We are now in Guatemala and let me tell you, it has been life changing!
When we got our placements in Honduras and we were PUMPED for where we were placed! Las Tortugas (my team name) were supposed to be in the mountains! That meant it would have been colder and we were just really excited for the ministry opportunities we were going to be doing!
Then, of course we hear the worst words, “Your team will be changing to a different location.” I was pissed off! I was so excited for colder weather and being close to Antigua, but no we practically got placed close to the Belize border. That was 6 hours different of where we wanted to be.
So coming into this month, I did not have the right attitude. Then, we were told that there were 4 missionaries that were going to be with us the first 10 days of the month. I was not excited because I was thinking that it was their first mission trip and we were going to have to show them how it is done, which is draining.
I was completely wrong about them.
These four women have been the most encouraging and loving people. They have encouraged me to finish strong on the Race. We have done many projects like painting, interceding prayer, hiking through a jungle, loving on kids in safe houses and many more things. They have uplifted each one of us in different ways. Each of them have been full of energy and have given that energy back to us, that we have been lacking in our 10th month.
So, let me tell you a glimpse of how amazing they are and how much the Lord knew we needed to be in this city for a reason.
One day, we were interceding in prayer for a pastors meeting that was being held two floors down from us. We started with popcorn prayer (I always hated popcorn prayer because I feel like I never say the right things). After most people went, I got the courage to pray out loud in front of these women. Then, we started praying, drawing and singing. Whatever came to our heart we did for the next hour. After it was finished, one of the women, April, said that I was anointed in prayer.
My face got all red and I didn’t really believe it. I thought she just said my name and thought Amy as someone else because they were still learning names.
You know when someone looks at you and sees right into your soul. That is what happened. It didn’t help that she has these pretty blue eyes that were piercing at that moment. I just kind of heard it and put it to the side.
Why didn’t I want to believe I was anointed in prayer?
What is so wrong with that?
After we were finished, I realized I don’t receive any of the gifts and talents the Lord has blessed me with. Talk about a shot to the gut.
Then, I really started processing all of the gifts and talents the Lord has given me and questioned why I didn’t believe them.
After I sat with the Lord a little, I realized all of the other gifts He has given me that I have not been using.
Here are a few:
I am creative and an artist.
I am relational.
I am anointed in prayer.
Only three prominent ones have come up, but I am searching for more.
I have hindered myself in the Lord and in furthering the Kingdom because I was stubborn and selfish to believe I had gifts. How crazy is that?
So, now when we need to pray, guess who prays?
Sometimes I get annoyed of that, but I have to remember the Lord has given it to me for a reason.
And guess what?
I am doing a mural with one of my teammates. This is my first big art piece since my art teacher passed away a few years ago. So, I am getting to use two out of three gifts the Lord gave me in just a few days.
What gifts and talents are you hiding because you are scared of what that means?
I pray that you take those gifts and use them to glorify the One who gave them to you! What is stopping you? Go out and use them!!
These girls are here for only a few more days, but they have done incredible things in my life and the lives around me. They have such loving and open hearts for what the Holy Spirit is wanting to do in Guatemala! I am jumping on that train and going to use what the Lord has given me to love on those around me and show the love of the Lord to them.
