So our time here in Antigua, Guatemala has come to an end. How do we begin to say goodbye to all of the wonderful people who have touched our lives here?
I guess it would be easier to start with the things I won’t miss. I won’t miss the fireworks that go off at all hours of the night. I won’t miss praying the blood of Jesus over every bite of food I put in my mouth in hopes I won’t get sick. I won’t miss feeling completely helpless every time I pass a stray, starving dog on the street. I won’t miss the fact that “personal space” is a foreign concept here. And I won’t miss going running on the cobblestone streets, trying not to break an ankle.
But I will miss the people. I will miss Forrest and Carol Kendall dearly. Their hearts are the size of mountains and I am forever touched by their generosity and selflessness. They have opened their home up to us in every way imaginable. Brad and I were even invited to stay here our last night in Antigua to watch over their dog as they both headed out of town. I will take with me the memories of coming over every morning before work and there would be Carol, with fresh coffee made and something delicious baking in the oven for us. She has such a servant’s heart. When I think of Carol, I think of when Jesus says, “For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward”( Mark 9:41). Carol’s reward in heaven is bigger than she could possibly imagine because of the many people she has taken care of. Each village we went to, each person we passed on the street…her hands are always outstretched with something to offer.
And then there’s Forrest. The Lord’s joy radiates off of Forrest like nothing I have ever seen before. God’s word says, “Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance. In your name they rejoice all day long, and in Your righteousness they are exalted” (Psalm 89:15-16). It is impossible to be around Forrest and not be immediately overcome with joy. This man knows and experiences daily the joy of the Lord and I know His reward in heaven will be just as great.
I will miss the people Forrest and Carol introduced us to. I will miss the Mayan people and their hearts of thanksgiving. These people have nothing, sometimes not even enough food and water to get through the day – but they are willing to give what little they have away at the drop of a hat. Each water filter we installed, we met children who wanted to give us their toys, and their mothers who offered what little they had to eat. They sang us songs and played games with us. While they may have little here on earth, they are joyful and thankful and loving and kind. I have learned so much from these people. We came here to bless them with clean water and love, and they have blessed us so much more!
And Levi and Jackie Davis. What amazingly wonderful people! How do we say goodbye to them? Levi puts his heart and soul into the work he believes God has called him to. Who knew we could have so much fun digging trenches through some of the roughest ground I have ever seen? Levi reminds me of Hezekiah when the bible says, “And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So He prospered” (2 Chronicles 31:21). I know Levi will prosper and so will his vision of building houses for missionaries. And I thank God for his beautiful wife Jackie and what an encouragement she has been to us since we’ve been here. I can still taste her delicious freshly baked cookies.
The malnourished children at Casa Jackson will be especially sad for me to walk away from. I have prayed that they will continue to grow stronger each day, and that people will come into their lives who will teach them the love of God in the most intimate way imaginable. I pray that the hospital will be blessed abundantly with all the supplies they need to nurse these children back to health. I won’t forget those smiling faces on each of those babies…so full of love!
So this ends our time here in Guatemala…for now. But we will keep each of the people here in our hearts and in our prayers. We have learned so much from each person we have encountered, and we look forward to staying in touch with many of you! I love you all!
Until we meet again…
