I started another post but wanted to share just a little thought from yesterday. Last night Matt and I drove out to Casa Hogar to deliver brand new cooking pots for the kitchen. As we were driving home our truck broke down on the dirt road leading out of Los Pinos. It was dark and I didn't feel overly safe. We tried and tried to get it started and it just wasn't firing up. We got out and tried pushing it to kick start the engine and even that wasn't working. Just a little back ground information; I am currently reading "Believing God", by Beth Moore and she challenges the reader not to just believe in God but to actually believe God. The book refers to our prayer life and by living out a life of prayer, we can expect answers. Matthew: 17, 20, ..."Jesus told them, For if you had faith even as tiny as a mustard seed you could say to a mountain, Move! and it would go far away. Nothing would be impossible."
Our mountains can take on all sorts of shapes and sizes. Whether, it's a struggle with an addiction, a stronghold, a conflict in a relationship, an illness, or even a broken down truck on a dirt road, we can pray believing God can move anything we ask in His name.
I kept thinking if I push a little harder, maybe I can do this. Wrong! I threw my hands up and asked God for help. God sent someone, who was biking home from work at 8pm after a long day working in the fields. As we were pushing the truck down the road together I chuckled and was reminded of our fundraising presentations. We talked about how God uses people to help and walk along side others. That, we as christians are that answer to helping this hurting world. God showed up!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
rewards
I can't believe another week has come and gone. The days just seem to flow into another and I feel like everyday is summer. I love it! We have more rain and clouds lately for this time of year than normal. I guess Ontario is not the only place that is having unseasonable weather. I have gotten so use to the sun that when it doesn't shine, it feels so dull. Somedays I don't even know what day or month it is. I loose track of time. What a different pace than racing the north American clock back home. With that different pace comes a lot of patience and perseverance.
We are coming to the six month mark in a couple weeks and I have spent a lot of time the last couple days reflecting on this time so far. It has been an incredible ride and I have seen the hand of the Lord provide, guide, and lavish His love on us. Our journey started years ago and now looking back, I believe it all happened for this very reason. For us to bend our knee and serve Him with our everything. Things haven't come easy and it has been a lot of work even getting here. When I reflect back on some of the most intense times of my spiritual growth, it has been through hardships. It takes a lot of energy and strength to not loose sight of our goals. And sometimes they change along the way. What's important though is to stay grounded in God's love. No matter how hard things get, we know that the Lord loves us and will see us through.
A couple of Saturdays ago, I stroked off an item on my bucket list. A group of us hiked Jumay, a volcano just outside Jalalpa. It was intense and there were many times I felt like my legs were going to give out. Being a long distance runner, I know that feeling all too well. I was determined to keep going. I just knew that all this hard climbing would pay off and we would make it to the top and be rewarded. Amazing is really an understatement and I can't even describe the span of beauty. I just couldn't help think how great our God is. He breathed life into and formed with His own hands this earth. As I stood in awe at the view of endless mountains and not even knowing where the sky met the earth, I praised Him. I praised Him because He gave me the strength and perseverance to make it to the summit. Stopping was not an option for me. I can be a little stubborn and determined and yet at times in ministry those feelings fly out the window. I would be lying if I said I didn't want to throw in the towel and let someone else do the hard work. I learned something very important that day. Not giving up, not throwing in the towel, to keep on going, even when you feel you have nothing left to give, God will bring you to a place where He will reveal His love and show you great things. A reward worth all the hard labour.
I had been feeling a little empty. That happens from time to time I think for most of us in our walk. It's incredible how God meets us where we are. Our acceptance is never based on our performance. He just loves us. I have been doing some reading in the little spare time I have, but I came across this. "the primary hindrance to satisfaction in our lives is refusing Him access to our empty place." I know that as much as I like to say God fills that void, I often look to outside sources. He is putting me in situations that are so out of my strengths and comforts that I truly need Him to fill me. And more and more I now know that when I go into my day, I know it's in His strength not mine.
I have to share one last thing. I opened up my bible yesterday and God literally threw this one at me.
Isaiah 40:31 says "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
We are coming to the six month mark in a couple weeks and I have spent a lot of time the last couple days reflecting on this time so far. It has been an incredible ride and I have seen the hand of the Lord provide, guide, and lavish His love on us. Our journey started years ago and now looking back, I believe it all happened for this very reason. For us to bend our knee and serve Him with our everything. Things haven't come easy and it has been a lot of work even getting here. When I reflect back on some of the most intense times of my spiritual growth, it has been through hardships. It takes a lot of energy and strength to not loose sight of our goals. And sometimes they change along the way. What's important though is to stay grounded in God's love. No matter how hard things get, we know that the Lord loves us and will see us through.
A couple of Saturdays ago, I stroked off an item on my bucket list. A group of us hiked Jumay, a volcano just outside Jalalpa. It was intense and there were many times I felt like my legs were going to give out. Being a long distance runner, I know that feeling all too well. I was determined to keep going. I just knew that all this hard climbing would pay off and we would make it to the top and be rewarded. Amazing is really an understatement and I can't even describe the span of beauty. I just couldn't help think how great our God is. He breathed life into and formed with His own hands this earth. As I stood in awe at the view of endless mountains and not even knowing where the sky met the earth, I praised Him. I praised Him because He gave me the strength and perseverance to make it to the summit. Stopping was not an option for me. I can be a little stubborn and determined and yet at times in ministry those feelings fly out the window. I would be lying if I said I didn't want to throw in the towel and let someone else do the hard work. I learned something very important that day. Not giving up, not throwing in the towel, to keep on going, even when you feel you have nothing left to give, God will bring you to a place where He will reveal His love and show you great things. A reward worth all the hard labour. 
I had been feeling a little empty. That happens from time to time I think for most of us in our walk. It's incredible how God meets us where we are. Our acceptance is never based on our performance. He just loves us. I have been doing some reading in the little spare time I have, but I came across this. "the primary hindrance to satisfaction in our lives is refusing Him access to our empty place." I know that as much as I like to say God fills that void, I often look to outside sources. He is putting me in situations that are so out of my strengths and comforts that I truly need Him to fill me. And more and more I now know that when I go into my day, I know it's in His strength not mine.I have to share one last thing. I opened up my bible yesterday and God literally threw this one at me.
Isaiah 40:31 says "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
a full house
Quietness! I am soaking up these few minutes. We have a house full this weekend and I love it! Our house has always had a revolving door and things are the same here in Guatemala. The days are a surprise and we just don't know who will drop by.
This past month has brought about a lot of excitement. We welcomed back our friend Kait who will be spending three months working with us at Casa Hogar. A week later, we picked up mom and dad Wilson who will be joining us for the next two months. Aside from the already full house, we have our four girls here every weekend visiting. I am thankful for the extra helping hands to keep up with the house work and cooking. I has been a joy watching mom and dad experience new things here. I think they too are quickly learning how inconvenient life is here at times and how many luxuries we take for granted back home. Our first stop upon Matt's parents' arrival was in the town of Antigua. We spent a couple of days easing them into culture shock and exposure of the poverty in the country. It gave us time as a family to catch up and relax. A little disappointing for me, that the hotel we stayed at had no hot water and I was diagnosed with scabies. It was actually an uncomfortable stay on so many levels, however I was happy to step out of Jalapa for a few days and have a much needed break. On our way back home we stopped in to visit friends at another mission just outside of Antigua. I have never in my life travelled up such a steep road. I didn't dare look back as the truck chugged its way higher and higher up the mountain. It was quite the adventure as it over heated and everyone had to get out and walk. I was the lucky one who was in charge of getting it up the hill. I felt like the little engine that could. Matt and I were blown away by not only the structure of the facility but the staff and concept behind it. It was another reason to get back in that truck and drive to Jalapa and do the work we so humbly do. Instead of feeling defeated, it gave us hope. We felt encouraged and inspired. What I really loved the most was seeing a group of Canadians from a small town in Ontario coming together with a vision and working with the communtity in Guatemala to see BIG change. It started with years of building trust and relationship that has blossomed into something beautiful. For more information, check out Global Shores in Guatemala.
We have started our kitchen renovations at Casa Hogar. The first thing to come out was the drop ceiling. I was amazed to see the nuns and even the girls roll up their sleeves to get the job done. It was literally "raining" cockroaches. We hired a local friend who has worked at the orphanage before and Eddie's brother in law to cement the ceiling. As we have been praying, God is working. Connections we made with people two years ago are surfacing every time we are here and we are thankful for all the help. The tiles are coming tomorrow and the walls are being started. Kait is busy working on kitchen hygiene protocol and we are developing a checklist to get things rolling once the kitchen is done. My prison visits lately have been few and far between as others things are occupying my time. However, I am going there tomorrow morning to cut hair again. I am working on translating material for a bible study that I hope to get up and running the beginning of March.
Matt had the opportunity to visit another missionary who flys into remote areas in Guatemala. I think he was a little taken back when he showed up at the airport and had to help put the plane back together.
Apparently the brakes didn't work and after much thought, the winds were not worth the risk. They ended up driving, which made for an adventure in itself. I am thankful for the opportunities to meet other missions and encourage each other in our journeys. We can learn a lot from each other.
Dad has been busily learning spanish and tries to communicate every chance he gets. We get a kick out of him trying to say "quetzal". Mom is a HUGE help around the house, taking care of meals and laundry. It frees up a lot of my time so I can focus on homeschooling and mission planning. We have established more of a routine with the kids school and homeschool as well as the classes I teach at the orphanage.
Please continue to pray for strength and better health. We have all been under the weather with a cold/virus that brought mom to the doctors. She had quite a reaction to this bug and is on the mend now. However, it has taken it's tole on all of us and we are tired. Thank you!
 |
| Facility at Global Shores |
This past month has brought about a lot of excitement. We welcomed back our friend Kait who will be spending three months working with us at Casa Hogar. A week later, we picked up mom and dad Wilson who will be joining us for the next two months. Aside from the already full house, we have our four girls here every weekend visiting. I am thankful for the extra helping hands to keep up with the house work and cooking. I has been a joy watching mom and dad experience new things here. I think they too are quickly learning how inconvenient life is here at times and how many luxuries we take for granted back home. Our first stop upon Matt's parents' arrival was in the town of Antigua. We spent a couple of days easing them into culture shock and exposure of the poverty in the country. It gave us time as a family to catch up and relax. A little disappointing for me, that the hotel we stayed at had no hot water and I was diagnosed with scabies. It was actually an uncomfortable stay on so many levels, however I was happy to step out of Jalapa for a few days and have a much needed break. On our way back home we stopped in to visit friends at another mission just outside of Antigua. I have never in my life travelled up such a steep road. I didn't dare look back as the truck chugged its way higher and higher up the mountain. It was quite the adventure as it over heated and everyone had to get out and walk. I was the lucky one who was in charge of getting it up the hill. I felt like the little engine that could. Matt and I were blown away by not only the structure of the facility but the staff and concept behind it. It was another reason to get back in that truck and drive to Jalapa and do the work we so humbly do. Instead of feeling defeated, it gave us hope. We felt encouraged and inspired. What I really loved the most was seeing a group of Canadians from a small town in Ontario coming together with a vision and working with the communtity in Guatemala to see BIG change. It started with years of building trust and relationship that has blossomed into something beautiful. For more information, check out Global Shores in Guatemala.
Matt had the opportunity to visit another missionary who flys into remote areas in Guatemala. I think he was a little taken back when he showed up at the airport and had to help put the plane back together.Apparently the brakes didn't work and after much thought, the winds were not worth the risk. They ended up driving, which made for an adventure in itself. I am thankful for the opportunities to meet other missions and encourage each other in our journeys. We can learn a lot from each other.
Dad has been busily learning spanish and tries to communicate every chance he gets. We get a kick out of him trying to say "quetzal". Mom is a HUGE help around the house, taking care of meals and laundry. It frees up a lot of my time so I can focus on homeschooling and mission planning. We have established more of a routine with the kids school and homeschool as well as the classes I teach at the orphanage.
 |
| Cleaning out the cupboards |
Please continue to pray for strength and better health. We have all been under the weather with a cold/virus that brought mom to the doctors. She had quite a reaction to this bug and is on the mend now. However, it has taken it's tole on all of us and we are tired. Thank you!
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