There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays

I have been feeling particularly emotional this Christmas season. Oddly enough, it's not because I miss "home" or family (though of course I'd love to be able to celebrate the holidays with them); rather, I feel overwhelmed with gratitude that God has made Guatemala "home" for me. I couldn't help but smile as I walked out of Guatemala's Wal-mart tonight and heard the intercom play, "Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays." Literally, I smiled.

Then tonight as I climbed into bed, I saw a note I received three and a half years ago. I'm so glad I held onto it then, as it's been such an encouragement to me. The note was from a very dear friend at my college who had spent most of her summer in Nicaragua the year before I spent mine in Guatemala. She sent me the note early in our senior year, just weeks after I'd returned back to the U.S. The part that amazes me says this:

"Your time in Guatemala has prepared you for what God has awaiting for you. You touched many this summer, and you have an experience that will forever be a part of who you are! May you be blessed by that and blessed that God has so much in store for you!"

Did I mention my friend wrote this note before we'd really even had the opportunity to talk about my summer? I truly believe that those words were not just from my friend, they were from the Lord. Though my first two years living in Guatemala were spent nearly 5 hours away from the children's home I love so much, I praise the Lord for those years and the experiences I had in Xela. I had opportunity to experience the culture and learn the language in more real ways than I ever could have, had I first moved right to the city.

And now, here I am, a half-hour drive from the kids that mean the world to me. Even in traffic, I think I smile each time I drive to the Home, just because I'm still so amazed that God has finally opened the door for me to be close enough to do that. Not only that, He's granted me a peace in driving to and from the Home. I've still hardly ventured out around the city--and certainly not on my own--as the thought of getting lost and dealing with all the traffic here makes me rather uncomfortable. But, the Lord has been good to me and made the trip to the Home one that I typically enjoy.

What a true blessing from the Lord to feel at home this Christmas. :) There's so much more I could say about it, but I'll save that for another blog.

Simple Trust

*Oops. Wrote this Saturday and just realized I never posted...so, here it is...

Yesterday was perhaps my favorite day of the whole school year! The only other day that compares is the 100th day of school. (What can I say, God made me to be a teacher!) So, what made yesterday so special?

Yesterday was our trip to the North Pole on the Polar Express!!! Though the trip only took about a half hour, it's such a special day that we got to do a few different fun things throughout the day. One of my favorite activities from yesterday was writing our spelling words in "snow" (aka powdered sugar). Thursday evening I had painted the windows to look like it was snowing (marshmallows and white paint are perfect for such decoration!). Then yesterday I told the students that it had snowed Thursday night and I'd collected some of it for them to play in. Almost none of my students last year had seen snow, so the majority believed me from the very beginning. This year, it was a little harder to convince the students but I'd estimate half of them actually believed they were playing with snow! Maybe it makes me a bad teacher--lying to the students--or maybe it makes me a good teacher--being creative, making learning fun, and getting kids to use their imaginations. Either way, it's interesting to think that any child would truly believe that they were playing in snow.

The Bible tells us to have faith like a child and we often contemplate what that looks like. I can tell you--It looks like believing in the impossible (we're wearing t-shirts and it's the dry season--snow is impossible!) because your trusted teacher tells you its truth. It's fighting for that impossible that you believe in because you so sincerely believe all that your teacher tells you.

Just Life

My parents came to visit Guatemala for the first time two weeks ago! Despite many "adventures" that occurred before and during their visit, I was grateful to finally have the opportunity to show them around the country that has become so special to me. But...I'll share all about their visit in another post...for now, just another thought that I had tonight...

This evening I had the opportunity to go out to the Children's Home and hang out with the senoritas (older girls) for a couple hours. I, along with 2 other missionaries who live on the campus of NLCH, plan to begin a Beth Moore Bible study on Esther with the girls in January. Until then, we wanted to take the opportunity to break the ice a bit, and create an open, fun atmosphere that will encourage the girls to participate in the study. Tonight, we watched a movie in Spanish (with Spanish subtitles) and then had a little fun with Zumba. While the movie was on, I was looking around at all the girls squished on the couches, and it hit me...tonight was one of the very first times (if not the absolute first) that I had the opportunity to spend time with kids at NLCH without the over-shadowing sadness of counting the days left before I'd have to leave them again. I was watching a movie in Spanish, and I understood it just fine. I was not only chatting in Spanish, but I was using "vos", which demonstrates a good friendship. I was getting into pillow fights, laughing, having water tossed on me...I've always treasured my time with the kids at NLCH, but I'm blown away at the thought of how blessed I am that fun times with those kids is now just life. It's regular, ordinary life. I'm living in a third world country, thinking in and speaking a 2nd language fluently, hanging out with and soon-to-be discipling kids who were once abused and abandoned but now so well adjusted...this is just "normal" life for me...and I couldn't be more amazed by that blessing nor more thankful for it.

A Quick Quote

I've been trying really hard to keep up with the blog and post weekly, but with facebook and e-mails, I often forget I haven't posted here as well. Since it's getting pretty late tonight, I'll just entertain you with a simple kid quote...Enjoy!

1st (my class) and 2nd grade are meeting together during Social Studies each day this week for a collaborative mini-unit on the first Thanksgiving. While activating some prior knowledge of students today, I asked who was involved in the first Thanksgiving. Someone accurately named the Indians, but the kids were having trouble remembering what the other group of people was called. Then I saw a student very confidently raising her hand, and when I called on her and asked who the other group was, she shouted with a smile, "the Philistines!" :)

These are a few of my favorite things...

Life continues to be very busy, but very fun. Here are a few of my favorite things I've been up to recently...

-Taking 15 children from New Life Children's Home to the Harvest Fair at school: It was tiresome trying to keep up with the kids, but so much fun to see them so excited and enjoying a simple outing.

-Visiting a children's home for kids with AIDS: Lots of running, laughing, tickling, story reading, and hugs.

-Hair cut: I was super blessed to spend an evening out at NLCH and get my hair cut by a visiting team member. I LOVE the haircut and I'm still getting compliments on it over a week after it was cut. It's wonderful how God can use every gift He gives us to bless others.

-Planning for my parent's visit!: Wish-list making, finding subs, requesting time off, and getting very excited for my parents first visit to Guatemala!

-Shopping in the market in Zone 1: A wonderful place to buy anything and everything!

-Survivor Nights: A huge blessing by a parent from school. Each Wednesday night she prepares a delicious dinner, complete with dessert, and a number of us teachers (mostly single elem. teachers) are invited over for dinner and watching the show "Survivor".

-Bible Study: Monday nights we have a ladies Bible study with other CAG teachers/staff. It's been stretching me and growing me. Also, though it hasn't begun yet, I'm preparing to begin a Beth Moore Bible study on Esther with the older girls at NLCH. Can't wait!

-Time with one of my best friends, Rachel: Sleepover when we had off school for day of the dead. Dinner outings to Miraflores (a local mall). Chatting in the car when I take her home after Bible study. Recess duties together. Hang-out time after Survivor nights. Spanglish conversations. Walking during lunch. I can't express what a blessing Rachel has been to me and how grateful I am the Lord blessed me with her friendship!

From Conferences to Cake

Yesterday we had parent teacher conferences at school. I was thankful for the peace the Lord gave me about them and how well each one turned out. The best part about conferences though was that I was done by lunch! I ate lunch at school and then spent a bit of time working in my classroom before leaving for the children's home.

It was great to be able to go out there on a beautiful Friday afternoon! Traffic was better than in usually is on Saturday's and it was a sweet blessing to watch and join in with all the kids playing outside. The main reason I went yesterday (other than because I left school early) was because one of the girls--Angie--was celebrating her 13th birthday. It's been quite some time since I was able to celebrate a birthday with the kids at the Home so I really enjoyed that. I also really enjoyed my piece of chocolate peanut butter banana cake!

Highlights of the day:

-"Easy" conferences

-Playing with the kids all afternoon

-Hearing Jason Alejandro say another word (his 2nd that I'm told he actually says 3 words now.)

-Squeels and running hugs (you know...the kind where a kid runs and jumps into your arms!) from several of the newer, younger kids who finally know me well enough to get excited when I'm around.

-Birthday cake baked by Wendy Wheeler :)

-Making it home in the dark without any trouble and in pretty good time

Thanks for your prayers and notes of encouragement! It was a long and challenging week trying to work through some kinks in the new online grade program and prepare for conferences, but thankfully the Lord provided me with a sweet blessing at the end of it all. Tomorrow is a new adventure...trying to drive to church alone for the first time. Why? Because after church I'm going to play with kids at a home for children with AIDS! Can't wait to love on some more sweet kids!

Sunshine, Black Beans, First Words, and Wet Kisses

There's nothing like a Saturday at New Life Children's Home to remind me that despite the ups and downs of change--new home, new roomie, new school, new students--I am just where the Lord wants me. While I always enjoy my time at NLCH, sometimes the drive itself if...well...rather stressful. Last weekend, the trip took an entire hour. Today before I left the house, a friend said she'd pray I made it there quickly. I couldn't help but smile along the way as the road was SO clear and empty (comparatively)! It only took about a half hour. :)

Because the trip went so quickly, I had plenty of time to hang out with the kids before we had lunch. I went first to visit the little boys house. As soon as I walked in, I was pulled by two little guys upstairs to where everyone was watching a movie. Then, on the way to lunch, the newest addition to our Home--Jason Alejandro--saw me and ran up to me with a big smile! :D That was huge. Until today, I was just another white face that tried to give him too many hugs and kisses. I carried him over to the dining room where I met up with everyone else and joined the little girls at their table for lunch. Our lunch for the day was was black beans and rice. Simple as it is, black beans have become a comfort food for me because they remind me of all the peaceful, joyful days I've spent at NLCH. So, I enjoyed my very Guatemalan lunch.

After lunch, I helped some of the boys to do their chores of cleaning the tables in the dining room. Then we all went out to the playground where we thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful, sunny day the Lord blessed us with! There was lots of swinging and playing chase, accompanied by lots of smiles and laughter. There's nothing quite so tiresome and yet quite so peaceful as a game of tag with a little guy just old enough to be way faster than you! :) Once I tired of the game of tag, I sat down in the rocks with little Jason Alejandro. Jason is nearly 4 yrs old, but he's physically very tiny and sometimes chooses to crawl rather than walk, and he's mute. At least for now. Tests have revealed that he has no physical impairments, rather he was just never stimulated before so he's never learned to talk. I love working with children who have speech difficulties, and I love signing with those who cannot talk, so I'm pretty excited about developing a relationship with Jason Alejandro. Today one of the house mom's left just the two of us to play together on the playground. It was wonderful to hear him TRYING to talk! For a bit, he even echoed me as I counted rocks, though his echoes were not recognizable as any particular letter sound.

Later I took Jason Alejandro back over to his house, but we continued playing outside with some of the girls. While we were playing, I heard a semi-recognizable word from Alejandro!!! The first and only recognizable word I've heard him say!!! As his big brother rode away on the bike, he waved and said "Adio" (adios)!!! Praise the Lord! He said it again quite a few times throughout the afternoon.

As I was preparing to leave this evening, I gave hugs and kisses to all the little ones. As I was saying good-bye to our sweet one-year-old Gabby, I made the mistake of saying "besos" (kisses). Usually we give kisses on the cheek. Gabby doesn't quite have the kiss thing just yet, and her kisses are more like her pushing her open mouth up against your cheek. Well, as I went to kiss her on the cheek, she tried to kiss me too...which resulted in a wet slobbery "kiss" on my lips! :P I couldn't help but laugh...a lot!

I'm so grateful for each and every child and staff member the Lord has brought to work at NLCH. Today as I cuddled with one of the little boys while watching the movie, I just smiled and said a prayer of thanks to the Lord. Then it crossed my mind...this is what I was made for. This is what the Lord has called me to. And I couldn't be more grateful!

The rains came down and the floods came up...

Ok, first, I must begin with that line that so many bloggers find themselves using sooner or later...I'm sorry for my long absence! I had set a goal of posting at least weekly, but somehow I fell behind and have been so busy I didn't even realize it until just recently! There's been so much going on around here, I should have more than enough to write about. However, tonight I just want to share a single prayer request.

Guatemala has experienced an excessively wet rainy season this year. We started the season with Tropical Storm Agatha, which brought a great deal of damage and flooding throughout the country. It was estimated to be the worst storm Guatemala had experienced in years. People struggled to get back on their feet, with entire houses washed away and the main roads blocked by landslides. Fixing and rebuilding has been difficult with the regular rainy season rains continuing to fall. Worse still, several other tropical storms have hit Guatemala this season leaving the land absolutely saturated. Each rainy afternoon brings with it the risk of flooding or a new landslide. And when it rains the full day as it did both yesterday and today, you can take the "risk" out of that and instead be certain more damage to roads, bridges, and buildings is occurring.

I remain grateful for the roof over my head that doesn't leak (I can handle the mold for now!), the car that keeps me dry as I travel to school, and the blankets that keep me mostly warm as I sleep. However, I know there are MANY less fortunate. The sound of rain that used to be so soothing, now brings heartbreak as I consider the lives being so negatively affected by the excess rains.

With this in mind, I plead with you to pray for the people of Guatemala. The heavy rains we're experiencing now (I believe the after-effect of the tropical storm that hit us last weekend) are expected to continue for 2 more days. Please pray that the rains will lessen and that God will provide for the poor and needy here who are hurting in the midst of all the rain. Thank you for your care and concern, not only for me as I serve the Lord here in Guatemala, but for His precious people that have grown so dear to me.

Community and Culture

I was talking with a friend today about how most of the time I'm really happy to be here in the city, but how a part of me still sometimes misses Xela. That's when I think I finally realized what I like and what I miss about the respective places.

Community: I think I knew it, but I didn't...community is what I have been missing and desiring for the last two years. Sure I had a couple close friends in Xela, maybe a handful that I wanted to make plans to hangout with, but I spent a large amount of time feeling like I just didn't fit in or click with anyone. I got along with people fine, but it seemed nobody understood my passion for loving "the least of these" and few took any interest in hearing about it. My views on a lot of things were more conservative than most, leaving me home alone many a Friday and Saturday nights. I was mostly content with life in Xela, but each time I made a trip to the city I found it harder to return. Now, I recognize that it's because I experienced community here like I never did in Xela. I felt accepted and loved. I got to hang out with people who shared my passions, beliefs, and convictions. And that's where I find myself now. It's amazing, even almost overwhelming at times, to be surrounded by so many people involved in so many different ministries, but all here because they've felt the Lord calling them to preach the Gospel here in Guatemala. Some are involved with education, others with childrens homes, orphanages, and shelters, and still others with medical ministries. Then there are many who are a part of miscellaneous ministries that don't fall into one overarching ministry--aviation ministry, helps ministry, ministry to prostitutes...Some are more conservative than others. Some have been here longer than others. But we all share a common denominator--a desire to see the people of Guatemala loved into the arms of Christ. It creates a common bond that leads to almost immediate friendships.

Culture- Though I feel tremendously blessed to finally be a part of such a positive and encouraging community, I have still felt as though there is a little something missing--culture. The city is so...American. Everyone has cars, there are bigs malls and movie theaters, most shopping occurs in the grocery store, not a market...Sure it's convenient at times, but I long for the opportunity to hop on a bus for Q 1.25 (less than $0.25) to be taken across town without having to worry myself about traffic. I long to be able to safely walk the streets. I long to be able to purchase fruits and vegetables at the market and get anything made out of plastic from one of a million "plastic stores" near the market.

Today I was able to mix community and culture with a visit to the market near the children's home. It was wonderful to buy things at a more reasonable price, and to KNOW what a reasonable price is! And to make it even better, I got to do it with two friends who both speak Spanish. When we entered the market we agreed to speak only Spanish so we'd stick out a little less, and we mostly kept to that...even for a bit after we left!

As I become more comfortable driving here, I hope to be able to balance the culture and community experiences, making the most of living here in the city.

New-ness

I've been here a week and it feels like forever. So much has gone on over the last 7 days! It's amazing to think that I've been living in this same country over the last two years, and yet, living in the city feels SO different...almost like living in a whole different country! Here's a bit regarding some of the changes that have been happening...

New #1: Location- Obviously, I'm in a whole new place and that's oh so apparent every day! The new place became truly official Wednesday when I moved my things down to the city from Xela.

New #2: Friends- I've got a new roomie named Tabitha and I've met a number of other teachers and families from the school. I also spent this afternoon/evening at a new young adult group and really enjoyed making new Guatemalan friends there. My roomie and I hope to attend regularly.

New #3: School- I'm really excited about a lot of things at my new school, but change is change and it will take time to get used to. For example, my new classroom is significantly larger than my old classroom, BUT I have about 4 or 5 different sized/shaped/designed desks.

New #4: Adventures- I'm learning to drive here!!!!! Let me tell you, this is HUGE! Guatemalan drivers are CrAzY, especially in the city. I don't even like driving in cities in the US, so this is a big step. My roomie is not so scared so we've had some adventures out and about getting to know the city.

(Re-) Newed #5: Passion- I've desired for so long to live close to New Life Children's Home and now I finally am! I spent all day Thursday with the kids and couldn't have been happier! When I arrived, school was still in session, so I was able to visit with my school kids and afterwards I had the afternoon to hang out with my kids from the Home. One of the highlights was definitely rolling around in the grass having a tickle fight with a few of the girls. :) I was completely exhausted by the end of the day, but it was so worth it. I love those kids SO much...words can't really express it.

So, there's an update on some of what has been going on in this past week. The days have been very full so it's hard to believe it's only been a week. I expect that this week will fly by, however, and I'll soon be starting school. Thank you for your prayers! There's lots to be done this week!

Home Sweet Home!

Sunday at 10:30 AM, I left for the airport with my parents, 2 suitcases each reaching the max limit (50.5 lbs each, actually), and carry-on baggage that weighed another 50 lbs.We were at the airport early, so I had the opportunity to just sit and relax with my parents for a bit. Just after noon, I headed through the security check and onto my gate. While waiting for the plane, I got to have a sweet phone conversation with a dear friend who also has a heart for missions. It kept me busy and free from worrying about flying (which I very much dislike).

The flight to Dallas went ok. We had a bit of turbulence, but I got a little sleep and the flight went fast. In Dallas, I began to realize the weight of my carry-ons as I struggled to carry them to my new terminal and gate. And…once I arrived at my gate, I ended up having to go back to where I started just to get dinner! But the Lord was (and is) my strength, and I made it back to my gate just before boarding time with my Starbucks double chocolate chip frappacino and Mc Donalds.

The flight left about an hour late, but somehow we still managed to arrive in Guate on time. The flight from Dallas to Guate was perhaps the best flight I’ve ever had between the US and Guate. Just before the plane took off, I got involved in a conversation with a girl who has taught in Nicaragua and was coming to Guate to do volunteer/missions work. She traded seats with the only other person in my row (the middle seat remained empty) and we chatted nearly the entire way. She has an incredible testimony of how God lifted her from a life of abuse, atheism, and teenage pregnancy to become an educated, working mother with a heart for the Lord and for seeing the lost saved. She teaches in inner-city New York and the passion I saw when she spoke of her job (where she tells kids about Jesus in her public school!) showed me that teaching is definitely her mission field. However, she feels called to make short term trips to countries throughout Central and South America to help however she can. This trip, she was bringing $1000 worth of baby and toddler clothes.

So, the story sounds interesting enough, but it gets better. This new friend was scheduled to travel with another friend of hers who had thought of the idea only a week before. The other friend had the guide books and was planning where they would go and stay and give the clothes. Well, Sunday morning, that friend had a seizure as she was loading up the car to leave! She was admitted to the hospital and this girl on the plane had no way to contact her for any of the plans. She had to choose if she would come alone—without any plan even as to where she’d stay when she arrived last night—or if she’d just cancel the trip. She told me that she felt that the fact that she was the ones with the clothes was enough to convince her that God still wanted her to go. So, she hopped on a plane and she’s now in Guatemala. I was able to give her all sorts of information on places she could stay and where she could donate the clothes. Just tonight I heard that she was able to go to one of the places I mentioned and they were very blessed by the gift.

When I boarded the plane I was unaware of where the rest of my support was going to come from and merely trusting that as I stepped out in faith, God would bless my trust and provide as He has promised me all summer that He will. As the girl was telling me about her church that sounds so on fire for Jesus, I had a quick thought that maybe I should ask her to share with the congregation about me and see if they might support me. I prayed that the Lord would direct our conversation and give me wisdom to know if I should say anything and what those words should be. Less than 5 minutes later, my friend just turned to me and said “I want to tell my church about you!” We talked more about it and I shared where I’m at financially. She said her church is full of people who love to give (did you catch that this trip she’s on was just thought of a week ago and she received all the clothes and money for the trip from her church the next day!) I was excited and amazed. I was trusting God to provide all $25,000 that I need for this year BEFORE I made it to Guatemala. I believed that God wanted to send me fully supported. I truly believe that this church may be the answer to the rest of the support I need, and though the money is not in my account, the contact was made before I actually landed in Guatemala. I’m really just awestruck at the thought of it. It reminds me of the story of Abraham, when the Lord tells him to take his only son Isaac and sacrifice him on the mountain. Abraham has waited so long for a son, and now the Lord is telling him to sacrifice him! But Abraham, in faith and obedience, follows where the Lord has called him to go, trusting that God has a bigger plan than that which he can see. At the very last minute, when Isaac is already tied up to be sacrificed, God speaks to Abraham and tells him not to kill his son but rather to kill the ram that is tangled in the bushes. God brings Abraham to a point of no return. He waits to see just how much Abraham trusts him. He wants to know what will happen to his faith when he hears the Lord clearly calling, but doesn’t understand or like what the Lord is calling him to.

Thankfully, I was not called to sacrifice a kid, but I was called to sacrifice the comforts of home and the safe feeling of earning enough money to support myself. God didn’t want me doing it on my own anymore. He called me to do something that I can NOT do on my own. It’s up to Him to provide now. I heard His voice so clearly calling me to this—to teaching and CAG and living close to my favorite children’s home. But, as I walked in that direction, I did not understand why the money I needed was not coming in. I waited, and continued preparing to leave, believing that the Lord had told me when to return to Guatemala and the funds would be there by then. It wasn’t until the very last minute—when I was on the plane leaving the US—that God said, “Ok. Relax. You’ve followed me through your uncertainty. You’ve believed in me and my promises. Here’s the answer you were looking for. You have stood firm through the test and now I will bless you for your obedience.”

A-MAZING. Nothing short of it. And I write this with a strong conviction that all my support has essentially now been raised though the church in New York may not hear about me for another week or two. And don’t get me wrong. This friend did not promise that her church would give me money but she promised she would share my story and what I’m doing. And through that, God has given me a peace that I need not worry about the rest of my support.

The goodness and faithfulness and timing of the Lord just blows me away! I look forward to sharing this story in boasting in God’s great faithfulness even more when the funds arrive in my NLAI account. I cannot do this alone. I did not do this alone. But God had it all planned out from the beginning.

So, to finish up after that long story…I arrived in Guate on time and had no problems claiming bags, getting through customs, or finding the ladies that were picking me up. What a sweet blessing to be eagerly awaited by two wonderful members of my NLAI family.

Monday afternoon I received a call from a man willing to help me move my things from Xela to my new place, and all I'd have to do was pay for gas. So, Tuesday I took a series of taxis and buses and made it back to my old home. I enjoyed an evening of catching up with friends and walking through the city. Wednesday I spent the morning up at my old school (IAS) meeting new teachers, catching up with old ones, and helping out however anyone could use it. I made it back to my apartment in the city around 6 PM. There's much to be done still to get settled in, but I'm really happy to be here and have all my stuff, too.

Thanks for your prayers for safe travel and for all the financial support many of you have already given or pledged!

My Little Michelita

If you've ever been around me when I'm talking about New Life Children's Home (so pretty much if you've ever been around me!), you've probably heard me share about little Michelita. She is a sweet, loving, bilingual 3 year old who moved to Guatemala in January 2008--and, she is a dwarf. She was born weighing less than 2 lbs, and now, three years later, she is 25 inches tall and about 11 lbs. The Lord has been so faithful in protecting her and providing for her already and it's truly a miracle to see her so lively and healthy and happy despite her size and the lack of care she received before being brought to NLCH.

Tomorrow Michelle will fly to the US with NLCH directors Kendon and Wendy Wheeler. A specialist in Delaware has agreed to see her and provide necessary exams at a reduced price. Please pray for safe travels and good doctor reports. Michelle (and her 3 siblings) are such a sweet addition to NLCH and I can't imagine the play without her spunk. :)

Above is a recent picture taken of Michelita in the prayer garden at the home. For more information on Michelle and her trip, please visit Kendon Wheeler's blog: kendonwheeler.blogspot.com

Faith and Finances

Support raising over the last two months has been interesting, frustrating, exciting, disappointing, tiresome, and character-building, all wrapped up in one beautiful package of faith. Saying we trust the Lord is one thing. Living in a manner that requires complete dependence on Him is a whole other adventure. And let me tell you, it's one worth taking.

Worry comes easy to me. I suppose that alone shows that my faith is not always as strong as I'd like to think it is. But throughout these last two months, God has given me an amazing peace that He will provide. He has assured me time and time again that I am following His leading with this move to Guatemala City. And His Word is loaded with promises that as I step out in faith, HE will work it all out and provide for my every need, working miracles as He so desires.

I needed to raise approx. $25,000 this summer in order to be 100% funded. Currently, I'm at maybe 50% of that goal. And I fly out in 6 days. Typically, this is the point in time when I would start to panic and become very stressed. But not this time, thanks to God's great grace. I know that the Lord will provide in His way in His time. I may receive a check for all the missing amount my last day at home. Or I may leave thinking I'm not fully funded only to arrive in Guatemala and receive an e-mail that a donation for the missing amount has been sent to the NLAI headquarters in Texas. Or, maybe God has a completely different plan in mind. But what I do know, is that God is faithful to keep His promises and one of those promises is this:

"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:22-24)

So, please join me in praying that the rest of my support will come in. If you are interested in joining the team of people supporting me financially in order that I may continue serving the Lord in Guatemala, please visit the following website for information on how to give: http://www.nlai.org/contributions.php

Thanks for your prayers and support!

Made to Worship

A couple months back I was at Church when a little boy caught my eye and put a smile on my face. We were finishing up the praise and worship time, which in Guatemala is loud and joyful, to say the least. I looked over and saw two little boys curled up on the chairs presumably asleep. As the song finished, the church broke out in applause (also very common). Still watching the little boys, I noticed one begin to clap. He was too tired to even open his eyes, but he seemed unable to keep from joining in the worship!

Just over a week ago, I went to the evening service at church. Right across the aisle from me, a beautiful little girl—no more than two—running around and enjoying herself during the worship. She ran up to her dad, who picked her up and set her on his shoulders. The dad continued to worship, eyes closed, one hand raised and the other sustaining his daughter. Then, it was as if the daughter wanted to join in the worship. She sat there smiling on her dad’s shoulders with both hands raised and her gaze fixed somewhere between straight ahead and looking upward. It was beautiful.

After both these incidents, I simply couldn’t help but think we were MADE TO WORSHIP. There’s so much in this world that distracts us from it, but there’s something in our hearts that inclines us to praise the very One who created us.