Before leaving for Guatemala, I had been praying about how God would use our team and where He might send us. Last year was my first trip and I was so broken by the poverty I saw. I also learned that when I am broken, God reveals Himself in new and amazing ways. So this year, I selfishly prayed that God would take our team to the most remote, needy, desperate village possible. God has been teaching me that the poor and the needy are so very close to His heart…and we are close to His heart when we love His children in need. So that was my prayer, “God take us to the most remote village possible!” In the lake region where we minister, the further up the mountain you go, the poorer the people are. On Monday, our first day to do VBS, our team was told to get in line first for breakfast because we had the furthest to go. We were going to the top of the mountain to a village that had never had VBS before. We were warned that it was cold and windy at the top of the mountain, the people were very poor, they didn’t speak Spanish because they were of Mayan descent, and they had minimal electricity and no running water. But there was a tiny church there eager for our support, love, and attention. We drove straight up the mountain for two hours. We drove down a dirt road and when we got to the end of the road, we drove on the grass until we were literally at the top of the mountain…the end of the road…the most remote village possible. Praise God for answering prayers!
The children of this village were very wary of us. We weren’t sure if they had ever seen white faces before. They had no television, no books, and there certainly weren’t any tourists coming by! We started with music and the children warmed up to us. Our Impacto interpreter presented the Bible lesson in Spanish and the church’s pastor translated it into the local language for the 100+ children present. The children were enthralled. I’d never seen so many children sitting so quietly and attentively. We then did our craft with them and spent time playing with them. Impacto provided a nutritious lunch (a liquid protein meal) for the children and after lunch we did Happy Feet. I cannot put into words how challenging and difficult but amazing this was. Many of the children had shoes but they were in horrible shape. Their feet were absolutely black with dirt and most of them had sores all over them. So we washed those little feet with baby wipes, lots and lots of baby wipes, and put new socks and new shoes on them. It was so humbling to serve these precious children this way. And it was hard. At one point I was genuinely afraid I would vomit from the stench as I pulled rotting shoes off one child’s feet. It was hard but I’d do it again and again and again to have the privilege of showing the love of Jesus to His children. Those little ones are created in His image. What an honor it was to care for them.
I was later journaling and listening to music and one song quotes a verse that was so fitting: Isaiah 24:16 says “From the ends of the earth we hear singing: ‘Glory to the Righteous One’.” Yes, God, from the ends of the earth, the top of the mountain, the end of the road…we hear voices singing Your praises!
And that was just day one.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Guatemala 08 God's timing is perfect
One of my favorite experiences that week was meeting Domingo. Domingo was an elderly man who lived in San Pablo where my team was holding VBS. The first day our bus was an hour late picking us up after VBS. As we were standing around waiting, Domingo walked up to us and wanted to show us his Bible. We realized that Domingo had a Jehovah’s Witness bible. He was a sincere man who genuinely wanted to know God. We offered to bring him a new Bible if he would give us his old one. He agreed. We returned the next day and it was obvious he was surprised but so grateful to see that we had come back to find him. We prayed with him, He accepted Christ and he eagerly traded his old bible for the true gospel! He immediately sat on his doorstep to read and when we looked back a few minutes later he was reading the Word of God to two young boys! God used a “late” bus to introduce us to a man who had nothing to do with our VBS plans so that he could come to know Christ and be an influence for Christ in his village. We came back to pray with Domingo each day, bring him and his wife food, and encourage him. It was such a powerful reminder that God was in control and had a plan far greater than we could see.
Guatemala 08 The Children
Our typical day consisted of VBS in the morning and construction in the afternoon. At the beginning of the week, the children of San Pablo (the village my team visited) were hesitant to interact with us. They had not seen many white people and were very cautious. We taught them Bible verses and praise songs and did crafts and games with them. Their favorite craft was when we took their pictures (with good ole Polaroid cameras) and let them decorate frames for their pictures. We taught them the story of Zaccheus and told them that Jesus knew Zaccheus, called him by name, knew everything about him, and loved him. We taught them and showed them that Jesus knows them, knows their names, and loves them.
By the end of the week, we had developed an incredible bond with these children. They ran up to us, hugged us, and sat in our laps. They held our hands, wrestled with the guys, and cuddled with the ladies. Sometimes they liked to just look at us, in the face, looking into our eyes. In those moments, it didn’t matter that all I could say in Spanish was “Jesus te ama” (Jesus loves you). God’s love transcends all cultures and all languages. What a privilege to be the hands and feet and love of Christ to those children…and what a privilege to be loved by them in return.
The very last day we were over an hour late getting to the village because of a mudslide. Over 200 children sat in an un-airconditioned church, so packed they could barely move, and waited on us to get there. When we arrived, they were so happy to see us, they literally screamed, clapped, and cheered. How humbling. I still cry just thinking about those sweet children. I’ve never laughed so hard or cried so often in one week. I miss them deeply.
By the end of the week, we had developed an incredible bond with these children. They ran up to us, hugged us, and sat in our laps. They held our hands, wrestled with the guys, and cuddled with the ladies. Sometimes they liked to just look at us, in the face, looking into our eyes. In those moments, it didn’t matter that all I could say in Spanish was “Jesus te ama” (Jesus loves you). God’s love transcends all cultures and all languages. What a privilege to be the hands and feet and love of Christ to those children…and what a privilege to be loved by them in return.
The very last day we were over an hour late getting to the village because of a mudslide. Over 200 children sat in an un-airconditioned church, so packed they could barely move, and waited on us to get there. When we arrived, they were so happy to see us, they literally screamed, clapped, and cheered. How humbling. I still cry just thinking about those sweet children. I’ve never laughed so hard or cried so often in one week. I miss them deeply.
Guatemala 08 - who needs luggage anyway?
An excerpt from a letter I wrote after returning from Guatemala in November 2008:
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Dear friends,
Where do I begin? I’ve been home from Guatemala for a month now and I’ve struggled daily, yes daily, to write this letter. Not because I don’t want to but because it is impossible to convey everything I want to convey. I honestly wish I had an hour or two with each one of you to share in person what God did in Guatemala the week we were there. It was life changing!
I should start by telling you that I didn’t get my luggage when we arrived in Guatemala City that first night. Keep in mind this is my first trip out of the country EVER, I don’t speak the language, and I’m completely out of my comfort zone. If you know me well, you know I’m a planner and controller by nature. My close friend who was with me admitted that she said to herself “This isn’t good…I don’t think Holly will handle this well”. She was right Holly wouldn’t have handled it well BUT when I realized I had no luggage, God told me immediately, “Your luggage and everything in it belongs to Me. I will handle where it is and where it goes. This is not for you to worry about”. I was immediately released from all anxiety in that moment and for the rest of the week (I didn’t get my luggage until 3 weeks after I returned home). So the next morning, I’m wearing borrowed clothes from one girl and borrowed shoes from another and I realized that I’m wearing better clothes than anything that I packed in my own suitcase. That morning was when God reminded me of this verse, Matthew 6:28:
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”
So that was the first of many lessons that week in trusting God and knowing that He would provide everything we needed.
-------------------------------------
Dear friends,
Where do I begin? I’ve been home from Guatemala for a month now and I’ve struggled daily, yes daily, to write this letter. Not because I don’t want to but because it is impossible to convey everything I want to convey. I honestly wish I had an hour or two with each one of you to share in person what God did in Guatemala the week we were there. It was life changing!
I should start by telling you that I didn’t get my luggage when we arrived in Guatemala City that first night. Keep in mind this is my first trip out of the country EVER, I don’t speak the language, and I’m completely out of my comfort zone. If you know me well, you know I’m a planner and controller by nature. My close friend who was with me admitted that she said to herself “This isn’t good…I don’t think Holly will handle this well”. She was right Holly wouldn’t have handled it well BUT when I realized I had no luggage, God told me immediately, “Your luggage and everything in it belongs to Me. I will handle where it is and where it goes. This is not for you to worry about”. I was immediately released from all anxiety in that moment and for the rest of the week (I didn’t get my luggage until 3 weeks after I returned home). So the next morning, I’m wearing borrowed clothes from one girl and borrowed shoes from another and I realized that I’m wearing better clothes than anything that I packed in my own suitcase. That morning was when God reminded me of this verse, Matthew 6:28:
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”
So that was the first of many lessons that week in trusting God and knowing that He would provide everything we needed.
He's got this thing rigged! Part 2
Another example of God working all things out for the good of those who love him.
A team was scheduled to go to Honduras in July but the trip was cancelled thanks to the military coup that occurred. One team member, we'll call her A, transferred her funds to our Guatemala trip for Nov. On that trip was also our friend, S.
Fast forward to December. A finishes grad school, moves home with her parents, and can't find a job. She asks for prayer as she struggles with lack of purpose and fulfillment (and the frustration of being back at home instead of on her own).
Fast forward to January. S experiences a horrible medical emergency causing her to be hospitalized for 9 days, undergo serious surgery, and leaving her weak with vision limitations and pain. S has two little girls to care for.
A and S reunite at a Guatemala Reunion party, where S is still suffering from the effects of her surgery.
A used to be a nanny, wants to move out of her parents' home, needs fulfillment and purpose. S desperately needs childcare, someone to help manage her home, and someone to transport her to doctor's appointments.
A moves in to help S and her family! God knew exactly what His children would need and exactly how to weave their lives together through a variety of circumstances, some of which were quite painful and discouraging. We can be encouraged. God knows what He's doing...He knows exactly how to orchestrate every step of our lives - for our good and for His glory!
A team was scheduled to go to Honduras in July but the trip was cancelled thanks to the military coup that occurred. One team member, we'll call her A, transferred her funds to our Guatemala trip for Nov. On that trip was also our friend, S.
Fast forward to December. A finishes grad school, moves home with her parents, and can't find a job. She asks for prayer as she struggles with lack of purpose and fulfillment (and the frustration of being back at home instead of on her own).
Fast forward to January. S experiences a horrible medical emergency causing her to be hospitalized for 9 days, undergo serious surgery, and leaving her weak with vision limitations and pain. S has two little girls to care for.
A and S reunite at a Guatemala Reunion party, where S is still suffering from the effects of her surgery.
A used to be a nanny, wants to move out of her parents' home, needs fulfillment and purpose. S desperately needs childcare, someone to help manage her home, and someone to transport her to doctor's appointments.
A moves in to help S and her family! God knew exactly what His children would need and exactly how to weave their lives together through a variety of circumstances, some of which were quite painful and discouraging. We can be encouraged. God knows what He's doing...He knows exactly how to orchestrate every step of our lives - for our good and for His glory!
He's got this thing rigged! Part 1
As our pastor, David Platt, often says "God's got this thing rigged!" He means, of course, that God's purpose WILL be fulfilled, His plans WILL be accomplished. He gives us the freedom to choose whether or not we participate but when it's all said and done, His will WILL be done.
As we studied Joseph last week and Job this week, it is awesome to be reminded that God even uses pain, suffering, and our own sinful behaviors to work all things for our good and His glory.
I can't help but share just a couple of examples of how this has been true in our lives and the lives of those around us.
Saturday, we were scheduled to deliver food (through Angel Food Ministries and Grace Klein) to those in need in our community. We did this in December and I was so very excited to go back to see our new friends and be a part of what God is doing. Unfortunately at 3:00 Sat morning, Riley started throwing up and was sick the rest of the night and into the morning. So I reluctantly (even tearfully) decided not to go. I was disappointed but couldn't bear to leave her. I believed (and still do) that this was Satan's attempt to thwart what God is doing through this ministry. Because I wasn't going, our friends changed plans and decided that instead of the wife going, the husband would go with Jes (one of them had to take a child to another obligation). The men would admit that they were nervous about going without their chatty, friendly wives to do most of the talking. But God used these two men in a mighty way. They ministered to several men that they might not have spoken to otherwise. They even spent time with one young husband and invited him to our small group - and he came! This guy is such a neat person and is seeking God's will for his life and his family. I believe that God is going to use these friendships to draw this family to Himself...and it just might not have happened if the chatty wives had taken over. :) And in the end, God showed our husbands that He can and will use them for His kingdom and that, if they are obedient, He has amazing plans for them! Praise the Lord for using Satan's dirty schemes for our good and His glory!
As we studied Joseph last week and Job this week, it is awesome to be reminded that God even uses pain, suffering, and our own sinful behaviors to work all things for our good and His glory.
I can't help but share just a couple of examples of how this has been true in our lives and the lives of those around us.
Saturday, we were scheduled to deliver food (through Angel Food Ministries and Grace Klein) to those in need in our community. We did this in December and I was so very excited to go back to see our new friends and be a part of what God is doing. Unfortunately at 3:00 Sat morning, Riley started throwing up and was sick the rest of the night and into the morning. So I reluctantly (even tearfully) decided not to go. I was disappointed but couldn't bear to leave her. I believed (and still do) that this was Satan's attempt to thwart what God is doing through this ministry. Because I wasn't going, our friends changed plans and decided that instead of the wife going, the husband would go with Jes (one of them had to take a child to another obligation). The men would admit that they were nervous about going without their chatty, friendly wives to do most of the talking. But God used these two men in a mighty way. They ministered to several men that they might not have spoken to otherwise. They even spent time with one young husband and invited him to our small group - and he came! This guy is such a neat person and is seeking God's will for his life and his family. I believe that God is going to use these friendships to draw this family to Himself...and it just might not have happened if the chatty wives had taken over. :) And in the end, God showed our husbands that He can and will use them for His kingdom and that, if they are obedient, He has amazing plans for them! Praise the Lord for using Satan's dirty schemes for our good and His glory!
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