Day Three: Guatemala Mission Trip

Day Three:

It's my birthday!!! I awoke feeling so sad to not be celebrating at home with my family, but very blessed to have my amazing team here with me. 

They all signed a beautiful card and sang to me at breakfast which was so unexpected and appreciated. Danielle of course made me wear a silly hat the entire time. She's such a mommy. Lol.   

Our devotion today was from 1 John 3:18.

" Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything."

 (1 John 3:18-20 NLT)

Our focus is simple. Love.  Loving people to Christ  is Jesus's Great commission. We are encouraged to remember that God is much greater than our feelings. 

Today we are headed to an indigineous village where some speak Spanish and others speak a dialect called Ichae.

After driving for what seemed like forever, we arrived in their beautiful village, marked by clay homes and stone roads.  Immediately the children began to greet us. The village was gorgeous. Indescribable really. 

This town was different in the sense that it was a bit more primitive. The women wore market items on their head in baskets, and they received clean water from a well. 

Within 5 minutes of being there, Jenny told the pastor that it was my birthday and asked if the kids could sing to me. This was the one thing I truly wanted on this day. It was so special to me as the children began to sing to me in their native language.  Thank you Jesus for this gift.   

The children's service began with the pastor announcing my birthday again,  and asking me to come forward. What happened next was one of those unexpected, beautiful gifts I have ever received. 

The congregation sang to me again, this time in Spanish. They threw confetti all around me and then they had each child, one by one, come up and hug me. It was such a joyful celebration. These children, smiling from ear to ear, truly wanted to celebrate my life in the most pure way. 

After their amazing song, the pastor said that his daughter- in-law would like to give me a gift. She is 17 years old and is a new mother of a little boy who is one.  She stood up, and walked down the aisle and laid the most gorgeous, handmade shawl I have ever seen. It was damp from her washing it earlier that day, and after asking if we could purchase some, we realized she had given me their very last one. Wow! I was so humbled and honored! My instinct was to say "no please, I don't deserve this. Please take it back. " But my team reminded me that there are times to give and there are times to receive and that these people truly wanted to be blessed themselves by giving something so precious away. 

It will always be the most special birthday gift anyone has ever given  me. 

After that emotional moment, it was still time for the adult church service. We started with me giving my personal testimony to the congregation, which proved to be even more emotional. 

 I talked about growing up struggling with feelings of unworthiness, and fear of being unloved. It wasn't until I had my daughter Logyn that I began to really seek God, and I believe God was seeking me too. After giving my life over to Christ, I began reading the Bible more. It was like a veil was lifted from my eyes when I read how much God truly loves us. He formed us in our mother's womb (Psalm 139:13),   He knows every hair on our heads (Luke 12:7), his thoughts about us are as many as the grains of sands (Psalm 139:17-18).  Over and over I have seen His love, first displayed in the Scriptures, and later in my own life. God has been so faithful to me during my journey as a single parent, and chose to bless me with a beautiful new family. Is that to say that someone without those blessings, is not loved by God? Absolutely not. God's love is for everyone, freely given, and goes way beyond our circumstances here on earth. His love gives us peace and hope and a promise that everything, even life's trials,  can be used for good for those who love Him. 

The most beautiful demonstration of this I felt so clearly tonight. Because it was my birthday, the children in this little village treated me like a celebrity almost. They pursued me. They simply wanted to be next to me, to be in my presence, and their little faces were overjoyed when I would turn towards them and choose to be with them as well. They desired to bless me every chance they could. 

 I sat back at one time during the night, and tears streamed down my face as I realized these children were giving me the perfect image of our God who loves us. He pursues US, He wants to be in OUR presence, and when We choose Him, He is overjoyed and even the Angels  rejoice in heaven. How beautiful it was to be a part of that love tonight!!! 

Once again, we came to show God's love for them, and instead, they have showed God's love for me, and for everyone who receives Him. 

This will absolutely be one of my most treasured birthdays for my  entire life.  Thank you Jesus!