The flight into Guatemala was beautiful; the vastness of Guatemala City was almost overwhelming. Captivated by the millions of tiny lights that cover the hills. A sense of insignificance sneaks over me as I imagine the millions of families all in different walks of life all experiencing something completely different in that moment. I questioned what impact I was going to have, if I would even be able to reach anyone and even if I did. Would it even make a difference?
So I started to pray with thankfulness that I was on this plane to Guatemala that I was about to embark on a journey of a lifetime that will forever shape my heart for people around the world. Then a sudden peace fell over me. I felt like God was speaking that He didn’t call me here to perform or start a revival or transform the World. He first and foremost wanted me to draw close to His heart. To lean on Him and through that overflow of His love in my heart, I would reach others. A sudden joy and excitement filled me.
We touched down in Guatemala City and all 60 or so of us hopped on this uniquely painted bus, and the reality of where we were began to set in. The journey had begun. We were here.
The city was filled with
Different faces
Different smells
Different cars
Different smiles
Different roads
Different comforts
Different food
Different tea
Different sounds
Different eyes
Different colors
Different plants
Different skyline
Different culture
Our bus!
Yet at the same time, there was this strange sense of connection that we shared that really couldn’t be explained. We were here for a reason and our destinies had collided, and therefore we will never be the same.
That next morning we had praise and worship atop the building we were staying at and cried out over the city. All of our voices pouring out, and the fears and anxieties seemed to fade with every new song. We are a city on a hill and we were going to let our light shine.
Praise and Worship
We took that crazy bus to Santa Cruz del Quiche, where all 60 of us unloaded and set up our tents in the rain. We are staying at this hospital were people here have to walk for hours to get to, and even then medical care is hard to come by and the whole place is filled with sickness and despair, almost to the point that you don’t know what to do, and your heart starts to bleed for them. So much need, so little supply.
Lashondra, Stephanie, Micah and Hayden on our way to ministry!
Our ministry was to go to the prison in town and work on some things that needed repair and painting. The people in prison were so nice and kind. We didn’t speak Quiche so it was hard to communicate but we were met with smiles and thankfulness. We helped paint the Women prison guards quarters and a few surrounding walls. We also constructed a wall to give them some more privacy. That day Ricky (our contact for the prison), Took us up in to the jail cell with 50 of the prisoners. All fourteen of us crammed in with them. We were exposed, my protective instinct started to set in as I looked around for the women of my team, and i started to mentally prepare for if anything would happen if they started to attack, and then I looked into one of the men’s eyes. They were filled with sadness but a slight joy to have met us (we had brought them drinks and snacks earlier), and once again a peace fell over me. There was no need to fear.
THe wall we painted in the Prison
Inside the prison
Another photo inside
My heart for these people grow each and every hour and i am so excited and honored to serve. Let the Race begin 🙂
