We arrived in Guatemala on February 22nd. This means that we are officially more than half way finished with this semester. I feel like it has been only a week, but also a year at the same time. One thing that I appreciate about living long term in one place is the ability to be fully immersed in a different way of life and to be able to see a broader scale picture of beauty without being rushed. (like this photo of the sunrise hike at Lake Atitlan)

We left Chiapas, Mexico at what felt to me, the perfect time. We had done what were called to, for the amount of time that we had been called to it. Obviously some goodbyes were hard, like our ministry hosts, the kids at Casa Hogar Alegre, and our worship team friends from Casa de Adoracion. That's one thing that I love about God, how intentional He is in placing people in our lives at the right time, to pour out different aspects of His character into our lives. Even in the smallest interactions, God proves that He still sees us. One of my favorite names for God is El Roi, spoken by Hagar in the desert. "She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her, "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me." Genesis 16:13

These past few weeks God has reaffirmed to me that He still sees me in many ways, but in a large part, through a few distinct interactions. One day right before leaving San Cris, me and several other girls were eating lunch at a cafe. We had been discouraged, because our team had recently been sensing a heaviness and a sort of darkness. By nothing except the divine timing of the Lord, we met this guy and ended up talking to him for nearly 3 hours.

Have you ever looked at someone, and felt the spirit of the Lord radiating off of them, without them even saying a thing? We talked about so many things, including dreams, gentle parenting, biblical debt, hearing the Lords voice, and so many other things. "Stick around long enough to let Me show you something." Though he said that in the context of his relationships with non-believing friends, God said it to me through him. All of us who talked to him felt like God was answering questions and doubts we had without even having to ask. After that interaction, I felt more encouraged than I had in a long time. It was as if the dark cloud over us had been lifted, and where there was darkness and confusion, there was now light, and order.

After leaving Mexico, we went to Lake Atitlan for a week of rest, and debrief. We stayed at a hostel, and got to meet people from all over. What I witnessed was a group of people that were desperately seeking. Seeking meaning, seeking fulfillment, and seeking purpose. There is a restlessness in trying to convince yourself that what you are doing, if not doing it unto the Lord, is the road to fulfillment.

As a part of this hostel experience, we would eat a family style dinner every evening. For two hours, we would sit around tables with various guests and talk. One evening, me and several girls from my team ended up eating dinner with a guy named James Briggs. Once again, we talked for hours about marriage, sacrificial love, parenting, spiritual gifts, and a life and Identity lived fully in service to the Lord. This man said that his rule was within the first 10 seconds of talking to someone, he would share Jesus with them. 10 seconds. He said "if you look in the mirror, and see Jesus, how could you not be confident?" But he also made it so clear that if these words were from the spirit, that they would bear fruit in our lives, and if not, it was just him speaking. Those words just rocked my world, and my view of myself, and of a purposed life. I can't even begin to explain. He promised to pray for all of us, a promise that I am sure he intends to keep. Only Gods timing and understanding of what we needed to hear could have put all that into motion.

Another guy we met on a boat taxi, had done YWAM 8 years ago, and now travels full time, looking for ministry wherever he goes. He shared that the more we travel, the more we learn of Gods character and His heart for His people. And he also encouraged us that following Jesus is the adventure of a lifetime, and it will take us some crazy places, but that it is always worth it.

I was just so in awe of Gods creation at Lake Atitlan, The volcanos that surrounded it, and the crystal clear waters. Being in creation always renews my strength when I feel lacking. I jumped off a 45 foot tall platform into the lake, because why not? "The Lord has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Tim. 1:7 I preached that to my heart real quick and then just jumped. What a good picture of the Christian faith. So many times walking with God feels like jumping off a cliff. But we are promised a sound mind. I like that.

After the best week ever, we arrived in Antigua Guatemala. We are staying at two different houses, which presents us with the opportunity to be more intentional than ever in community building, and loving well. Living in a tourist city also gives us the ability to connect without a language barrier in a more meaningful way. My ministry is called Antigua House of Prayer, and from the moment we met out ministry hosts, I was excited. The light of the Lord was evident in them, and their hearts for the ministry which is nothing but Gods heart.

We are doing intercessory prayer for the nations, and learning how to minister to the heart of God, before ever stepping foot onto the mission field. Then when we do step out in faith, it is never in our own strength. I felt the Lord calling me to this ministry because of how much I struggle in prayer. I have almost no attention span, and it is difficult for me to sit in silence, even talking to the God of the universe. But praise the Lord that He is gracious enough to give me the opportunity to grow in this way, and to learn how to pray. I feel such a sense of anticipation that the Lord is going to be moving powerfully in Antigua, and through the ministry during these final two months, in a way we haven't seen before. But only if we really desire that the Lord would work. Pray for our team that we will be hungry. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6