Ok I'm not writing this to say I hate it here in Guatemala so don't get that as you read. But ill be back in Colorado in 46 days!!!! That's amazing! What a great experience it has been here and is continuing to be.
My favorite ministry we have done since being back from Antigua (which was absolutely beautiful) was the children's hospital. First off that is really weird for me to say because I'm not a hospital person. I think God has really given me the gift of joy, especially in dark situations. The hospital is where I feel like doing nothing is still ok. I played with a lot of little boys at the hospital… One of them had to get some sort of surgery on his foot because it grew incorrectly. I was snorting like a pig and he was laughing soooo hard! Then we played peekaboo, he sat in his bed and I peeked up and snorted and then he snorted and laughed. I loved it! After I couldn't snort anymore I showed him my Kung Foo moves and he showed me his. Its so crazy what God shows you though a little kid. This kid was stuck in a hospital just waiting for a doctor so he can get his surgery and so happy. The LITTLE THINGS made this kids day!
I also met this deaf Guy this week (another example God surprised me with). The guys name is Joseph. He's probably my moms age… he studied at a school in Pennsylvania in 91. He was the happiest Guy ever. And he loved making people laugh. I got to pray over him which was also really great… my point is sometimes I get discouraged to be in Guatemala. I feel down because I feel like I'm not making an impact… or I just want to go home. Then I think about the boy at the hospital or Joseph, the deaf Guy, and how much God pours out joy though them.
God has reminded me this week that he gave me the gift of joy and I haven't been using it to the extent that he wants me too. And for the next 7 weeks if I can't do anything else, if I don't feel like I'm making an impact… at least ill be pouring my joy out to the people of Puerto Barrios and Santo Tomas. When I start to get discouraged ill just seek God and use the tools he has equipped me with to share his love to his kingdom.
"I take joy in your will, my God for your law is written on my heart." Psalms 40:8
In the spirit of Halloween here's a cute little quote:
Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff (including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc). He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see!
