Throughout these past 3 months living in Guatemala, the Lord has really shown me a lot. Although I have so much love in my heart for this place, I have even more love for the people that I have gotten to know here. I had the opportunity to meet & build relationships with so many amazing people- base staff, church friends, tourists, workers at coffee shops/restaurants, locals from our ministry villages…you name it. Through these relationships I have learned this simple yet beautiful thing…they chose into love with me every single time. I can’t even imagine the amount of racers & other missionaries that constantly cycle in and out of their lives, but despite that they don’t fail to give their heart completely away or love & invest in you any less. This is a concept that I feel is usually hard for us to accept- why give all of yourself away in a relationship when there’s risk of being hurt in the end? As I myself pondered that question, I thought about the many times that Jesus was rejected during the time of His ministry. His mission was to show us the fullness of the Father’s heart, & although He was rejected time after time that didn’t stop Him from giving of Himself fully. It didn’t stop Him from love.
My transition from Guatemala to Ecuador hasn’t been as easy as I thought it would be. I didn’t realize that my heart could hurt in the best of ways because of loving people so much. But I wouldn’t have it any other way, it’s the kind of love that I’m so grateful to have experienced.
Guatemala, thank you. You broke my heart in the best of ways. You refined me in the most painful, yet most beautiful areas. You showed me that it’s worth it to give everything away with joy. What a blessing it is to have experienced love in such a pure & vulnerable form. What a blessing it is to be able to show people in Ecuador that same kind of love. Thank you Jesus that your goodness & faithfulness didn’t start or stop in Guatemala. Thank you that it’s constant & that it was here in Quito before we were.
To all of the humans that I got to love & be loved by in Guatemala- I will forever cherish our friendships & be eternally grateful for the 3 months I got to spend with you. You reminded me how simple the Gospel really is- it all comes down to love.
with love,
Nikki
