God's promise...

Antigua, Guatemala

Genesis 28:15

15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

 

Wherever you are in your life.....whatever you are doing, please let this promise comfort you and give you peace that you are NOT alone. 

 

Our pastor at Eastview, Mike Baker, preached about this very verse today and it made Brian and I just look at each other and smile.  You see we need as much confirmation as possible these days.  By living in the word daily and truly trusting that God will lead our path as we begin this new chapter in our lives, is the only way we can survive. 

 

We have said YES to moving to Guatemala to serve full time but there are definitely hard steps to take on the way.  One of course is the fundraising.  This is going to be the tough one.  It is extremely hard to think that we have to rely on other people to support us. Nobody but nobody wants to ask people to give one of their most coveted possessions (their money) to help you be the hands and feet of Jesus.  But that is EXACTLY what God wants us to do....be a team...a partnership.   I keep reminding myself that I only have to rely on God and He will do the rest. 

 

And without a doubt....the hardest part will be away from our daughters and extended family.   I have to literally push this clear out of my mind or I will scream...cry and change my mind.  God keeps reassuring me that this is the greatest gift I can give my family.  I always want be the best example for my children.  I want to not just read the Bible but live it.

I asked my children one day...."Would you have done that if Jesus was standing right here in the room with you?"   Of course they fell for it and said "No!"  Why is it so hard for us to realize that He is right next to us at every second, during the good, the bad and the ugly? 

So I will pray for all of us to remember his promise.


Heavenly Father,

Please help my family and my friends as you have helped me today to remember that you are by our sides every second of every day.  You are here in our marriages, in our relationship with our children, you are at our workplace, at our schools.  Let us always act in a way that would please you.  BECAUSE of what you have done for us.....let us give our lives to you.  Amen 

 

 

 

 

I am.....

I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. ~Edward Everett Hale

Pictures are Worth A Thousand Words

I am still processing all the emotions I felt during our trip to Guatemala. I am posting some of my favorite pictures. All I ask is that you pray over each photo of the Guatemalan people. I know we are all so desensitized from seeing poverty and hunger on the TV but when you meet these precious souls in person you can't help but never look at those photos the same again.

 Children from the village of Chituk.

 Casas in the village of Chituk.

 Sweet babies with colds and ear infections.

 Mario playing marbles.  For most kids this is their only toy.

 Tyler teaching the kids to brush their teeth.

 The girls LOVED Keegan and Kallan.

 Village of Hope arranged for 2 adorable young adults to receive wheelchairs (their first ones ever!)

 Their room in the "after" photo.  New paint....cleaned and new shelving! 

 Antigua!

 Waiting for the GRINGOS!

 National Tree

 Cooling off where the village children bathe!

 Amazing Elsa and her boys Alexander and Manuel.  Such an inspiration!

 Addie and Keegan sneaking in photos.

 I will never forget the brokeness in this woman's face.

 Cemetary in Guatemala City

 Vultures over the city dump below the cemetary where human remains get dumped if families can't afford to pay the monthly fee.

 Amazing family that work in the city dump collecting recyclables.  They took in a young pregant girl off the streets to give us a home.  Below is a picture of the kitchen in their home.  They share everything when they have barely anything.  TRUE EXAMPLES OF DISCIPLESHIP!!

 We handed out soaps and shampoos to the kids that live at the dump.

 Learning to make tortillas

 Stepping out of our comfort zones in many ways.  Sharing during devotions and.....

 pouring concrete the hard way.  So proud of my team!

Hayvn serving Uncle Brian some cold water.