2 weeks.
Practicum time for Discover in El Salvador.
It shall be influential in both
Discovers' lives
and
the lives of the people we work with.
Pray for us:
as we attempt to work together as a team
to bring glory to God through the relationships we build.
as we step out of our comfort zones
in faith
and
trust God
to do what He needs to do
No internet for two weeks…
talk to you in 2!
God is faithful.
This was my host family and me, minus their eldest daughter. It was very difficult leaving them this past weekend because they left a huge impact on my life. They showed me what true hospitality looked like. I was greatly encouraged by the love that they had not only for me and my broken Spanish for their church, the Lord and their entire family. My parents and their six children live in a beautiful home which is filled with much joy and laughter.
This past weekend we were allowed to take them out or make them a meal. I choose to make them breakfast on Sunday morning. We had quite the bonding experience making pancakes over an open fire. It was the most fun and family-ish experience I’ve had in a long time. I learned that I could make pancakes in a pan over an open fire! With just oil in the pan you can cook a pancake within minutes. At first we made super small typical Guatemalan pancakes and then I taught them American ‘grande’ pancakes and with chocolate chips! It was quite the bonding experience. We then had orange juice, pancakes, jam and syrup – a full fledge beautiful breakfast.
Tomorrow (Saturday) Discover leaves for two days in San Salvador and then on Monday we will split as teams { H’onward / iPoc } and head out to our practicum sites where we will be for two weeks - without internet connection. Remember a while back when I went on the RECON trip? Well since I went on that, I became the ‘leader’ for our team for practicum. I’ve been in contact with our Pastor figuring out all the details. In the last few days our practicum has really been coming together. We have received a few emails that have made our planning easier and settled our anxious thoughts.
Please pray for continued patience within team members, as tensions can rise while living in such tight community. Awesome relationships can also be made.
Also for safe travels as we go to El Salvador, travel within practicum and then travel to Panahachel April 1st for our trip debrief.
Our Spiritual retreat for the last three days has proved to be super rewarding - I am coming away very well rested physically and spiritually. I feel prepared more practicum. One of the most influencial verses of practicium:
Deuteronomy 33:12 (NIV)
About Benjamin he said:
“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him,
for he shields him all day long,
and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.”
I think that's all for now, see you in 2 weeks!
Today Discover moved from Guatemala Bible Seminary to a retreat centre in Guatemala City. Already we have been blessed with loving and hospitable staff, thought-provoking sessions and American-ish food. {Eggs, cold cereal, mashed potatoes, brown bread and fresh fruit} All very different foods than what we have eaten for the last 4 weeks. No beans in a whole day! We don’t know what to do with ourselves. :)
We will stay here until Friday on a ‘Spiritual Retreat’, a time to rejuvenate not only spiritually but physically and mentally as well. This is also a time to prepare ourselves for our 2 week practicum in El Salvador which is what we will be starting Monday March 21st.
Our first day here consisted of eating good foods, resting in an actual bed that didn’t make our bodies ache when we arose and participating in some excellent bible reading and worship sessions.
I am very thankful we have the opportunity to stay at this centre, although luxurious {because we know of the poverty that exists here this can be hard to accept sometimes} I know and understand this is a well needed and well deserved break.
Today already we had a lot of time together as Discover, learning about our identity in Christ and how to effectively get rid of past hurts.
check this video out:: great song!
I most definitely learned today how blessed I have been to have had a Christian community around me for my entire life.
I am thankful and praise God for my parents and grandparents
who had me participate in tons and tons of Church activities and for all the stories and devos we did at home. It was pointed out that in every person’s life, some people sow into it, some people water and some people harvest.
I am extremely grateful to my family who has and continues to water me as I grow in the Lord.
Last week Discover watched this documentary : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LGRAiWyu14 on the slum. It talks about two people : Shorty who works with gang members in the slum and Tita who works with children in the slum. Both of these people saw a need and decided to fill it. The schools that Tita has built for the children in the slum are filled with love. The teachers and staff not only provide education but the love that these children so desperately need. We were not able to meet Tita and Shorty, but the people they work with and support.
I cannot describe the overwhelming emotion of meeting a man who has worked collecting garbage in the sewer for 30+ years. This is his job, his life. Who comes and gets breakfast and lunch from Tita's school and works without shoes and loves God.
There are people who love life where they are at. They continue to trust and love God despite the circumstances. They are faithful. I am at a loss. I lack words. I don't know how I will come back to my North American home which I have running water and electricity; where my bed is comfortable and food fills my stomach. Where I have tons of space and my house is clean of animals and dirt.
The slum made me think twice about how much I complain about my life. I blow things completely out of proportion. My less than comfortable foam bed, the repetitive food meal plan of beans, tortillas and rice and my limited clothe supply of skirts. The slums and a good talk with my grandparents immensely reminded me that I am blessed. I have no reason to be angry at God or complain. Although I lack plans for next year, I have many potential ideas that make the future look bright. I have been in Guatemala for over a month and haven’t had a single attack regarding MS, I’ve been sick but nothing that brought me down to limited my experience here, I’ve seen the slum. I’ve seen the dump. I’ve seen Jesus and I will not forget.
God is doing amazing things in this slum. Lemonade International is mostly run by strong, courageous women. They work with the poorest of the poor and deal with the most challenging stories of abuse, neglect and poverty. To share the love of Jesus by visiting, giving, sharing of their time, these ladies are truly the definition of beauty and grace. Their spirits of perseverance and love come from the Lord and they are an inspiration to anybody they meet.
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
~Proverbs 31:8-9
