As some of you know, I've been looking at different options for coming back to Guatemala in the fall on a long term commitment. A couple of months ago, while I was beginning to look at different organizations, my Mom gave me the idea of looking at YWAM Guatemala City. It was the first idea that really excited me and ever since my Mom suggested it, I've been very excited about the prospect of returning to YWAM.
Last night I finally had the chance to go see the YWAM base with my friend, Alejandra. I met Ale when she was translating at an Evangelism seminar in Antigua last November and she's been with YWAM Guatemala for a couple of years now. I quickly fell in love with the base, the Latin atomosphere, and the thought of returning to this place full time. I spent the night with Ale in her room and we got to spend some time sharing our testimonies with each other and it didn't take me long to realize how much this beautiful girl blows me away. She came from a deep, dark place and has let God transform her life in unspeakable ways. Her passion for God shines through her every word.
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It was an encouraging couple of days, to be back in that community living aspect with people from all over the world, speaking two different languages, yet sharing in one love and one passion - to transform the amazing country of Guatemala. I attended their Monday morning worship, again bilingual, and met with the base director. As he told me about their different types of ministries (tutoring programs, working with families living in the dump, prison ministries, breakdancing ministries for gang members, and a ministry called "Beauty" geared toward helping women find their beauty and identity in God), I could feel my heart thumping with anticipation for all that God has for this country.
Dios es fiel. God is so faithful. He has provided immensely as I'm preparing for life back in Bellingham. He has provided a safe and affordable home for me with another spanish speaker so I can continue to practice. I'm excited to get all of my stuff out of my storage unit (it's been in there for over a year and a half now!) and to finally be
at home again.
A couple people have asked me lately, "Why are you going home?" They can't under
stand why I'd choose to leave my family, boyfriend, and the country that has stolen my heart. My answer was always, "That's been the plan all along. I'm only here on a six month commitment." That never seemed to satisfy them - or me.
Throughout my last five months here, I've fallen in love with this place. But, oddly, I've also fallen more in love with Bellingham. God has really convicted me about my life back home. He has blessed me with an amazing church community and amazing friends. I don't ever want to ignore that because I'm so caught up in my life here. I know, without a doubt, that Bellingham is where I'm supposed to be for awhile. I want to really dig deep into my relationships back home and help my community there in the same ways I want to help the communities here. I want to bless and encourage my friends and family, and I want to leave
only when the time is right. Before I can start my life in Guatemala, I want to give Bellingham and the people there all I've got first.
Lately, I've been having this need to
desperately love Jesus. It's so easy to just "love" God. To go through the motions, to serve children in His name, to sing worship songs, to quote scripture - but I want to desperately fall head over heels in love with my God. I want to physically miss him when I'm not spending time in the word or when I'm doing it all on my own strength.
Please be in prayer with me
- about the decision to join YWAM Guatemala,
- that God would provide a job back in Bellingham,
- for my last 29 days here in Guate,
- and that we would all remember to desperately seek Jesus and to never become satisfied with anything less.
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