(I’ll keep this short and sweet)
This is a really hard update to write. Because I have come to love and find a home here in Guatemala.
After serving here for 2.5 years, I will be moving on. I have been serving in direct ministry leadership for 6 years overall, and I will be taking a break – to rest, recuperate, rejuvenate and move towards what God has next.
6 years ago, September 2009, I signed up for the crazy program called The World Race. I would go on this experience, and become a Team Leader then Squad Leader. My time wasn’t done after the 11 months ended. For the next 2.5 years, I would lead another group, T-Squad, for 5 months as their Squad Leader, then move to Gainesville, Georgia to help facilitate the World Race program as a Squad Mentor and then program overseer. 26 squads, 25 countries.
Then came Guatemala. Out of no-where, it jumped on my radar, and I knew it was what God wanted and what I wanted too. I can’t put into words yet how much these years in Guatemala have meant. I’m not exactly ready to say goodbye. I still have a little time for that. A country so small, in the middle of the grand North and South Americas. So small, yet so beautiful, inside and out. These people are now my people. I have a sneaky suspicion I will be back here and stay involved.
My last day as the Director of this ministry is tomorrow, Friday July 31st. I will spend the month of August continuing to train, support, and transition the ministry to the current staff, with our new director being Kellie Surratt. Then September 1st I will fly to Georgia.
I’ll spend the month of September in Georgia to debrief and process. It’s been both a wonderful and challenging 6 years. I hope to spend this month getting counseling and prayer.
Finally, I hope to spend the final 3 months of the year 2015 in a time of a modified Sabbatical (definition, purpose here). After 6 years of service and leadership, my heart needs a moment to breath in and breath out before jumping into the next things in life.
Would you consider financially helping in my 4 months of debriefing and rejuvenating? I really don’t like asking for money for myself. But I’ll go ahead and put it out there, that for the remainder of the year, I will be in need of financial support to close out the year well. Only if God leads you to! You can click on the DONATE tab on this website, or give to my paypal, enter my email in the give tab ([email protected]).
I can’t put into words yet how meaningful this season in Guatemala has been. And how beneficial to myself and to people around the world the past 6 years have been. I am so grateful to you, to God, to all of you who have helped, partnered, befriended, supported, loved.
The best way I know how to end this update, is to give the glory to God. To say, “Look, look what the Lord has done.” He has done great and mighty things! Healings, salvations, restorations, friendships, new ministries, upholding existing missionaries, etc. etc. etc…(Psalm 118:23)
A quick way to see about Guatemala, this crazy awesome ministry I was able to help build from the ground up – go to our new website, we’re really happy with it…www.adventuresguatemala.org
And here’s some pictures from my 3.5 years before Guatemala.
WITH LOVE,
Noe P. Rivera
Saying ‘see you later‘ in 2009 to my nephews and family.
M-Squad 2010. My original crew! Love you guys.
My top blog over the years, with 37,000 views!
2 Fatherless Boys Play Basketball, I’m 1 of Them!
Realizing not everyone knows about JESUS. Sharing the Gospel was lit inside of me even more. Another top viewed blog.
Jesus has NOT reached everyone, I just met one
My love for orphans was ignited even more, when in India this happened, read more here:
