Two weeks ago I arrived in Guatemala. Now since I had already been here five years ago, I had certain presuppositions. I came five years ago with a church to work outside of Antigua. I had been a Christian just over one year, and this experience really gave me a view into the world. As I return five years later so many things are different.
When I arrived at the airport, Alain, a missionary from our church was there to pick me up. When I looked up he was the first person I saw, which was a relief. I am by myself in a country and he really has been a great support. So has the Hanko family. This trip I am staying with this missionary family from Argentina. They are Marcelo, Vivi, and then their three children, Nicole, Mati and Noelia. Noelia is a doll! She is three and a half and just adores me. I pretty much adore her as well. They live in a gated community in Guatemala City and their house is four rooms, three baths. I have my own room and bathroom.
Since arriving it has been go, go, go! The first week I went with Marcelo and Alain to a place called "Jalapa." This is three hours away from Guatemala City. Marcelo Hanko, the missionary dad travels throughout the month because his and his wife's ministry is to encourage pastors throughout Guatemala. This includes but is not limited to house visits, prayer, doctor's visits, transportation. Anyways, on the first trip we visited five pastors and missionaries and prayed for them. As well, we brought an oven, washing machine and refrigerator to families in need. As we were driving to these places, it was a definite time for reflection. We were driving through very poor places and encouraging people that are serving God, not for any other reason than that they love God. One place that was really special was visiting a young missionary who for five years had dedicated her life to serving in Guatemala. She lived by herself in Guatemala, in a small apartment and served at a church in a very mountainous area. When we came to pray for her, she was so thankful and caring. This really made me think of what it means to lay down your own desires and comforts and serve people. On the way to Jalapa, I was sharing my dreams with Marcelo, the missionary here in Guatemala, and he was just encouraging in that there are only two things that last when we die. The Word of God and how we loved and served people for Christ's sake. I thought about how much I look forward to the rest of my life and just exploring what God has for me. At the same time I think of where God has already opened doors for me to travel (Bahamas, Spain, England, Guatemala, Mexico.) Hoping to go to Canada soon. ALSO in Jalapa, I cannot neglect to mention a lady I met, Claudia, who allowed me to stay in her room (she is also serving God here in Guatemala-attended Palabra de Vida Argentina).
Aside from visiting churches, I have also enjoyed a number of sits. Namely...the beach on both the Atlantic and Pacific sides and a volcano with REAL lavaaaaaaaaa! That's a story... On visiting the Pacific side...Alain (missionary from Guatemala to states) took me to a water park and then we went to a black sand beach and rode four wheelers. Great fun! On going to the Atlantic side...Marcelo, Alain and myself again jumped in the family's jeep and headed to a place called "El Faro." This was a resort built by a man in Chicago. It is a place used for ministry purposes, and Marcelo goes there once a month to preach and encourage those that work on the site. "El Faro" = a place I will never forget. Soft sand, warm water, a thunderstorm the first night we arrived, wow! Also a number of ladies cooked for us, tortillas (corn are my fav!), homemade Guacamole and chicken..YUM! During our two day stay, many people came to know the Lord and at the same time, I felt God really speaking to me. I am reading a book called Captiviating, by Stasi Eldridge. She speaks of so many things which have ministered to my heart these past few weeks. Two key things, which I believe to be true, not from pure virtue of her writings, but on my conviction, she writes of a man and a woman and how God made us. I must put in a little smidge of what I am reading and how I reflected on this at "El Faro" as I sat on the dock and watched the sunset and listened to the waves...She writes...
"Every song you love, memory you cherish, every moment that has moved you to holy tears has been given to you from the One who has been pursuing you from your first breath in order to win your heart. God's version of flowers and chocolates and candlelight dinners comes in the form of sunsets and falling stars, moonlight on lakes and cricket symphonies; warm wind, swaying trees, lush gardens and fierce devotion." (Captivating, 116)
Now, I read this that afternoon, and after I had taken a dip in the warm Atlantic, I sat on the dock, salty, refreshed and looked at the sunset, the palm trees, and the private resort I was visiting. Was God romancing me or what?? I mean I could have really missed this special moment. But I thought wow, a sunset, a private beach, a dip in the ocean, a little cottage all to myself...yes I was being romanced. One of the many things God has done this two weeks.
Next blog: PACAYA
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