Everyone loves unexpected things right? We usually have an idea (or want to) of what things will be like on a daily basis….this brings a sense of comfort and security. Well I have two unexpected stories that happened this past week and weekend that God has used in my life to teach me about how little control I really have and why that is ok!
Rioting?
Thursday of this past week during a normal day of ministry at the daycare I got a call from my Team Leader who said ‘be advised do not go into the town square there is a protest happening so steer clear’. No problem, I thought as we don’t usually walk through there on our way home. Then about 10 minutes later I got another call from him telling me to bring the whole team back to the compound as soon as possible with caution as the protesting had turned into rioting. So I quickly said bye to the kids, informed my team that we needed to leave and we walked cautiously back to our compound. There was minimal talk on our way home as we kept eyes wide open for possible encounters on the way home. When we arrived on the compound we saw the rest of our squad also awaiting more news of the rioting situation. From the safety of the danger we learned that the native people of Guatemala (Mayans) were unhappy with a Guatemalan political decision and expressing it at the government building.
So how were we going to spend the rest of our day since we could not leave the compound? Well as the Lord would have it, there were about 25 tri-bikes that were just waiting (since March) for someone to put them together. Agape in Action, the ministry we are serving along side this month, pairs kids and adults with disabilities with these bikes so they can be mobile.
Not only did we accomplish assembly of these bikes but actually got to meet a couple of kids who would be receiving these bikes! Their faces were aglow as they mounted the bikes and moved themselves around the yard. AND God also crossed our path with a gentleman who “happened” to be driving by in a pick up truck looking for cardboard boxes to insult his house with when he saw our HUGE pile of boxes from the bikes. The Lord provided in SO many ways through us being at the compound because of the riots…
I like to call this “Going with God” – we didn’t have any control over the situation but God knew what we wanted us to do for the day and we got to partake in it!
The second story happened last weekend…..
Worst Pain ever!
This past week marked the longest I’ve been out of the country away from home, family and friends. While I have adjusted to my life here in Guatemala this past weekend was really tough for me….I got sick with a GI infection and felt weak and homesick. It’s hard for me to write this as I didn’t think I was one for getting homesick…but I was brought to the point of tears as I wrestled with my weakness physically and emotional struggle of not being with family or friends.
Then in the midst of my sickness I was reading through Exodus and come across this verse, 15:26…”I am the Lord who heals you”. How comforting this was to me as I was experiencing severe pain! In this verse God is speaking to Moses who is leading the Israelites out of Egypt into the promise land. They are in an unfamiliar place without the comforts of their previous lifestyle despite being in slavery in Egypt. God has been their guide through the Red Sea and now in the desert. He also goes on to provide them the food and water they need to live off. He has been what they have needed in the newness God lead them into…
I feel the same is true for me. My journey thus far has been like the Israelites out of Egypt…He has called me out of where I was working to go on the World Race – given me the sabbatical from my job, provided ALL my funding, and given me an amazing squad and team to go with these next 11 months. I need to recognize He is my guide each step of the way…When the times get tough I need to turn to Him for help, strength, healing, and comfort despite the unfamiliarity of where I am. Philippians 4:13 says,
“I can do all things through Him who gives me strength!”
May we operate out of His strength in ALL the expected and unexpected times ahead!
Lauren
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