Hope for Guatemala (Reentry)

It has been seventeen years since my last trip to a third world country (Haiti).

I forgot how emotional reentry is.

Our trip home from Guatemala yesterday was one of the longest days of my life.

I was up all night on Friday with stomach issues that one teammate had on Friday morning.

As we were waiting to load our bus at 5 a.m. her husband started with the same symptoms.

What a day it was, traveling for 15 hours with those issues.

This morning I am exhausted and weepy.

Reentry is a process.

Last night, I pulled into my driveway and began to weep.

As the rain fell on the windshield of my car, so the tears fell from my eyes.

My house is beautiful, big and has more furniture and "stuff" than I will ever need.

My heart is thousands of miles away as I think of sweet babies who have the barest of necessities.

What can I give to see them cared for?

What can I DO to make a difference?

I knew this week would change my life and I pray that God will show our family the role we are to play to bless the people of Guatemala and the people of the world...

I thought the part of me that traveled to third world countries was in my past, but this week has reawakened a passion in me.

I was created to go, to advocate and to invite others to do the same.

I am not able to figure out all of the in’s and out’s of what this means right now, but there are three specific areas that I feel called to DO SOMETHING.

Our family is planning to take a trip to Hope of Life, maybe as early as this fall.

I believe that if this is God’s will, that the resources we need will be available.

I trust Him to care for the details as I long for my four guys to experience the same things I have this past week and join me in being a voice for these precious people.

I want to support the Holt and Monk families (Safe Haven Village) as they transform the existing orphanage into family-style orphan care.

I want to bless them by helping to locate home school curriculum and money for their households for Christmas gifts.

I want to intercede for them as the Lord leads.

I also want to do what I can to bless Kathy Wheeler as she continues to find ways to bless the children and nannies at Kelly’s House.

I know that there are people who will continue to give if they are given an invitation to do so.

Father, thank You for the opportunity to go this week and to experience the amazing work you are doing at Hope of Life and beyond.

Thank You for travel mercies and for sustaining us and meeting us at every part of our journey.

I ask You to show our family how we can bless others and give to the point of true sacrifice so that others may have their basic needs met.

You hold in Your hand ALL that is needed and I ask You to awaken Your church and those who are called Your followers.

I belong to You and I offer myself to You and the ones who need Your love.