Tuesday morning we embarked on the dusty streets of Esperanza with volcano smoke in the air and huge plastic bags crinkling with food and supplies in our hands. As we were led by the Spirit from house to house to distribute bags and pray over families, the weight of the food bags began to hit me. These weren’t just simple grocery sacks, but at least 10 gallon bags stuffed with goods. The burden of this bag weighed my arms down as we stood in a particular home for a while. Wrapping up our time with these beautiful people, I was asked to give a bag when I was expecting to carry it through many more houses. I handed over this blessing of a bag to a busy mother and suddenly realized I was more blessed in that moment. There was such a physical relief in handing over the million pound bag, but also such a spiritual relief in knowing we could partner with this family in such a tangible way.
We often forget the blessings we carry and how much liberty comes when we choose to relinquish rather than withhold. Acts 20:35 says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Our blessings, whether they be gifting of the literal or metaphorical sense, are made to be shared in community. Asking God what part of ourselves we are yet to surrender and what else we have from Him to pour out is a daily pruning and edifying experience.
The days here in Guatemala are filled with movements from God like this: from balloon games with children teaching us celebration, to a car breaking down on the way to manual labor becoming a ministry opportunity, to impromptu English lessons for mothers, to prayer walks up hills after a long day, to the pure joy that comes in Team Jubilee’s new tradition of choco banans on Friday afternoons, and so much more. There is so much beauty to be found in the daily no matter your walk of life right now if only you choose to see Our Mighty God moving.
Peace, love, & bananas,
Abby
