I always knew the time was coming, but now that I’ve been in Guatemala for a little over a week, it’s so surreal. All the glory to God. In a matter of two short months He provided for me in a great way. A financial goal of $13,000 disappeared week by week as God put it in the hearts of those around me to give. I know already this journey is going to have some rough spots but never in my life have I been so excited for the fight and challenge ahead of me.
Something that’s been on my heart this week is the idea of being fully present, not just here in Guatemala, but in my personal relationship with God. One of the first days here I read Matthew 7:21-23 ESV. The heading reads “I never knew you.” I don’t want to get to heaven and hear God say those words to me. I’m either all in or all out. It’s more than just a compete surrender. It’s a life that is lived by faith so that there is no room for the flesh. If I’m not all in and firm in my belief that the Holy Spirit is a moving, breathing, soul-filling power on earth then my flesh and selfish desires get in the way of what my creator really wants for me and I’m not doing the job I need to be for my one God-given life I have. Never stop praying for faith. God has already revealed himself in so many cool ways on my journey so far.
Information about my life on the field:
I love the authentic community my teammates and I are in. We are working along side of Go Ministries and have been blessed with a wonderful host family. So far we have visited a local school and put on a program to feed widows and children in the area. Xenacoj has a extremely large number of widows, and from that many of the children either have just a mother or no parents in their lives at all. The ministry we are doing isn’t necessarily in orphanages but it’s still just as proactive. We are able to go into the community and form relationships with them as well as open up our place for the widows and children to come, eat and hear the word of God a couple times a week. This week we were able to participate in intensive fast paced Spanish lessons, which I personally find vital for communicating in these next three months. Another thing my team and I have the honor of participating in is the handing out of the Bible in their native Mayan language (Kaqchikel). This is the first time in history that the Bible was printed and translated into their native language. As our Host explained to us many of the Mayans ask, “If your God is so big and powerful, why doesn’t he have his book in my native language.” It’s so cool that now, years later, it has been translated and hundreds will be handed out this Sunday to believers as well as many non believers.
Other fun facts about my experience thus far:
Laundry by hand is way cooler.
You do get used to cold showers.
I like bananas, but only frozen and dipped in chocolate.
I totally rode on top of a school bus as means of transportation and I cant promise it won’t happen again.
My iPad broke and I prayed in the name of the Holy Spirit that it would turn on again, and it did.
