Over the past three months, I have seen and experienced so much. I have seen brokenness at its core. I have seen God’s glory revealed in the craziest ways. I have become overwhelmed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Life in Xenacoj has changed my perspective on what it truly means to be blessed.
God has revealed himself in so many ways here. Many of the ways is through the sites I have seen. I have seen what it truly looks like to fear the Lord. I have seen a vast powerful ocean, volcanic eruptions that are so powerful, they have to cancel all flight into Guatemala, and lakes that extend as far as the eye can see surrounded by massive mountains and volcanoes. While seeing these intense scenic views, I have also seen some of the most beautiful sunsets that resemble water colored paintings, and nights filled with billions of bright stars. While God has revealed himself in these ways, there are some things I have found that are more beautiful than that.
One of the most beautiful things in the world to me is people who are joyful in such a broken state. I’ve seen little Mayan girls, who have practically nothing in this world of material value, light up when one of missionaries just gives them a hug or let’s the girls play with their hair. I’ve seen widows who have lost their entire family and still smile (even with no teeth), when we start singing to them. Practically every night, I have to pull fleas off me and I wake up every morning to flies landing on my face, yet I still am living in such better conditions than them.
We have done many different ministries in Guatemala. The ministries in Xenacoj revolve around taking care of widows and playing with children. In Antigua, we have helped with building a house, we have helped an orphanage where girls around the age of thirteen have been raped and have had or are having kids. Many of the kids there also have HIV. In Antigua, we also have walked the streets and followed the Spirit by praying for people. In Guatemala City, we wake up kids, in their teens, that sleep on the street and bring them to a building where we can play games and talk to them about Jesus. These kids sell drugs and huff paint thinner all day.
God has shown me how to love on a new level. He has shown me what being a servant truly looks like. He has shown me what it means to surrender and follow Him. Thank you God for everything you have shown me. Thank you for blessing me with just Your presence. You are my everything and I love You! Continue to prepare my heart for Malaysia. Amen.
