On the Ground

Mud, Mud, Mud! That’s what our week has been full of! 

Monday started with a fresh list of friends and patients to encourage, but God had other plans for our path (literally!). We hit a patch of road that looked challenging, but getting out to investigate revealed a hidden danger: 2-foot deep mud grooves, taller than our truck’s chassis!

And a slide off the edge would mean a perilous drop. Sometimes, God’s protection comes in the form of wisdom to avoid danger, and we humbly backed up to find a safer route. 

Han hey, as I shared in another post this week, https://katethenurse.com/when-life-gives-you-mud-choose-coffee-instead/. We got some coffee out of it!

Since we were unable to visit any of our friends and patients on Monday, we tried again yesterday. Yesterday, however, the mud was back with a vengeance! We were climbing a road that seemed fine until suddenly, we were sliding in soap-like mud.

Going backward seemed even riskier than pushing forward in the narrow lane. We decided up and out was our only option! After a slippery ascent, we found a dry spot to park.

We then hiked 35 minutes straight up to reach a dear friend. Let’s just say, we got our cardio in!

What a joy it was to sit and chat, while helping pod black beans, before her prenatal visit! It’s these moments of connection, even after an adventurous journey, that fill our hearts. 

I thought you might be interested in:

One year ago, I packed my bags and embarked on a new adventure in the mountains of Quiche’️.  It’s hard to believe it’s already been a year since I arrived in this beautiful, yet challenging, new community.

I think the theme of this year has been challangeing growth!   

This past year has been a journey through rugged terrain, both literally and figuratively.

It’s meant one year further from my beloved kids, a sacrifice that never gets easier. It’s also been a year of truly getting to know these mountain communities, a steep learning curve that has sometimes felt like moving to an entirely different country! The differences between Quiche’ Mayan culture and K’achikel Mayan culture are profound, and immersing myself in a new culture has, at times, brought moments of loneliness and isolation. There have been days where I’ve felt utterly powerless, almost like a “brand new missionary” all over again. 

But through every challenge, every doubt, and every moment of feeling stretched beyond my limits, God’s grace has been so incredibly near.

He has used this year to challenge my perspectives, asking me to consider, “Where do I stand before God alone on this subject?” And in those deeply personal moments, His faithfulness has shone through. This journey is a testament to His unwavering presence, even when the path is difficult.

I’m grateful for His unending grace and for the lessons learned in this beautiful, wild, and challenging year.   
 
Of corse, it has also been nearly a year dating and engaged to Daniel- and learning all of the things a Godly relationship has to teach!   That’s a pretty big deal!!
 

I’ve been encouraged by:

Connecting with our communities often means visiting families in their homes, especially during their final month of pregnancy. It’s a beautiful way to offer encouragement and build stronger bonds. Often, when we say ‘village’ here, it’s not one central hub, but many scattered homes across a whole mountain range! 

Recently, on a home visit for a prenatal check-up, after some encouraging time together, we gathered to pray. I thought we were slipping into another room to find a quieter space away from the playful kiddos. I was so wrong! 

As soon as we entered, our mom called the children in for prayer! They instinctively took their places by their beds—clearly a cherished habit. And we all prayed together. 

This simple, powerful moment filled my heart. There’s something incredibly special about families who pray together with their children. It’s a beautiful testament to faith being woven into the fabric of everyday life. 

Prayer: