Today is the first day of Spring. After a week full of rain, the sun decided to come out today, welcoming us into a new season. I love how the seasons continue on no matter what is happening in our lives, they remind me of the consistent nature of God. Over the last few days, I’ve spent all day inside, quarantined like much of the world. This free time has given me a lot of room to think about the last few months on the mission field and the dreams I get to fulfill when I head back to Guatemala.
I recently arrived back to Columbus, Ohio after spending November-January interning with the Adventures Guatemala team in Antigua, Guatemala. I joined the team working with Gap Year discipleship, short term trips, and activating churches in Guatemala. It was such a sweet time of dipping my toes into what it will look like being on staff. My days were filled with spending time at the base, where our short term teams live. I felt so alive getting to be back with 18-20 year old’s who give up 9 months to share the love of Jesus around the world, just like I did in 2016.
A really sweet moment for me was when I was able to revisit the small village of Los Encinos, where I worked for 3 months in 2018. The team hosted a women’s event where the women in the village gathered. We ate, laughed together, and the team of girls told the women how much they meant to their team. It was a beautiful time of being reminded of how faithful the Lord is and the beauty of long term missions, where I get to watch children grow up and see the Lord work over the years in a place I love.
Here’s a few photos from the day:
Over the months, I continued joining teams as they went out into their local towns and villages, teaching English, sharing the gospel, installing stoves and water filters, praying over the sick, becoming friends with families, and pioneering ministry in new towns.
For the first time, I arrived into a country knowing I would soon call it home. I’m so used to traveling for 3 months or less in each country I’m in. So this was such a gift to me. To go to the grocery store, church, and the base I work at, knowing I will be rooted soon in Guatemala. I’m so excited to be a part of all the team is doing through “creating disciples of all nations”. I’m proud to be doing life with people who have such a heart to know God, build His Kingdom, and share the gospel.
Now I’m back in Columbus, seeking the Lord on what the next few months will look like. As someone whose main priority is currently to build partner development with raising money to get back to Guatemala by this summer, I’m figuring out what it looks like to have empathy and faith in my asking. I’m currently raising money for my CIT (Center for Intercultural Training) in North Carolina coming in May. In total, I need $3,545 for travel, lodging, food, and classes for my training I get to be a part of before I can start working in Guatemala. Please message me or simply click the “donate!” button on my page to help me get there.
This is such a beautiful time for me to be depending on the Lord and it’s made me so thankful for those who have already partnered with me in my monthly support I’m raising to live and work in Guatemala. I am looking to raise $2,500 in monthly support. If this is something you would like to know more about, please call or message me.
The future feels a bit more blurry than it did a month ago, but God is still on His throne and I trust that He’s a Good Father who gives His children good things.
Thank you already for all the prayers and support. I’m so proud to be partnering with the Lord in this season.
Hannah
