaiah 40:29-31
Ministry Update:
** My triad this month is a group of three of us that are doing ministry this month together. We are having all squad month this month, so all 24 of us were split into groups of 3 to do ministry with at various places around Chimaltenango. It is so fun to get to experience ministry with Amber and Jenna. We are in a public school that has over 700 kids attend. This school has never had any volunteers come to it, so we are still figuring out our place in this school. BUT God is working, and we are able to show these kids love everyday with just being present.
Prayer Requests:
- For open door for God to provide opportunities to share His love with the students of the public school we are placed in. This school does not allow the Gospel to be preached or talked about out right. Prayer that God will shine through us, even if that is just showing the students love through our words and actions.
- For Unity and community to grow with our whole squad. All 24 of us are living in one house, so prayer for fun times, patience, growth, vulnerability, and love
- For boldness to go out and make our own ministry with the people of this town. For Boldness to declare His Glory with everyone we come in contact with.
