What I’ve learned from Guatemala:
- Community is so important. We went to many houses with a serving mindset only to end up being the ones getting served. The hospitality and kindness these people have showed me will stick with me forever. They truly know the meaning of friendship.
- Everyone is rich in some way, whether that means wealth, wisdom, love, etc. Money is not the answer to everything and people can go way farther with joy than they can money.
- Everyone needs grace. Even me. Even you. In every situation look for an opportunity to give grace. No, we don’t deserve it but we have been given it.
- There are no “off days”. I have watched the people who preach to me about evangelism do it randomly on their way to go get pizza. They weren’t going out with a mission but saw an opportunity and took it. Being a missionary is just a lifestyles. It’s loving people and wanting to expand the kingdom.
- The common phrase “self love” is harder than it sounds and, frankly, isn’t necessary. I’ve made too many mistakes and hurt too many people to personally love myself. But I have forgiven myself. And I know that God loves me and died for my sins so that I can be made new. He loved me enough for the both of us.
- To feel worthy and purpose you must first know what God’s word says about you. For so long I let others decide my worth because I had no clue all the great things God says about me. I’m still on the path to feeling worthy but knowing my identity in the Lord makes it a lot easier.
- And finally, I’m not perfect. Because I’ve learned so much in the past 6 months, I sometimes feel like I know everything there is to know (that would be my stubborn pride talking there). But it sometimes discouraging to be put in a situation and realize I didn’t handle that out of grace or love. Because I’m not done growing. Not even close. I am not the same person I was before I left and I can’t thank God enough for that. But I do know who I want to be; it’s just a matter of trial and error until I get there.
P.S. I saw my parents for the first time in 6 months and got to see so much faith and boldness in them this week! Only 3 more months until I’m back to them for good!
