Until Next Time

Well here we are, 2 weeks after returning home from Guatemala and I still find it hard to concentrate on life here without constantly thinking about all we left behind. The love of Jesus that we shared with others and the love that was shown to us. All the dedicated Guatemalan missionaries and Kevin and Ginny that are so on fire for God and share God's love with their people. Not to mention the children who are so starved for adult and fatherly attention and love.

With that said, we have the great pleasure of reliving our trip to Guatemala this Sunday Feb.19 at church during the adult bible class. We will be presenting our pictures and telling all about our trip. Please make a special effort to come and see what God is doing in Guatemala.
I often think about why I have been so drawn to these people and have a burning desire in my heart to continue to go back. So many times you see or hear about the depressing way that people around the world must live and do not give it a second thought, or maybe give a few dollars to what you consider is a worthy cause in hope that it will clear your conscience and excuse you from really getting involved. I know I am guilty. After all we have so many responsibilities here. I sat down the other day and tried to put into words what I felt, not an easy thing for me to do.
here is what I came up with.

WHAT IS IT THAT CONTINUES TO PULL ME BACK TO GUATEMALA?

IS IT THE CONSTANT 75 DEG. SUNNY WEATHER?
IS IT THE SCENERY WITH BEAUTIFUL VOLCANOES ALL AROUND YOU?
IS IT THE TOURIST TOWNS WITH ALL THE TIENDAS OF GUATEMALAN MERCHANDISE?
IS IT THE FRESH DELICIOUS FRUIT?
IS IT NOT BEING ABLE TO EAT MEAT AND BE VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE THAT YOU EAT?
IS IT THE INABILITY TO SPEAK OR UNDERSTAND THE SPANISH LANGUAGE?
IS IT THE HORRIBLE TRAFFIC MAKING 6 LANES OUT OF A 3 LANE ROAD?
IS IT THE AIR POLUTION FROM DIESEL BUSES THAT BELCH BLACK SMOKE SO THICK THAT YOU CAN WIPE THE RESIDUE OFF THE CEILING OF YOUR CAR?
IS IT ALL THE NOISY CARS, MOTORCYCLES, TRUCKS AND BUSES?
IS IT THE LITTERED GROUND EVERYWHERE YOU GO?
IS IT THE POLLUTED STREAMS, RIVERS, AND LAKES?
IS IT THE POLLUTED WATER THAT YOU CAN ONLY BATH IN BUT NOT DRINK FOR FEAR OF GASTRO-INTESTINAL PROBLEMS?
IS IT THE 4 STEP DISHWASHING PROCESS? WASH, RINSE, SANITIZE AND LET DRY.
IS IT THE CRUMBLING SEWER SYSTEM THAT IS SO POOR YOU CAN NOT FLUSH TOILET PAPER?
IS IT THE THREAT OF EARTHQUAKES AND VOLCANOES ERUPTING?
IS IT THE MAINGE AND FLEA RIDEN DOGS AND OTHER ANIMALS THAT ROAM THE STREETS TO FIND A SCRAP OF FOOD ANY WHERE THEY CAN?
IS IT THE GUATEMALAN DUMP THAT IS FILLING IN A BEAUTIFUL RAVINE BETWEEN TWO MOUNTAINS?
IS IT THE M-16 TOTING SECURITY GUARDS EVERYWHERE THAT YOU CAN NOT TRUST?
IS IT THE POLICE OR GOVERNMENT THAT YOU ALSO CAN NOT TRUST?
OR IS IT THE HIGH RATE OF CRIME, EXTORTION, AND MURDER?

NO, I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT NONE OF THESE REASONS ARE ENOUGH TO MAKE ME FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS 3RD WORLD COUNTRY, CALLED GUATEMALA.

I THINK THE REASON THAT I CONTINUE TO BE DRAWN BACK IS THAT GOD HAS BUT A FIRE IN MY HEART FOR THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY AND STRUGGLE EVERYDAY.
MANY SURVIVE FROM DAY TO DAY SQUATING ON LAND THAT DOES NOT BELONG TO THEM; WITH NO ELECTRICITY, NO FRESH RUNNING WATER, AND NO SANITARY CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND.
YET THEY ARE THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE THAT YOU COULD EVER MEET.
IF THEY KNOW THE LORD THEY ARE ON FIRE FOR HIM AND COMPLETELY TRUST GOD FOR EVERYTHING THEY NEED AND SHOW IT IN THE WAY THEY WORSHIP, THE WAY THEY PRAY AND THE WAY THEY LOVE EVERYONE UNCONDITIONALLY. THEY ARE HAPPY TO SEE YOU AND INVITE YOU INTO THEIR HUMBLE HOMES. THEY WILL GIVE TO YOU OUT OF WHAT THEY HAVE, WHICH IS NEVER VERY MUCH.

YES GOD KEEPS CALLING ME TO GO TO GUATEMALA. I KNOW THAT I CAN NOT RELIEF THEIR SUFFERING. I HOPE THAT I CAN DO JUST A LITTLE SOMETHING TO BRING GOD’S LOVE AND HIS WORD TO THEM. HE IS SHOWING ME SO MUCH MORE THAN I WILL EVER BE ABLE TO DO FOR THEM.
WE PRAY FOR THEM AND TALK TO THEM OF GOD'S LOVE. WE SEE GOD’S HAND AT WORK HERE. AND YES, THEY ARE ALWAYS GLAD TO SEE YOU AND THANKFUL THAT WE CAME AND HOPE THAT WE WILL COME AND VISIT AGAIN.

GOD WILLING I WILL.

Thanks for following our blog. There is a lot of words written here that come straight from the heart.
Stay tune !!! Some of us have a desire to go again and are talking about 2014! God willing we all will be able to go and continue this journey.