My eyes and my heart have been opened wide. This past week I rode in a van over bumpy mountainous roads, I played with crazy little village kids, I watched children appreciate a simple little matchbox car, and I prayed over weeping people as we evangelized village after village.
My heart is in Guatemala. This was the place where I first decided that I wanted to do missions; that I wanted to be God’s hands and feet, and I was called there for the third time two weeks ago. God broke my heart for what breaks his, and he showed me his real and raw beauty completely. 98% of our lives are invested in things that won’t last or matter in the long run, and only 2% is invested in things that will last. We decided to switch that up during the time we were there. I can’t even begin to explain how our perspective on everything changed. We prayed constantly, and we relied on God for everything, we worshiped an unfailing God, we became selfless, and completely focused on God’s work for us. My heart was blown away and amazed, even though I had been on this mission trip before- no mission trip is the same. I fell in love with his plan for me. I let go of things I was holding onto for the sake of myself, and I said to God “have your way in me”.
This mission trip was everything I needed; it reminded me exactly why I signed up for the world race. This was just the tip of the iceberg, yet it felt like a mountaintop experience. I want everyone to know that our God is the same God at the bottom of that mountain as he is at the top of that mountain, and he is the Same God wherever you are. He is unfailing, he is loving, and he is there. I would like to truly thank Paradise Bound ministries for having such an amazing ministry in Guatemala and beyond, and for allowing me the chance to go on this trip to my second home so many times. I will be back home soon. This is the reason why I chose route one, because I saw Guatemala on that list of countries, and God said “yes”.
People have asked me if I was crazy for wanting to go through with the world race, and the answer is no; I just love God a lot. You see, when you fall in love with someone, you don’t just fall in love with them on Sunday. Every waking moment is spent thinking about them, you are infatuated and invested. This is how I want my nine months on the world race to be, no, this is how I want the rest of my life to be. A week is not enough, and living comfortably is not for me, so here I come world; get ready. I challenge you to out give God, I challenge you to give back to him the very best he’s given to you. It’s not possible, but you should live your life trying, and watch your life change.
