I can’t believe I’m leaving Panajachel and then Guatemala in the next few days. This month has flown by. It seems like yesterday we were pulling up in our van packed to the brim with the seven of us and our packs meeting Ben for the first time. We arrived, met him, walked into his church, sat down and learned what we would be doing for the next 4 weeks. I sat there amazed and excited at meeting him and being at our first “location.” Just his love and excitement for God was obvious. It was like an overflowing bathtub that you were sitting by and couldn’t help but get wet! I don’t even know where to begin with what has happened this month. I believe the biggest thing I learned was just by listening and watching Ben. Seeing his life I have seen God, the grace, the power, the mercy, the glory and
the love of our Father. HE redeems, he chooses, he forgives and he loves hard his sons and daughters. He wants NOTHING more than to be in fellowship with us, for us to turn to him and respond to him. Our lives our meant to reflect God’s glory and I’ve seen it and it’s so awesome what God can do and who He is! Praise God Ben did and took one last chance on God because now he has a testimony and a love for God that affects people more than he probably realizes. I have learned a lot more about what it is like to just follow God to what seems like an extreme (a good one!), and to give up yourself, your time all for God and man. I have seen the scripture come alive from his life that says: “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” He has found it. I want to truly find it.
We finished our last few weeks working on another house, Marvin’s house, in the last few weeks. He has this house in the hopes of it becoming a place for teams such as us to come and stay. It has many rooms. He took out a loan to pay for the construction of it. We worked on the very front room, which is on an alley way. This room is almost all done and will be ready for someone to move, set up shop and pay rent to Marvin to help him with the funds. We have seen the work of previo
us groups that started construction on Marvin’s. To see different steps being complete, each one building on top of the other to eventually result in something amazing makes me realize how we are all in this together, each one of us building something to contribute to something greater, whether it’s a house or a life, we each have SOMETHING to give and bring. It will be so cool to see Marvin’s house when it is done.
The church, Mi Reto, sent us off with such love. They anointed and prayed over us. They washed our feet, I wanted to wash their feet! I wanted them to be blessed because of everything they have done for us. I know that they will be. Thank you Ben to pouring into us for this month. I’ll never forget you and your family!
Not too sure about what is to come. Honestly part of me does not re
ally want to leave here, leave this beautiful place with Ben and his family. But, I know this is an 11-month to 11 countries trip, so I’m anticipating what is to come to continue to build off of what I’ve learned here. We are heading to Nicaragua on Saturday, Month Two here we go! Love you and miss you!!!!!!
