It’s been a whole week in Guatemala.
In some ways, it feels like “wow a week already?” But I’m mostly thinking “uh it’s been like 10 years, what the heck”
It’s only been a week but this has been one of the most challenging and the most rewarding things EVER.
We started our first few days preparing, mentally, physically, and spiritually. We were taught some basics to teach English to all age groups, activation in healing, hearing God’s voice, all kinds of fun stuff.
We were able to see the celebration for Guatemala’s Independence Day, lots of parades and decorations of blue and white. It was beautiful. The people here are incredibly kind, I believe that God has favor for these people. The community is so kind to one another and is very welcoming to strangers. I’m an anxious person, its hard for me to step out and talk to people I don’t know. BUT, these people are so welcoming that it’s easier for me to say hello than it is at home in the States, crazy right? We live very individualitsic lives in America, we don’t depend on our communities. Here, these people only have their community to depend on.
My team, Talitha Cumi, for ministry was placed in the town of Calderas. Our hosts, Angel (pronounced Ahn-hel) and Elsa, are an older couple who is wanting to create more unity in their community. So, we are started out by teaching English classes to the local kids in the afternoon. The rest of the time we have is up to us. This really intimidated my team at first, most of us really like to have set plans and want to be told exactly what to do. However, I think this is a chance for us to really trust what God has for us.
Personally, I’m in a season of stillness. I’m learning to really listen to God’s voice and not my own.
I’ve stopped singing in worship, because I compare my own talent to others. I beat myself up with lies like “do people not think I’m good enough?” “I can’t ever be like that.”. I make myself a victim.
I isolate myself from others. Because I tell myself I’m an idiot for every word that comes out of my mouth. I turned to people pleasing and I allow myself to let people’s opinions of me rule over who I am.
I can’t do it to myself anymore. God is asking me to step away from who I think I am and embrace what is next. I have to give up literally everything I know. It’s hard because it’s scary. I’m giving up my passions and my plans. I can’t imagine what I can be used for. But, my plans are not my own. It’s time to trust.
