Before coming to Guatemala, I spent a week in Gainsville preparing for this semester of CGA. The Center for Global Action. It’s an absolutely inspiring, beautiful idea and I am thrilled to be a part of it.
But, I have to be honest, when I signed up for CGA initially, back in May of last year, I wasn’t expecting to be completing the program overseas.
I imagined life in Georgia. Being close to my best friend, Estie. Being a part of the community in Gainsville. I figured I’d drive Wendy (my sparkly blue ford taurus) down there and do this adventure in a new spot in America.
But that was never God’s plan for me in this step of my journey. He’s always planned for me to come to Guatemala right now.
As I sit here in the prayer room of my new home in Antigua, glancing out the window at this view, I ponder the question that Noe (the base leader) asked on day 2 here; Why are you in Guatemala?
I feel very blessed to be experiencing community and discipleship- two important aspects of CGA. I was praying so much for both of them. I can’t believe I have them here in Guatemala, even more than I had anticipated! I have amazing friends (my new spiritual “family”) to do life with and sharpen me.
And as many of you know, I’ve been so excited for the track that I am taking. It is so obvious that God has called me to the Sons and Daughters track. At the time when I applied, it was called the Compassion track. The name has changed- only to become more beautiful- but the vision of the track is as wonderful as it has been from the start. To love, care for, and disciple orphans. To help them learn their identity in Christ as a son or daughter and eventually go into the nations as missionaries themselves to share the love of Jesus. Isn’t that the most amazing thing ever?! I knew that I had to do this track.
And this track is….. only offered in Guatemala! And that’s what led me here.
So, is that why? Is that why I’m in Guatemala?
After being here, and experiencing the amazing community, sharpening discipleship, and hearing about what we will do in our track, I realize that all of that is just a bonus. It’s all additions to something else. Something BIGGER.
When I first found out that the track would be in Guatemala, I started reading blogs of people that live at the base now, have lived there in the past, have visited, or the many world racers that have simply passed through. I saw a common theme flowing through each of them. In this place, intimacy happened.
INTIMACY. Intimacy with the Lord.
“Wow,” I remember thinking. “How lovely, I wonder if I will experience that in Guatemala.”
And after being here for only a week, I can see so clearly that God is calling me into intimacy with Him. A deeper relationship. A stronger foundation. An unbreakable bond.
I have seen His love in beautiful and new ways. And I can’t believe that I am here to see it more and more. Every day He has shown me how much I mean to Him.
(I saw His love at the market. He gave me daisies)
As I’ve prayed for words for this new season, God has given me abide and trust (along with intimacy). I am praying into these words and can’t wait to see what God does in my heart.
I really am just blown away that He loves me so much that He called me all the way to Guatemala to get closer to Him.
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. They mean so much to me. I am so happy that you read my blogs. And that you care about me. And follow my journey.
lovelovelove.
