How to sum up the month of Guatemala….
This month has been…challenging!
The dictionary definition for this word is, calling for full use of one's abilities or resources in a difficult but stimulating effort.
That is definitey an accurate description of this month!!
Physically
We had to hike up and down a mountain every time we wanted to go somewhere and if we needed something at home, like groceries, we had to carry them up. It rained pretty consistently, and when it did rain it was FREEZING!! We didn't have access to running water at home, so if we wanted to bath in any way that wasn't a babywipe we had to hike down to the water source and "bath" with our swimsuits on while little Guatemalan children watched your every move. Physically this month was challenging, but I learned so much! I learned that I can carry a 50 pound pack up and down the mountain, when need be! I learned that I can go weeks without washing my hair, even though I hate the way that it feels, and still be a beautiful creation of god. I also learned that even though rocks are hard to walk on, I can do it without falling!!
Emotionally
This month started off super emotional for me. We got to our "home" and it reminded me so much of the time my family lived in Nicaragua, and how much my dad loved it!! My home this month was a constant reminder of my dad, and how much I miss him! And also this month was emotionally draining for me because God used all of our circumstances to really do some refinement in my heart. For me refinement comes with a lot of emotion, and sometims tears!
Spriitualy
Like I just mentioned, God used this month to do a lot of refinement in my heart! But it was so cool because as the beginning of the month He told me that it would be a subtle process. God pointed out a lot of pride and selfishness in my heart, and we really laid a strong foundation for continuing work on these things for the remainder of the race, and the rest of my life as well. It was awesome! Also, I really had to just trust Him to provide. As many of you know I have a deadline coming up on April 1st and at the beginning of the month I was about $2,500.00 short with no idea how to raise it! But I am so happy to announce that I only need $500 more to meet this deadline!!! God is so good!! And if you want to help me raise that $500 feel free to hit the support me link and follow the instructions!
So now we are hear at debrief to recouperate before we head off to Albania and I can honestly say that this month in Guatemala has definitely not been my favorite, in fact it has been my least favorite so far! With that being said, this month was also incredible! I learned a ton, I feel in love with some of the most beautiful children in the world, and I got to be in a place that reminded me how incredible my dad was on a daily basis! This month was challenging, but with challenges come an incredible amount of growth that I am so incredibly thankful for!
I just hope that next month my team is located in a city, because I was not made for mountain life!!
