“What Happens in Guatemala, Stays in Guatemala!”
Today was our final day at the Center. Brenda so graciously
led our devotion this morning reading from Ezra and Nehemiah and focusing on
ways to know God’s will. So often we talk about wanting to do God’s will and
seeking His direction, but aren’t sure what it is. In these passages, we see Nehemiah
acting on behalf of the remnant of Jews who had survived captivity but are in
great distress. Nehemiah saw a need, God stirred his heart concerning the
people, he spent days praying before the Lord, and finally, he asked permission
from the king to act. What a wonderful example for us to follow, and how
appropriate for this trip. Many of us saw a need whether it was to come on the
trip or support it. Our hearts were stirred and we prayed. Some of us asked
permission from a boss (or a spouse)
to come. And just like Donna’s devotion on Monday used the same Scripture as
the previous day’s blog, Brenda’s Scripture choice had been Karen’s quiet time
passage the night before. How God loves to make Himself known in such special
ways.
Our time at the Center today was bittersweet. We spent time
giving as many last-minute hugs, attention, and love as possible. We took
pictures…and then we took more pictures. It has only been four days, but these
kids have touched our hearts forever. Hopefully our work here, and the work of
those before and after us, will change the lives of them forever too. We don’t
know where these children will be in 5 or 10 years, but we pray. When we left
at the end of the day, all of the children lined up outside and waved and
waved. We left to a beautiful chorus of smiles and “adios!”
Our first day in Guatemala, the phrase “what happens in
Guatemala, stays in Guatemala” became a group joke. Whenever one of us would do
or say something silly or embarrassing, you could count on hearing that line. But
truly, what has happened this week should not stay in Guatemala! Remember the
words of Isaiah? “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the
everlasting God.” We live in a world that desperately needs to know this,
whether at home, in Guatemala, or throughout the world. Tonight during our
“wow” time to recap the day, Howie reminded us that the missionary we have been
here should not stay here. We need to be missionaries every day. And that does
not only apply to our group that sent on this trip, but to all of us as
Christians. We need to see needs, listen to God stirring our hearts, seek God
in prayer and Scripture, and ask Him how and when to act.
Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son
and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo,
I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew
28:19-20
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