Wow… two months in to the World Race. The past couple of weeks have flown by (without a single blog post, for which I apologize) and we have spent the past few days in Los Angeles getting ready for stage three (CHINA!).
How can I sum up some of the most amazing weeks of my life? God has been working in me these past two months, giving me new opportunities, new challenges, and new blessings. I just wanted to share some of my highlights with you before we take off on our next leg.
My time doing ministry in Guatemala seemed almost too good to be true. We lived with a Guatemalan pastor’s family, lovingly welcomed into their life and culture. The beauty of the lake graced us from almost everywhere we went – we had amazing views from the home, on the drive, from the church. We simply could not escape the beauty of God’s creation! Team prayer times were fruitful as God directed our paths each day. Lives were touched and changed, and prayers were answered as we ministered to the village families. I truly felt this was a time of harvest that I have often prayed for (Matt 9) but have never experienced in America.
I feel that I’ve grown so much, just this past month. It wasn’t until Guatemala that God showed me I do in fact have a testimony that can touch people. For so long, I’ve felt that as the ‘good girl’ I didn’t have a life that reflected God’s power to heal and restore. But as I prepared to share with the Guatemalan villagers how God has been working in my life, it clicked for me. I have lived a life of integrity, I’ve never touched drugs, my husband and I waited for marriage. And you know what? I have no regrets! In fact, my choice to follow God first and foremost has saved me from the pain, damage, and brokenness that many people I love have to deal with. I am realizing the authority I have to share with others that they truly can be happy and satisfied with God alone; that the life He gives is amazing and abundant, that the salvation of Christ is not just for those who have ‘hit bottom’, but for EVERYONE!
Then, during our debrief time in Panajachel, we were each given a rock, and together we built an altar to the Lord. As I prayed, I thought about altars being built as a testimony to God’s goodness. I realized that I wanted my life to be like that rock – I want to be a living reminder of God’s amazing power. I want others to see me living out God’s purpose in my life, and to inspire and encourage them to join me on this path.
Thank you to my friends back home for supporting me on this journey, for helping me to get here, and lifting me up in prayer as I strive to follow God each and every day. You are a great source of support and inspiration to me and I love you all very much.
Ps – Special shout out to SAMMY for sending me some yummy brownies which are so very tasty! Heh heh! =)
