The People

I've cried several times after being back from Guatemala. I wondered, "Why in the world am I crying?"

Then it hit me-- It was the people. The people we came in contact with during our time in Guatemala were some of the most beautiful people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. When you looked at their faces you saw: Christ's love in the gentle touch of their hands, sunshine in their smiles, pain and suffering in their eyes, warmth in their dimples, and excitement when I saw their ears perk up in response to us singing, laughing, and praying; both children and adults.

I saw people that did not have much at all:  have the most phenomenal work ethic, have dignity in coming to school with a clean uniform, pray fervently, hug with all that was in them, held their head high- not in a prideful way, but in a way that showcases a survivor type attitude. They are a private, but willing and loving people; they are strong, yet gentle and warm; they are perseverant, yet lowly and meek. The people of Guatemala and the people of Hearts in Action ministry are just plain sweet.

The people of Hearts in Action [ the ministry we partnered with for the trip ] are a people after God's very own heart. They are transforming generations, they are bringing the word of God to the people of Guatemala, they are representatives of God- ambassadors of the most high. Their hearts are so full of the truest, most authentic love-- God's love.

Then I had the most sweetest of moments: the moment I met the child I have been sponsoring for the past two years. The moment was absolutely magical. We had been communicating through letters, we had pictures of each other, and we could not wait to finally meet. We hugged, laughed, cried, prayed, and instantly knew that we were family. I taught some of the kids at the school how to say, " I love you." He kept telling me, "I love you, I love you!" He said it with all enthusiasm and with all sincerity. He loves God and he knows that HE is the ultimate provider. Man oh man, I can't tell you how much spending time with him meant to me.

Haneer and I

Cool Story: We went to a hospital to do outreach. I was very drawn to this woman who was sitting next to her sick daughter. Come to find out, the little girl that was sick went to The Jungle School (The school that is part of Hearts in Action and the school my child goes to). We chit chatted and after about 20 minutes of going back and forth and asking this poor woman 21 questions, I found out that she is Haneer's mother! I met his mother and his sister. It was totally unexpected; actually, God planned it. He knew the very desires of my heart. I had just said that morning to my team, " I would love to meet Haneers's family." Maybe some call it a coincidence, I call it a God-incident. I sobbed in this woman's arms as she prayed over me. SHE prayed over ME. Here I am thinking that I'm going to Guatemala to do a great work and they wouldn't stop blessing me every single day. This is just one of the many beautiful stories about the people I met while there. They are memories that will forever be cherished. Maybe in the future I'll be able to sort through all the amazing memories in my head and be able to justify them by putting them to words in this blog. 

Until next time, folks.