Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

| by archiveworldraceblogs

 

As you can imagine, there are so many stories to tell thus far in our travels through Latin America. I hope to share a few more specific details once we get to Nicaragua and hopefully to a better internet connection. Here is a list of a few things that I’ve experienced in the beautiful country of Guatemala:

 

 

Vida Ilimitada (Life Unlimited) with some of the most endearing youngins on the earth.

Realization. Restoration. Transformation. Thank you nightly feedback.

“Atol” (sugary, watery, oatmeal) with the infamous Kellogg’s Choco Pops sprinkled on top

Endless laughter.

Two days of rest all month.

A blazing bonfire and worship on top of a basketball court.

The Holy Spirit’s EXPLOSIVE Presence.

Many walks down to the cornfields and back up the steeeeep switchback.

Spanish moonlight testimonies.

A volcano names Pacaya

Ballin’ out on the bball court with Scotty= Los Estados Unidos 10/ Guatemala 0.

Javier and Leti (our incredible contacts)… ah…enough said. 🙂

Flag-dancing Guatemalans at El Verbo (the Word) Church in Antigua.

Vulnerability.

Banana bread. Banana cake. Banana and Choco Pops. Banana and peanut butter….

A 14-person ride in an 8-passenger van.

A 28-person ride in a 12-passenger van.

Rockin’ the Guatemalan style with wool socks and Chacos. Yes please.

A mud-crawl relay during the kid’s end of the school-year festivities.

Two homemade piñatas..full of yumminess.

Three of our teammates’ birthday celebrations in one month. Pancakes anyone?

Excitement for rice and beans every night.

Sharing my own testimony in front of 40ish Guatemaltecos…in Español.

True LOVE for over 50 new blessings in my life.

Did I mention laughter?

Shakin’ our “bompies” to Christian Reggaeton

Witnessing the salvation of Marc Antonio and many others while evangelizing at the city dump

Prayer. Prayer. Prayer.

Chicken buses from Antigua to Aldea los Flores.

Etc..etc…

 

To elaborate on one of my favorite moments this past month, our contact Javier took us to Chimaltenango (only 15 minutes from our pueblo Aldea los Flores) to donate clothing and evangelize at the city dump. At the time, just the thought of the “E word” frightened me because I would most likely be the one translating for our team. I was fine with the idea of Javier evangelizing to these people but was already reluctant. How was I supposed to impact people in such a short amount of time? Would they even listen or would they think I was just another Gringa tossing out tracks about a man names Jesus? Would I have the boldness to speak Life into them? These questions, alongside feelings of nervousness, plagued me as the eight of us rode into town.
  
Immediately upon our arrival, after opening the back of the van, we noticed a homeless man..Marc Antonio. Worn clothing covered his feeble body as he shuffled his feet towards the group. He spoke little by little to avoid further irritation of his already chapped and bloody lips. I instinctively began to translate as he revealed his present living situation. Early on in our conversation he declared that we were angels sent from God and that our arrival was a surefire sign of God’s sovereignty. He asked us penetrating questions about Jesus and proclaimed how much he wanted a change. Without any hesitation Scotty, Cody and I laid our hands on him and quietly prayed for his salvation. He started to weep thanking and praising God; exalting the Lord’s name as a Provider and Father. After giving him a suitcase full of blankets and clothing, our hearts beamed as he slowly walked away.
  
Soon after, a man with a cleft lip sauntered over and I approached him. After a few questions I realized that he could not speak. Javier joined me and asked him if he could read as well. He could not. Without question, Javier put his hand on his heart asking for healing and that Jesus would enter his heart forever. Afterwards I stuck around to try and communicate with him. He began to speak a few sounds and I pressing onward hoping that he could sign back to me. He continued pointing in one direction and I kept asking different questions to try and understand him. Then, God placed on my heart one sentence. I feared saying it just because of how he may have reacted. But I persisted. I prophesied over him saying “Eres guapa. Tu corazón y tu alma son guapos. Vamos a ver una y otro otra vez en el cielo con El Señor Dios. Estoy segurísima que tu vida será diferente”.  (You are beautiful. Your heart and soul are beautiful. We will see each other again in Heaven with God. I am certain that your life will be different after this moment.) He began to cry, each tear grazing his deformed lip. Then I reached over to him and embraced him, holding his face against my shoulder. My heart rejoiced as he accepted God’s love through me.

 
On our way home I could not help but think about the Kingdom. I sat there gazing out the window wondering about the future of these two men. I wondered if either of them were really changed and if their lives really would be different. Of course I hoped for both but I realized I just may never know the answer. Then it hit me that no matter the outcome, as Christians it is our calling to share the gospel without preconceived expectations of what the outcome may be. The Lord takes care of the rest. All we can do is proclaim the Truth to those who seek Him. We can love them and bathe them in prayer but we cannot anticipate anything more or else we will continuously be disappointed; especially in situations where we may never see them again on this side of Heaven.

 
My spirit has been renewed since this revelation. I am pumped that I get to share Jesus and be his hands and feet in the upcoming countries we visit! Bring it on!

Today is our last day at Life Unlimited. Please pray for strength as we plan on leaving these people who have been sealed onto our hearts.

Que Dios os bendiga!