spotted: parents in Guatemala

M Y  T H O U G H T S:

 

About a week ago my parents made the journey down to Guatemala where they spent 5 days with us. PVT (Parent Vision Trip) allowed us to invite and show our parents what we had been up to the last 3 months in Guatemala. We got to show them how and where we have been living and the villages we had been teaching in.  It creates an oppurtunity for our parents to see the community within the squad and leaders, staff and the impact we make and have made on each other in the last 6 month. 

As a racer it felt really weird to have them around us all the time as we had been on our own for the past 6 months. It reminded me of how much of an influence we have on people and how much my parents have had on me growing up. Since being away from them so long I was even more aware of their actions and words they spoke. My mom is very kind and very much a helper, she loves through her actions, and likes to get things done- a doer-. My dad is very organized and likes consistency, things the same way -having a sense of control rather than chaos-. I Some of the things that I have been working through these last 6 months are to just be. To stop doing and just sit in the Lord presence. Another thing I have been working on is to let go of my earthly expectations and my wanting to try and control everything so it goes MY way (In my past blog, trust).  Whats cool about already starting the walk through these things is that I am able to go back to the beginng with my parents and show them the starting line and what I’ve all gone through. PVT showed me how much grace they have given me and now how much I need to give everyone going back home because no one has gone through or experienced what I have. 

It was so cool to see my parents interact with the kids and families that my team had gotten close to over the 3 months. My dads child like self came out and was poking the boys back and then when they turned around blamed it on me. My mom hasn’t been on a missions trip to South America before so it was cool to see her reaction as it opened her eyes to the state of the families living conditions and how happy that they are with the little they have. As well to see how much the Holy Sprit works in such little time. 

I really hope that it sparked a flame even more so for a desire to grown in their relationship in the lord just as it did for me to see them here. 

I asked my mom for her side on PVT so you would have her point of view coming from a parent not just mine! 

 

M Y  M O M’ S  T H O U G H T S:

Ella has asked me to write about our time in Guatemala with her. Going into the Parent Vision Trip (PVT) I was excited to see Ella most of all.  I knew we would be doing ministry with her but that was not my main focus.

I need to say that Adventures did a great job at launch in September making us feel comfortable that we were leaving our baby to travel to foreign countries, so for the past 6 months we were never afraid for her safety or health as her leaders were completely competent. When we saw her in Guatemala, we were able to relax and have Ella be our tour guide throughout Antigua. She led us through streets to her favourite coffee shops, ice cream and tortilla places. While we wandered and ate our way through the week, we had time to sit and listen to Ellas stories of what she has overcome, worked through and accomplished in the past 6 months. I was in awe how much she has grown into an amazing woman of faith.  We witnessed the passion she has for these developing nations and how well she connected to the people there. This was evident when we spent 3 days doing ministry in the village her team has been in for the past 3 months. The love these girls poured into the relationships with these kids warmed my heart as I saw them climbing all over Ella. I loved being part of the skit that we did and I connected with one boy who was about 10 as we made fun of each other. The hugs these kids gave us as we said good bye were great.  My favourite day of ministry was meeting the families that the girls had connected with and having them feed us.  The father preached to us and asked us to tell him about what God has done in our lives.  The stories from other parents and from him filled us with the Holy Spirit.  Tears were streaming down my face as I watched this family who we think has nothing serve us with such joy. They have God and their love for each other = everything you need. What an amazing way to live! I feel that the time we spent with Ella fuelled our hearts to allow us to return home with Joy and excitement instead of sadness because she will be away for another 3 months. It was great to see Ella so happy and content with herself and where she is with her relationship with Jesus. It is a funny feeling as a parent when your child becomes the teacher and you the student.  I can learn so much from Ella and I can’t wait to see what journey God has for her next. Our time in Guatemala was incredible and filled us with such joy to be around Ella and see all that she has done there. Thanks for inviting us Ella!  xox