Hola Friends,
Thank you so much for the support you have given me on my
past mission trips to Guatemala. The more time I spend there, the more I fall
in love with the people. And the more I fall in love with the people, the
harder it becomes to leave…
As I was saying my goodbyes in August, I knew that it would
not be long until God brought me back to my second home. It’s hard to explain,
but I feel most myself there. I feel like it is where I belong.
I am at the point in my life where my next step is completely
unknown. I am off the path where everything is planned out for you. I am
graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Biology in less than eight months.
And then what? Grad school? A job? Med school? Mission work? The possibilities
are endless.
So where do I go from here? I have a desire and a vision to
help my friends, the people of Puerto Barrios. I have seen their needs, I have
seen the trials they experience everyday. I cannot go on with my life,
forgetting that these people, my friends, exist and are struggling. But the
world tells me, you need to grow up, get a job, and become stable. But, I can’t
say I’ve ever really been a big fan of this world. I much more concerned with
someone else’s opinion, the Creator of the universe.
Which leads me to the next step in my next journey. This December, I am heading back to Guatemala
over my winter break for what I am going to call a “vision trip.” During the
three weeks I am there, I will be working with my contacts to assess the needs
in more depth, to see what the immediate needs are and to see what projects can
be initiated to help the people long term.
I want to make sure the things we are doing will benefit the
people in the long run, not hurt them. I am aware that good intentions are not
enough. Know that I am making every decision with much prayer and guidance.
I can’t solve poverty. I can’t feed everyone. I can’t heal
them. The problems in this city oftentimes overwhelm me. But then I remember my
job isn’t to fix all the issues. My job is to show them God’s love. Because in
the end, no amount of food or clothes can compare to a relationship with Christ
and an eternity with Him.
If you are interested in helping with future projects,
please contact me! I have been blessed
with a good job that enables me to pay for this trip, but if you would like to
help with the ministry projects (ex water at the dump (about $25 for 2 weeks)
or for Christmas packages for the children at the dump) let me know! Without your support, this would not be possible!
I want to end with the lyrics that describe exactly how I have been feeling:
"You brought me this far, so why would I question you now. You have provided, so why would I start to doubt. I've never been stranded, abandoned or left here to fight alone. So I'm giving you control. I lift my life, lift my life up. I give it all in surrender. I lift my heart, lift my heart up. You can have it forever, all my dreams, all my plans. Lord I leave it in your hands. I lift my life, lift my life up. Have your way in me."
-Unspoken, Lift my Life Up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UveOPq_iao
In Christ with Joy,
Kathy
