So as I sit here in Guatemala, for the first time in a 3rd world country, my paradigms are changing. When I say that, I mean the lens in which I see the world is being shattered and remade. Guatemala is a place where it is normal for 29 people to fit in one cab(van); a cab ride cost about 12 cents US money. This is only my second day here and I already am starting to see things in a new light.
Yesterday, I was reading a book by Stephen Covey, and I started realizing how needed this mission was for me, and probably many others. My heart will never change if I am just hearing about broken places and not experiencing them. Anyways, so I got to this passage and it started clicking:
Many people experience a similar fundamental shift in thinking when they face life-threatening crisis and suddenly see their priorities in a different light, or when they suddenly step into a new role, such as that of husband or wife, parent or grandparent, manager or leader. ….. It becomes obvious that if we want to make relatively minor changes in our lives, we can perhaps appropriately focus on our attitudes and behaviors. But if we want to make significant, quantum change, we need to work on our basic paradigms.
As I read this passage along with many of the stories in the book, I knew the author was right. In order for me to truly be living for Christ, I need a paradigm shift. One where I see things differently, because things are different, this world isn’t the way I have perceived it my whole life. I have been looking at the world all wrong. I have been living with first world problems, ie what I am going to eat and if I will like it, or my car being low on gas, etc. People in these countries may or may not have a good meal or even a meal at all today or any other day, guaranteed most of them don’t have a car. Here in Guatemala, it stops being about me, because there is a way bigger purpose than serving myself.
In Covey’s book he uses a Henry Thoreau quote that really spoke to me. It says, “For every thousand of hacking at the leaves of evil, there is one striking at the root.” Yep, this place is definitely hitting my root. Just to think of a year of living this way, I already know I will come back to America a different person on the inside. I will come back a free person on the inside.
Yesterday was our first day doing ministry. We worked at an orphanage in Guatemala. There were 22 kids there will all different backgrounds. Many abused and neglected prior to their arrival. Right now, I don’t know many of their stories, but as we spend more time with them this month, I will learn more about them. But you know what that means, I will start seeing these kids differently, through a different lens, through a lens that loves. I will have a paradigm shift.
Not only are we doing ministry, but we are bonding as a team. People are stepping out in faith and telling their story. It’s cool because we are all starting to be set free from many of our captives, Satan is losing hold of our past. Everything is being brought to the light and we are starting to feel free. Once we are free, I believe many of us have stories that can be used in huge ways in ministry.
We have things that can help others all around the world. Help others step out in boldness and share their story and be set free too. You know the coolest part about team bonding to me is realizing I had a perception of many of my teammates (none were bad, they were just there). As they started opening us, the lens I was looking through started to change. I had a paradigm shift. I am starting to not just see them as people, but as beautiful people being healed. Or a famous world race quote puts it “Healed people shaking off sickness.”
Today I am sharing my story to the squad. Please keep us in your prayers. Keep praying that we would be bold and unashamed of our stories. Please pray we don’t skip an big part of our story, we are able to bring everything to light, so sin has no power over us, so death will lose it’s sting.
Oh, and I promise I will start taking pictures…. I will!!!!
Thanks for all of the prayers already and keep continuing to pray. People are being changed! Also, if you have any prayer request, email me and I would love you pray for you!
Love you all,
Liz
