On Thursday we also went to La Pinada to work in the feeding center. It was amazing. There were so many children there to get a meal. The little feeding center was packed out! They each got a meal of some sort of rice/black bean mixture and all got one vitamin. Several of the children remembered us being there on Sunday for church.
We passed out little goodies to most of the children and they loved it! After we finished feeding all the children we told them the Bible story of David and Goliath and they loved it too! They thought the acting was hilarious.
After the story we walked through this little mountain village. What I saw was heartbreaking. The first little house we stopped at is right next to the church/feeding center. The woman has a newborn and it is so cute. The lady's husband is very, very abusive to her. Just that morning, he was seen kicking and yelling at her. We stopped to pray over her and her children and she just wept.
The next house we stopped at was a mother and 8 children. Here in this village they are only allowed to run water for an hour, and only every 2 days. They keep their water in huge barrels. There were flies swarming all around the water and this is what they drink, wash, and cook with everyday. The week before we came, a team from Knoxville came and started building them a new house. It will be all concrete and will have 3 rooms. How awesome!
The next house was a man and his 4 children. We never knew where his wife was or if she was alive. He was so proud of his home and showed us in and was just very happy. We prayed over him and his family and you could tell he was so proud to be able to show off his blessings. Even though his home was made of cardboard and tin, you never would have known it by his words.
The last house we stopped at was probably the one that broke me the most. It was a woman and her 4 children that lived there. The woman wasn't at home, she was out working to provide for her babies. They had no electricity and only one room, one matress. The kitchen area was outside of the room and was swarming with flies. The woman goes out during the day to work and leaves her children there to wait for her to return. Her youngest was probably 4. Most of the children in the village stay at the feeding center during the day.
Pastor Scott and I got off by oursleves again and started talking about grace and how awesome God's grace is. He hit the nail on the head when he said that it was only by God's grace that I was born in Tennessee and not on a mountain in Guatemala. It really got me to thinking a lot of "why's". Why do I have the things I have? Why do I have a nice home, a nice car, a nice closet filled with clothes? Because of God's grace. But it doesn't mean that the people I grew to love and care about didn't have anything. Because they had love, hope, happiness, and God's grace as well. They were protected and loved and held in their Maker's hand...and they knew that.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Day 6: VBS
Thursday
We went back to the school in San Mateo for the last dya of VBS. On Tuesday we had taken pictures of all the kids and also made frames for them. On this day we brought all the pictures to pass out. These kids were so excited to get their pictures.
While I was at the photo place the night before I printed off a couple of pictures of Edgar and me. His smile was so big when I gave them to him. He was so happy and held them so close to his little body. I told him to put them in his backpack and he took off running through the play yard and stuffed them far into his backpack. I love that little boy so much. He was so much fun and I just loved being able to love on him and hold him and to remind him that he is never alone.
We went back to the school in San Mateo for the last dya of VBS. On Tuesday we had taken pictures of all the kids and also made frames for them. On this day we brought all the pictures to pass out. These kids were so excited to get their pictures.
While I was at the photo place the night before I printed off a couple of pictures of Edgar and me. His smile was so big when I gave them to him. He was so happy and held them so close to his little body. I told him to put them in his backpack and he took off running through the play yard and stuffed them far into his backpack. I love that little boy so much. He was so much fun and I just loved being able to love on him and hold him and to remind him that he is never alone.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Day 5: VBS
Wednesday
It was another great VBS day. We made salvation bead keychains in crafts and Alex and Brian went to each class to share the Gospel with the children and teachers. It was so awesome to feel the presence of God in each room and watch the children listen so intently.
I got to play with Edgar for a really long time today. We colored on the sidewalk with chalk and sat together for a really long time. He had some extra Q's (money) and ran off to the tienda (store) to buy a snack. When he came back, he had a bag of chip like things. He sat in my lap and would pull out two at a time and hand one to me and keep one for himself. It was so special just sitting and sharing a bag of chips with a little boy that captured my heart.
We also started building a chicken coop for a family in San Mateo. We provided a single mother of 5 children with 20 baby chicks and 100lbs of feed. She will be able to use the eggs to feed her family and to sell to others in the village, as well as raise more chicks and eat the chickens when they get bigger.
Pastor Scott shared with me today that it's a good thing when you give away what you can't keep in order to gain the things you will never lose. Something to think about....
It was another great VBS day. We made salvation bead keychains in crafts and Alex and Brian went to each class to share the Gospel with the children and teachers. It was so awesome to feel the presence of God in each room and watch the children listen so intently.
I got to play with Edgar for a really long time today. We colored on the sidewalk with chalk and sat together for a really long time. He had some extra Q's (money) and ran off to the tienda (store) to buy a snack. When he came back, he had a bag of chip like things. He sat in my lap and would pull out two at a time and hand one to me and keep one for himself. It was so special just sitting and sharing a bag of chips with a little boy that captured my heart.
We also started building a chicken coop for a family in San Mateo. We provided a single mother of 5 children with 20 baby chicks and 100lbs of feed. She will be able to use the eggs to feed her family and to sell to others in the village, as well as raise more chicks and eat the chickens when they get bigger.
Pastor Scott shared with me today that it's a good thing when you give away what you can't keep in order to gain the things you will never lose. Something to think about....
Donna and Rigo
Donna and Rigo are two special people that are staying in the mission house with us. Donna is from Georgia and Rigo is from Guatemala. Donna and her husband are in the process of adopting Rigo. They started this process months ago. Guatemala has since closed off all adoptions to American people. So Donna and her husband didn't lose Rigo, one of them had to move to Guatemala and become his guardian until the adoption process was over.
Donna has quit her job and left her family to come live in Guatemala and take care of her little boy. They are the sweetest. Donna has such a heart and such a blessing to our team. She starts our laundry, swaps it over, and made us cookies when she knew we had long days.
Her heart was so heavy while we were there. Her daughter was back in the states, pregnant with her first grandbaby. Her husband was home working and her son in school. She was missing her family and ready to give up. We prayed for her so many times that she didn't lose sight of what God had in store for her and Rigo.
Rigo had a huge breakthrough half way through the week. He is very quite and wasn't really sure of us crazy Americans. One night before bed I took in a huge coloring book to give to him. Donna stepped out of their room and stood outside listening. She told me before hand to not be surprised if Rigo acted like he didn't care, was rude, or just didn't say anything at all. Rigo was on his top bunk and so I stood and leaned up to give him the coloring book. I talked to him for a few minutes and told him that I wanted him to have it. He smiled this great big smile and said "Thank you, I really like it" We talked for a few more minutes and I told him goodnight and he told me goodnight and gave me a hug. When I walked back outside Donna was standing there with tears streaming down her face. She said that was the first time ever that Rigo had ever said Thank you for anything. She was getting so discouraged because this little boy didn't trust anyone, didn't show appreciation for anything, and he finally understood. It was amazing.
Donna has since come home with Rigo and they are now back in Georgia with the rest of their family!
Donna has quit her job and left her family to come live in Guatemala and take care of her little boy. They are the sweetest. Donna has such a heart and such a blessing to our team. She starts our laundry, swaps it over, and made us cookies when she knew we had long days.
Her heart was so heavy while we were there. Her daughter was back in the states, pregnant with her first grandbaby. Her husband was home working and her son in school. She was missing her family and ready to give up. We prayed for her so many times that she didn't lose sight of what God had in store for her and Rigo.
Rigo had a huge breakthrough half way through the week. He is very quite and wasn't really sure of us crazy Americans. One night before bed I took in a huge coloring book to give to him. Donna stepped out of their room and stood outside listening. She told me before hand to not be surprised if Rigo acted like he didn't care, was rude, or just didn't say anything at all. Rigo was on his top bunk and so I stood and leaned up to give him the coloring book. I talked to him for a few minutes and told him that I wanted him to have it. He smiled this great big smile and said "Thank you, I really like it" We talked for a few more minutes and I told him goodnight and he told me goodnight and gave me a hug. When I walked back outside Donna was standing there with tears streaming down her face. She said that was the first time ever that Rigo had ever said Thank you for anything. She was getting so discouraged because this little boy didn't trust anyone, didn't show appreciation for anything, and he finally understood. It was amazing.
Donna has since come home with Rigo and they are now back in Georgia with the rest of their family!
Day 4: VBS
Edgar found me first thing. I brought a small toy with me to give to him and when I placed it in his little hands he gave me a huge hug and told me that I "gave him two hearts." I just wanted to cry. This little boy who had never met me before Monday had grabbed my heart and it was very clear I wasn't getting it back.
The teachers were much more open to us. We had prayed the night before that God would open their hearts and would recieve the messages we were giving to the children. Those kids are the coolest little people. They love everything we do with them. They are learning the songs so well and LOVE the crafts we have for them. It is so sweet to watch them. They smile so much and give so many hugs. I want to just bring them all back here.
Before we left the states we all got together and made Salvation necklaces to pass out to the girls. They LOVED them. We made a little chart for the teachers with the colors and meaning of the colors along with the plan of Salvation so that they would always have it close by to explain and to use to lead others to the Lord.
We also took some time on this day to walk through San Mateo. It was very eye opening. I live in a nice house, with so many nice things. I have a bed. Many of these families had only one bed with tattered sheets and blankets. Yet, they all had smiles on their faces. Gives you something to think about....
The teachers were much more open to us. We had prayed the night before that God would open their hearts and would recieve the messages we were giving to the children. Those kids are the coolest little people. They love everything we do with them. They are learning the songs so well and LOVE the crafts we have for them. It is so sweet to watch them. They smile so much and give so many hugs. I want to just bring them all back here.
Before we left the states we all got together and made Salvation necklaces to pass out to the girls. They LOVED them. We made a little chart for the teachers with the colors and meaning of the colors along with the plan of Salvation so that they would always have it close by to explain and to use to lead others to the Lord.
We also took some time on this day to walk through San Mateo. It was very eye opening. I live in a nice house, with so many nice things. I have a bed. Many of these families had only one bed with tattered sheets and blankets. Yet, they all had smiles on their faces. Gives you something to think about....
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Day 3: VBS starts
Galatians 6:9: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
That verse was my theme for the week. We started out Monday at San Mateo. The kids at the school were so great. They welcomed us with open arms and were so loving. The teachers there were not really sure what to think of us. They sort of just let us do what we were supposed to do and didn't really interact with us much.
I met a little boy named Edgar. He sat next to me for a really long time. He never spoke, never touched me. Just sat close. He finally went home at the end of the day...long after he was supposed to leave.
That verse was my theme for the week. We started out Monday at San Mateo. The kids at the school were so great. They welcomed us with open arms and were so loving. The teachers there were not really sure what to think of us. They sort of just let us do what we were supposed to do and didn't really interact with us much.
I met a little boy named Edgar. He sat next to me for a really long time. He never spoke, never touched me. Just sat close. He finally went home at the end of the day...long after he was supposed to leave.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Day 2: Antigua
After church we headed into Antigua to shop and purchase things from the locals. We had such a great time seeing the city but it was also very eye opening. Many of the children you would see walking the streets were not just there for the day. They lived on those streets, abandoned and alone.
We ate lunch at Pollo Campero-a Guatemalan Kentucky Fried Chicken. It is the rainy season in Guatemala right now and we got caught in a huge monsoon rain storm. It even hailed for a few minutes. Huge baseball size hail pieces and heavy, heavy rain. It lasted for about 30 minutes so we took cover in a shop for a little bit. The store owner was not very happy we were taking up his space so he made us buy things and then get out, so we ran to the restaurant we were going to be eating. Needless to say, we were all drenched!
We ate lunch at Pollo Campero-a Guatemalan Kentucky Fried Chicken. It is the rainy season in Guatemala right now and we got caught in a huge monsoon rain storm. It even hailed for a few minutes. Huge baseball size hail pieces and heavy, heavy rain. It lasted for about 30 minutes so we took cover in a shop for a little bit. The store owner was not very happy we were taking up his space so he made us buy things and then get out, so we ran to the restaurant we were going to be eating. Needless to say, we were all drenched!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Day 2: Church
Sunday morning we went to church in La Pinada with Pastor Hilmar. The church service was awesome and just seeing the faces of the people as they worshiped was amazing to me. They are so in love with God and have such a hunger for Him. The church is a small building with 3 rooms. We packed that place full. It was so eye opening. We had no sound equipment, no microphones, no flashing lights or pews or A/C. We sat on small pews, windows and doors open, children walking around through us, and dogs walking in and out. And yet, we were still focused on worshiping God and bringing glory to Him. It was amazing.
During the service there was this one little boy, Jose, that sat in my lap the entire time. If we stood up to sing and would jump off my lap and turn around and hug my waist really tight. I could barely move! He was so sweet and precious. Yanci, a little girl around 8 years old, sat next to me and she was so sweet! She had her Bible with her and when whoever was speaking would say a new passage she would look up at me with her big eyes and push her Bible towards me. I was able to find all the verses we read from for her and each time I would find them and show them to her I could hear her reading them.
We spent some time with the people from La Pinada for a little while after church. They were all so welcoming and gave us a ton of hugs and were so thankful to have us visit their church. They were so proud of their church and it was such a great time being with them.
To get to the village there, you have to walk down a really, really steep hill. It is literally so steep that it almost hurts your toes in your shoes because they slide to the very end of your shoe. And since walking down is the only way there...walking back up was the only way out. It was so steep going back up. But, we made it. On the way we saw a few of the kids from the village and their houses. A few of the kids even walked all the way up with us and hung out with us at the bus before we left. They did not want us to leave at all!
Being in that church was so peaceful. It was amazing to serve and worship God in two totally different languages. To sing and pray in English and Spanish and know that God heard it all the same. It showed how great and how big my God is. The mountains that surrounded us were huge and so beautiful. God made them all and to just be surrounded by His creations in the quiteness of a mountain village was so refreshing. It wasn't busy and loud like it is here. We were truly able to just sit in His creations and appreciate the beauty of it all.
During the service there was this one little boy, Jose, that sat in my lap the entire time. If we stood up to sing and would jump off my lap and turn around and hug my waist really tight. I could barely move! He was so sweet and precious. Yanci, a little girl around 8 years old, sat next to me and she was so sweet! She had her Bible with her and when whoever was speaking would say a new passage she would look up at me with her big eyes and push her Bible towards me. I was able to find all the verses we read from for her and each time I would find them and show them to her I could hear her reading them.
We spent some time with the people from La Pinada for a little while after church. They were all so welcoming and gave us a ton of hugs and were so thankful to have us visit their church. They were so proud of their church and it was such a great time being with them.
To get to the village there, you have to walk down a really, really steep hill. It is literally so steep that it almost hurts your toes in your shoes because they slide to the very end of your shoe. And since walking down is the only way there...walking back up was the only way out. It was so steep going back up. But, we made it. On the way we saw a few of the kids from the village and their houses. A few of the kids even walked all the way up with us and hung out with us at the bus before we left. They did not want us to leave at all!
Being in that church was so peaceful. It was amazing to serve and worship God in two totally different languages. To sing and pray in English and Spanish and know that God heard it all the same. It showed how great and how big my God is. The mountains that surrounded us were huge and so beautiful. God made them all and to just be surrounded by His creations in the quiteness of a mountain village was so refreshing. It wasn't busy and loud like it is here. We were truly able to just sit in His creations and appreciate the beauty of it all.
Day 1: Travel Day
We arrived at the airport in Knoxville at 10am. After checking our bags and saying goodbyes to our friends and family we headed to our gate. We didn't have to wait too long to board the plane and we were off to Houston, TX. We arrived in Houston on time and our flight was great. Found our gate we would be leaving from in Houston and set off to find some lunch. Our layover in Houston was a little over 7 hours long, so we found some things to do in the airport and just hung out. Our flight to Guatemala left on time and we arrived safely there sometime that night. I can't remember exactly what time it was. The Parker's were there to meet us when we got our bags and leaving the airport was crazy! There were so many people outside the doors of the airport, all trying to get you to take their taxi and buy tours from them. It was crazy!
We all piled into several vans and headed to the house. The people drive there just like the do in Mexico. Fast and crazy. We got to our house and settled in for the night. We were all pretty tired from a day of traveling so we went to bed pretty early. Sunday morning was going to come early, and we had a busy day planned!
We all piled into several vans and headed to the house. The people drive there just like the do in Mexico. Fast and crazy. We got to our house and settled in for the night. We were all pretty tired from a day of traveling so we went to bed pretty early. Sunday morning was going to come early, and we had a busy day planned!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Back in the States!
I just got in a little while ago from Guatemala. The trip, the experience, and most importantly, GOD, was amazing! I have a journal full of thoughts and experiences to share....and that will happen this week! As well as lots of pictures!
Friday, June 5, 2009
The Days Have Turned to Hours
Only a few more hours and I'll be headed to Guatemala. This time tomorrow I'll be on an airplane. I am so blessed by this opportunity and can't wait to share God's word with the people of Guatemala. I can't wait to see God move and work in the lives of these people!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
2 more days!
I can't believe that in two days I'll be flying to Guatemala. I'm feeling much better and I only know it's because of all the prayers that have been lifted up on my behalf.
I know I've said a million times, but I'm so excited to see what God is going to do next week. I'm praying for so many lives to come to know Him.
This trip is not about me or any of the other members of our team. It's about the people there and our awesome God. I'm humbled and blessed to be a part of His plan and that I'm able to serve Him in ways that not many have the opportunity to serve.
As far things on this end of the trip...I'm almost done with laundry and have started packing. I took a last minute trip to Cedar Springs Christian bookstore and bought a Kids'EE Cube. It's an amazing little cube that tells the plan of salvation and it's a perfect explanation for kids.
Please continue to pray for us as we spend the next day preparing for our trip. Most of all, pray for divine encounters so that we may witness to as many as possible and that they will be receptive to His Word. God Bless!
I know I've said a million times, but I'm so excited to see what God is going to do next week. I'm praying for so many lives to come to know Him.
This trip is not about me or any of the other members of our team. It's about the people there and our awesome God. I'm humbled and blessed to be a part of His plan and that I'm able to serve Him in ways that not many have the opportunity to serve.
As far things on this end of the trip...I'm almost done with laundry and have started packing. I took a last minute trip to Cedar Springs Christian bookstore and bought a Kids'EE Cube. It's an amazing little cube that tells the plan of salvation and it's a perfect explanation for kids.
Please continue to pray for us as we spend the next day preparing for our trip. Most of all, pray for divine encounters so that we may witness to as many as possible and that they will be receptive to His Word. God Bless!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Prayers Needed
This week started as a very trying week for me. Monday night I spent several hours in the emergency room. I left with a diagnosis of a kidney infection. I got a wonderful shot in the hip and some antibiotics to fight it and today I'm feeling much better.
Please pray that God will heal me before my flight on Saturday. I have so much to do and feeling sick and in pain is not any fun at all!
Please pray that God will heal me before my flight on Saturday. I have so much to do and feeling sick and in pain is not any fun at all!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Packing and Preparing
This time next week I will be in Guatemala! I'm so excited and can't wait to see the work that God is going to do in the lives of the people there. This week I'm doing last minute preparations and packing. I have so much laundry to get caught up on before I can even attempt to pack though.I can't wait to serve alongside the other members of the Northstar team and the Parker family. We are excited about the VBS that we will be putting on for the children there and have some great Bible stories, crafts, and games planned. While this will be such a fun time for us and for the kids, our focus remains clear: praying that souls will be saved and lives will be changed.
Please pray for me this week as I get things ready and prepare myself for this trip. I know that I'm going to come back with new desires and that God is really going to work in my heart and life. I just pray that I can be the best light for Him while I'm there, all while telling of His grace and loving on those sweet people.
If you haven't had a chance to "meet" the Parker family, please do so by clicking on the picture at the top of the post. There, you can read all about Clubhouse Guatemala and what they do in Guatemala. You don't want to miss out on an opprotunity to pray for such an awesome ministry!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Packing Time
I almost have everything I need for my trip! Thursday I got all the little travel bathing necessities I will need so I crossed that off my list last night. With all the new airline rules packing that kind of stuff is turning out to be a pain. Unopened, less than 3oz, original containers...it's crazy! But, I know that it also keeps us safe, so I don't think I should really complain!
Friday I was blessed by one of the most caring and loving people in my life. I went shopping for a few pairs of shorts and shirts for my trip and my guardian angel decided to take care of me on that. I'm so thankful for her and for all that she does in my life.
I'm a terrible packer...I'm really stressing over packing stuff. I hate not knowing what to take. I'm such an over packer at times, and an under packer other times. Anyone have an tips on international travel packing? If so, I could definitely use them!
Friday I was blessed by one of the most caring and loving people in my life. I went shopping for a few pairs of shorts and shirts for my trip and my guardian angel decided to take care of me on that. I'm so thankful for her and for all that she does in my life.
I'm a terrible packer...I'm really stressing over packing stuff. I hate not knowing what to take. I'm such an over packer at times, and an under packer other times. Anyone have an tips on international travel packing? If so, I could definitely use them!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
11 Days and Counting
Wow! Only 11 more days and we will be on our way to Guatemala. I can't wait. I have so much to do between now and then, I don't have a clue when it is all going to get done! We had another meeting on Sunday and have all of our craft ideas down and supplies ordered. They are supposed to arrive by June 2...please pray that they arrive on time and not any later than the 2nd :)
I'm trying to prepare myself for this trip and for all that God has planned to show me. We are going to be used in such a mighty way. God is already answering prayers...He is really preparing the hearts of those in Guatemala. Read Mike's latest post on the Clubhouse Guatemala site here to read how the people are being changed! God is so good!
I'm trying to prepare myself for this trip and for all that God has planned to show me. We are going to be used in such a mighty way. God is already answering prayers...He is really preparing the hearts of those in Guatemala. Read Mike's latest post on the Clubhouse Guatemala site here to read how the people are being changed! God is so good!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Only 3 weeks to go!
Wow...3 weeks! In 3 weeks we leave for Guatemala. I have been so busy getting things ready and preparing for this trip. I'm so excited and so nervous!
My passport came in the mail the week before last so that is taken care of and it's in a safe place until I leave. Hopefully I don't forget where that safe place is!
I have been to the doctor and only need one more vaccination to up to date and safe in another country. Lucky for me, the vaccine I needed for Typhoid Fever comes in a pill now. Of course I went with the pill! I start it tomorrow and it's a week long deal. The side effects are something I'm a little worried about. Nausea is one of the main side effects so I'm not looking forward to that at all. I'm praying God will sustain the side effects.
We have been meeting at church each Sunday about what we will be doing in Guatemala. I am on the craft team for the Bible school we are doing. I'm excited about planning crafts for the kids! We have so many great ideas...the sad thing is that there are only 4 days we have to spend with them! That's not enough time at all!
Pray for us as we spend the next few weeks really preparing the lessons, crafts, and games that will tell all about Jesus and His love for the people of Guatemala.
My passport came in the mail the week before last so that is taken care of and it's in a safe place until I leave. Hopefully I don't forget where that safe place is!
I have been to the doctor and only need one more vaccination to up to date and safe in another country. Lucky for me, the vaccine I needed for Typhoid Fever comes in a pill now. Of course I went with the pill! I start it tomorrow and it's a week long deal. The side effects are something I'm a little worried about. Nausea is one of the main side effects so I'm not looking forward to that at all. I'm praying God will sustain the side effects.
We have been meeting at church each Sunday about what we will be doing in Guatemala. I am on the craft team for the Bible school we are doing. I'm excited about planning crafts for the kids! We have so many great ideas...the sad thing is that there are only 4 days we have to spend with them! That's not enough time at all!
Pray for us as we spend the next few weeks really preparing the lessons, crafts, and games that will tell all about Jesus and His love for the people of Guatemala.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Meeting the Parkers
While we are in Guatemala we have the opportunity to stay with the Parker family in their mission house. They are currently in the country raising funds for some of their ministries and they joined us at Northstar yesterday and gave us a run down of what we would be doing while we're there. Let me just say, our schedule is packed! We will be hosting a Bible School for one of the schools Monday through Thursday mornings. In the afternoons we will be doing things around the village: painting, building, ect. Friday night we are having a huge blockparty for the village where we're doing the Bible school. That will be our chance to really witness to the families of the children we're spending time with throughout the week.
Mike Parker gave us an insight on what the people there are like as well. There is a lot of witchcraft and darkness in Guatemala. The majority of the population is Catholic and Mayan belief. The school where we will be teaching is a Catholic school, however the principal knows what we will be teaching and opened the doors for us to share the gospel. God is really going to do a work in this village. I have faith in that.
This week, if you're praying for me and the team, please remember Mike Parker and his family. While you are at, visit the Parkers website and let them know you're praying too!
Mike Parker gave us an insight on what the people there are like as well. There is a lot of witchcraft and darkness in Guatemala. The majority of the population is Catholic and Mayan belief. The school where we will be teaching is a Catholic school, however the principal knows what we will be teaching and opened the doors for us to share the gospel. God is really going to do a work in this village. I have faith in that.
This week, if you're praying for me and the team, please remember Mike Parker and his family. While you are at, visit the Parkers website and let them know you're praying too!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
God's Love
Tonight I was sorting through things and throwing things out and trying to "de-clutter" my belongings. I looked around and realized that I have a lot of stuff. As I was trying to figure out where all the "junk" came from my mind wandered to what I was going to experience in Guatemala. I follow several other blogs and one in particular, Dreaming Big Dreams, sticks out in my mind. The couple are adopting 2 babies from Haiti and have been to visit several times. Each time, Jamie writes about the things she sees, and a lot of time my heart breaks for the children and people there. They have so little. We have so much. They don't have a single pair of shoes. We have so many. They don't have clean water. We have tap and bottled water. They have little food. We have a lot of junk food. They have little. We have much. It doesn't seem fair in the scheme of things. For we are all God's people. And that is probably one of the few things that I'm going to have in common with some of the people there. They are loved just as much as I am by Jesus.
Each day I ask for God to give me a specific prayer for the people of Guatemala. Tonight my prayer is that He really prepares me to show His love. I want the love of Jesus to shine through me. I want the people to see that even when they feel like they have nothing, they have the opportunity to have something far greater than anything on this earth. Jesus.
Each day I ask for God to give me a specific prayer for the people of Guatemala. Tonight my prayer is that He really prepares me to show His love. I want the love of Jesus to shine through me. I want the people to see that even when they feel like they have nothing, they have the opportunity to have something far greater than anything on this earth. Jesus.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Welcome!
Welcome to the journey God has graciously given me. I'm so excited to be living for Him and doing His work in the mission field.
I leave June 6th with a handful of others from my church, Northstar, and head to Guatemala for 7 days of mission work. I'm ecstatic. I'm scared. I'm nervous. I'm still trying to decide what I'm going to do for food. I'm thankful. I'm prayerful. I'm a million things right now, but most of all, I'm in love with my God and humbled He saw fit for me to serve Him in such a way.
As a reader of this blog, please join me in praying for the hearts and lives of the people in Guatemala. Pray that the Lord begins to prepare their hearts for us. That they be receiving of His word, of His truth, and of His love. Pray for our team as we prepare to witness and to love on the people of Guatemala.
I leave June 6th with a handful of others from my church, Northstar, and head to Guatemala for 7 days of mission work. I'm ecstatic. I'm scared. I'm nervous. I'm still trying to decide what I'm going to do for food. I'm thankful. I'm prayerful. I'm a million things right now, but most of all, I'm in love with my God and humbled He saw fit for me to serve Him in such a way.
As a reader of this blog, please join me in praying for the hearts and lives of the people in Guatemala. Pray that the Lord begins to prepare their hearts for us. That they be receiving of His word, of His truth, and of His love. Pray for our team as we prepare to witness and to love on the people of Guatemala.
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