I can’t believe my three months in Guatemala are coming to an end. I will never forget the memories I have made here, the people I have met and the interesting culture that I have grown to love. I am so sad to leave all the people I have formed relationships with, but at the same time, I am excited to see what God has store for me and my team in Thailand. Two Fridays ago the children that we have been teaching for the last three months gave a presentation to their parents. The kids were able to share with them the English they learned, their artwork, and Bible verses they have memorized. It made me so happy to see how much the kids wanted to show their parents all they had learned and how well they did. I am so proud. I hope the seeds that we have planted in Bola de Oro will grow and that the kids will become more mature in their faith in God. While being in Guatemala I have learned so much and I want to share some highlights.
I have learned that my identity is found in Jesus.
God is the one who says I’m beautiful, I’m smart, I’m worthy, and I’m special. I don’t need compliments from others to make me feel good or need to find my identity in fleshly things. God loves me unconditionally. As it says in in Genesis 1:27, we are made in God’s image and He made me perfect in his eyes.
How to be present.
Even though I don’t have cell service constantly, I still am able to get on wifi on the weekends to talk with my family and friends at home and am able to know most of what is going on in people’s lives. This can make it harder to stay present. At ministry each day I have committed to giving the kids my undivided attention and love. Also I have realized that I need to build the kingdom of God and if I sow seeds, God will carry out His work to completion.
Being a disciple of Jesus can simply be loving others deeply.
Since I don’t speak Spanish very well I have learned the power of love. By simply helping Josephina, our ministry host, in the kitchen or giving a hug to greet one of the kids in ministry, this can go such a long way. It shows that we genuinely care about them and want to get to know them. We are loving others with actions not just words. Loving people deeply is getting to know everything about them, spending time with them, praying for them, and seeing them like God sees them. Every day I ask myself, how am I bringing God’s love into this culture?
I don’t need to worry about the future.
I’ll be home in less than six months and that is so scary. I don’t even know what job I am going to have this summer, what college I am going to go to yet, or if nursing is the best major for me. Every time I think about the future I remind myself that it will all work out. Everything is in God’s hands and He has a perfect plan for my life. I don’t need to keep dwelling on and thinking about what my life is going to look like because God always provides.
The cost of being a disciple of Jesus.
Yes, I have had to leave behind everything to be a disciple of Jesus but so much good has come out of it. I have had to give up college, American food, the comfort of my bed, cell service, and my family and my friends at home. I have found that if we give up hunger of the world, we are satisfied with righteousness. Some days can be hard but then I remember the good and how blessed I am to live this life. I need to praise God through all my sufferings and know that He can work through my sufferings. I have to change my perspective and have a kingdom mindset.
Much love,
Nicole
