So, as I have mentioned I am in Guatemala doing my Missionary Training for moving here to serve! Well, this month (which is almost over, sigh, so sad), has been busy, tiring, fun and amazing! The purpose of the month was for me to learn about every aspect of Living Water Teaching and everything that they do, and also to prepare for my moving here, and everything that has to be done with that. It was also a time of observation, the leadership watching me, me watching them, living life here, seeing if it is a good fit and if I could make it.
Well, on Thursday I had to go before members of the board and answer numerous questions, it was a type of final interview before the final decision was to be made as to if I would be accepted as a Living Water Teaching Missionary. So, the exciting news is... I'm in! They accepted me, so I am now a missionary with them! Yay! Well, I will actually be moving in about 10 months, but when I return home this Thursday (sigh again, so not ready to leave), I will begin getting things in order and start the support aspect of being a missionary.
I cannot even begin to explain how great this month has been. You know how it is when something happens and you want so bad to share it, but you feel as though no words that you could use would be able to get the point across? That is how I feel!
God's faithfulness has been overwhelming! I mean, I just can't describe it! He has SURPRISED me in so many ways! My questions have been answered, my concerns, all cleared up, my doubts, turned into confidence, everything is lining up.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
What is it?
So, I am getting used to life in Guatemala. I have now been here two weeks, so I am halfway through my orientation. I have to say that I am loving it here! The people are great, the ministry is awesome, and my Spanish is improving (I think). I am really enjoying spending time with the missionaries and with the Bible School students. It's a lot of fun!
I will admit that there are a few things that are "different" than what I am used to...
For instance, I have to ask someone what it is that we're eating, at least once a day. There are some dishes that I love, and umm, there are others that, well let's just say, I can force them down IF I must (thankfully, I don't have to though). It's not that the food is bad, it's just different than what I am used to and so my taste buds, are well, growing? Hmmm.
Then there is the fact that I have to get up a lot earlier than I usually do. This isn't a big deal for normal people, but then there's me... I do not like mornings. The only mornings that I enjoy waking up are the one's where I don't have anywhere to be, so I can sleep without setting an alarm and wake up when it was no longer morning ;) Don't get me wrong, once I am up and getting ready, I am fine and excited about the day, it's just the initial process of waking up. You can ask everyone who works at the Branch, they have seen me way too many times dragging in, without make-up, and with wet hair, because I just wouldn't let the alarm win.
Okay, so let's add to the morning thing. Imagine using 6 blankets (and 2 pair of pj's) because it is so cold and there is not heat in the house. Okay, so how cold do you think you will be when you finally do wake up to the alarm and have to get out of that warm bed? I mean I can't walk around with 6 blankets to get ready.
And the water. There are hot water heaters, but I don't think it gets very hot. I mean, the way I can tell if the pilot light is lit on the heater or if it went out and I need to go light it (they have different heaters here, you have to light them with a match or a lighter), is that if the water is cold but I can breathe, then it's working, if it is so cold that I lose my breath, then I need to make a trip outside to light the heater.
Why am I telling you all of this? Well, so you'll know, it's really the little things that you begin to miss from home. But the main reason I wanted to talk about it is that I STILL LOVE IT HERE! I'll admit that I don't like cold showers or some of the food, or some of the other things, but so what! I would go through that day in and day out if necessary, because I know that missions is what I am called to do. Plus, I can just rejoice and be thankful because I have experienced worse conditions too.
During my orientation, I have been watching videos from Pastor Jim Zirkle, who was the founder of Living Water Teaching, here in Guatemala. One of the videos is on the burden vs. the call. He said that often times people are burdened for the nations and they know something needs to happen. But what does a burden do? It weighs you down, it makes life hard and often miserable. He gave a simple example of how you can tell the difference between a burden and a call. He said that the man with the burden and the man with the call both go on a mission trip. They both have to take cold showers, they both have to eat food that they have no idea what it is, they have to deal with the bugs, they go to wash their clothes and hang them to dry and then it rains and the clothes are soaked, they have to sleep on hard beds, their hairdryers won't work, etc. Now they both go home and the person with the burden says, "Lord, thank you for missions, I will support the ministry, I will help however I can, but please do not ever send me there." The person with the call says, "Lord, please send me back, I want to be there!"
I am that called person. I know it! Now, let me just tell you that I like my modern things, I like to straighten my hair and wear make-up and have heat and warm showers. In fact, I think people that love camping are CRAZY. Why would someone leave their comfortable home, to sleep on the ground in a tent, and have to build a fire? It makes no sense to me. But for missions, I somehow have the gift to be able to endure it, and want to have more. It doesn't mean that it is never frustrating, or that it doesn't get old. What it does mean is that I am called. True joy comes when you are walking in the plan that God has for you, it doesn't come with all the conveniences of technology and money (although I do appreciate those), but if you are right where you are supposed to be, you can look at any obstacle with a gleam in your eye, and revel in the the joy of serving the Lord right where you are!
Life isn't always easy, in fact, it can be very hard at times. But when I look back at the hard times that I know I was in the middle of God's plan, for some reason I don't see all the hard things I endured, I remember it being hard, but it has all been covered with the joy and peace and love of walking this life hand in hand with Jesus and all I can do is look back and smile!
Don't settle for convenient and easy! Go after whatever it is God has for you! Seek Him first in everyting and those desires that you have will come to pass! The life He has for you is beyond your wildest dreams! So Live it!
I will admit that there are a few things that are "different" than what I am used to...
For instance, I have to ask someone what it is that we're eating, at least once a day. There are some dishes that I love, and umm, there are others that, well let's just say, I can force them down IF I must (thankfully, I don't have to though). It's not that the food is bad, it's just different than what I am used to and so my taste buds, are well, growing? Hmmm.
Then there is the fact that I have to get up a lot earlier than I usually do. This isn't a big deal for normal people, but then there's me... I do not like mornings. The only mornings that I enjoy waking up are the one's where I don't have anywhere to be, so I can sleep without setting an alarm and wake up when it was no longer morning ;) Don't get me wrong, once I am up and getting ready, I am fine and excited about the day, it's just the initial process of waking up. You can ask everyone who works at the Branch, they have seen me way too many times dragging in, without make-up, and with wet hair, because I just wouldn't let the alarm win.
Okay, so let's add to the morning thing. Imagine using 6 blankets (and 2 pair of pj's) because it is so cold and there is not heat in the house. Okay, so how cold do you think you will be when you finally do wake up to the alarm and have to get out of that warm bed? I mean I can't walk around with 6 blankets to get ready.
And the water. There are hot water heaters, but I don't think it gets very hot. I mean, the way I can tell if the pilot light is lit on the heater or if it went out and I need to go light it (they have different heaters here, you have to light them with a match or a lighter), is that if the water is cold but I can breathe, then it's working, if it is so cold that I lose my breath, then I need to make a trip outside to light the heater.
Why am I telling you all of this? Well, so you'll know, it's really the little things that you begin to miss from home. But the main reason I wanted to talk about it is that I STILL LOVE IT HERE! I'll admit that I don't like cold showers or some of the food, or some of the other things, but so what! I would go through that day in and day out if necessary, because I know that missions is what I am called to do. Plus, I can just rejoice and be thankful because I have experienced worse conditions too.
During my orientation, I have been watching videos from Pastor Jim Zirkle, who was the founder of Living Water Teaching, here in Guatemala. One of the videos is on the burden vs. the call. He said that often times people are burdened for the nations and they know something needs to happen. But what does a burden do? It weighs you down, it makes life hard and often miserable. He gave a simple example of how you can tell the difference between a burden and a call. He said that the man with the burden and the man with the call both go on a mission trip. They both have to take cold showers, they both have to eat food that they have no idea what it is, they have to deal with the bugs, they go to wash their clothes and hang them to dry and then it rains and the clothes are soaked, they have to sleep on hard beds, their hairdryers won't work, etc. Now they both go home and the person with the burden says, "Lord, thank you for missions, I will support the ministry, I will help however I can, but please do not ever send me there." The person with the call says, "Lord, please send me back, I want to be there!"
I am that called person. I know it! Now, let me just tell you that I like my modern things, I like to straighten my hair and wear make-up and have heat and warm showers. In fact, I think people that love camping are CRAZY. Why would someone leave their comfortable home, to sleep on the ground in a tent, and have to build a fire? It makes no sense to me. But for missions, I somehow have the gift to be able to endure it, and want to have more. It doesn't mean that it is never frustrating, or that it doesn't get old. What it does mean is that I am called. True joy comes when you are walking in the plan that God has for you, it doesn't come with all the conveniences of technology and money (although I do appreciate those), but if you are right where you are supposed to be, you can look at any obstacle with a gleam in your eye, and revel in the the joy of serving the Lord right where you are!
Life isn't always easy, in fact, it can be very hard at times. But when I look back at the hard times that I know I was in the middle of God's plan, for some reason I don't see all the hard things I endured, I remember it being hard, but it has all been covered with the joy and peace and love of walking this life hand in hand with Jesus and all I can do is look back and smile!
Don't settle for convenient and easy! Go after whatever it is God has for you! Seek Him first in everyting and those desires that you have will come to pass! The life He has for you is beyond your wildest dreams! So Live it!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
And the next step is...
For the past 6-7 months I have been in the application process for becoming a missionary to Guatemala with Living Water Teaching. I have always loved missions, and I started going on short-term mission trips when I was 12 years old. I didn´t necessarily think that I would become a full-time missionary, although I will admit that it was always lingering in the back of my mind. I did know that missions would always be a part of my life.
Well the past couple of years I have been leading trips with my church, The Branch and during this time, my desire for missions and consistently being on the field has become stronger and stronger. It was while I was in Guatemala this past July that I began feeling a tug that major change was coming. I began praying about it and believe that God was showing me that the time for becoming a full-time missionary was just around the corner. I prayed and prayed and also questioned. I mean, I love, love, love my job at The Branch, enjoy being around my family, and there are so many other things that I wanted to have "in order" before moving to the field. But I knew that true joy and peace comes when you obey God and walk in His will, I mean I love, love, love my current job and location because He placed me there, so I should trust His leading in everything.
I will admit that I wasn´t 100% positive at first, but I felt God leading me to apply with Living Water Teaching. I am well aware that sometimes the stepping out in faith is what the Lord is looking for as well, so I took the first step, knowing that I am led by God and that as I seek Him wholeheartedly I will go in the right direction.
All that to say, I am now in the final "step" of becoming a missionary to Guatemala. I am at this very moment in Quetzaltenango (also known as Xela), Guatemala on the campus of Living Water Teaching, going through a month of missionary training. During this time I am learning about all of the areas of the ministry here, spending time with the missionaries, students and others, and praying for God´s clear direction. I know without a doubt that I will live on the mission field, I believe that Living Water Teaching is the place I will begin, but during this time, I know that I will know without a doubt if this is where I will be for the next 4 years (starting around January 2010).
My greatest desire is to help people and the greatest gift that anyone can be given is a relationship with Jesus! It is my lifelong goal of living a life of love and sharing the joy that comes with being totally and completely in love with Jesus! Wherever God takes me, I am so ready to go!
Well the past couple of years I have been leading trips with my church, The Branch and during this time, my desire for missions and consistently being on the field has become stronger and stronger. It was while I was in Guatemala this past July that I began feeling a tug that major change was coming. I began praying about it and believe that God was showing me that the time for becoming a full-time missionary was just around the corner. I prayed and prayed and also questioned. I mean, I love, love, love my job at The Branch, enjoy being around my family, and there are so many other things that I wanted to have "in order" before moving to the field. But I knew that true joy and peace comes when you obey God and walk in His will, I mean I love, love, love my current job and location because He placed me there, so I should trust His leading in everything.
I will admit that I wasn´t 100% positive at first, but I felt God leading me to apply with Living Water Teaching. I am well aware that sometimes the stepping out in faith is what the Lord is looking for as well, so I took the first step, knowing that I am led by God and that as I seek Him wholeheartedly I will go in the right direction.
All that to say, I am now in the final "step" of becoming a missionary to Guatemala. I am at this very moment in Quetzaltenango (also known as Xela), Guatemala on the campus of Living Water Teaching, going through a month of missionary training. During this time I am learning about all of the areas of the ministry here, spending time with the missionaries, students and others, and praying for God´s clear direction. I know without a doubt that I will live on the mission field, I believe that Living Water Teaching is the place I will begin, but during this time, I know that I will know without a doubt if this is where I will be for the next 4 years (starting around January 2010).
My greatest desire is to help people and the greatest gift that anyone can be given is a relationship with Jesus! It is my lifelong goal of living a life of love and sharing the joy that comes with being totally and completely in love with Jesus! Wherever God takes me, I am so ready to go!
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