Guatemala was truly an amazing experience. Amazing is a definite understatement. During the past 2 weeks I learned sooo much, had a lot of fun, bonded with amazing people, got out of my comfort zone, spoke broken spanish, cried, was broken down, had my heart broken over and over again, and was used by God. Going on this trip was a break through for me. Before this trip, I was scared, nervous, weak. Why am I doing this? Maybe this isn't for me. What if the people there don't like me? What if I don't fit in? It was then that God was saying "Do you trust me, do you trust me, do you reallyyy trust me, Michelle? take this step of faith and expect great things".
And boy did God do miraculous things! Through our ministry there, 2447 people came to know Christ. WOOWWWW. God is sooo good. Not only did he work through the hearts of the Guatemalan people there, but he also worked through my heart tremendously! Don't get me wrong, I'm still scared, I still get nervous, and at times I still feel weak. Oh how I need God! But knowing that God is there to lift me up and that I am strengthened and secure through Him brings me sooo much joy.
Throughout this year, 2010, God has been teaching me trust. I can't do things on my own strength. But through God's strength, I can do all things (Phil 4:13)! Everything is for HIS glory, not mine. I am here to serve, not to be served. One of the things I learned that really stuck to me on this trip is my identity in Christ. WHO AM IIIIII??? I'm a disciple whom Jesus LOVES! God's love is so powerful and overwhelming!!!
The people on this trip are incredible! There's just this indescribable but awesome feeling of being in the same room with people with the same passion and worshiping God with all of our hearts. I love my team dearly. Within 2 weeks, we've seen each other cry, revealed our weaknesses and insecurities without worrying how vulnerable we appeared to each other, learned each others' life stories, worshiped together, ate together, prayed together, laughed together, served the people of Guatemala together, and most importantly, served God together. My team leader was talking about how God seems to bring such strong unity among team members that serve God and love God. Pretty neat, eh? I feel like I'm closer to these people than with the friends I've known back home for years! I miss all of them dearly!
I am sooo incredibly blessed to have gotten to go on this trip! I want to thank my supporters! Thank you so much for your prayers and or for supporting me financially! This trip would not have been possible without the loving support I've received! God is SO good. ALL the time.
I left Guatemala CHANGED. I don't think I could ever be the same again.
Each time I think about Guatemala, the song "Our God" by Chris Tomlin plays over and over in my head:
chorus:
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God…
