Heyo from Mixco, Guatemala! This place, these people, seeing what God is doing here, has been so beautiful I’m not sure how I’m going to put it into words. But I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for praying for my team and me, our ministry, and for your support in that, because God is doing things and it is powerful. I’m thankful that I get to be here with your support and covering of prayer, (which we need, and I hope you know is powerful) and I’m hoping to communicate well what a huge impact your prayers and support are having in the kingdom.
I couldn’t talk about ministry without first talking about the incredible leadership we’re under. Our ministry host, Alex, his wife Clarita, their beautiful daughters, his mom Maria, and our translator (and BFF) Franc, have taught me so much through how they lead by example. We’re here to serve them, but they have out-served us in every way possible. From 3 incredible Guatemalan meals a day cooked by Maria, Alex making sure we get to rest, see the city, and enjoy ourselves as much as we serve, Clarita and the daughters always hugging us and loving us so well, to Franc always being there to translate, but more than that being an amazing friend, making sure we’re doing okay, and have everything we need, DANG we are well loved and well served. I have been deeply moved by this, and learned more from them than I have words to express.
My favorite ways to serve are in prayer and worship, and our host has led us in a way where these are first and foundational in our ministry. I need and appreciate this encouragement of my gifts so much, and more than that, it is so powerful and important to the kingdom in ways we can’t see. Everything we pour out comes from first seeking, knowing, and surrendering to God, and by making prayer and worship a foundation, we’re acknowledging that all of the power of our ministry comes from Him, not us, and He has honored that. I’m so thankful to be living out 2 Chronicles 20:21-22 so clearly in this.
Our first day out in Mixco, we were able to buy some food and necessities to bring to two families. Holy Spirit broke out while we were with the first family, and we were able to pray for healing, freedom, encouragement of how loved and valued they are by the Lord, and be vessels of letting them know they are seen and known by Him. And during worship in this time, we gained a sister in Christ who was seeing his power and his love!! DANG God is good. We got to pray provision and peace over the second family, and a super cool thing about them is that they are coordinators in their community for Pastor Alex’s ministry. So even though they had physical needs to be met, they are still choosing to trust God and step into spiritual leadership as He is calling them. That speaks to His faithful provision, and the fact that you don’t even have to have everything you need to be used by God, He just has to have your yes. That truth and their obedience in that was beautiful to witness.
The next day, we spent the day putting together water filters for families. They can last for 15 years, which is amazingg. Then the next day, we brought those filters to a community where we also did a kids outreach. Let me tell you, these kiddos have my heart. I’m not even the biggest kid person, but God told me at the beginning of this month that I would fall in love with these kids, and just in this first outreach it‘s been SO true. Their hearts are so pure in love for each other, and love for us, and such excitement to hear what we had to teach them, and to play games with us. They were truly so excited to hear stories about Jesus, and it was clear that they were feeling his love and receiving his truth. What an honor to be a vessel that he uses for them. So yeah, super excited for more kids outreaches, and that is not something I expected to love so much.
And yesterday, we were at the local church putting together bags of fortified rice. Poverty is definitely a reality here like nothing I’ve seen before, so having witnessed it first hand now, it was really cool knowing how this food is really going to bless the families. After that, we went into the city to worship, intercede, and invite people to family night at church on Friday!
I’m so dang thankful for your love, support, and prayers, even though it’s been hard for me to update and get in touch often. Thank you so much for choosing in to help make all of these amazing things happen.
A couple of prayer requests: – For unity in my team, and against attacks on our confidence in our strengths.
– For Mixco, if you would be praying for more missionaries to give people hope in the power of God that they themselves carry, praying against violence, praying against Covid and all the effects it has in community and finances, for the kids to enjoy their childhoods because they are often thrown into work very young, and for one 10 year old boy specifically, who has missed 3 years of school and is trying to press forward in his education.
Again, LOVE you guys. Thank you for being a partner and a part of all God is doing here.
