one thing that this trip has been challenging me in is trust. not necessarily trust that everything’s gonna be okay but trust that the Lord has His hand over this place even when i can’t see it. this trip has truly been difficult for me! the spiritual warfare i’ve experienced is like no other. there’s discouragement and distraction. these past few weeks have pushed me to fully rely on the lord despite what i feel and see. warfare runs ramped everywhere, especially in my emotions. it’s teaching me to sort through the devils lies and what the Lord has to say.
looking back on my previous mission trips, i see how each one taught me a lesson. each summer taught me about my calling and the injustices in our world. my lesson this summer is putting my trust and hope in the one TRUE god. my team and i are staying in Chichicastenago Guatemala, which is a somewhat indigenous part of the country. tribes and traditions still reign here and people live life in a different way. mayan culture is everywhere- the colors, clothing, way of life, but most importantly in the religions. people still worship idols and gods of the sun moon and stars. they sacrifice things (even animals and people). they bring offerings to statues. things explode and are lit on fire. inscense lingers everywhere in the streets as idols are worshipped on the outside walls and steps of churchs. people serve and pray to gods that require THOUSANDS of their money and in the end, gives them nothing back. i’ve seen it first hand. && man it ERKS ME!
i truly didn’t even realize the depth of this reality. it’s easy to forget that people in our world still sacrifice everything to false gods. as an american christian, we hear messages a lot about our own personal idols like money or appearance. but when you truly see people bowing down to something physical it convicts you. throughout seeing all of this and visiting ruins of temples and generational sacrificial places, i didn’t know how to process it all. what is my purpose here? how can i kate diruggiero combat this? i can’t. only the lord can.
this entire trip i have been in awe of the views. the beauty of this country is something unlike anywhere else- i can’t get over the mountains!! as i’ve been feeling discouraged by all of the warfare and false spirituality, god revealed himself to me. he’s reminded me that heaven is all around us. he’s in the mountains, the streets, and everything that surrounds me. if our god can create the mountains and sustain this world- the devil and false idols have NOTHING. ON. HIM. i’m constantly reminded that he has his hand over this place and he is providing in his own time and way. every view, mountains, busy street, crazy smell, and word spoken here cries his glory!!! they sing his praise!!
the people here worship the sun moon and stars, and little did they know- the idols they worship in fact, worship the one true god. the stars cry out in praise to Him. the sun radiates his glory onto the earth. the moon shines his peace and light onto the darkness. god is EVERYWHERE here! heaven is all round us. all we gotta do is look.
