Our stove team is having an awesome experience. Rain, sunshine, tools working, tools not working. But more than anything what I’ve heard from them is the humility of being served. Rachel has had someone carrying her backpack every day. Pastor Felix and his son, Luis, and later other sons, have joined their work each day. This is the practice we want: working side by side with our Guatemalan friends. The LORD is good to allow it. It is a humble hospitality that welcomes foreign teams into homes…into the holy space. We are grateful for the welcoming.
Pappa Grande (AKA Steve Fulton) is many things for our team and his passion for the stove project has kept him on that site each day. He has provided “momentum” when they were going uphill and “momentum” when they needed to stop. Steve’s mind and attention to detail are a blessing for us. Gloria; Jorge and Sherri. Jorge Berrios is on his third international mission, first time in Guatemala. He is of the Las Primeras Iglesia in Nashville. His work on the stove team has been fabulous, providing interpretation and presence, in addition to the task. And Jorge brings blessings to us back at the base. Jorge has a beautiful gift of singing. He has shared several songs with us in prayer and to encourage. He is compassionate and respectful with the people. He teaches us with his life. Having him here means we see more of God because he shares what God has given him to share. WE met through Pastora Myriam last year and the three of us have committed to continue creating environments where multi-cultures can find a common peace and joy in serving together.
Today we experienced a wonderful blessing of God. We were in the San Antonio community and specifically in a church called “Iglesia Evangelica Nacional Metodista Jesus El Buen Cristo”. This is the church I wrote about a few months ago, where the pastor had died and the wife, Catalina, had offered her gifts to continue leading the church. Pastora Catalina is being “installed” on Sunday as the lead pastor of this congregation. Today we were there to lead a Woman’s Circle and engage with the children. We did not ever expect what really happened!
The women that came for the Womens’ CirclePastora Myriam began teaching the women. Gloria began teaching the children. Soon the Spirit was moving and all types of things began to occur! A crowd of about 75 gathered. The women were praying with power and eager spirits. The children that came for teaching and singing and sharing!The children began to sing and they opened their hearts to yearn for more. I asked them, “what is that you want?” They want us to teach them the Bible. They want to sing in English. They are eager and ready. We allowed them to ask our teenagers questions and we asked them about their hopes and dreams. When we asked them what they wanted for their churches they said, “for them not to close.” What do they love about their country? “Unity, respect, love, friendship, solidarity, and justice”.
Three young men God is equipping: Marvin, Moises and EliasThree teenage boys showed up and stood on the periphery listening closely. When we needed chairs, they set them in place. When we needed help carrying things, they offered their hands. These young men were hungry for God. They stayed the whole time so I asked them to help with several things. And then they wanted to engage in the hand activity…where we were placing our hands of prayer on a cloth as a physical act of solidarity and love. The women had a cloth, the children had a cloth, and we gave these young men one of their own. They wanted to make a clear sign of their presence, commitment and desire. I don’t know how to type the Joy I have over this. As Pastora Myriam put it so perfectly, “God is calling his daughters”; and as I have seen over the past 3 years, God is calling the youth!
PastorasThere is a clear movement in the body of Christ all over the world! A new generation is rising up and the LORD is equipping many of all ages to embrace, empower and prepare them. Today we have seen a bigger picture of an unfolding miracle of God. My heart is full of joy.
In the end we formed a huge circle that wrapped around the entire church and we all prayed. Let God do with us whatever God will. Amen. Pastoras
Jennie and Rachel with one of the families that received a stove.
Each night we gather to share stories from our days. We are usually tired but full of energy too, as we take a few minutes to reflect on what God showed us throughout the day. The stories are too many to write. They lodge inside each person’s heart and maybe even for the rest of our lives we are sharing glimpses of what we experience. The stove team shared a “glimpse” last night.
The stove we are installing this year. 40 stoves in ZunilitoRachel Luna told the story of a woman that was “the cook” in her home. She was so old and frail that she had to be helped by two people to get up to the stove. But every day this woman gets to the stove and prepares the food for the family. It is as if all of her love and all of her being is focused on that one task. Physically and spiritually, she is giving her “all”. The story reminds me of the widow who showed up with her offering of only a few coins…but they were the only coins she had. When Jesus saw this he said that even though there were other putting in more “money”, she put in the greater gift because she gave all she had (Luke 21:1-4).
What is your “all”? What is mine? The other thing Jesus said that is so difficult to embrace is that it was the woman’s poverty that she gave from. In other words – her most vulnerable, weakest part. Oh my! Can you imagine? Our weakest part is the part that we can offer? Moses had to do it. He could not speak well but he was chosen to be the voice of God to the Israelites. Jennie on her first international mission…making a new friend in Guatemala.Maybe we need to think on this. “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (II Corinthians 12:10) Whatever our weakness or vulnerability….maybe this is where God’s power is being revealed in us. Let it be.
I’ve been thinking about blindness a lot lately. It began during Lent and it persists. What is the world like when you cannot see it? Other senses heighten, of course. But there is much more than this. My first friend that was “legally blind” came into our family’s life when my brother and I were teenagers. I can’t remember the circumstance of their meeting but I remember when Nuna (my brother’s nickname) brought him home for an overnight visit. We played basketball. That boy was good at basketball. They made a few improvisions in the way they did everything but mostley they just played. It was clear that Tim could not see well; it was equally obvious that he could live well.
My neighbor of 12 years, Mary Lizzie Manier was my next experience…many years later. She had macular degeneration. We were together every day. Her front porch was our “office” for girl talk, sharing wisdom and telling stories. I still miss her. We would go out a lot. neither of us had kids and the age difference (she in her 80’s; me in my 30’s) was nothing. Our senses of adventure, love and friendship were well matched. She helped me with many things in life. Wisdom and joy on ordinary days. And I helped her: I checked her lipstick before we left the house. I helped her find things in her kitchen that had been misplaced. I drove; she chatted. We kept confidences and prayed for each other. We were a perfect match.
I’ve closed my eyes a few times while I’ve been here in Guatemala. What would it be like if you could not see the colors? What would you think when you heard the fireworks and trumpets? What would inspire you when you passed through the markets or walked into an incensed filled cathedral?
Most days I engage in situations where spiritual blindness is present. It is part of what I do, what I’m called to touch. Two things linger in my mind along with all the answers I do not have on blindness today. One: Jesus asks us to trust him at a depth that requires walking blindfolded through life. Two: Although I’m so very far from it, I want to live that deep. My hand is open; Christ’s fits right in it.
The rains have come which gives me an extra moment to write; I am thankful. Yesterday was a wonderful day of cultural and spiritual experiences. Some attended a wedding. Others enjoy the Hot Springs. Still others visited friends and families. I love the way the team is moving into the spaces God is opening for us. Our conversations at night are diverse and edifying. They are experiencing Guatemala in new ways that provides a new picture of the country and people. The challenges of poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition and lack of education are one part of what is here. But also here we find beauty that takes your breath away. We discover friends that will go the extra mile to take care of you. We meet families that are woven together like a fine fabric that does not allow any outside force to unravel its bond. In the end, it comes down to being about relationships. We all carry inside us a part of God that needs to be expressed on earth. No matter our country, our gift or our situation…our spirits have something beautiful to offer.
This morning we are calling upon friends for more meds so our dental team can keep numbing mouths before they pull teeth. We are getting supplies for the artists within our team to keep creating. We will start a new women’s circle in another community and do home visits in La Toma. The stove team will continue and the dental team moves to a new community as well. Amazing day ahead!
I love the rain. Not only is it refreshing, it also helps us understand more of what daily life is like with pouring rains during the rainy season. As we are told, there is a shift in climate right now and the rain is more than normal. We are having a shift in the team as well. Maybe we are growing more in prayer, as we have increasing opportunities within our group and with the people of Guatemala. I am convinced that God is creating spaces that require us to move out of our “norm” and come together in prayer. What grace to lead us into these moments!
(Pictures later when the rain and connection improve)
There is something very special about families that engage in adventures together. When those adventures are aligned with God-guided missions, it is very powerful! We have three “families” on this team. Pastora Myriam with her mom, Gloria, and her children, Julio & Angellie. The other siblings: Ronnie & Ashley Leftwich and her brother, Alex. And a father/daughter duo: Dr. Sam Lynch and his daughter, Kaylee. Wow! Parents, grandparents, spouses, siblings, children… pretty amazing when you stop and think about it.
Sam and KayleeFamilies are not perfect. And sometimes when you are a “Christian” you think your family life should be “perfect”…and, if it’s not, then something is terribly wrong with you. Nothing could be farther than the truth. In fact, I’ve believed for a long time that it may be quite possible that our messiest days in family life are the days that Christ’s love is most deeply manifest. I will never forget a call from a work colleague many years ago. She was crying. It had been an “awful” morning. Her kids were screaming, they were late for school and work…it felt like life was falling apart. She thought she was the worst mom ever. But in that very moment as I prayed for her it was crystal clear to me, and I shared with her: “this may be your most holy moment as a mom”. Because it is not about the easy days or the smoothness of life. Ronnie & Ashley with Alex. It is about the love that keeps on going beyond teenage rebellion, beyond divorce, beyond addictions, beyond dysfunction and heartache and financial woes and all sorts of “life”. It is the reckless AND intentional persistence of Love.
Pastora Myriam with her children Julio & Angellie, and her mother, Gloria. Three generations!Being with a multi-generational team that includes families is probably one of the most beautiful expressions of this Love that I’ve ever seen. Here these people come into another country to serve with strangers they hope will accept them. That alone is a risk. Creating memories with your family is a practice of Love. Taking that practice into a culture you do not control or create is a risk that says, “I trust you enough to experience this moment by moment without knowing the end result. Let’s do it together.”
Last night the dentists among us (Dr. Robin and Dr. Sam) shared powerful stories that I will never forget. Sam had a morning devotion that reminded him to “trade fear for confidence” in the Lord as he embarked on his first dental mission in Guatemala. The scriptures that tell the stories of Joshua and Moses are clear examples of how faithful God is to walk with us in EVERY situation and circumstance. Sam experienced that scripture all day long as the team took care of over 60 patients and probably 100 teeth. And then, much like the teachings of Jesus, Dr. Robin shared a story of a blind man that came to the dental chair. Drs. Robin and Sam
And before you read on…take a moment to remember how most all of us are nervous or even fearful about the “dental chair”. It’s scary! OK…continue:
This amazing man who is blind walked in to be seen by a doctor he does not know, from a country he will likely never visit, who speaks a language he cannot understand and whose credentials he cannot verify. He climbed straight into that dental chair and by doing so, he was saying something like… “I trust you enough to give you complete access to the two primary modes of communication I have with life: taste and speech. Please fix this.” That is what God wants us to do: trust and surrender. Dr. Robin was Christ to that blind man, and you are probably Christ to someone today too. It is an act of Love; don’t be afraid to trust… and don’t be afraid to be trusted.
My blog app on the IPAD is upset so last couple of blogs are lost. If time allows I will recreate. Our arrival to Bambu went smoothly and everyone is safe and settled. We have breakfast in 10 minutes. Last night we were hosted at a gathering in Zunilito which is the community where we will be installing 40 stoves over the next few days. It was amazing. They hired a band to come in and play for us. We had two preachers – Pastor Felix and his son, Luis. Luis preached, Pastor Felix gave speeches and the 40 women who will receive stoves he gave a word of thanks and hospitality. Very humbling! And delightful. This community has a wonderful heart and spirit. We continue to be blessed by the friends and communities we know in this land.
Pictures and stories later. Prayers are appreciated and welcomed! Today: Stoves; Dental clinics; Art mural; Women’s Circles….and whatever else God has planned that we don’t know about yet:)
I love the challenges of being away from my comfort zone….kind of:). It’s good for me because I realize how dependent I am on comfort. My keyboard needs recharging and I didn’t bring the charger. Typing by fingers ….a writers nightmare. I say this only to excuse myself from errors I don’t nab time to correct:).
First bus ride…before they know how hot this bus can get!The team is here and all arrived with humble, grateful spirits. This is wonderful – God can do anything with us if we remain in this way. We were welcomed to the hospitality of La Semilla – a seminary in the city. It is a beautiful place of peace. Pastors come here (20 seminary students) and they serve as hosts for other individuals and groups with the same purpose. We had dinner here last night and will eat breakfast before journeying on to Mazatenengo, which will be out “home away from home”.
We toured the Moore Pediatric Surgery Center in the late afternoon. It is a special place and I’ve blogged about it before so you can read more if you desire. This was the first time I’ve been able to take a full team to see it. This mission offers surgery to the poorest of poor in Guatemala. Surgery teams come from the USA and give their time and expertise. It is operated and led by Guatemalans; staffed with locals as well. We noticed Belmont University’s logo in their Farmacia and learned a pharmacy student from the University is placed there each semester. Vanderbilt, of course, is also a major partner. This center is a place of healing and peace. Mural in the Chaplain’s room We left many pillowcase dresses for the staff to give to the children that come for surgery. It will give them such delight to receive this love at a time when they don’t feel good! The women of our church and the church in Tullahoma provided these gifts. This is when you love the “United Methodist” connection so much…we reach so far together in ways we could never do apart. You can google The Shalom Foundation to learn more and see the leaders behind this great mission. Their executive office is in our home town of Franklin, TN. Pray for them – this place is a huge blessing in Guatemala. I will write of their shared wisdom later.
The dental team went on to. Mazate last night and begin a clinic today. We will all reunite soon. We have stove installation training this afternoon and a welcome gathering Ina new community where we are installing stoves. The rain came last night in the city so it will be fun to see if it also arrived in the rural areas. I love the rains of Latin Amercia. They have a way of reminding us that God’s creation of nature is bigger than us…(uncontrolled by us) and yet we are invited straight into its beauty, its strength and its power. What Grace!
Prayers of safe travels today, for health and for our love to increase. I am so grateful for all who helped bring this particular mission into being. Let it be.
I lost my whole blog post draft from last night. Aghh!!! Maybe I will recreate later….
We have arrived at Bambu and had a brief visit with Zunilito Pastor Felix and his son, Luis late yesterday. It was really wonderful to see them again. They are new friends for us…adding to the amazing people we love in Guatemala. We sat down and visited with the rain pouring on the tin roof. We shouted our words of thanksgiving and joy. A young boy offered us little berries from the tree; yummy! The dirt floor of the church had been paved over with concrete, like a patio floor. Beautiful and smooth. Steve asked about it. “We did it in your honor so you feet would not get dirty.” These words humbled all of us. And as I type I can see Jesus taking the towel and basin to wash the feet of the disciples. My feet are dirty today. We’ve been a lot of places. It’s hot and sticky. What an honor just to be here. The giving and receiving is a circle without end, but I am receiving so much more. Only God can do such things.
A trip to the modern “ace hardware” helped us get all the supplies for the mural. We are ready! One of the girls working at the store used to work with Halo Guatemala. It was good to reunite with her. Remember…this is a town, a community. We are slowly becoming part of it. A little more than “visitors” and a lot more like friends coming through. God is so faithful to weave these relationships.
In my room at Bambu there is a picture of a lovely orchid and a word from Isaiah about trust. Imagine that! God is clearly preparing us for these days. Pray for us all to keep trusting!
Lastly – we ended the day with Tres Leche cake in honor of Mom’s birthday on the 26th. Never lose an opportunity to celebrate the life of someone you love. Life is short, fleeting and beautiful. Live it with honor and honor those around you; it’s never the wrong thing to do. “Those who honor me, I will honor” – I Samuel 2:30b
My reading this morning is in Proverbs. I love this book of the Bible. As much as we all strive to “know” or “discern” the path for our lives…just a read through this book a few times each year has a clear way of grounding me. We all want to know our path. But isn’t it so easy to look for answers in every other place except the source of the one who created us?
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your path.”
Really? Trust…acknowledging God…these lead to a straight path? This has long been one of my favorite teachings (Proverbs 3:5) and I have to confess that I need to be reminded of it often. It is a true teaching. I have lived it and it is true. But maybe we think that “straight path” is an easy path, or it doesn’t have any challenges. Maybe we convince ourselves that following Christ means life becomes a magic carpet ride. But that would be our own thinking; it is not the way of God. The verb “trust” lets us know straight up: there will be a need for it. Right? It’s like faith. Trust means we choose, in a moment of uncertainty or challenge, to remain steadfast to the way God is guiding us. It means in the dark, we trust God is with us even when we cannot see or sense God’s presence. It means we leave the details for the Spirit to work out and we stay humble, faithful and open to whatever happens. Humility and obedience are sisters of Trust. Faith is it’s foundation. Jesus had to trust the Father as he carried his cross to the place where they would take his life…
I’ve learned to say these words in my prayers: “Lord, we trust you completely”… and I have found this surrender to lead me on paths I would have never found on my own. If you are seeking a “straight path” or a life of wisdom and peace, a good beginning is written down for you in the third chapter of Proverbs. It’s an adventure with a safety net! Let it be.
Our stove team is having an awesome experience. Rain, sunshine, tools working, tools not working. But more than anything what I’ve heard from them is the humility of being served. Rachel has had someone carrying her backpack every day. Pastor Felix and his son, Luis, and later other sons, have joined their work each day. This is the practice we want: working side by side with our Guatemalan friends. The LORD is good to allow it. It is a humble hospitality that welcomes foreign teams into homes…into the holy space. We are grateful for the welcoming. 
Pappa Grande (AKA Steve Fulton) is many things for our team and his passion for the stove project has kept him on that site each day. He has provided “momentum” when they were going uphill and “momentum” when they needed to stop. Steve’s mind and attention to detail are a blessing for us.
Jorge Berrios is on his third international mission, first time in Guatemala. He is of the Las Primeras Iglesia in Nashville. His work on the stove team has been fabulous, providing interpretation and presence, in addition to the task. And Jorge brings blessings to us back at the base. Jorge has a beautiful gift of singing. He has shared several songs with us in prayer and to encourage. He is compassionate and respectful with the people. He teaches us with his life. Having him here means we see more of God because he shares what God has given him to share. WE met through Pastora Myriam last year and the three of us have committed to continue creating environments where multi-cultures can find a common peace and joy in serving together.
Life in the Deep End 