When my daughter Rebekah asked me if I could join her for a few days in Guatemala for PVT, I was so honored! At the same time, it was already December, and I only had a few months to prepare. I thought there really wasn’t any way that I had enough time to raise enough money to even go!
I began praying immediately asking the Lord if this was His plan for me. In my devotions almost every morning God showed me verses that spoke to my heart, that He would provide all the funds and more. I knew I can trust Him because as a single parent of five, we never once lacked for our needs. I was excited, yet scared at the same time, as I had never traveled outside the USA before.
The day before the first deposit was due, I received an anonymous donation for $700! And the rest just kept coming in till I had enough to cover my flight as well.
It was so surreal when I finally landed in Guatemala. I was just drinking in all the beauty as our bus took us to the hostel in Antigua, where I knew my daughter was waiting! I was so excited as we had never been apart for this long before! What a blessing it was to see her standing there as I climbed off the bus!
That afternoon Bekah took me into town. I loved the rough cobblestone streets. I loved seeing all the natives busily tending to their little ones and also trying to sell their beautiful handcrafted wares, and the fresh local fruits and vegetables.
Over the next several days I was privileged to work alongside my daughter Bekah, her teammates and their parents, serving the beautiful Guatemalan people. Being allowed into the Guatemalan homes was such an honor. They only had the bare necessities and yet they shared with us. It was truly humbling. They survive on so little, and yet are satisfied. It made me realize how thankful I should be for all I have in my life.
We were able to bless families with new stoves and water filters. They have a lot of sickness from inhaling too much smoke. They also get sick from the parasites and impurities in their water. We were able to share our Faith with them as well. Some were hungry to hear more and thanked us for brightening their day.
The children were so beautiful. They loved the attention we gave. We had paper, markers, balloons and some candy for them. They have nothing like this in their homes. I only saw a few toys and then not in every home.
I just kept seeing how uncluttered and simple their lives are. It really spoke to my heart. We can think we need this and that to be happy, but in all reality seeing how little these beautiful people had and yet so content, it just spoke volumes to me.
I along with all the other parents were so Blessed seeing how much our racers had matured and grown on their Race. Seeing them be bold and strong, as they ministered to the Guatemalans and to us. Every night we had a time of praise and worship lead by our racers! I rejoiced to see the Light of Jesus just radiating from them as the worshipped in reckless abandon.
I was blessed to see how Bekahs team interacted with each other. You could just see the genuine care and love for one another. These girls have been through so many hard and tough times, being far away from home and family, living without comfort, being lonely, and learning to know each other as complete strangers, and learning to trust each other. It just warmed my heart and brought glad tears to my eyes to watch all this.
Every morning was a precious time for my daughter and I as we sat huddled in our blankets with our Bibles, and a hot cup of Guatemalan coffee across from each other at a little table in the hostel courtyard, having our morning quiet devotional times. Now I can picture her doing that at her mission station every morning!
We were given a day off to do whatever we wanted together. Bekah & I and one of her teammates and her parents decided to go see the Mayan Ruins in Iximche. Our guide was an ancestor. It was so interesting to hear the history of all their power and reigning over the surrounding area.
At the end of the tour, our guide shared with us what had caused the start of the fight that led to this ruin. One day as one of the ladies was making her tortillas, then putting them on the stove, one of the neighboring men came by and was so hungry. He asked her for some tortillas. She gladly fed him. After eating she told him how much to pay her, but he refused. So that is how the fight began and ended in so much tragedy. So our guide said to us. Please always pay for your tortilla!
This was my first time to ever travel outside of the United States. I never expected to experience anything like this. I was so drawn to these beautiful Guatemalan people. They were so happy with so little. Sharing Jesus with them was such a joyful time. I felt God’s Spirit stirring my heart. Another unexpected feeling. I just opened my heart to God and said that I am open to more mission work if He wants to use me. I feel so unworthy, and yet I know how much He loves me. Having everything we want here in America does not bring happiness or contentment. But knowing I am in the center of His will and plan for my life is where I find rest. My desire is to continue listening to My God and follow Him in every area of my life. I would certainly love and welcome the opportunity to serve the beautiful people of Guatemala again.
