Happy to be Home, but sad to have left

I just came back from a trip organized by Buckner International Missions in Guatemala.  I was blessed with the opportunity to spend time with a group of wonderfully and beautifully made brothers and sisters in Christ. My new family and I visited several orphanages and girls/boys transitional homes to teach VBS and to personally help place shoes on the feet of these orphaned, abandoned, and/or poor children. I am still really swallowing it all in ... let alone digesting it.

My SOS (Shoes for Orphan's Souls Mission Trip) team members have come to mean so much to me. Although I missed my family/friends in Texas and am glad to be home, I am really missing not singing, dancing, laughing, praying, eating, teaching, serving and riding the bus with my family.



Nothing is by accident. God placed me in this group for a reason. Each unique person was only able to work harmoniously with the others because of the Spirit that lives and moves in each one of us believers.  It gives me chills to think of the supernatural power of God that works in all situations and circumstances. You put this same group of diverse people in a secular, corporate setting ... Let me tell you ... it would be cut throat and we would be fighting for the corner office, a bigger promotion, it would be me me me... no doubt.


However, the Lord transforms those of us with a teachable spirit every day to become more and more Christ-like. Only the Lord can change the flesh led man into a spirit led man. Only the Lord can teach us servant leadership - placing shoes and socks on sometimes wet, dirty and  too put it bluntly not so good smelling feet.

The Lord knows what he is doing when he does it - Maybe; those children did not particularly need me to put the shoes on their feet - maybe I needed their feet. Maybe, I needed to be humbled and warmed by their smiles and uncontained excitement over a pair of absolutely normal, common shoes. Maybe, I needed to see that despite all their hardships some of these little children were able to live, laugh and love. Maybe, I needed their sweet, loving kisses and their tight, cozy hugs and even some of their life threatening kung fu action lol ... the Karate Kid is no match for some of these tykes. hahaha

Maybe, I needed to see that just like I am childless they were motherless/fatherless, but none of us are alone or forsaken.  Our Father united us together to be a family even if it was just for that moment. A moment that keeps playing over and over in my head and I'm sure is playing over and over again in the childrens' heads.


Jehovah Jirah, is our provider, and He is the creator of the heavens and of the earth. He made the stars in the sky and knows them by name. If it is his will the circumstances of these children can be changed faster than the blinking of an eye - for these little ones are his children and he knows them by name too. He can and will provide for these little ones in His time and His way.

Sure, the children were happy by our presence, with the fellowship, the songs, the story and with the shoes, but I today I believe God created this Mission Trip for me too. To teach me, to humble me, to renew me, to give me joy and peace and to bring me love. A different kind of joy and peace that only the Lord can give when we focus on His will and His work.


Because it is not about me or anyone else - it's about Jesus. My team and I slowly became less of us and more of Jesus.  I am not boasting of about anything good in me or the rest of my team because I cannot boast ... I can only boast about my Savior Christ.... It is because He Lives.... We Live!

What I feel for the country of Guatemala and their people is something so different and so unexpected... One year ago I might have mentioned the word Guatemala about 5 times in my lifetime. But, today ... I am feeling pangs of separation, sadness, but I'm always reminded through people and nature that there is someone greater who is in control so I am also having feelings of Hope, Renewal, and a Strong Need for a Revival among the youth of our generation.  We cannot not, must not lose hope in them - they are our future!  We need to let them know that they can make a difference and I truly believe that our youth is and will continue to make a huge impact in this world.  I saw this in the Young, but Caring boy who volunteers his time in a children's home on Saturdays.  I saw this in our Young, but Strong Team Leaders.  I saw this in our Young, but Dedicated Translators.  I saw this in the Young, but Aspiring Children in the Transitional homes.  I saw this in the Young, but Mission Driven teenage team member.  A revival of the Holy Spirit is making a wave across the world.  It is going to rock!!!


ohhhh Random Me (thats just me .... too many thoughts not enough time)  - back to my trip....The things I was able to see and hear and do... WOW there are really no words that can bring justice to the experience.

The Good, the Bad, and YES, the VERY UGLY.



In the past seven days I encountered many things I cannot understand, many things I will never understand, and many things I do not need to understand


But through it all... if there is one thing that I know for sure is that GOD's Sovereign hand of protection and provision was with us every step of the way. And on the days where are steps were faltering because we were feeling sick, nauseous, overwhelmed, depressed ... Our Grandiose, Awesome, Living God carried us into the orphanages and children's homes.... and drew his arms around us so that we could draw our arms around these precious children. God's breathed His Spirit into us so that we could have the strength to hop, run, yell, shout, run and just love, love and love on these little blessings.


As I sit here introspecting - looking around my house, searching my heart and examining my life I realize that the work is far from done... I have miles to go before I sleep.

Speaking of sleep - I've gotta get ready to go to bed soon ... work starts tomorrow. 

More to come about my trip to the beautiful country of Guatemala soon.... until then God Bless You and I Love You!