Small Villages in the Mountians

After I got accepted to the World Race just over a year ago, I took some time to dream again. I have been lost in imagination too many times thinking of what the world race would be like, but once I got accepted, those dreams got to become a sort of reality. I went to my journal and wrote down each country, praying over them. As the Holy Spirit took over, places, emotions, and situations came to mind and I scribled them down. Each word being marvelously and specifically chosen by the Father.

During a moment of low confidence and dead thoughts and emotions rising in me just a little bit ago, He brought me back to the place where He had once spoke. I went back to an Instagram post that I had made. A picture of the journal and the words in it. Sitting in my orange bunk I read the words. the dreams. the visions that the Lord has whispered to me and had placed on my heart just over a year ago.

I could not believe the words the Lord had written.

small villages in the mountains. 

And that is exactly where I am.

Those words that He spoke over a year ago I now have had the privilege, honor, and joy of living.

God is in the details when you look for the details!

My team and I are 8 hours north of Antigua, in Poptun Peten. When we first got our ministry location, we were all excited. And a little shocked. I was expecting to be a heck of a lot closer to Antigua and all of our squad, but what an honor it’s been to be here. I have fallen head over heels in love with life here.

We are working with an organization called OneWay Community. They seek to empower the local communities through programs in nutrition, health, education, recreation, and housing and lifestyle improvement.

Saboneta and Villa Hermosa are the two communities that we get to serve while being here. My team and I do house visits and bring water filters to the families. We get to sit and listen to their stories and hear their hearts for the community. And we get to pray over them. Most days, we are so generously given food. Then we head to a local school and hang out with some of the sweetest kiddos I’ve ever met. The same kiddos of these families that we just got to meet with. We get to do arts and crafts, sing and dance and play soccer with them.

Most vividly though, I remember our hosts first telling us about the families we would be getting to know. Explaining how little they have. How generous they are. And how it might be hard for us to step into knowing where we come from and what we’re used to. The families themselves had said that they “hope that one day you can be comfortable here”.

Oh how that statement broke my heart.

I have never not once felt uncomfortable. Yes, it’s different then what I have grown up with, but uncomfortable? Never. If anything I have been deeply humbled at how little they have and how much they give. Something I’m not super used to in America. I’m comfortable here because they have made us comfortable. And cared for. And seen. And appreciated. These sweet families in these villages are some of the most kind individuals I have met. They have so very little, but they radiate the love of Christ so gracefully.

One family in particular has just stolen our hearts. We went for a house visit and have formed a beautiful relationship with them. One thing that we noticed is that the father is at home. In a lot of these communities, the father’s aren’t always around. We have been able to see the difference in the kiddos when their fathers are present. And not only this, but they are just such a generous family. The parents have been able to set such a beautiful example for their kids. They have created a loving home where both parents are present and show the love of Jesus in all that they do. Their kids are mature and stable and wonderful and they have a beautiful life ahead of them, I just know it. The daughter is sweet and kind. The son has such an imaginative heart. We spent so much time running through some bushes and trees pretending to sneak up on others. Then we would run back and start the game again, all while pretending to ride in a car (i think). These moments are beautiful to come across. To be able to love this family and see their generous hospitality has been nothing short of an honor.

Guatemala has been filled with endless joy.

It’s the joy that the Father is so evident in.

It’s when the kiddos run up to us, giving us hugs.

It’s hearing “senor Sophie” from a ways away and turning around to small kiddos waving at me.

It’s holding the kiddos and making them laugh.

It’s getting invited to birthday parties because they are grateful we are here.

It’s the endless smiles of those all around.

It’s bonding with our hosts and laughing til our stomachs hurt.

It’s post meal dish dance parties.

It’s riding in the back of the truck down some of the bumpiest roads I’ve ever been on. And getting bruises 🙂

It’s the generosity of those that we are here to serve.

It’s the love of Jesus that overflows in everything.