Adios Guatemala

Well, our time in Guatemala has come to an end and it is so bittersweet. Where do I even begin. Guatemala has been so kind and welcoming to us. I’d like to mention a few, out of the many, highlights of my time serving in Guatemala.

Hiking Acatenongo

Yes, I would say hiking a volcano for 6 hours was pretty cool. When the squad and I reached the top of Acatenongo, we were sitting above the clouds watching Volcano De Fuego erupt with sparks of lava every 5 minutes. Standing there, absolutely in awe and speechless, finding no words to describe what my eyes had the privilege of laying on. All I could think about was the fact that the One who created all of this, wants a personal relationship with me. He doesn’t need me. He wants me. He chose me!!! How great the Father’s love for us

Building a House

Another highlight is when my team and I built a house for a beautiful family. As we were building the house we were listening to worship music, praising the Creator. We were lifting up the first wall while “the blessing” was playing and it could not have been more perfect. Yes, our job was to build the house but that was far from the purpose of this. It was to show this family that the Lord is the provider. The Lord is the protector. The Lord is their Father. We wanted them to see Him though this not us. He is our home. We are just broken vessels ready for Him to use us. Seeing the joy and light on their faces as we revealed the house to them made my heart so full. The Lord is so faithful and His love for us is so great!

Teaching English

As I have talked about in my previous blog “Amor y Gozo”, teaching English has been such a joy. Seeing the pure hunger for Jesus in these kids hearts has challenged me to have a childlike faith. These kids are eager to learn and are just so excited to be where they are. The love that the Father showed me through them is so precious. I will forever miss seeing the brightness in their eyes, hearing the joy in their laughs, and feeling their love through their hugs. 

House Visits 

Now house visits were so special. We had the honor of being invited into a home when we knock on their door and talk with locals. As we walk in to serve and bless them, they immediately give us a place to sit and serve us with a snack and a drink. How beautiful is that? When they have less than we do and we have more than enough, they make it a priority to serve and make us feel welcomed in their home. We then had the opportunity to have a gentle conversation with them about their current circumstances and then proceed to overflow them with prayer. I am so thankful for the time that I had to spend with the community of Guatemala.

During my time here in Guatemala, I have seen different aspects of God’s heart. The biggest way that the Lord has shown Himself to me during this chapter, is His love as my Father. He is so gentle. So kind. He helps me with my decisions and guides my footsteps. He protects me. He not only speaks to me, but He wants to know me. He doesn’t find it annoying when I ask Him a bunch of questions or ramble on about my day to Him. He delights in that. He delights in me. What was special about serving here in Guatemala is that these people already know and have the joy of Jesus. We were here to help serve and continue to carry that joy to remind them the hope that they have.

It has been an absolute honor to serve here. From house visits, to teaching English, to soccer ministry, to building a house, just purely spreading the love of Jesus here has been such an amazing experience. With it being our first country especially, the people and our ministry hosts took us in like family immediately. The Lord is so evidently resting in this place and in these people and learning how to be the hands and feet of Jesus here especially has been oh so sweet. Sadly, this chapter has come to an end, but I am so thankful for the 7 weeks that I’ve had in Guatemala. I pray abundant blessing over this land and these people. Now it’s time to turn the page and start the next chapter of this race.
HERE WE COME VIETNAM!!!