I love that there is hope.

It has been an awful long time since I have blogged.  Life has been crazy.  I have been slammed in the face with cancer and illness among friends and family.  I have been absolutely overwhelmed working with the mentally ill.  But I have been so blessed.  I am surrounded by amazing friends, professors, and family.  I love being at Trinity.  I love that I do not feel like I should be here.  I love that Guatemala is still on my heart.  I love that I am crazy and adding a minor to my degree half way through my third year.  I'm going to be busy but so excited to learn more about missions and where God is calling me.  I love that God is good.  I love that I can say He is love because I know it to be true.

I love God.  I love that He has a plan for me.  I love that there is hope - even when it seems like there is not.  

I love that I came across a thing about my little friend Alberto in Guatemala.
This is what it said:

Age: 2 years, 3 months

Birthday: May 23

Date admitted: March 15, 2011

Weight at time of admittance: 13.1 Lbs.

Referred by: National Hospital – Antigua

About Alberto: When Alberto arrived in May, he had a number of infections, including a painful diaper rash that left his bottom cracked and bleeding. He cried constantly, could not stand, and despite being 2 years old, was not yet using any words to express himself. While Alberto still gets tearful at diaper changes from the fear that being changed may hurt like it did in the past, he spends most of his day smiling, giggling, and chatting away to volunteers and fellow patients. He is able to walk whole holding someone’s hand, is beginning to make simple 2-word sentences, and absolutely LOVES hugs. While Alberto is still behind others his age, he has come so far, and is a very bright little boy who will do well as he continues growing healthier and stronger.

 

Wow!  I am so blessed to have known him and been able to spend a couple hours just holding, loving, and praying for him.  

Thank you Lord for hope.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13

Hit with Reality.

Now is a time when I wish I was in Guatemala.  Shocking reality hits.  My friend and roommate, Ingrid, is going through a really tough time.  I don't know if you read my post from a while ago about Marvin, her brother.  He had a brain tumor.  It seemed like God had healed him for he felt a peace and the doctors could not find anything on the scan the day he was booked to have brain surgery.  But a few weeks ago things went really down hill.  He was suffering a lot and I just found out that last Friday God took him away at the age of 22.  Thank the Lord that he is now pain free but what about all the people left on Earth who truly were trusting God to heal him?  What about all the people who are now so filled with pain and grief?  I am in shock.  It is always so difficult to hear about people dying at such young ages.  They did not live their life and have a family.  But I guess he fulfilled his purpose here on Earth...

Lord, You only know why Marvin is with You now.  You chose not to heal Him.  Your ways are perfect.  Please help us to understand, and if not understand at least know that You work for the good of all who love You and that Your plans are perfect.  Give Marvin's family peace.  Help them to not doubt but to know You are with them through this and know how they feel for you too lost your son.  Thank you for Marvin's life and thank you for your love.



Please pray for Ingrid and her family - Julio (her older brother), Julie (Julio's fiance), Don Julio (her father) and Doña Juanita (her mother). 

God has been good

God has been good (Dios ha sido bueno).  My transition back to Canada has been odd.  I did not really notice it at first but I was not myself.  I was not motivated to do a bunch of things (including my summer school homework).  I was here but not fully.  But God has been so good.  My eyes have been opened to need here and more than ever I want to live a life in service.  In Guatemala my purpose being there was to serve the people of Tactic and the surrounding areas.  God was in everything.  I don't see why life can't be like that here.  It is too easy to get caught in the motions.  To do things without heart.  My challenge has been to do everything intentionally - serving God purposefully. 

I am working at a care home for the elderly.  I am a RCA (Registered Care Aide).  Basically, I am there to dress, clean, and help feed the people at this home.  That is breaking it down to its simplist form but it is true.  Right now I am working the night shift.  So basically everyone is sleeping.  I get calls if they need a bed pan or a Tylenol or if they simply cannot sleep.  It is easy to become monotone - simply there to get things for them.  There is not too much conversation.  I am on the floor by myself.  Everyone is sleeping (or should be sleeping).  But then I make an effort to show God, to be His hands and feet, to everyone who calls me that night.  If I have time, to sit and chat with someone who is awake early in the morning.  And when I purposefully serve and don't just work, I am so much happier.  The shift goes by so much quicker.  I can smile back at the day (or night for most people).  I can be blessed through the elders and by the quiet time while everyone is sleeping.

God is good and has been good in my life - there is no denying that.  My goal is to show His goodness to everyone I come in contact with - to be different. 

I believe I heard this quote at Misisons Fest this year and I think it should become the goal of our lives:

Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words.

Love and blessings,

Rebecca

Back in Canada

Saying goodbye to Yoselina: a hug of true love.

So I made it back onto Canadian soil - much to the relief of my parents and grandmother!  It is weird being back.  It almost seems like time could have stood still while I was in a dream world.  Sure Guatemala is not perfect but there is something almost magical there - I guess you could call that God.  God was just so present in my life while I was there.  I grew an amazing passion not only for the people of Guatemala but also for my Lord and Savior.  I felt completely at home.  I felt like I belonged there.  Like I could make a true difference.  And also like I could be impacted.  
Life is too busy in Canada.  People are worried about everything - preoccupied with the pace of life.  Don't get me wrong, Canada is an amazing country and one that we are definitely blessed to live in, but something is not quite right.  We don't know what it means to say that we fully rely on God or that God provides for all our needs.  We make the excuse of not having enough time instead of making it our first priority to set time aside with the Lord.  I have learned a lot while I was gone and now need to try and apply it to my life back in Canada.  I know I need to be more plugged in with church and core groups in Canada.  I know that I need to be more committed to serving rather than doing the tasks.  I want to live my life here in a way as similar and in tune with God as it was in Guatemala.
Things are different.  I don't know how it is all going to work out.  But I do know that God has a purpose for me being back at home.  Guatemala was a boot camp for my real mission field at home.  Canada is hungry for God but we just don't know it as we fill that hunger with void and empty things.  I want my life to truly be a light in the darkness.  I am going to be different.  I am not going to be okay with mediocre or try and justify the things of this world.  The Spirit is offensive to the flesh.  I do not want to live in the flesh at all.  I want the Spirit to lead me.  I want to be fully into God.  I want to be a servant here in my community, among my friends and coworkers.  But most of all, I don't just want to want these things.  It can't end with me wanting.  I am asking the Lord to show me opportunities in which I can serve.  I am different and strive for my life to show God all the honor and glory and in turn be contagious to others.
It would be easy for me to sit here and list all the things that are wrong with Canada - with the North American dream.  But instead, I want to focus on the good.  To see where God is working.  To see His love and beauty.  To follow the words of Philippians 4:4-8:
Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally brothers (and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
May this be are goal.  Not to worry but put complete trust in God.  And to focus on the things of Him.

Blessings and love,
Rebecca

And just so you all know, I don't plan on this being anywhere close to my last blog.

Dios Ha Sido Bueno

Dios ha sido bueno.  God has been good.  After patiently awaiting for April's team, they arrived late in the afternoon and I got a hug that I had been longing to receive.  It was so great to be able to see a piece of home again.  Although I have not felt overwhelmingly homesick, that hug was fabulous (and made me really excited to be able to hug the rest of my family and friends).  However, that time is coming too soon.  Tomorrow is my last full day here in Tactic.  But thankfully with the team here it has been busy so I haven't had time to be depressed about leaving this amazing place that I now can call home.
With the team here I have still been working in the clinic but have also been involved with the team.  They held Vacation Bible School in Impact's after school program in San Antonio.  I was privileged to be able to attend one day and help out.  The children were all so thankful and happy with everything that was offered.  I know VBS really impacted a lot of the students on April's team, including April.  I have been praying really hard for this team and that God would completely open and change their hearts.  One evening Les led the debrief and talked about surrendering everything to Jesus - that we cannot live our lives for ourselves.  By the end of the night there was not a dry eye in the room.  Before the team got here for some reason I had the idea that I would be helping them, God had taught me so much.  But God had other plans in mind.  He broke me down and I just am learning to fall more in love with Him.  I started crying that night at first when I saw how God was working in April's life and then I just really cried out to the Lord and asked Him to continue break me down and rebuild me for Him.  Throughout the time that April's team has been here, I have been feeling the Lord speak to me about pursuing my nursing further and becoming a nurse practitioner.  I have heard this through people on the team and also during prayer.  If I become a nurse practitioner, I cannot even begin to imagine the possibilities that could lie ahead for me here in Guatemala for the future.
This morning I woke up over an hour before my alarm was going to go off and felt the Lord nudging me.  Telling me that this was our time together.  I hadn't journalled much since the team has been here as I have been so exhausted by the end of the day.  My own time has disappeared.  But this morning was amazing.  I read my Bible and wrote my desires and prayers to the Lord.  These lyrics came to mind and kept repeating themselves: Lord I give you my heart, I give you my soul.  I love for you alone.  Every breath that I take, every moment I'm awake, Lord have Your way in me.  I want my life to live out these words.  I want to live for God every moment of my life.  Something happened this week that annoyed me.  I ended up having to go to Chicoy sinkhole as there were a lack of leaders along and it is a really spiritual experience.  The sinkhole is a place of Mayan worship and is truly a heavy spiritual place.  So instead of going to the clinic I got driven to meet the team.  I was annoyed and frustrated.  But then I realized that I shouldn't be.  God has other plans in store.  It wasn't just a coincidence that I was going.  I prayed that I would be there to be able to comfort and speak God's truth to the kids who needed it.  That God would use me for His will and just fill me with His love and joy.  That prayer changed my outlook.  The experience was so moving.  While we entered I was able to encourage a few of the girls that God is so much bigger than anything that could possibly be in the sinkhole.  We believe in an all-powerful and all-loving God.  Yes, darkness is real.  But we know something greater.  Then after exploring a little in the sinkhole, we gathered together and started worshiping the Lord.  During the time of exploring, a witchdoctor had entered the sinkhole with two of his clients.  We worshiped God in spirit and truth and I know that the witchdoctor knew that something greater than he could ever do was present in that place.  He didn't start anything until we left and they watched us worship.  We were asked to get into the position we would go in if we were in front of our Lord.  Although we were in a dirty, soot-covered sinkhole, I went to my knees and just reached my arms to the Lord.  This trip I definitely have learned a lot about worship and have gained so much from it.  The Lord is good and has amazing plans in store for those He loves.  He can do so much more than we can even begin to imagine and He can free those people from the bondage they are in.  He can free the people of Guatemala from this darkness.  And He already has and is in the process of doing it.  He is good and He will free His people!
Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit April's new sponsor child, my grandma's sponsor child, and Yoselina and her family again.  It was a really special day.  While we were in Yoselina's home, God's presence was so evident.  That family is so filled with His love and goodness.  Despite their circumstances, they bought us all cookies and pop and just enjoyed their time with the group.  When I first arrived, Yoselina sprinted into my arms and definitely beat her last hug - she gave me the best hug ever.  She wouldn't let go of me the whole time.  God has been in every moment I have had with her.  I told her I loved her so much and would be praying for their family every day.  She almost started crying when I told her I was leaving soon and wouldn't see her again until hopefully next year.  If I had only met Yoselina and her family during my time here, this trip would have been worth it.  I love them.  God has shown Himself through them to me and what true gratitude to Him means.

God has been so good, so good.
I love you.  God bless you and see you soon.
Rebecca

Surrounded by His Beauty

This past week a lot of amazing things happened.  I was invited to go to El Salvador with Cathie and Walter.  El Salvador is absolutely beautiful.  We stayed in a lovely home on the beach.  I was able to relax, reflect, and just rest in God.  It was such a blessing.  

When they invited me to go with them I immediately thought of Soraya my sponsor through Compassion Canada.  I started sponsoring her 5 years ago at a youth conference in Edmonton, Alberta.  How amazing it would be if I could see her on this trip too!  Meeting your sponsor child truly makes a difference and I couldn't begin to imagine the blessing it would be to meet her.  I had emailed Compassion Canada at the beginning of the year saying I would be in Guatemala and if I had the chance to go to El Salvador that I would love to see her.  I got a huge email in reply about all the things that needed to be done before this could occur and because I had no idea how possible it would be to go there, I gave up on the idea.  So after looking back at the email I realized she lived in the surrounding area where we would be staying!  I did not know if they would allow me to see her since I did not apply and hand in any of the forms but it was worth a try, right?  Their email back was discouraging.  I felt that God placed us close together for a reason but they made it seem like a meeting would be almost impossible.  They told me if I did not hear back from them before I left that it would not work out.  I asked God to take away my discouragement and for His will to be done in this situation.  So although disappointed, I accepted that I would not get to see Soraya.  As we did not have Internet at the beach (which was really freeing), I did not think about the situation again.  I was enjoying my time at the beach with amazing people.  I was spending a lot of time in the Word and truly was finding rest.  Then Wednesday we went into town as we needed groceries and we stopped at an Internet Cafe.  After sending Mom an email saying I was alright and sending Monica a graduation message, I decided to check my other email account since I had extra time.  I was not expecting anything from Compassion and much to my excitement, and almost confusion, I had 4 emails from them in my inbox.  Although it was last minute, they were able to arrange a meeting.  This is a little excerpt from their email:

 It turns out that Soraya's mother is no longer interested in sending Soraya to the Compassion program and would like to take her out. This sometimes happens when families are interested at first when their child is first enrolled in the program and then do not want to continue with the commitment that is required.

The El Salvador representative and project director both feel that this opportunity for you to visit with Soraya has been God-ordained, as your visit and encouragement to Soraya and her mother, may be just what is needed so that she will continue with the Compassion program.

It turns out that Soraya has a little sister that lives with their grandmother, who is very interested and supportive of Compassion's work, but Soraya lives with her mother, who is the one who is not interested. This is the time to pray and PRAY HARD, that God will soften Soraya's mother's heart and that she will be encouraged by your desire to make this personal connection with her daughter this week. We do not know who will come along as Soraya's guardian for the visit - it may be her mother, grandmother or someone else from the project. Right now, this is all in God's hands.

Wow, was I overwhelmed and grateful to God.  Here I was wanting to meet Soraya to build a little connection with her so I would remember her better and be able to pray for her in a new way, but instead God was arranging something much bigger.  Praise God, He works in amazing ways!  I met Soraya, her mother, and the project director at the Children's Museum in San Salvador.  Soraya turned out to be a very shy 12 year old so although it was awesome to see her, I found it hard to make a connection.  After thinking about it, I realized that it would be overwhelming to a) meet your sponsor, b) travel to San Salvador, a big city, when you live in a rural, small town, and c) be in a museum with planes, trains, science etc. when you have never experienced anything like it before.  So although she was quiet, I built a connection.  Her mother was so grateful that I was able to come and spend this time with her.  She said I was a blessing.  And after discussing a few things, Soraya and her mother promised us that she would stay in the program!  God works in mysterious ways.  A trip that was planned last minute with a last minute meeting turned out to be life changing.  He really is amazing!  I am so grateful to God for I know that without Him none of that would have occurred.  

A beautiful reminder of God's promises and love

So I am back in Tactic, refreshed and excited because of my Lord.  I have 1.5 weeks left in Guatemala and have no idea where the time has gone.  I am excited to see everyone again but have no idea how it will be back in Canada.  I am preparing myself for a huge reverse culture shock.  But before I worry about that, April will be meeting me!  In a couple days she will be here experiencing the amazing things I have been able to experience.  I pray that her life with be changed as mine has.

Many blessings and much love. 

Rebecca

Surrounded by beauty and blessings

I will explain later but I am in El Salvador and have very limited internet access but at the end of this week I have the privilege of meeting my sponsor child through Compassion.  They said last minute meetings normally do not work but they believe this is God ordained.  Her mother is having doubts and is not sure if she wants to keep her in the program.  So please pray that I will be able to make a huge impact and change her life.  God is so good.  His mercies are new everyday.  El Salvador is absolutely beautiful.  When I get back to Tactic on Saturday I will update you all with more.  Love you all.
Becca

A piece of paradise, falling in love, the power of prayer, and an amazing blessing

Last Saturday I had the privilege of going to Semuc Champey with Cathie, Walter, and some of their friends, Erick, Gloria, and their family.  Semuc Champey is a little piece of paradise.  Although it took 4 hours to get there, 1.5 hours of that on a bumpy gravel road, it was so worth it.  The closer we got, the more it felt like a jungle.  There was so much life, so much green beauty.  Vines were growing on all the trees.  It was absolutely beautiful.  But that beauty was nothing compared to what we were about to see.  Cathie, Walter, and myself did a hike to the mirador (view point).  Before we started it, there was a sign saying that it was 1.2 km long, would take about 1 hour and 15 minutes and was rated as 'difficult'.  Turns out the sign was right as the hike was basically straight up.  But it was so worth it.  The view was breath taking.  Semuc Champey is a collection of natural spring fed pools that are above an underground river.  I had never heard of anything like this before but from the mirador we could see where the strong river went underground and then at the bottom where it reemerged.  It is so hard to explain, a picture is definitely worth a thousand words.  We then climbed down and went swimming in the lovely pools.  I was struck with God's power and might in seeing where the river when underground and then also with His beauty and peace in the pools.  A few verses struck me about water.  God gives us living water.  The most amazing thing.  We never need more but thirst for more so that we can be closer to Him.  He restores us.  He replenishes us.  He gives us life.
"God thunders across the waters, Brilliant, his voice and his face, streaming brightness - God across the flood waters" (Psalm 29:3)
"For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water" (Revelations 7:17)
"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul." (Psalm 23:1-3)
"But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:14)
Semuc Champey was a piece of paradise for me.  I found rest, rejuvenation, and an awe for my Creator.  It truly was amazing.


The next day it rained here like I have never seen it rain.  Our road became a river.  I actually could not get to the car without getting my foot completely soaked.  But nonetheless we went to church.  Thank goodness Rio Vida Church has a mike because otherwise it would have been impossible to hear Hermana Rita preach.  And thank goodness we were able to hear her preach for the sermon was amazing.  It was about loving God.  I am still reading Crazy Love and am beginning to truly feel a love for my Lord and Savior so I was just soaking in her message.  We need to develop a love and gratitude for our Lord that encompasses our lives.  Hermana Rita gave us a few examples in which can truly bring us closer in love with God.  I will share a few with you because I think we all need to do some of them - especially in our busy North American lives.  She sets an hourly alarm for when she is awake.  When it goes off, she stops what she is doing and just expresses her love to God and her gratitude for what He has done in her life.  We can put notes on the mirror, a header on our phone, establish a set time in the day for sharing our adoration of our Lord to Him.  Whatever it takes, we all should spend more time sharing our adoration to the Lord.  I have decided that I am going to have tea dates with God.  That is what we do with friends.  We talk about coffee.  Why not do the same with God?  Prayer is powerful and I now have a desire to prayer more.  I confess that before I usually prayed in the morning, before meals, and then when I was falling asleep.  Short prayers.  Nothing amazing.  And definitely not prayers where I would listen for God.  I am going to jump ahead to this past Thursday.  Thursdays are prayer nights at the church.  I hadn't gone to any and decided that that evening I needed to go.  So I went and was completely changed.  There was worship intermingled with prayer - yes, out loud pray your heart out type of prayer.  As I did not grow up in a Pentecostal church, this is a little unnerving to me.  But once I got past my pride or fear or whatever it was, it was amazing.  God touched my heart.  I knelt on the ground and cried while I was praying for Him to touch the lives of some of the broken families in the church.  I then realized that I had a fear of love - of love going wrong, of giving everything, becoming vulnerable, and then being hurt.  I prayed that God would take this fear away and allow me to fall head first into His love and return to Him the love I have been getting for Him.  Prayer truly became powerful for me that night.  Wow, God is amazing.

Back a day to Wednesday.  Cathie, Walter, and I went back to Mocohan to do the last follow ups there.  Praise God, the boy with the infected ear, no longer has pus or pain.  He can hear better and his tympanic membrane looks a lot better.  If you haven't already picked this up, I love Colegio Vida de Mocohan.  I love the children so much.  I just love Mocohan.  So I was super excited to go back.  It meant seeing Yoselina again (and being able to visit her family as we planned a home visit!), worshiping with them again, and being with people that love me and that I love.  When we arrived, the teachers were still in their morning meeting so the kids were playing.  The moment we walked through the doors, I was surround by kids.  Next thing I knew, Yoselina was sprinting around the corner into my arms.  She then introduced me to her older sister, Erika, who excitedly told me how Yoselina was so happy that I was sponsoring her and that they had a younger sister, Bebe, who I had to meet.  It was amazing seeing her siblings and their love for each other and me.  We then started playing Pato, Pato, Ganzo with a bunch of the other kids.  I love playing that game.  Not only does it mean having a good time laughing with the kids, it also means being surrounded by them.  They were sitting on me, hanging off me, hugging me - it was fabulous.  Then it was time for worship.  This time I stood with Yoselina's class instead of at the back.  It was powerful seeing them worshiping with such passion.  Their time of worship impacted me once again.
Then after check ups came the time I was expectantly waiting for.  We took Yoselina out of class and went to her home.  Her home is also her mother's business.  They have a corn mill so ladies can grind their corn to make tortillas.  Upon arrival, I immediately noticed it was concrete.  Praise God!  They had a roof, concrete floor, and electricity.  What a blessing.  I was pretty amazed because not many families can say the same.  I brought some food with me: beans, rice, pasta, tomato sauce, tuna, cookies, and some fruit, all of which cost me about $10 Canadian.  $10 goes a long way here but still, it really wasn't that much.  However, after I gave a few gifts to Yoselina, I gave her family the food.  Her mother started to praise God and thank me.  She started to pray and as she was thanking God for blessing them with this gift, she started to cry.  She was so grateful to me.  And although from the outside it seemed like they had more than enough, that really wasn't the case.  They owed the bank a lot of money.  My little gift, blessed them immensely.  She kept thanking God for what I had brought them and that I was now sponsoring Yoselina (or Melisa or Chica as they call her at home).  They showed me around their house a bit more.  Yoselina, Elvia (her oldest sister who is in high school), her mother, and myself sat in the bedroom for a while.  Her mom started telling me how Yoselina was coming back home so excited.  She told her that the nurse from Canada was sponsoring her and that she now wanted to be a nurse too.  Wow, how amazing is that?  How did I, little Rebecca from Delta, impact her like that?  God is good!  She then told me how Yoselina was sad because I was gone (since we are at a different school now).  She thought I had gone back to Canada.  I'm so glad I hadn't gone back yet so I could share this amazing time with them!  Elvia then told me that I was now a part of their family.  This truly touched my heart.  After chatting for a while, we came back into the main room where Walter and Jose (her eldest brother who is now going to teacher school) were standing by the computer.  The computer that they borrowed money from the bank for.  The now broken computer.  Jose needed a computer for school and although Tactic has internet cafes, Mocohan does not.  Unfortunately, their efforts to try and help him, ended up becoming nothing.  This really broke my heart.  Regardless of their struggles, they are a family that definitely loves the Lord.  I was so blessed to be able to be a blessing to them.  Before we left, I prayed for them.  It was a really special time.  I will never forget this experience.  What an amazing family.  After leaving and thinking about their debt, I was left wanting to do something.  What though?  Do I find out how much they owe and pay it?  Is that the best thing?  I don't know.  I am just starting to read a book called "When Helping Hurts".  Sometimes just giving, ends up harming.  It is a weird concept to wrap your mind around for sure.  So this is something I need to pray about and figure out how I can help them in the best way.  God is good and He provides - whether that is in the form of answers to our questions, through finances, through unexpected gifts, or through His comfort and love.  


So there are a few more of my experiences, my challenges, and my joys.
I pray that you will be challenged and encouraged.  I love you all.
Many Blessings, Rebecca

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul...Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground" Psalms 143:8,10

The Best Hug

This week we have been doing check ups at Chamche school which is really nice because we can walk to work.  But it isn't the same as Mocohan.  The kids come from families that are generally more well off than those in Mocohan.  This is the first school that Impact started so there is a certain sense of pride that is not evident at other schools.  The atmosphere is just different.  Maybe I just have my heart in Mocohan, I don't know.  

Me telling Yoselina that I am her patrocinadora

Her response - the best hug ever!

Yesterday, we went back to Mocohan to complete a few follow up appointments.  There is a boy, Oscar, who has a really bad ear infection and will need surgery as it has been chronic and his tympanic membrane is perforated.  Unfortunately, his twin brother has a heart murmur that also requires surgery.  Hopefully, with help from Impact, they can get these surgeries.  So we checked up on both of them and a few other students.  I woke up with joy that morning knowing I would be able to worship with these children that have changed my life and also get to see Yoselina again.  We finished all of the check ups just before recess started.  When I walked out of the room we were using, two girls immediately ran to me - one being Yoselina.  So with the help of Walter (the doctor's husband), I told her that I was now her sponsor, loved, her very much, and would be praying for her every day.  She was shocked speechless and just gave me the biggest hug - the best hug ever!  She was so happy.  You could see it in her eyes.  Once the bell rang signalling the end of recess, we said our goodbyes.  But she wouldn't let go of me.  I did not want to let go of her either.  Finally, we parted ways but I made sure she knew that she would see me again.  I plan to make a house visit to her place and spend more time with her.  She is a beautiful child of God and I am so happy and blessed to be able to call her my sponsor child.

 

Live, Laugh, Love

Life in Guatemala is amazing.  I love it here more and more everyday.  I love the culture, the mountains, the people, the traditional clothing, the market, the colours, the beauty.  Nothing is dull.  There is so much life.  Yes, there is also immense poverty, but this does not mean a dullness or lifelessness in the people.  No matter where you are or who you are, you will be greeted by everyone.  Whenever I am introduced to someone, I get a hug or a sincere "Mucho gusto" (Pleased to meet you).  Everyone in the Christian community refers to each other as Hermano/a (insert name).  The meaning of family is understood.  Living in community and service is understood.  Immense love is also understood and lived out.

We finished our check ups at Mocohan on Friday.  It was sort of bitter sweet.  I have grown to know the children there and truly love them all.  They have taught me so much about worship and love.  They are amazing.  But we finished.  I took on a pilot tooth brushing program with some of the kids who needed it most - but really how do you decide who is most deserving when all of them could have major dental work done?  Barely any of them own a toothbrush or know how to brush their teeth.  So I taught about 9 of the children to brush their teeth without water because water is scarce in Mocohan.  No everyone has safe water and if they do, they don't have enough of it.  It is hard to imagine not having water.  Even here I waste so much water.  I take long showers, rinse my dishes more than necessary, use too much water when I brush my teeth... Sad.  Water is something I definitely need to be more grateful for.  I take it so for granted.  Anyways back to tooth brushing.  After 3 days of teaching and monitoring them, I gave them a toothbrush and small toothpaste as a gift.  They were all so happy.  Another thing I take for granted.  So since my little pilot project was successful, Impact is going to implement a bigger pilot project - the whole school of Mocohan once a few things are fixed since they have a working well with water now!  I bet the dentist will be glad to hear about that.  There is a nursing and dental mobile unit in Mocohan although it is not usually open because the

Yasmi (on the right) is a girl I played with 4 years ago!

government decided not to pay public health workers since January.  I wouldn't be working either.  On Thursday, I brought 7 kids with bad tooth pain over to the dentist, as their mobile unit is right beside the school, and 6 of them got teeth pulled.  They were scared but I tried to comfort them as much as possible.  One boy wouldn't open his mouth once he saw the freezing needle but after a while he decided to be brave, I held his hand, and he did it - yay Widman!  And the next day, he did not have any more pain and was happy as a clam.  
On Friday, during recess I played pato, pato, ganso (duck, duck, goose) with the kids.  It started off with 3 girls and then grew into a group of about 20 kids.  It was really fun.  I was the ganso a lot because for some reason they liked picking me.  And then when I was saying pato, pato, pato, everyone was screaming yo, yo, yo - how was I possibly supposed to pick just one?  During the game, about 5 of the girls decided to play with my hair instead.  They clung to me (making it hard when I was ganzo) but it was so wonderful.  But what did I do to deserve their undivided love and attention?  Nothing.  Sure I gave up time and the comforts of home to come and serve here but really, what did I do?  Then I got thinking what did we do to deserve the love God gives us?  Absolutely nothing.  We are so unworthy, we are sinful, we continually screw up.  But God's arms of love are always open and He continually blesses us through His never ending perfect love.  Wow, I guess we just need to accept it.  I am learning what it means to truly be in love with God.  It is pretty amazing.  For so many years I viewed Him as my Father and Creator but did not desire to be with Him or grow closer to Him.  But now I do.  I want to pick up my Bible.  I want to study a verse and pick it apart.  I want to just rest in Him.  I want to start my day of in prayer and meditation.  I still have a lot to learn but it is pretty cool.

One of the couples who got married

Back to the girls and their love for me.  One of them is named Yoselina.  She is seven, super cute, loves to laugh, smile, and just give hugs.  I went to choose a sponsor child from the upstairs guesthouse bulletin board where some of the children who still need to be sponsored are put.  And guess whose picture was there?  There was no decision for me.  I was so excited to become Yoselina's patrocinadora.  Then to make it even better at church on Sunday, she came running up to me when I arrived and gave me a huge hug.  She did not know that I was sponsoring her and that did not matter.  It is amazing to know she loves me not because I help her go to school or send her letters, she simply loves me.  We went to the daughter church of the one I usually go to in Tactic.  Impact started the one in Tactic, which is in Alta Verapaz and then they decided to start one in Baja Verapaz (where the Mocohan, Chicoy, and Puruhla schools are) because it was too difficult for them to travel the 30 minutes into Tactic.  When you don't even own a bicycle, travel is difficult - either really long or expensive.  So they have a service at Puruhla now and we were all invited to go this week to show our support and also to be apart of something pretty exciting.  Three couples who had been together for years and already had families were getting married.  Marriage is not a priority in Guatemala.  Yes, family is super important but not the actual steps of marriage.  So they wanted to make things right before God and they got married.  It was so precious and impacting.  They valued God's law and knew they needed to change things.  They were so happy.  It truly was a special thing to be a witness of.  After the service, lunch was served to everyone.  After eating my tamale, I went over to where the children were.  Yoselina was there but Karey, my roommate, cautioned me not to say anything just in case it wasn't her or something fell through.  She immediately ran to me, hugged me, and did not let go of me.  For about fifteen minutes she just sat in my arms.  She didn't run off with her friends who were playing.  I felt this amazing connection with her.  At first I had doubts.  What if my sponsor child is a different Yoselina that looks similar to her?  Satan was trying to plant worry in my heart but I knew this had to be her.  I was so at peace with it.  She already had a place in my heart and nothing could take that away.  Just to be sure I asked her what her last name was and she told me her birthday, so when I got

Yoselina is on the left!

home and checked and it is definitely her!  Wednesday we are going back to Mocohan to do a few follow up visits.  I am so excited because I can tell her that I am her patrocinadora.  That I love her so much and am now praying specifically for her all the time.  
God has blessed me with so much and I am so grateful that I can bless others.  My time here just keeps getting better.  I don't want to leave.
Let's all remember to always spread God's unconditional love to everyone we meet - whether we can find reason for them to deserve it or not.
Live, laugh and love to the fullest.

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Colossians 3:12-14

 

Filled with Wonder, Joy, Love, Expectancy, and Peace

Wow, once again I am encompassed with amazement for my Savior.  God is so good and has been teaching me so much.  Sunday at church Les preached about Knowing God.  I was overcome by the Spirit and a hunger to know God more.  It was a great sermon but I did not get hit until the end when we started singing a song that when translated is something like this: Receive all the glory, Receive all the honor, Precious Son of God.  These words became the prayer of my entire being and I just starting crying.  At this moment, I knew that I was a sinner, who was undeserving of grace, but I also new the glory of God and that I wanted my life to be focused on growing more and more in Him.  I want it to be evident that I am living more life for the honor and glory of the true Lord.  

God is definitely moving here - in my life and the people of Guatemala.  So to know God better I am trying to follow the advice of this verse, which was read at the service: So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. - 2 Peter 1:5-7

May we all be challenged to know God more and more, and for God to receive all the glory and honor in our lives.

On Monday, we did a medical clinic in the mountain town of Chacalte.  After driving up the cloud engulfed mountain and walking for 10 minutes down a muddy trail, we arrived at a one room building that Impact and the people of the church had transformed into our medical clinic.  There was a waiting area, 3 exam rooms, and a pharmacy in this dirt floor building with little light - but it all worked out!  I was nervous as I had no idea was to expect and had the fear that I may be coerced into having my own exam room (including assessments, diagnosing, and prescribing... truly a doctor's job).  But I left it all to God and asked that He would just use me to show these people His love in whatever way He had in mind.  I ended up working the pharmacy with Cathie's daughter Patricia.  Although I didn't get to exercise my nursing skills, I had a great time helping in the way I did.  When we were filling prescriptions, kids would look through the dividing sheets out of curiosity and we got to play and take pictures with them, which was really a joy!  It was hard to communicate, however, as this town speaks Achi, one of the indigenous languages that is very different from Spanish.  Nonetheless I was able to share God's love and blessings to these people through medical aid.  And just to make it more amazing, when we were finished all the children helped us pack up and carry all our supplies back to the van.  They really knew what joy was.  They blessed my heart through their eagerness to help.  And just to top off the day, our drive back down the mountain was spectacular.  Chacalte is one of the most beautiful places.  God is truly the most amazing artist!

Our Language Helpers!

Today, we were back at Mocohan school.  I just love those kids so much.  They are getting to know me now and every time I walk around, I get a million amazing hugs - it is fantastic!  If you could bottle up their love and joy (which definitely comes from God) and ship it around the world, the Earth would definitely be a better place.  It amazes me.  These children have literally nothing.  If it were not for their sponsors, they would not be going to this school, have most of the clothes they own, have a guaranteed nutritious meal in the day, and be taught about a transformed life through Christ.  They know what it is to rely on Him and to praise them with everything they have.  I wish I could stay with them forever.  One of the girls asked me if I was a patrocinadora.  I was not familiar with this word and so I answered I do not know but I am studying nursing...  That was a fail to her question but then she said her patrocinadora was a nurse in Canada.  She told me her name was Michelle and asked if I knew her.  She told me she loved her sponsor although she has never met her.  So if you sponsor a child, know that they truly love and value all you do for them!  I sponsor a child through Compassion Canada but because of all the experiences here and knowing how much these children value their sponsors, I feel compelled to sponsor a child through Impact.  If any of you have ever considered sponsoring a child and haven't, I would encourage you to look into sponsoring a deserving child through Impact Ministries (Impact's website).

I also wanted to extend a huge thank you for all of your support through prayers and finances.  I have now paid off all of my expenses for being here - praise the Lord for a month before I left, I never thought it would be possible!  I had $195 left to pay and my mom just let me know I got my tax return the other day for just under $195.  Wow God is good, all the time.  All the time, God is good!

Be encouraged for God is amazing.

Blessings in abundance,

Becca

A Crazy Kind of Love

I want a crazy kind of love for my Creator.  My love for Him has been growing and I have been radically changed in my time here so far.  God is so good and reveals Himself in so many ways.  Everyone weekday morning this past week, I have been in one of Impact's schools helping with their annual check ups.  Nothing can compare to my time there.  Thursday morning near the end of chapel, Cathie's family and myself were called up to the front so that they could pray for us.  Immediately I was surrounded by children.  I felt as though I were a magnet.  They were all so close and placed their hands on me.  The director of the school started praying for us and then all the children and teachers also started praying.  It was probably one of the most beautiful things I had ever heard even though I did not understand much as not only were close to 200 people praying at once but they were also praying in Spanish.  However, I know that my soul understood.  I felt so refreshed and transformed.  The Spirit was definitely present and at work.  These children understand prayer and what it is to be a Christian.  Francis Chan describes this crazy love and what it truly means to be a fruit-bearing disciple of Christ in his book.  I started this book before Christmas with a good friend of mine, Rachel.  However, slowly as the next semester got busy again, we slowly stopped meeting and discussing what we had read.  So I picked it up again and started from the beginning.  And I am sure glad that I did.  This book is challenging.  It is not an easy read or one that you can pick up and not be changed.  Like I said, I have been so challenged during my time here - to be a better person, to be a true disciple, to see things differently, etc.  Not that I am almost half way through my time here (which has flown by), I have been thinking about going back home.  Yes I am excited to see my friends and family, but I am almost scared to go back.  I know that I will be returning as a different person.  Here in Guatemala, I am so passionate about God, knowing Him more, reading His word, and resting in Him.  But at home, it was hard to find that passion.  I know I was lukewarm (and don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I've fully figured it out now but I am working more towards that full abandonment to the One I love) but the busyness of life always seemed to take priority.  I refuse for things to go back to 'normal' and I do not see how they could.  But I am still uncertain how to transfer from how I have been living here to when I get back home.  But God is good and I still have plenty of time here to contemplate these types of things.  I hope that it does not have to take a trip to a place like Guatemala for others to figure these sort of things out.  I pray God will reveal Himself to you all and that you will be changed from the inside out.  Francis Chan says that "God's definition of what matters is pretty straightforward.  He measures our lives by how we love" (p.93).  May this be a new way to view the way we live our lives.  

Much love and blessings,

Rebecca

Praise God!

So I received news that Marvin, my roommate's brother, is coming back today.  This morning they could not find anything in the tests they performed and therefore the surgery was cancelled.  So he has to go back on the 27th for more testing but as of this moment, things are definitely looking up.  I can bet you anything the doctors will not be able to find anything on the 27th for our God is good and does the impossible.
Praise God and thank you for your prayers!

Prayer Request

One of my roommates just found out that her youngest brother is getting brain surgery tomorrow.  He was having bad headaches and was losing his peripheral vision, so the doctor recommended that he get some tests done.  They just got the results today and he is booked in for a surgery tomorrow.  Praise God that he could get the surgery so quickly; however that probably means that it is serious.  So please pray that God's will be done in this situation and that He send His perfect comfort for him and the family in this time of uncertainty.
Thank you so much.  I will keep you updated once I hear how the surgery went.
- Rebecca

Alberto is back!

I found out that Alberto is now back at Casa Jackson, so thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.  He is apparently still a little under the weather but he is doing a lot better!  Praise God!

A little about what I've been up to the last couple days...

The Chapel and Dining Area I helped dig the trenches for!

But the last two mornings have been spent at one of Impact's schools - Colegio Vida de Mocohan.  Every child who attends an Impact school gets an annual checkup so we are working through all of the children there.  It is such a blessing to be able to help these children!  Also this is the school where my team did our construction project four years ago.  We were digging trenches for a future dining and worship area.  And now it is complete!  Every morning the children have morning assembly, which is one of the most moving things I think anyone can experience, and this happens in the building that I had a hand in 'building'.  It is so cool how God works and allows us to see things that He has allowed to be brought into completion that we each have a hand in.  God is definitely good and these children understand and believe that.  They worship with all their hearts and during prayer time feel no shame in asking God to help them or just to praise Him out loud.  Worship is something else here.  It is not just one more thing to do on the checklist of Christianity but it is sought after and something children long for.  One of the boys that I believe I talked about from when I was in Tactic with my Trinity team was able to get a job at the school as he is 19 and because of his age cannot further his education past the grade 4 level he received with Impact.  But he is the custodian there because he couldn't imagine now having that time of worship and learning.  Wow, Lord give me that passion and longing.  This trip has taught me a lot so far and one of those things is definitely a longing to be in His presence all the time, to fall in love more and more with my Creator and Father.  And a lot of this was learned from the children.  I think we all could benefit from stepping back from our lives and observing children.  We can learn to laugh and live without worry, we can learn to accept the truth and not always need to know how or why, we can learn to rest, etc.  I am just so grateful to be able to observe these children and really be challenged to grow closer to God.

Love you all and I hope you can be challenged too.

Blessings.

Rebecca

In Tactic

I made it safely to Tactic Friday late morning.  The drive up was beautiful and I couldn't help but think of what was to come.  My excitement for my time here grew with each hour that passed on the drive.  Usually I sleep on long car rides but this trip I barely slept at all.  Exciting discussion about the week to come filled the car as the doctor I am working with and her daughter who just finished Med school were also in the car.  
Once we arrived, we had a couple hours before the medical clinic was open!  Wow, I had no idea that we would be doing anything that day - yay!  We all had a lovely lunch with Les and Rita, the founders of Impact Ministries, and then off we went.  After a brief orientation of the electronic medical record program, the first patient arrived.  I observed Cathie, the doctor, and saw how much I was going to learn.  Throughout the day, I was able to aid Cathie in a few different tests and also work in the pharmacy, filling prescriptions she had prescribed and then explaining them to the patients.  My Spanish is already improving, which excites me a lot as I think to what it will hopefully be by the end of my trip!  The medical clinic is truly a blessing to the community and surrounding communities that make the trek to get here.  We are able to give them simple things like Tylenol as it is unattainable to the majority of the people.  It makes me realize how much healthcare and healthcare products are taken for granted at home.  This makes me really sad as people can die from simple things like diarrhea here.  But God is good and provides what to many was viewed as completely unattainable.
Monday morning we are going to one of Impact's schools to perform regular medical check ups for all the children and then sometime later this week we will be going up into a mountain town to provide much needed care.  In some ways I feel inadequate but I know that Cathie has so much knowledge and that God can use me in things I may see as impossible. 

Saturday was special as along with Cathie's family and Karey (one of my roommates who is an English teacher), I was able to enjoy a relaxing day at a park nearby.  We relaxed, went for a lovely walk, and roasted hotdogs (yes I actually ate one...) and marshmellows.  It was a really fun afternoon of community and relaxation.  The rest of the day was spent with my roommates, who are all great.  
Today we are going to a church service at 4, which I am really looking forward to.  There is something amazing about worship in another language.  
I'm sure many stories will be coming your way shortly.
Love and blessings.
Rebecca

Walking with God

Where I am staying, there is a wonderful library; however, a book that stood out to me wasn't in the bookshelves at all.  This book was sitting on a table and had been for a few days.  Today for some reason, I decided to pick it up.  I started reading and have been captivated.  The main message of this book is how we were created to be in communion with God - to have an intimate relationship with Him.  It challenges us to ask God what life He wants us to live...."This is the transition to a better life.  To be asking him where he is headed and what he is doing throughout the day.  So that while he is going on ahead of me, I am following" (p.46).  May we all take on this challenge.  May we seek to be in further intimate communion with our Father and Savior.  May we seek and listen to His gentle voice.
He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out... He goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. - John 10:3-4

Your Glory and Beauty

Your glory and beauty O Lord are so astounding.  You have created this world to reflect you.  May my life reflect your beauty and bring you glory.
Wow God is good.  This past week has been amazing!

On May 19, we went to an organization called As Green As it Gets (www.asgreenasitgets.org).  They originally started out by partnering with local farmers and helping them to grow coffee and then export it.  They have now been innovating and making their farms more sustainable.  They are growing many different crops in each field so they can produce something year round.  They also have classes to help teach children and current farmers how to best use the land and preserve it - to keep it as green as possible.  We then visited a local coffee farmer and we roasted, ground, and made our own coffee.  Wow I didn't realize how much work went into getting a cup of coffee.  I hope I never forget this and from this experience ensure that I am supporting fair trade because otherwise these people get next to nothing for work unimaginable to us.  
The next day happened to be one of the best days.  Not just because it was my 20th birthday but because of what we got to do.  I had a special cake made for me and we had a pinata to celebrate and then got to go to Rosas de Amor.  Rosa is a true woman of the Lord.  She answered a call from the Lord to open a home for the neglected and abused children and teenage mothers of Guatemala.  She is such an example of trusting in the Lord for she has no steady donations.  She houses up to 50 children and provides them with food, education, and most importantly the love of the Lord.  She has great dreams to one day own her own property where she can house more children and have a proper school.  This lady is a true example for all believers of someone who answered God's call on her life, trusts completely in Him, and lives to serve Him.  So while we were there our task was to simply love these children.  It wasn't hard for they were so full of joy when they saw us arrive.  We played with them, hugged them, and just poured God's love onto them.  Hearing ¡feliz cumpleaños! from a few of these girls followed by some of the best hugs I have ever received was truly a blessing and something I will never forget.   
The next day we traveled to Lake Atitlan.  This is probably one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.  It is surrounded by volcanoes and lush green forests.  We took a boat ride across the lake and saw some of the culture there.  The city we went to was very much under the powers of darkness as they believed that their god, Maximon, lived there.  The church that was on the top of the hill had a room completely dedicated to him and sadly, almost every person who was in that church, was in that room.  However, I met a lovely lady whom I bought a painting from.  She was very kind hearted and appreciated art like I do.  I noticed she didn't sign the painting so I asked her why.  The answer was not one I was expecting or ever wanted to hear.  She cannot read or write.  How is it that we are so blessed to read and write?  It is something we all take so for granted.  May we all take this privilege and use it for the glory of God.
After staying overnight in Hotel Playa Linda, we took a boat to another town on the lake.  We hiked through the mountainside for 45 minutes and reached one of the most beautiful locations.  There was a hotel there called La Casa Del Mundo.  We ate breakfast there and went swimming in the lake.  It was a place where God's beautiful was so evident and where I was able to find rest and rejuvenation.  It was truly spectacular.  
Monday was the last full day with the group.  It was bitter sweet for sure.  Bitter because I have grown to love all of them so much but sweet because it meant that I would soon be going to Tactic to serve the Lord through nursing.  We went into the city and just spent time together.  It was a great day.  Cabree and I bought a small jade heart necklace for Lydia, a 15 year old girl who works in the market everyday and doesn't go to school.  She always remembered our names and chatted with us when we were in town.  Our friendship was something special.  So we wrote her a note and blessed her with a little gift.  I pray that she will see God and that the little we could do will impact her life for she has something special to give.
That evening we all gathered in our host's house and talked about our time here.  We were asked to think of one word to describe our time here.  My word was 'itching'.  Yes partly because I got a lot of bug bites but also because God has placed an itching on my heart to know Him better and to grow in Him, to hear and respond to the calling He has in my life.
The past two days I have been here able to just journal and reflect.  God has been so good.  I cannot even wait for the experiences that are in store once I get to Impact Ministries.  
Please pray for safety as I am traveling to Tactic Friday morning and that I will be receptive to God's voice and truly be a blessing to those there.
Love you all.
PS. Alberto is still in the hospital - so keep him in your prayers!