I am currently living in the middle of the Mayan Jungle and it is truly amazing here. Our host founded Hearts in Action 25 years ago in the States. There are now four different sites throughout Central America and we are currently at The Jungle School in San Andres, Peten, Guatemala. This property is also known as “The Ranch” to the surrounding communities. The school was founded here in 1999 and began with only fifteen students. Now, 300 students of every age attends school here. I know what you’re thinking… you left teaching in the states to teach two months in a row in Central America? Negative! Their graduation was in October so the students are on summer break until January. November is all squad month, so our entire squad of 27 is together until we leave for El Salvador on December 1st. The property here is large, so there is plenty of work for 27 souls longing to serve.
Serving this month has looked completely different from Honduras. Last month, I could clearly see the results of the Lords work through teaching. I saw the students progression on a daily basis and I have realized this month that I am very much a results oriented person. I want to know and see for myself that what God is doing through us has a clear purpose. So, the first few days of this month, as I was chopping up vegetables for days in the kitchen, watering plants, shoveling piles upon piles of compost to mix with fertilizer for 5 hours (oh Grandpa would be so proud,) going ham in the middle of the jungle with the machete to get the fallen trees back to the ranch, carrying huge heavy rocks out of the jungle, cleaning out closets, and sweeping for days… I found myself asking, God what am I doing here? How am I serving you? Don’t get me wrong, I was completely enjoying being here and was thrilled with the manual labor portion, but was struggling to see purpose and those results that I have always so desperately desired.
A few hours into shoveling compost, God began shoveling some revelation into me. He was vividly showing me how all the success of Hearts in Action would not be possible without the process all these years. You see, everything here at the ranch revolves around the next generation here in Guatemala. Their goal is to raise up the youth in foundations of a sound education and a relationship with our Lord and Savior, so that they can then do the same in the future. Everything we are doing here, points back to next generation. I began to realize how important process was this month and how God was using this to show me what he had done in my own life.
Without the work in the kitchen, the workers and volunteers here on the ranch would not be fed, which would lead to little production around the property and therefore this entire foundation. The goal here is to produce as much of what is being consumed as possible in order to save money towards the Jungle School and Hearts in Action. Therefore, compost is vital for production. All the machete hacking going on in the jungle serves to use as walls for some of the classrooms at the Jungle School. Carrying the huge rocks out of the jungle is helping with the new business that was just started by our host’s daughter. She is using these beautiful rocks to make merchandise to sell in order to help fund this organization. Also, while we are here, Hearts in Action is putting on an discipleship course for two weeks called The Great Commission. Around 50 men and women just arrived here at the ranch and are so excited and thirsty for what the Lord will be doing through them. The Great Commission is centered towards equipping these individuals with ways to teach and impact the youth in student ministries. Thus, the small little jobs from sweeping to cleaning closets to watering plants were in preparation for The Great Commission to come. Are you getting the picture God is trying to paint here? The results that have ben revealed to me so far are incredible, but would not have been possible without the process it took to get there. These short-term jobs that I was beginning to think were pointless have phenomenal long-term effects. So as I was uncovering the piles and piles of compost God slowly began uncovering what He has been doing in my own life. I realized how much my own happiness is dependent on results instead of the process, but the process is what lead me here. The process is what He uses to shape us. To mold us. To teach us. To lead us. To guide us. To direct us. To test us. To build us. To love us. There are so many pieces to my puzzle that God has been fitting together in the past few years that lead me here. The race is just another one of those pieces. After the race my puzzle is not complete. My puzzle will remain unfinished until I am standing before my Heavenly Father.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
So do not be discouraged when your process is seemingly useless my friends. Even if the process hurts, God has a purpose for your current situation. Take advantage of your incomplete puzzles and trust where God is taking you and how He is using you along the way.
P.S. Things I love about the jungle: The birds chirping, the bellowing of the monkeys, the hummingbirds reminding me of Nonnie, fresh coconuts, the beautiful atmosphere of the jungle itself, the hammocks strewed across the property, the sunsets and sunrises, the stars at night, and my personal favorite… the ring of the old school bell for each meal!
P.S.S. I murdered a tarantula in the compost and I unintentionally pulled all his legs off along the way. The abdomen of the tarantula then decided to jump several feet in front of me – WITHOUT his legs on… what?!?
P.S.S.S. A bat decided to tap me on the back of the neck with his wing. I’m still not sure what he wanted?
P.S.S.S.S. Attention! The bean situation is still under control!!
P.S.S.S.S.S. I love you all.
