Week One Done!

Hey guys! Week one of the trip is officially done! This week was training session and I learned SO much this week. I feel closer to God this week than I ever have before and I cannot wait to get out and spill this love out to the Guatemalans. My ministry starts tomorrow with Hope Ministry. This program is huge on listening and connecting with the Holy Spirit, which is such a game changer for me. Before any training session started I prayed that I could learn to hear God’s voice more clear and more often, and MAN He answered that immediately with so many teachings and scripture on how to hear His voice better. One day, I asked the Lord to tell me if there’s anybody on the squad that’s needing extra care or love. I heard a few different names from Him and then he kept repeating the same name over and over. Later that night I had the chance to talk to this girl alone and I told her that God gave me her name to check on her. She broke into tears and told me how lonely she’s been feeling. Praise God! I was able to comfort her in her loneliness and be more intentional with her while also experiencing God’s voice and instruction. It was so so sweet. One of the lessons on the Holy Spirit emphasized how important it is to LISTEN to the Holy Spirit when it tells you to do something. I was having some trouble between deciding what was my own voice and what was God’s voice. I sought advice and prayer from one of the mentors, Kevin. He is the base elder. He prayed over me to be able to discern between the devils voice and gods voice, but reminded me that God lives INSIDE of me and DWELLS in me so my thoughts and God’s thoughts will continue merge together into the same voice as I keep staying in relation with him. This was so eye opening and relieving to me. Today, Sunday, we had squad church. This included our own team doing worship and then sharing what you feel led to. I thought maybe I should share a verse, but kept telling myself no no no it’s not that deep of a verse. Then I heard God say, “do you want me to speak to you or not?” This instantly reminded me to obey and just do what the Spirit says even when it feels uncomfortable. We learned that the Holy Spirit will lead us on wild goose chases and push us so far out of what’s comfortable. So, my heart pounding and my body sweating, I stood up and shared the verse and what I thought about it. The verse was Colossians 3:12 about clothing ourselves with kindness, tender hearted mercy, gentleness, patience and humility. I shared that these are amazing characteristics to clothe ourselves with before going out and starting ministry. Today on the van into the city I heard the same voice telling me to give the man in front of me one of my verse cards about light, I didn’t want to because the card is in English and it’s just a little awkward and I didn’t want to bother him. But I obeyed the voice I heard and gave him the verse card. I have a feeling the holy spirit will give me many many more opportunities to hear his voice and step out of my comfort to obey him. I can’t wait to tell you guys more stories of the way he will do this! Hope ministry will include house visits, women ministries, kids ministries (VBS, English lessons), bible studies, community worship sessions in the city (Antigua) and playing sports and games with the kids. For those of you that know me well, you know that this ministry is RIGHT up my alley and just perfect for me. The language barrier is a little frustrating for me at times because I can’t get out what I want to tell people. Please pray that the language barrier does not discourage me and that the kids can receive my love in all the other ways that don’t need words. Pray for unity in our squad, obedience to the Holy Spirit, and that we would bring freedom and TRUTH in Christ to everybody we encounter. Many people here are “reached” but have been misled about the TRUTH about the gospel. I don’t think words could ever describe the FEELINGS that I have felt this week, but God is just so good and so sweet and so close. Thank you everybody so much for helping me get here. Tenga buen dia y te amo ❤️