We are in our 4th day at the Center, the last day
for most of us. As we walk the halls setting up rooms for the next group to
come in, we drag our sick and worn bodies around reflecting upon Lori’s words
during devotion this morning: we feel both empty and full. We have received so
much love from these kids, and God continues to strengthen us, even when we
grow tired and weary.
As I write, my head swims with the first day’s battle of a
sinus infection, while Mona and Bailey have retired from nausea and fever. We
walk half awake waiting for the opportunity to sit and breathe, but this has
been worth it. As the question “Are you ready to go home today?” surrounded
every conversation at breakfast, the popular response was a definite “Yes,”
but hesitation in the eyes told a deeper truth. We are all ready for a break
and to see loved ones, but the mission field changes your vision, you realize
the importance of Jesus establishing the missional life of a Christian. We
cannot leave without wondering, “What would this week have been like without me
here.” We must be missional.
The Curtises are halfway through painting a room for the squirrels, a task that is underappreciated in the States. Some 4
coats and 4 days into it, they can see a work nearing completion. Even now there
are sounds of power tools and large furniture being shuffled into position as
we prepare rooms in the new wing here. It looks great! And as the kids awake
from nap and others return from vaccinations at the clinic in town, we hug and play knowing this may
be the last encounter we have with these children. We are praying all the
while, interceding for these little lives and hoping that they find hope and
peace in the arms of Jesus.
Ana Lucrecia has come to life this week. The sad little girl
has shown a heart of adventure and curiosity as she has wandered the
playground, dependent but still attached, still in need of love and someone to
smile at her. I am so proud of this little girl, and I know there is a similar
story behind each of these kids. I watched her inspect the low limb of a tree
and scale obstacles on the playground, all the while knowing God has watched me
do the same. Ana and I are very much alike. I was blessed with many comforts,
but life is not about the food in our pantry or the clothes on our back. These
foolish worries – as Jesus explains – are left to the Father, while our journey
is about courage and life. We search and stand in awe, not realizing until He
is there that it’s Jesus we have been looking for all along.
I hope you have been encouraged to live missionaly. My name
is Lief Thomason and I am with the group from Brooksville, Florida. I have been
honored to document our time. I don’t believe I would have seen this week the
same if it wasn’t for the blog. Thank you, Ron and Cynthia, and everyone at the Center:
the interns, the staff, the translators, the smiling faces of the kids next
door and all missionaries I have been blessed to join in Guatemala this week. God
is good.
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