I am soaking up my last days in Guatemala. It has been more than I could have ever expected, and God has been more present than I could have ever hoped for.
When the Saving Susan team came, I was able to take a few days off and go to the city and be with them and the Next Steps students. It was so cool to finally meet the kids that I heard so much about! They are the sweetest, most hardworking students I have ever met. It was encouraging to get to see them thriving and not only being earthly successful with their jobs and talents, but to know that they are making a heavenly, eternal impact in Guatemala with the way they love and serve their country.
Seeing them made me so excited for the future of the students at Manos de Compasion. Many of the kids here have dreams of being missionaries, psychologists, architects, and lawyers. I am thankful that there is hope for each kid to step into what God placed in their heart, and how they all have the desire to help and serve the Kingdom. It is reassuring to know that the ministry is able to support them in God’s plan for their lives!
For now, while they are here at Manos, we have been having lots of fun. School is out, and I have loved going to the lake, taking the kids on walks and exploring through the woods to pick avocados, oranges, and guavas. It’s been fun to have more time for playing with the kids, and it’s good to see them enjoying time outside.
With school being done, that also means more time for music! The girls at Esther House have learned multiple songs on ukulele, and more importantly, they are developing their own way to worship the Lord. This is far more important than learning how to read music or understanding tempos. We often have times of worship and prayer, which is the most healing thing for the girls at Esther House. Many of them come from histories of abuse and lack self-confidence. The girls are beginning to grow in their own personal ability to worship, and dwell in the presence of their Heavenly Father, simply by being handed a 4-stringed instrument. I believe the Spirit is at work in this house, against all the other forces working against, we fight the battles by remembering who holds the victory, and by singing the name of Jesus.
Another fun thing was handing out new clothes and jewelry that was brought by the Saving Susan Ministry team, and continuing to paint and do crafts with all the things the team left with us, and wearing our super cool tie dye hats of course!!
Something the Lord is reminding me, is to be obedient by looking. Look. Seek. Eyes on Him. In a home full of histories of hurt, look at Jesus, who knows all of their stories. In stressful situations here at the home, eyes on Jesus. Psalm 27 has been a chapter that sums up everything I have been praying for the girls, but also everything the Lord has been teaching me as well. Last night as we read it, we all shared our favorite verse in the chapter. I held back tears as a girl shared that verse 10 was her favorite. I am thankful we serve a God who will never forsake us. I am thankful we have access to the Word that reminds us of this.
I love this children’s home. I love this ministry. I feel so at home here. I am so thankful for the calling God has put on each house parent to raise up these kids to become disciples. They sacrifice so much. They are making an eternal impact far greater than anything they could see. I ask that you pray for them as well as the kids, and pray that the Lord blesses them for their contribution and work for His kingdom.
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
Psalms 27:13-14
