with a different "plan" for their week-long opportunity to serve the
people. Had any of them heard that it was the group that would be
changed rather than the Guatemalans, they would have laughed. They were
arrogant at best.
The week's journey was an experience in searching for God and learning
about who they were…as God intended. They began at the bottom of a very
steep hill. Day by day, hearts were exposed more and more. The sights,
smells, visions and emotions in each of the villages contributed to the
convictions of each person in the group until the depths of their hearts
were exposed. Old wounds were brought to the surface. Issues of shame,
pride and selfishness were dealt with. God showed his face to each one
of the ten members of the group.
What began as a trip to serve those "less fortunate" turned into a week
of introspection and personal change. God spoke to each of the ten
hearts loud and clear. Yes, change took place, though it was not as
anyone had anticipated. Those ten people who traveled to Guatemala to
make the world a better place will be returning to West Michigan in two
days. They will be taking back not only vivid memories of daily home
visits, bible studies and singing, they will return with changed hearts.
God spent a week pealing away all of the shields and road blocks in
their hearts, leaving raw and exposed people, ready to make a difference
in their own homes.
The most difficult challenge for the group will be to assume life as
usual as it was eight days ago. Their family members will have an
opportunity to meet not new, rather "improved" loved ones Monday
morning. The biggest blessing will be for friends and family to truly
accept these new hearts, and allow their own to be changed as well.
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