After being awake for about 36 hours straight, its amazing what a difference a good night's sleep can make. We woke up to pure beauty...the sounds of bugs, creeks, birds, and women hanging clothes and sheets.
After breakfast, we began our first day of ministry with a devotion from Jenny (One of our leaders) in 1st Kings 19:10
God told Elijah to meet him on the mountain, so naturally Elijah expected God. However, God didn't come in an earthquake, wind or fire....he came in a gentle whisper. Sometimes, we tend to expect huge miracles or "earthquakes" in our lives as signs from God, but perhaps we simply have to be still enough to hear His gentle whisper.
The message God kept putting on my heart during this devotion: Don't feel as though you have to go to Guatemala to stay in my presence and serve me. Your family is your ministry. Hear my whispers throughout your normal day, not just on this trip.
After about an hour long drive, we arrived in our first village called C6, which is actually a government owned section of Guatemala.
When we walked up to the church, I was struck with its simple beauty. 
Within minutes, children came almost out of nowhere to greet us. The first boy I met was Jonathon , a 7 year old boy who loved stickers and loved playing with our Jesus puzzle. 
Isn't he just the sweetest little guy???
The girls were just as beautiful and loved getting their hair done. They especially liked playing with my iphone on games such as Temple run and Granny run. The older girls seemed genuinely interested in my life, and thought it was funny when I tried to explain things in Spanish.
Our "mission" for the day was to encourage the local pastor and his family while leading their church service and giving gifts to their children.
We then were able to pray with people, churched and unchurched, at the Altar which was an incredible experience. It was like nothing I've ever experienced before. Grown women and grown men crying, weeping,sobbing in prayer. They began to cry out to God and some of the women would actually sing their cries. It began to sound like a beautiful symphony to God. I was completely taken aback as I've never heard so much noise during prayer. Yet still, it was impossible to not be moved by their unabandoned hearts as they freely cried out to The Lord.
Ultimately these were such amazing people in an amazing culture. I was completely humbled by their true gift of hospitality. Despite their poverty, our team was fed a top-of-the line meal of eggs, beans and plantains. They made sure we were fed, comfortable and happy the entire time. Here we came to bless them, yet I believe they have blessed us with so much more.
Thank you God for this experience. I have fallen in love with Guatemala, and in love with its people. I want to do missions forever.
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