My heart is filled with so many emotions during this last week in Guatemala.
I feel excited as we head to Honduras for our second month on the mission field. I feel curious, wondering what our next ministry will be like and enthusiastic to meet new people in Talanga (the city where we’ll be serving).
But my soul is also sad to be leaving Guatemala. The people of Puerto Barrios will always hold a special place in my heart.
When I awoke this morning, I began reflecting on the past month.
I will miss cleaning and preparing the school for children with special needs.
I will miss seeing Hermando’s toothless smile and playing bingo with him and the elderly at the nursing home.
I will miss walking the streets of Puerto Barrios, talking with people and praying for them.
I will miss coloring outside of the lines with Gloria and Elena at the children’s orphanage.
I will miss visiting the boys and girls at the children’s hospital and laying healing hands on them;
and I will miss singing “Yes, Jesus Love Me” and playing with the children living at the city dump.
The list could go on and on of all the things I will miss about Guatemala. But as I think on those things, God reminds me of the scripture in 1 Corinthians where Paul addresses the church and it’s leaders.
“Who do you think Paul is, anyway? Or Apollos, for that matter? Servants, both of us – servants who waited on you as you gradually learned to entrust your lives to our mutual Master. We each carried out our servant assignment. I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow. It’s not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process but God who makes things grow. Planting and watering are menial servant jobs at minimum wages. What makes them worth doing is the God we are serving. You happen to be God’s field in which are working.” 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 The Message
While I know it’s natural to feel sad during this time of transition, I am thankful to be reminded of my purpose for being on this journey and the courage my purpose gives me to keep moving forward.
For it is only God that makes us grow. I am simply the can in His hand being used to water His field.
