Guatemala will tear up your heart at the same rate it will make you fall in love with it, a place so alluring and beautiful filled with people so gracious, warm and approachable that its hard to take in the immeasurable amount of poverty which is so prevalent.
When skies turn to grey, don't let the dark blind the way.
The mountains and volcanoes help to make a breathtaking view, the old Spanish colonial buildings which tower over you, and the bustling capital of Guatemala City are not the only things that stay with you, nor are they the only images you will return home with imprinted on your heart.
Beneath the simplicity of life and serenity of landscape is the luscious chaos and beautiful mess which makes up the majority of Guatemala.
Sure, you can learn all about what I am referring to if you browse the internet, but what if you experience it first hand? You will see it. You will know it. You will hear it. You will smell it. You will feel it in you as you travel through each day. The begging and shouts of ‘one dollar’ from the kids who know how to say ‘no school today’ when you ask why they are out working, the eyes that meet and lock with yours that reveal a look into their past, the smiles which come across those faces which resonate from their hearts, sometimes the only thing they have to hold of their own.
It was during those moments in June of 2014 which I vowed to myself and the country that I would return back to make a difference, (I wasn’t sure in what capacity, but have since found my purpose) and I have kept my promise and returned four times since. Oh goodness my oh my, how blessed and grateful I am that the Lord has kept this path lit with his love, guidance and protection, and has seen to it that my prayers come to fruition. Not just for me, but for our whole Guate family.
Rain from Heaven wash over me and you.
I am such a huge advocate of volunteering, but if done the correct way and for the right reasons. Not to throw shade on organizations out there, but we all aren’t naive to the fact organizations exist out there that do not have the best intentions at heart. Im not volunteering because it sounds good or it was something that was on my non-existent bucket list, those who know me know the bucket list thing is totally not me! :P Im doing it because it’s the first thing in life, besides accepting Christ as my savior and being with Jon, that feels right. Ok, so that makes it my third thing in life. Something in me clicked that June, what I saw and felt affected me to the point that I never stopped thinking about it and I returned home knowing my calling in life was to be the hands and feet of the Lord in Guatemala. Each and every day I pray to be lead where my trust is without borders and for him to lead me. Not to only lead me, but to open my heart and hear him so i know where he is leading me. I have to remember he has never failed, and keep my focus on him, no matter how dark skies get sometimes.
Love is night, and love is day.
I have, unfortunately, been told by people that I can’t change the world. Well, not with that attitude silly! While I know I can’t change the whole world myself alone, I believe in the ripple effect. I know somewhere in the world I am inspiring someone, it may take a day, or five years, but I believe someone out there will become inspired and go on to help others in some way, whatever that flame in their heart be when it gets ignited. I will keep doing me , keep feeding the flames in my heart the word of God, stoking the furnace with prayer, and allow the Holy Spirit to work in me and in the process I know it will bring other flames closer to mine and those flames will spread and become so enormous and do such remarkable things that only God knows what will come of it.
There's always beauty in the struggle.
