WOW! That seems to be the word of the week. Everyday more and more amazing things happen that just totally left us saying WOW! Just a few days ago 55 people showed up from four different states really, mostly strangers and now we are all leaving as friends. It's amazing what can happen when brothers and sisters in Christ work together to honor Him in all they do.
I'd have to say that today was what I would call bitter sweet. We've spent only a few days loving the precious babies of Guatemala but in so doing we've fallen totally in love with them. It's amazing when you open your heart and commit to serving God how quickly He can change you. Now today, Thursday, in many ways was going to be the same type of day but in other ways would soon be the saddest day of our trip. We arrived at the center just as we had everyday before and jumped right in to performing the same duties we'd been doing each day. Bathing babies, changing diapers, potty training, feeding babies, folding clothes, preparing lunch for the babies, building a new roof for the pavilion, cleaning floors, painting walls, the list could go on and on. But the entire time we are serving in the back of our mind we know that a giant "good-bye" is coming.
We were treated to a nice surprise today. With it being July 4th in America we were all called outside to a Guatemala fireworks celebration and a local Christian School brought their drum band and played music for us. Truly heart-warming. The people of Guatemala are the warmest, most humble and loving people I've ever met. We were even treated to hot dogs on the grill and baked beans (Guatemala style) in honor of the holiday.
As the end of the day drew near you could feel the emotions begin to change as everyone on the team started making their rounds and getting in their final hugs and kisses. Each one of the precious children had truly become family. When the call to board the buses came it was of course a giant cry fest. Not knowing if we'd have the opportunity to see the wonderful children again or ever get the chance to return to serve the people of Guatemala.
As our night was drawing to a close we gathered together once again to celebrate the day and share what God had shown us as we served Him. After many heart felts stories were shared Matt, one of our team members on this trip shared some very challenging thoughts that I believe helped us all put things into perspective.
He used a song by Brandon Heath to remind us that just as we've been serving the people in Guatemala willingly and with a loving heart we have the same opportunity everyday right in our own back yard. We may have need this mission trip for God to truly change us but now that He has we've been given a second chance to go out and change those around us.
"Give me your eyes for just one second. Give me your eyes so I can see. Everything that I keep missing. Give me your love for humanity. Give me your arms for the broken hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach. Give me your heart for the ones forgotten. Give me your eyes so I can see" "Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath.
I believe it's safe to speak for everyone on this trip and say that God truly changed our lives. We were each humbled and grateful to have been given the chance to serve the children of Guatemala. I pray that reading our blogs from this trip that God has spoken to you and that if He is calling to step out, get a little dirty and come and serve Him that you will listen and be obedient to His call on your life. If you are...you will be forever changed!
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