After one week in San Pedro and Antigua, we’ve all become pretty comfortable with our surroundings as well as with each other. We’ve already overcome many challenges, like cooking for our entire squad of 40 people and having to take the buses to Antigua on our own. But that is nothing compared to the struggles we are going to face in the future. However, I know that no matter what may come our way, we will be able to overcome it because of the incredible foundation that this squad has as a whole. This first month is definitely going to a month of personal growth. I have come to realize in this first week, that in order to really be able to provide the help that others need I first need to help myself. I need to work on creating spiritual rhythms, which is something that we have talked about a lot lately. I need to focus on my relationship with God. I need to work on taking the time to hear what He tells me each and every day instead of when it is convenient for me. Just in this one week of being here, I have started to really grasp the idea of letting God guide each and every one of my days. I knew that it was important to have God as a vital part of my days, but I didn’t always put that into practice. Our squad leaders have challenged us to begin each day with the Lord asking him to provide a simple word or verse that we are to live out for the day. By beginning our days with God, it creates an atmosphere within us where we are able to acknowledge the fact that we are walking with God each and every day. It reminds us to let the Holy Spirit guide us in all we do that day. The days that I have remembered to do so, the Holy Spirit has definitely been visibly present simply because of the fact that it was during those days that I remembered to look for Him in all I do. The months here in Guatemala will definitely be a time to begin implementing spiritual rhythms into my life that will not only help create an amazing next few months on the race, but more importantly stick with me after this is all over and I begin to transition back into my normal routine at home. These first few months are also going to be focused on becoming comfortable being uncomfortable. Our ministry isn’t always going to occupy the majority of our days, so we occasionally take the bus up to Antigua. While we may not be assigned any ministry during these times, that does not mean that the Holy Spirit can’t use us for something during those off hours. This is something that I often struggle with because it is not something that I have a lot of experience doing. Approaching people I don’t know and possibly praying for them is something that often makes me uncomfortable. But this week it has really hit me that living comfortably is not what I have been called to do. Whether here in Guatemala, in Africa, Cambodia, or even back home in Iowa, I can’t live a life of comfort. God has greater plans for those who identify themselves as His children than we could ever imagine, but it comes with risk. It comes with the risk of being uncomfortable. So I have decided to dedicate these next few months to living according to the Holy Spirit. I have decided that I will give Him control to lead me to where He wants me and to do the uncomfortable things. God has some great things in store and I’m excited to see where He leads us!
