When we went to church last Sunday night, I stood from my seat and watched as the church community and my teammates all went up to the front of the church and were singing, jumping, and dancing for God. Everyone was so pumped up and excited, and all I did was stand there. I felt lifeless, energyless, and emotionless. I knew something wasn't right. I mean I'm not usually one to go crazy and dance around like no ones watching, but to do it for my king isn't something I felt timid about. My problem was that I didn't even feel like I should have been up there at all. I...

We are now in the 4th week since this trip began. Having been surrounded by a different yet vibrant language, culture, and landscape, and people group, i know i have already been changed forever.    My peace and security is challenged as i am i introduced to new and thought  provoking experiences.     Yet when i am weak, Christ can be made strong. He alone is my real security, peace, and power.   As a christian family we often have times of feedback. Every person must speak encouraging or constructive  words to another out of love and care. I...

Before I left the fickle weather of my home in the northeast for the thick, warm, bay air of Guatemala, the Great Father told me something about children.  A dear friend of mine had a cousin pass and leave behind a six-month-old child.  As I was praying for my friend and the family, God said, “You’re going to see a generation where 12-year-olds walk in the authority of their Father.    Dear little Nazareth is living that.  As she sat in my arms I noticed a puckered scar on the inside of her arm.  I was told later that during a cooking accident...

I have been thinking off and on the past two weeks what to even “blog” about. Which subject to go off of. How to explain the unexplainable feelings and scenes we have witnessed together as a group and individually here in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala.    To try to describe all the personal changes that have taken place within me and will continue to produce growth in my life and the constant state of being completely out of my comfort zone and safe haven.     But that’s just it- I can’t explain it.   Of course I can try my best. I could tell you...

What to do post-graduation? Am I ready to begin the next chapter of my life? Am I really a grown up? I have spent the past year anxious of what the next step in my life may look like. Somehow, by God's grace I stumbled upon this trip to Guatemala. I must admit I was drawn to this trip selfishly in pursuit of adventure. However, I didn't realize that my greatest adventure might be searching out the places deep within in my own heart. I came into Guatemala last week with absolutely no expectations. I left my iPhone and pretty much everything else that I would not go a day without at...

The rain is pouring down. Pelting the roof so hard everything else has been drowned out. Something about the rain gives me inexplicable joy. I've been struggling with the fact that the ways I normally encounter God aren't doable here. I can't go running on the beach with the puppy or get lost in some great country music as I cook away in the kitchen. God gave me my unique passions and in the moments when I am doing those things that I love, God meets me there.  I am learning that although it is so much easier to find God in the places he normally meets me, it is so much...

Here's a video for all yalls of our first week here in Puerto Barrios.

I have always had a good relationship with my dad, but I had been holding things back from him. Something we forget is that our God is our Father. A Father that loves us no matter how many times we mess up, a Father whose yes is yes and no is no, a Father that will lead us to walk as His Son walked. I picture a 5 year old putting on his Dad's shoes, there is no way he can fill them, but the child's imagination fills the Dad's shoes anyway. God knows that His shoes are way too big to fill, but He had a Son that filled those shoes for us. Now, all we need to do is lace up the...

This is the story of how I met this dear little one.     It was late morning during our first week in El Casa Verde.  Most of our team was lounging around a table by thedoor when we heard a knock.  The door was openedand in walked a man, his wife, and little girl.  They were introduced to us as a Pastor and his family, come from the Capitol to visit.    The morning passed and the arrival of the family passed from memory.  The noontime meal rolled around, and after filling my plate with frijoles y juevos I found myself walking the long way...

1 Corinthians 2:5  "so that faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." This verse hit me like a brick in the head, and could possibly be my new favorite. First of all, the more clear message of this verse is for us to rest our faith on God, and not on any wisdom made of man. It is very easy for us as Christians to look to other, spiritually mature Christians and do the things they do, to think the way they do, to follow their lead, to rest our faith in finding comfort in them. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all about iron sharpening iron. But...

I can’t explain how much I LOVE the beautiful city of Puerto Barrios. Everything is green and the streets are full of life. Coming from my small little farm town and seeing so many people is raddling my mind. So as many of you readers out there know I ‘am a TALL white female. When I say tall, I mean 6 foot tall and EXTREMLY white. All I can think when I step out onto the streets is that I ‘am a tourist attraction here. Men on the streets stare, point, whistle, and practice their best English trying to impress us American ladies. Today showed me how much women are treated...