Hola familia y amigos de Guatemala!! It’s so hard to believe that I am actually in Guatemala!! I have only been here for a week and I am already in love with the people and culture!! This past week my squad and I have been adjusting to being in another country and have been learning about everything that encompasses Guatemala!! We also started working with our ministry. My team has the amazing opportunity to work with a ministry that helps multiple Guatemalan communities and cities by providing wheelchairs to people, building houses, distributing food, and providing education for students with special needs!! My team and I are expectant and are excited to see how God uses us and this ministry to impact this country!!
One thing that God has been teaching me these past two months is that He is my refuge and that I can run to him in times of need!! I have been reading through the Psalms since being here and over and over again one of the main themes was God being a refuge. One thing I did not expect coming into the Race was the recurrent feeling of loneliness. Loneliness was something I have dealt with in the past and honestly was something I was afraid to deal and walk through again while on the Race. It has definitely been hard leaving and having limited contact with my family and friends, finding my place in the squad and my team, and seeing basically everyone else finding “their people” and making deep, meaningful relationships with other people on the squad and their team. However, despite all this I have been learning to run to God and to take refuge in Him when I feel lonely and that I don’t belong.
Here are a few verses that have been an encouragement to me this past week:
“O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge;” Psalm? ?7?:?1?
“Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.” Psalm? ?16?:?1?
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” ??Psalm? ?46?:?1?
Blessings & until next time,
Hope 🙂
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My dearest daughter, I continue to be amazed at your growing faith, strength and wisdom. My heart aches, not only do I miss you like crazy, but I understand that loneliness and know it’s effects on the mind and emotions. I’m so glad you have found refuge in your Creator. No one and nothing will fill that hole in your heart better. You have discovered the One who will never fail you, never abandoned you, never forsake you, and never ever leave you alone. I pray you will make those deep connections you desire and deserve. I will also pray that God will help you know how you can take this wisdom and experience and reach out to the Guatemala community with the same message.