On the Ground

Last week we took to the mountains with nothing more than a list of names with the hope of finding and visiting some of our families. 

To read more about those visits, check out my last post here.

But the summery was that it was quite the trek – an hour of driving followed by a chunk of time hiking and climbing just to reach their houses! 

But let me tell you, while it took a significant amount of time and effort to get there, the depth of connection and encouragement we experienced made every step worth it. It was so meaningful for us to visit them right where they live, and you could feel how valued they felt by the personal visit. Building these relationships, one home at a time, is so important to us.

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to spend this time with our mountain families and see the tangible impact of simply showing up. 

I thought you might be interested in:

Mother’s day in Guatemala is not marked by handmade cards and half botched breakfast in bed attempts demonstrating love and promising salmonella–  instead the day starts early with bombas and firecrackers outside the windows—at 3am!!!  Around 5am the truck withe loudspeaker comes around so you can hear mom’s names announced at 10 times the volume of normal speech!  

I can’t say I love this particular cultural norm…  Nor do all the babies to toddlers startled awake at those hours!!!  Thank goodness for moms who comfort them back to sleep no matter what day it is!  

I’ve been encouraged by:

Isn’t it true that when we face sickness or tough challenges, our first instinct can be to put ourselves on the sidelines.  Recovery is needed!  But sometimes sickness becomes the mindset.  We think, ‘I can’t do this’ or ‘I can’t serve there’ because we feel limited-  the “I can’t mentality” that becomes the pattern? The norm?

The thing is, as believers, we have been filled with such incredible light! What a tragedy it would be to hide that light under a basket, right?  I have the profound privilege of praying weekly with a young woman battling brain cancer. Despite her many health issues and constant pain, her prayers… wow. They literally light up the room.  

Her light isn’t hidden or dimmed by the darkness of her sickness. Instead, her light shines from a high place, for all to see. It’s a beautiful, humbling picture.

It’s a powerful reminder for me, and maybe for you too, that even in our weakness, even when we’re facing our own giants, the light within us – the light of Christ – can shine brightest. Let’s not hide our light– Let it shine, no matter what we’re facing. 

Prayer Requests:

 – Last week, my niece Roxana went into the hospital with pneumonia, parasites, and was septic! She is still in the hospital, and the system here in Guatemala is quite rough. She is in a very expensive private hospital where even the quality doctors don’t know what to do! -Please pray for miracle intervention in her health.
-Pray for her family, especially house parents as this is exhausting.
-Please pray for provision as the expert care is quite costly.