Romans Seven

I was once married to another. Our marriage was dreadfully impossible, though, for he expected perfection of me. The more he asked of me, the more my rebellious heart did the opposite. I was deceived by the sin in my heart, thinking that I would find satisfaction and pleasure apart from his rules. His instruction showed me how far I was from meeting his standards, and completely incapable. It was not that he was bad, rather he was holy and righteous, but because of my sinful heart he brought out the worst in me. He could not give me the strength I needed to live in obedience. I was powerless to live up to his standards, and stood defeated before him.

Then Another came. He saw me struggling in my marriage, utterly failing to live in righteousness, and He came to rescue me. He held His hand out and invited me to die with Him, promising a new life with Him. I took His hand. My previous marriage covenant was broken through my death, and I was raised to new life in Him. I was freed from my marriage of bondage, and welcomed in to a new, glorious marriage. My Husband is full of might and power, filling me with His strength. What a glorious marriage it is!

Despite this beautiful marriage, I sometimes resort back to the ways of my previous marriage. I try to do what is right, but without the strength of my Husband I so desperately need. I struggle and become frustrated. Then my husband tenderly takes me by the hand, and I am reminded of His strength.

How did I ever leave the strong grasp of Your hand? May we never part again, my Love! You are my Husband and I am Your bride. I was created to be made complete in You, never to walk alone.

(My previous marriage was to the Law. I was bound to the Law and incapable of living by its standards. The Law made me realize my desperate need for a Savior. Christ came and rescued me from this bondage - and I became His bride. As Paul expresses in Romans 7:15-25, although we are married to Christ, we often resort back to living in our own strength, and epically fail. It is not an excuse to sin, but rather a call to draw near to our Savior, walking hand in hand, in His power.)

Last Day at the Tracks

Today was our last day at the Tracks. As you can see from the picture, it is appropriately called the "Tracks" because the houses are built along old railroad tracks. It is now a little community, of which most are Christians. It has been such a honor to come and serve my brothers and sisters in Christ and build relationships with so many of them. They are truly beautiful - inside and out.

We held the third and last day of our mini eye clinic. It absolutely amazes me how many children and adults needed reading glasses - and I mean REALLY needed reading glasses. I am not sure how they have been able to read without them. This is just one of many, many things that we take for granted in the United States.

After finishing up the eye clinic, we finished painting in the school. Then it was time to say our goodbyes...which was so sad! These Guatemalans are so beautiful, kind, and loving; they shine from the inside out. It has been such an honor meeting them and serving along side them these past few days. I will greatly miss them until I return to see them again!

Bless the Lord, O my soul

"Bless the Lord, O my soul,and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." Psalm 103:1-5

For the last three days I have been rather sick. I woke up Sunday morning with a sore throat, a lot of drainage, and nausea - which progressed to weakness, dizziness, fever, and chills. Yesterday I stayed back at our hotel and slept off and on and did some college work. I bought some antibiotics over the counter and started on them yesterday, and today I can swallow without bringing tears to my eyes - praise the Lord! The Lord is wholly worthy of my praise despite my sickness. He is good!

Sunday we attended church service at the Tracks, which went from 10-2pm. There was a LOT of singing, and clapping, and singing, and clapping, and singing, and clapping...you get the picture. I love that time does not matter to them - they are not looking at their watches to see how much longer until they can leave and get on with the rest of their day. They are fully attentive and passionate, thankful for a place to worship the Lord together. After church I crashed somewhere upstairs on the concrete floor (due to my inability to hold my head up, nor keep my eyes open), while the rest of the team visited with the locals.

Monday was our first day of VBS for the children. We prepared for one hundred...and much to our surprise, there was over 300 children there. We started with a few songs, played games, provided eye glasses, and did crafts. Despite not having enough supplies, the Lord provided and we made it through the day! Tuesday, yesterday, was our second and last day of VBS. Again, the Lord provided and blessed the team's time there!

Today we are heading back to the Tracks (our last day there) to continue with the eye glass clinic we have been holding for the past couple days. Once that is complete, we will finish our painting job at the school. Here we go!

At the Tracks

What a beautiful country, and an even more beautiful people. When we arrived at the Tracks yesterday, we were warmly welcomed by the natives with an abundance of hugs and kisses. The children quickly became a permanent attachment to my body, both of my hands always occupied with sweet little Guatemalan hands.

We spent the entirety of our day at the Tracks (not returning back to our hotel until 11pm), spending the majority of our time simply visiting with the local Guatemalan families that live on and around the Tracks, and playing with the children. That night we put together a “movie night” at the church. We prepared and served a copious amount of popcorn and watched “End of the Spear” (if you haven’t seen it, you should!) – over two hundred people attended.

This morning we headed back to the Tracks. We spent our morning/afternoon painting walls in the escuela (school). Less visiting and more manual labor, but it was productive and beneficial none-the-less (and, of course, we still snuck in some visiting time!). Following our time of painting, we held a men’s Bible study (a member of our team, Paul, led this) and handed out ties, button-up shirts, and jeans – the men really liked this, and many men came that do not usually attend church (great opportunity to share Christ!).

The children here are so helpful and want to be with us at all times. Many of the girls like to play with my hair – I even had my hair done up in to a beautiful braid by one of the young women named Dinah. They always say “pelo largo!” (meaning, “long hair!”). I am so blessed by their patience in speaking with me in Spanish – and I am continually being stretched and learning more.

While here in Guatemala I have been completing college work during any spare moment I get, with a large assignment due on Tuesday (of which my professor just emailed the directions). I hate that my mind is a bit occupied with school, but I am also very thankful for the opportunity to make the trip despite being in college. I cannot wait to complete this last assignment due on Tuesday so I can be distraction free (at least until I make it back to the states!).

I look forward to all that the Lord has in store for the rest of our stay here in Guatemala. He has so wondrously poured out His love for me on the cross, may I daily lay down my life for Him. Lord, please teach me to die to myself - continuously!

"And you who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross." Colossians 2:13-13

Guatemala

Well here I am, in Guatemala. I am blessed beyond words to return to Central America for the third time, to a new and beautiful place that I have not been before, Guatemala City. Our work here is simple: to magnify the Lord Jesus Christ. More specifically, we will be doing some children's and men's ministry work as well some construction work at a place called the "Tracks" (a very poor area in Guatemala City near the railroad tracks that is home to many in small, make-shift shelters).

Our journey began today at XNA where we departed this afternoon, landing in Dallas for our connecting flight. We boarded our plane for Guatemala around 4:40, only to exit an hour later because of a mechanical issue (believe me, when I am involved in a flight, things WILL happen). After getting a new plane, we finally took off around 8pm, and arrived in Guatemala City at 10pm (Guatemala time). Upon arriving we made it through customs with ease, and then...we ate dinner at a two story Taco Bell. I'm sorry, but that is seriously cool. Not only that, but our meals came with...delicious french fries. Beat that America.

We are now safely tucked away in our hotel rooms, just on the border of Guatemala City. The hotel is cold and barred from the outside, but quaint and inviting on the inside - in fact, the greenery is breath-taking (and that's my observation in the dark, but then again, I love plants!). I am excited to see the plans that the Lord has for us tomorrow.

"Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name." Psalm 103:1