it’s been a month since leaving manipur india. a place where god has so perfectly orchestrated protection for his children. since they are tribal, the indian government cannot control their beliefs protecting their christian path!! it’s incredible. the tribal community also has such a heart for bringing jesus to the unreached and in a way that isnt westernized because they KNOW that jesus is for us all and is here for every culture and wants to relate to us in every culture not just in westernized ways. it was a hard two months of battling with satan with my own identity and worth but christ was so faithful through it all. i was able to spend time at a rehab center and minsitry to the men there. that was the most impactful ministry on my life on the race so far. maybe one day i’ll get to run one of those joints? it’s in his hands!
now a month later here i am sitting in antigua guatemala. in a coffee shop since the reason we came into the city was to get tested for parasites (not me- been there done that- just gotta show the newbs the ropes.) the caffeine is whats going to expedite this stool sample process and is a perfect excuse to say hello to our friends who run the place. the coffee shop is also a ministry- they hold worship nights that will blow your roof off. powerful kind of people run this place.
guatemala is rich in culture. mayan and spanish roots fill up every corner. they use these beautiful paintings as advertisements. they have empanadas and fresh fruit on every corner that we are told to resist but just cant (hence why we’re getting parasite meds) these people have a heart for renewal and excellence. not a self glorifying excellence but one to only glorify His name.
i get to spend 4 of my week days in a mountain village. 3 of those are spent at a sweet lady’s home who has opened it up for us to teach english, discipleship, art and we throw sports in there too. our other day is spent in the bustling town of chimaltenango at a church tutoring english to anyone who wants to come. sweetest partnership!!
it’s been a blessing that the lord anointed this place for this time. a more westernized culture but still so different from home. learning to balance what we are going to have to juggle once we get home while we are still in such a rich community and with such diligent leaders. we’ve been blessed with a church that is much like many of ours back home in the states. they recognized the need of missionaries here in guat also needing to be poured into so we get services in our own language and worship that we can understand the words to!!! a real for real treat to be apart of that family every sunday.
it’s crazy to think that next month i’ll be setting foor back in the states and not just for a layover. scary honestly but He knows the timing and the things we need.
also my parents came!! it was a sweet treat to get to be with them. it was weird too, to have a bit of home after that hasnt been your home for a hot sec. the lord gifted me with the eyes to see them as my brother and sister in christ- not just my mom and dad. he has called me into discipleship of THEM. pray for wisdom on my part for that!
the adventures staff here in guatemala have pushed us all so incredibly in what christ has for, what he is saying to us, who he calls us etc. it’s been neat to be given tools like they have given us. stepping into a better understanding of the word, an ear that is tuned into listening what the lord wants to tell the people around us, walking in our true self not what the world has placed on us and stewarding the power of our words.
cool things are happening. thank you for your prayers. let me know if there is anything i could ever be praying for you for !!
