Guatemala is…

I wish I knew more spanish to connect with people on a deeper level. I love conversations and getting to know people, but it’s difficult when I don’t speak the same language. 

 

On Friday, we said goodbye to two girls at our first ministry location. They lived in Villa Hermosa temporarily as they waited for their papers to move to a different community. I wanted to send them off with an encouragement, but I left that for Melany, Maynor, and Gabi, our guatemalan OWC team members. 

 

Each country my squad is going to speaks a different language. *sigh…* I’m not expecting to be fluent in any of them by the time the Race is over, but I want to try my best to communicate well with people. 

 

As my squad’s time in Guatemala soon comes to an end and we prepare for our next ministries, it is important to reflect. It is beautiful that by reflecting individually, we see what unique season Guatemala has been for each of us.

 

This blog is a collaborative post made up of responses from my entire squad.

 

Here are our responses to the prompt, ‘Guatemala is…’.

 

Guatemala is where God gave me a heart transplant.

 

Guatemala is my home. It is a Spanish speaking country which makes me happy because it feels like home. It is super friendly, people are always talking and gladly receiving prayer.

 

Guatemala is beautiful place, littered with beautiful people, clouded with a sadness that hungers for love incarnate.

 

Guatemala is teaching me about discernment of what is truth and of God. 

 

Guatemala is a place where the Lord has changed my perspective on alcohol and began to give me His heart. He keeps on showing me He is good.

 

Guatemala is special because it offers a glimpse of the garden. The glory of God & his creation is magnified in this place!

 

Guatemala is lively and vibrant. The harvest is plentiful and God is displaying his power here in the most astounding ways.

 

Guatemala is a place hungry for healing in so many places. It is a platform that God has utilized to enable us through His glory to advocate for the hope that is to come through Him. It is a community overflowing with gratitude and a vibrant culture full of people eager to smile.

 

Guatemala is a place where there is always enough room, specially in modes of transportation. 

 

Guatemala is a place of sacrificial giving.

 

Guatemala is more than a temporary home, it’s a lifestyle I want to adapt, one of undeserved hospitality and grace.

 

Guatemala is sweet in every area.

 

Guatemala is a beautiful country, full of lush greenery, and picturesque mountains. The rural villages are more traditional, and the people wear beautiful, hand-made clothes. The cities are full of life, with many sounds – from caballeros riding down the cobblestone streets, to vendors shouting their wares, to bands playing, to chuchos barking, to church bells ringing and bombas going off at all hours. The people are friendly, and move at a slower pace. Relationships are important, and people practice hospitality so well. There is also a lot of brokenness. Alcohol has imprisoned many people, especially the men, and the enemy has used it to tear apart the family. But I have seen God bring so much healing. I have seen God working restoration. I have seen God healing hearts and giving hope and bringing freedom. God has such a love and a plan for the people of Guatemala, and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to witness some of it!

 

Guatemala is refining and galvanizing, constantly pushing me to shed myself for God and the community.

 

Guatemala is a beautiful demonstration of colorful, all-enduring love. 

 

Guatemala is such a beautiful place with a warm and welcoming culture. 

 

Guatemala is a colorful burst of God’s heart!

 

Guatemala is fulfillment of the law; Love God and Love People.

 

Guatemala is a perfect place to practice the presence of God despite the “distractions” of kids running up to you to giving hugs, long ministry hours with people who desperately need God’s love, and being crammed into public transportation.

 

Guatemala is like that grandmother that just welcomes you in even if you are a new face. We’ve been received here in Guatemala with so much love and grace by the people. It’s a land rich in many things like hospitality, agriculture, love of God, and a deep historical culture that needs more time to discover. It’s a hidden gem that is unique when discovered.

 

Guatemala is a place seen, known, and loved by God. There is no where else Gods’ heart of hospitality is shown more greatly, where eyes are bright, and love transcends language barriers.

 

Guatemala is filled with such kind and hospitable people that do not refute the power of prayer.

 

Guatemala is smiles and greetings from everyone you see, kind eyes, old traditions, and

beautiful views.

 

Guatemala is where I rebuilt my spiritual house.

 

Guatemala is people with warm hearts quickly extended friendship, hospitality, generosity, laughter, and warm hugs.

 

Guatemala is a harvesting nation and the numbers of people accepting Christ is growing every day.

 

Guatemala is teaching ABCs and shouting God’s love on the mountainside.

 

Guatemala is life in color. Smiles, volcanoes, chuchos, tortillas and open doors. It’s a fertile soil full of people hungry for Good news and the one true living God. Guatemala is walking into freedom from idolatry and alcoholism! Amen

 

Guatemala is full of love, hospitality, and is a little pocket of heaven on earth.

 

Not my will, but His,

Sarah