Day Four: Guatemala Mission Trip

Day Four: 

Today we traveled into a poor village where we raised enough money to provide weeks worth of beans and rice for 125 families in the village. Praise God! 

We had no church services today, but instead spent time gathering, bagging, weighing, and tying. 

We again were able to join in their
culture as they prepared a meal for us.  I'm always awestruck at their generosity. Here they are, stricken with poverty, yet so graciously cooking us a meal with the best of the best food they can provide. This is so humbling. 

The best part of the day for me was joining the women as they prepared the meal. They taught us how to make homemade tortillas. It took us awhile to get the hang of it, all the while the women would laugh and smile, and then offer their assistance. They even let us throw them on the fire which is a lot harder then it looks! After about two or three breaking mid-air, I finally was able to do it. 

As we were playing with all the children, one of the women cooking asked us if we go down the street to pray for her niece who was about to have her first baby. Her name was Maria. When we got there, she was with another young girl who also looked pregnant. After translating for them, we came to understand that Maria was married and her husband was working. 

She was due in August to have a baby and they were excited. The other girl, Victoria, had a much different story. She was 14 years old, she had no idea when she was due, and her pregnancy was the result of a rape. Apparently an older man pulled her off the side of the road in broad daylight. 

Our team of women began to cry for her. She was so young and seemed so unaffected as she told us the story. When we cried, she looked at us as though she was surprised we were so upset. It made me wonder if this type of thing is so common that it no longer makes their women weep, or if she was just so young, she didn't realize the extent of how violated she was. 

Immediately we asked if we could pray for her and her baby as well. Her aunt then told us that she goes to church but she hasn't surrendered her life to Christ. We asked her if that was something she would like to do and she said yes. Jeny explained to her what that really meant for her and her life and if she had any questions. She said no, but was clear that she wanted to live with Jesus as her best friend. It was the most touching time of prayer I have ever been a part of. Many tears of joy, mixed with sadness were shed that hour. 

After handing out all of the food for the village, we heading to another poor fishing village called Chicago. The interesting part of Chicago is that it's where Jeny and Wayne's ministry began. We have been working under their organization, called Extreme Missions, and they accompany us to every village.

 In Chicago, we were bringing food to the birth mom of Jeny and Wayne's son, Andres. When they were missionaries years ago in Chicago, Andres was a very sickly young boy. He was 2 years old, weighed only 11 pounds, and had severe asthma. 

At that time, Jeny and Wayne offered to adopt him and get him the medical supplies and healthcare that he needed. Now, Andres is a handsome, 20 year old man studying in Argentina at a Bible college. 

You can imagine how emotional it was for us to watch as Jeny and Wayne showed his birth mother pictures of him, while she cried tears of joy. We met his new little brothers and sisters and were touched by their extreme level of poverty.

 They live in a hut with barely any resources. Their water is from a well, deep within the ground, they hang their clothes on a tree. It was heartbreaking. And yet their surroundings are gorgeous!! The beach is their home. 

While we were there, someone from the village said anothe girl needed prayer. They weren't sure if it was for spiritual help or physical help, so we followed her to this women's home. Her name was Mileni, and she was in her mid twenties. She has two small  children and was confined to a wheelchair. She shared with us that she was perfectly fine a year ago, when suddenly she began to feel weak. Eventually she lost a lot of strength in her legs, and then her arms. Her muscles have since tightened and she is completely confined to a wheelchair. 

In their culture, they have very little access to medical care. In fact the National Hospital simply told her they weren't sure what was wrong and sent her home with no hope. 

As soon as we arrived, she began to weep. She told Jeny she is just so scared and needs to be a mom to her children. 

We decided to lay our hands on her and pray with all of our might for God to heal her. I know without a doubt that God could, and I truly believed that He would, especially after hearing so many stories from Jeny and Wayne about healings in their ministry. Unfortunately, God chose not to provide immediate healing this time. Does that mean He won't ever? No not at all! In fact, God can use medicine to heal her, or over time her body might heal on its own....or she may never be healed. 

But we trust in a God that is in control, and we trust in the fact that His ways are Higher than our ways, and therefore in any circumstance we relinquish our wants and our plans to Him. 

As we were leaving, Jeny and Wayne arranged for them to pick her up later in the week and take her to a good hospital. They will let Milena live with them until necessary and will also bring her family. They are truly living and breathing he walk of a Christian life. 

Mileni began to weep again but this time, she told Jeny that they were tears of joy. She said she had been praying for someone to come to help her for an entire year, and she feels that we were 

her answer to prayer. 

What an emotional day this was. Sometimes, I look around and I just think there are so many needs God. There is so much pain. What are we to do? 

The Scriptures  are clear... We need to love people. It's as simple as that. Love them, be the hands and feet of Jesus, find a need and fill it, bring others  the Good news of the Gospel that one day there will be no more pain, no more sickness, no more tears... And in their place will be love, joy, peace, and communion with our glorious and Almighty Creator! 

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! 

Day Two: Guatemala Mission Trip

Day two:

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. 

Day One: Guatemala Mission trip

Day one:  We arrived at the airport at 9:45pm and traveled on a red eye --it was impossible to sleep, most likely

due to a mixture of nerves, excitement and anticipation. Our team is on somewhat of a roller coaster. Hyper and chatty for a few hours and then we all seem to crash and want some alone time. Nevertheless, it hasn't taken long to see them each as part of my new extended family.  What a wonderful group I get to serve The Lord with!! 

During an airport layover we met two different mission teams heading to Guatemala as well. It was interesting to hear our different missions. One is strictly going to evangelize in a remote village, another is going strictly to provide food and necessities, and we are doing a mixture of those things, as well help encourage and equip leaders in churches already there. I feel so blessed and humbled to be here. 

I can't wait to see the country and experience all that God has in store!!  My thoughts today are focused on something our Pastor said not too long ago : "You will never  look into the eyes of someone whom Jesus did not  love and die for. " Amen to that!!!  P.S. We were graced with the presence of our first Guatemalan "friend" tonight -- a lizard in our room while we slept. This should be fun!! :) 

Two weeks!!

   The official Guatemala team, IHC 2013 

      ( I think we are a pretty fun group!!)

I can hardly believe Guatemala is just two weeks away!!! It is an amazing reality to know that a dream you've had for years is coming true in such a short time! Thank you SO much to everyone who has helped, both financially and through prayer! If you have it on your heart to support this ministry, there is still time!!! Contact me and I will let you know how :) All donations are welcome and appreciated!! 

As an update, we've spoken with the couple who heads these mission trips in Guatemala. They have assured us that there has never been a health or crime incident in over 200 mission teams. Whew! I feel like I can breathe easy now  for sure!!! 😀

I know that God's will is for His children to give of themselves - take care of the poor, the needy, the least of those by human standards.... For us to offer hope, offer a servant's heart, offer true love that comes only from above. I am so beyond thankful and humbled that I have the opportunity to do just that! 

And trust me when I say that I am nowhere near a good steward of God's grace and love.  I've had lots of gut checks on the way.... There is so much I I  need to grow in. 

Today, my Bible reading included these verses from John chapter 4. 

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” (John 6:26, 27 NLT)" 

Wow what a gut check!  

God is not a genie a bottle. 

He is more concerned with my spiritual destiny than He is with my earthly comforts. This "theme" keeps popping up in my life....I don't want to be a part of a body of believers that only bless those who are already blessed. We see this so often - we go to our safe churches, we go to christian concerts, we attend conference like Women of Faith, and bible studies, and small groups. I am the biggest "offender"!!! 

While all of these things are great, and are necessary to offer restoration and replenishment of our souls, I don't want to lose sight of our ultimate goal. 

Of course, we have what most refer to as the Great Commission: 

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19 NLT)

I also try to remind myself of Matthew 25:35-40

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

It is my prayer that this trip, full of a team of imperfect people whose hearts are simply after Jesus, will truly touch lives, lift spirits, and bring God all the glory! Only He can do wondrous things with a willing heart. 

What now?

Tonight sort of rocked my world a bit. It started out great - my husband and two little kids agreed to join me for a night of baking cookies with the boys from Boys Republic (Logyn is unable to go because of her age).  This ministry means a lot to me and I love being able to offer hope to these young boys. My kids had a blast baking and running around. Todd and I both enjoyed listening to the boys as they were eager to share their stories of poverty, heartache, and tragedy. Most of these boys are without fathers, in gangs, behind on school credits, etc etc etc. The relatives they "look up to" are often in jail. They have very little to look forward to upon returning to their normal lives. 

It is always somewhat heartbreaking to go to Boys Republic as I think about the statistics and realize how the boys truly have an uphill battle ahead of them.  But I'm  always thankful that we believe in a BIG God, who can accomplish BIG things!! 

Tonight was no different... until we gathered in the car to drive home. Almost immediately, my children went from laughing and playing with the boys, to fighting with each other over the DVD in our car. They were complaining that it wasn't playing right and it seemed scratched. They went from totally happy to totally argumentative, just because they couldn't watch their DVD right at that moment. I was somewhat appalled. Thoughts ran through my mind..Do they even realize how blessed they are? Can they even comprehend how much easier if will be for them to live than it is for the boys they were just laughing with? 

I soon realized though --  Of course they can't! How could they?? Yes they see me prepare for Guatemala and they hear about the kids with no food, but have they ever been truly hungry? They hear about buying books and clothes for kids in our community, but have they ever been without? 

I began to wonder how it was that a parent in our society can possibly teach their children these lessons without completely denying them any casual comforts... As a parent, I love to see my children happy and I love to bless them any chance I get. But as a Christ follower, am I causing them spiritual harm? I honestly don't know... 

And then, I came home and once the house was quiet, I began reading some of the blogs from my favorite authors. Ann Voskamp writes one such blog, and she was surprisingly talking about the book, Kisses from Katie, which happens to be one of the books that inspired me to pursue missions in the first place. 

Katie was an 18 year old girl who had everything, according to world standards. She was homecoming queen, class president, had a great car, cute boyfriends, etc.--- but left it all to go to Uganda and live out Jesus's calling.  

I have read her book and it has impacted me immensely...and now, here I was reading Ann Voskamp's reaction to the same book : 

"Is it even possible to be a radical Christ-follower — and own a mini-van, have more than one bathroom, order clothes from Land’s End, and lay your head down on a pillow when He had none? Really? What is the North American church really supposed to do? What are mothers really supposed to do?"

 

 

This, I realize, is the question that lingers in my soul. What am I really supposed to do? How can I teach my children how blessed they truly are while we live here in the United States? How can I be a good parent, pointing my children towards Christ, and still wishing to bless my children immensely? What is more important-- their earthly comforts or their spiritual well-being?  

 

Obviously, I vote for their spiritual well being ... And yet I'm left with the nagging feeling -- how? 

I have them in church groups and Christian schools. I pray with them and for them. We listen to worship music in the car and at home. Yet still, they argue over toys, they complain about their food, and they don't like to serve one another. Should I simply brush that off as normal kid behavior, or would that be negligent of me somehow?

 

How can a blessed family, living in a blessed nation, learn to be the least of Jesus's followers? 

I'm pretty sure it isn't by a few nights of baking with boys, even though that might be a good start. Still, I'm left with the gut-wrenching question deep within my soul - what now Lord?  I want to be your servant. I want to teach my children how to be your servants. Is there a way to be spiritually rich without being earthly poor? 

Father, I  am comforted by the fact that Your Word says that You desire to bless your children, just as I desire to bless my own. Please help me and my husband to find a balance of blessings and sacrifice with our family, so that we may honor you and live for You alone. I want my entire family to be spiritually rich Lord, no matter what the cost. We praise you and honor Your Holy name. In Jesus's name, Amen 

When reality sinks in...

Ever since I signed up for the Guatemala trip, I've been so excited. I don't remember feeling any doubts, or worries - just pure joy. That is until a few weeks ago when reality began to sink in....

For those of you who know me well, you know that I would never be described as the outdoorsy type, or the adventurous type. I rarely travel. I get nervous just having to go on a plane and go through all of the airport security steps. I've been out of the country only to Mexico and that was for resort vacations. I've never been camping - something I always say I want to do - but in reality, I know deep down I'd probably hate it. I'm not a fan of bugs. I'm not a fan of dirt. I'm not a fan of public restrooms, let along public showers.  You get the idea.

Yet for some reason, none of these things ever crossed my mind when I initially said yes to Guatemala. Either I was in denial, or pretty naïve.

And then we got the low-down. We had our first team building meeting for Guatemala where our Outreach Coordinator went over some of the conditions regarding the food and board. There's a possibility of having to hike with all of our luggage for miles to find our next destination. It will be during their rainy season so we are likely to get very wet. Depending on the travel length, we might have to sleep outside for one night with no shelter. As for food, its common for the people we are helping to kill, cook, and serve a chicken right there in front of us. There's many diseases that we might be susceptible to, so we need to get an entire series of shots and medication. The list goes on and on.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not mentioning these things in order to boast and say "look at everything I'm willing to endure" - oh no, not at all. On the contrary, I tell you these things because my gut reaction was to leave that meeting and withdraw my name from the team!! No joke!!

I began coming up with all of the reasons why I shouldn't go. My kids are still so little, it's too long to be away. I don't want to burden my sister and mother in law with their care. I get sick so easily, what if I just slow the team down. I could die (yes that actually went through my head) and how would my family ever forgive me for literally risking my life?? Perhaps I'm not really being called to international missions. I can just wait to go on a trip in the US - it would still be doing God's work, right? ETC, ETC, ETC....

 My list of excuses comes so easily. They seem so legit. And to be perfectly honest with you, they are still playing in my head. I feel so unqualified, so incapable, so NOT the right kind of person for this.

And so.... I've prayed. And I want to ask all of you to please pray....Because without a doubt if I'm going to get on a plane to Guatemala this summer, it won't be because of myself - I'm kind of a big fat coward.  It will be because of God's grace and power. To Him be ALL the glory!!

Thanks again for following along with me on this journey.....your prayers are so appreciated!!!

xoxo