One of the many ways I’ve been stretched more on the World Race than any other mission trip is by moving from country to country each month. About the time I begin to feel comfortable and consider a location home, it’s time to move again and you never know what to expect next. Since this past week was our first transition between Guatemala and El Salvador it felt particularly difficult, because as we packed up and said our “goodbyes” in El Quiche it felt like time to head home to the US but instead we headed to a couple days of squad debrief in Antigua. Antigua is a bigger and more Westernized city, which reminded me of home with its familiarities, such as McDonalds and regular internet access. These little reminders of home actually made me slightly a lot more homesick, and as I walked the street by McDonalds with a coke in hand I asked the Lord to please give me a little reminder that He’s with me and my comfort is in Him alone. I didn’t know what this reminder would look like or if I would even recognize it, but He of course gave me the perfect little gift.
Later that afternoon I was hanging out at a hotel across town with my friends, Jackie and Emily, waiting to have some good one-on-one time with our coach, Karen Barnes. As we explored the hotel we ended up asking a kind lady to take our picture, which led to a great conversation. This wonderful woman of God, Brandy, was from Tennessee and we quickly exchanged how she and I both miss the South East! She was very interested in our mission and asked to pray for us on the spot! We were very touched as she prayed for our safe travels and thanked the Lord for our willingness to serve. We were then blessed with the opportunity to pray over her life as she continues to serve the Lord even in retirement. This divine encounter gave me a little piece of home in Guatemala as she departed with a ya’ll, while at the same time reminded me why I’m here and provided encouragement as I continue. It was my perfect little present from the Lord and was exactly what I needed. It reminded me how intimately the Lord cares for me, and as Brandy said, “It always amazes, yet never surprises me how perfectly the Lord orchestrates everything and how small the world is in His hands.”
(Left to Right: Jackie, me, Brandy, and Emily)
