Paradise

Sunday I went to paradise.

                It literally looked like a scene from a movie. After riding up the side of the mountain for a while in our limousine (the old panel van), the scenery drastically changed from the failing infrastructure of the city to green life of a jungle. When we arrived, pictures can’t even describe how beautiful it was. The river was gorgeous, crystal clear with dense, green trees everywhere. We were there with the church for a special baptism service. Turns out one of my teammates, Erika, got baptized that day too. I’m kinda jealous.

                The water felt glorious. It was so refreshing from the heat and humidity. We got to swim with the rest of the church after the baptisms and ended up stayed most of the afternoon. Honestly, I desperately needed the day of fun. I’d been feeling down, just dealing with all the thoughts of home and having a cold (who has colds when it’s burning up outside?) and I think most of the team was as well. General morale had been low, but thankfully God has restored our joy and life. Please pray that He will continue to do so, giving us his joy. It’s easy to get heavy hearted seeing such injustice. But God is still good! Even in the midst of children sorting trash.
                Also pray that God would still our anxious hearts and teach our team that life is ministry. We don’t have to be with the group during our official time to “do” ministry. Each and every moment and person we come in contact with is a ministry opportunity, whether in the grocery store buying snacks or taking a walk around the neighborhood. This area right where we live, the shop owners and families, needs Jesus just as much as the other areas of Puerto Barrios we’re going to. It’s easy to divide time set aside for ministry and general life, but there is no division. God is the God of all my day, not just a few hours.
                What do I miss? On a shallow level, I miss the general comforts of home. My own huge bed and room with AC and warm water and my own car. Oh, and eating anything other than rice and beans (thank you Jesus for a McDonald’s within walking distance!). But on a deeper level, in light of what I have seen, there’s no way I could say I miss those things. I am blessed beyond measure, even here in Guatemala without cold air and warm water. God, give me spiritual eyes to see and a tender heart to love these people. Call out your children here; call their names. 

"The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

1Samuel 3:10