Once again, apologies for the ridiculous chunks of time that pass between my posts.
It's late September and I'm still trying to wrap up some posts on a June mission trip!
But as we all know, life gets crazy sometimes - and NOW is that time for me.
The Work.
The work we did in Guatemala was far greater than any other mission trip I have been a part of. It was also the first trip where I could physically SEE the difference we were making. I could SEE the progress and mark we were leaving on this village. And it never ceases to fill my heart with warmth and love as well as fill my eyes with tears of joy and blessing.
What my team and I did in Guatemala was build a new church for the people of this small (in land) but large (in population and love) village. SO COOL. Being a part of this work was amazing. Never in my life did I expect to be a part of a construction team or project. I mean look at me. Think about it. . . People like myself aren't really cut out for this kind of work. But as one of my favorite quotations states "God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called."
It was so obvious to me that I was being called to be a part of this team, this mission, this work. I heard the Lord loud and clear. I felt Him tugging on my heart strings like never before. I NEEDED to do this. And boy am I glad I listened to His call.
I have never experienced God the way I did on this trip. I was in a tiny village I had never heard of before, being the hands and feet of Jesus to people who loved Him like I had never seen.
Talk about CRAZY LOVE!
It's still amazing to think I was a part of building something that the body of Christ will gather in and praise His name! Day after day. I know it's not about me. But it's such an incredible feeling to know that I am the most unlikely person to do this sort of work, but God qualified me for the job - and I did it! Not in my power, but in His.
And I felt the Lord blessing ME while He was blessing these people through my team and I. My heart is so full from this trip. STILL. It literally changed me. These people made a mark on my life that will never go away. My heart is branded by them forever.
And the Lord threw a little something my way on the trip as well. You see, it's always been a dream of mine to do medical missions. And one day of this trip, I was able to work in the medical clinic. That day is forever ingrained into my memory. I don't speak Spanish. Like at all. But the Lord miraculously gave me the words to speak with the doctor and the patients and understand what was going on. I was able to take their vitals and listen to their symptoms and how the doctor diagnosed them. It was heartbreaking hearing the stories of what happened to these people, and even more heartbreaking to hear how much time had passed since their symptoms began. . .
Months, YEARS even. And they never saw a doctor. They don't have that opportunity. And that is exactly what drives my dream of medical missions. People that NEVER get to see a doctor and live with pain and agony from childhood, well into adulthood and live through the pain.
But it was amazing to be a part of this medical experience for them. AMAZING. A dream come true. And I love that my dream came true through helping others. There's nothing like it.
The work we did there was visible, but also personal. I left feeling so full of love, blessing, and that I truly, truly helped. And these people are the warmest, friendliest, and most loving people I have ever met. I want to be like them.
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| I love her :) |
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| Pressure's on! |
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| My favorite trainer (Marvin) and Frank! |
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| Love these little faces |
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| Before |
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| Nice work ladies! |
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| Dramatic shot |
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| Best teammate ever |
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| Progress |
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| TROUBLE |
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Is that a smile?
That means we're doing good, right? |
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| Romelia |
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| Little Samuel. Adorable as ever. |
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| Nick work Frank, Seth and Esteban! |
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| Break-time hike |
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| Seth with our unbelievable trainers! |
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Team Perfection.
Most beautiful walls award goes to. . .
MORGAN AND CARA |
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| Chop that block Ryan! |
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| My Ruth. |
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Team Awesome.
Ryan, Me, Marvin (our incredible teacher) |
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| Re-bar (?) haha I think |
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Medical Clinic!
(This is the dentist at work) |
