The Heart of Worship

On a Saturday afternoon in Guatemala, women from two different countries came together for a Women's Retreat. Although we did not speak the same language, that afternoon:

we sang together,

we prayed together and for each other,

we told stories of faith,

we broke bread together,

we made crafts together,
we shared tips to stay healthy,
we served as Christ served His disciples,

we witnessed unsaved give their life to Christ

and saved re-dedicate their lives to Christ,

and we laughed, cried and shared many hugs.

That afternoon, we worshiped God together.

Lives were changes—
maybe ours more than theirs.

This is the heart of worship.

"I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus"

The Heart of Worship, by Matt Redman

I'm joining Lisa-Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday. Lisa has created a wonderful community where many others come together and write for five minutes on a prompt she provides. It's a beautiful thing. Today's prompt is: Worship.

Embracing the In-Between

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Thomas

As much as I'm trying, the desire to write isn't there. I stare at a blank computer screen and my heart aches for something more. I know what the ache is for. It's for more of God. 

My time in Guatemala was spent without electronic devices. Being disconnected from all that I allow to distract me was needed.

I'd wake to the sounds of His creations. Some sounds were not so pleasant (something strange was taking place at the pig farm next to us) but I now find I miss those sounds. The less than pleasant sounds would soon be replaced by worship music. I would hum along while preparing for the day.

I grew fond of what we referred to as "Guatemalan time." Guatemala moved at a slower pace. People didn't rush to move from one place to another. A church service lasted over three hours. I glanced around during that service expecting to find people either staring at their watch or dozing off. Instead, I found them with their eyes looking up and arms stretched out worshiping God. 

I wanted what they had—a heart for more of Him.

The days were spent serving others. Life was no longer about my own needs. There were times Satan tried his best to keep me from stepping over my fears to serve others but God always prevailed. Outside of my comfort zone quickly became my comfort.

Our mission team ended each day gathered in a big room with hearts ready to share. We'd take turns sharing what moved us most. Sometimes it was something big; many times it was something small that stole our hearts. In between sharing our hearts we'd stop to worship God. Before calling it a night our hands joined together and we prayed.

Praying didn't only happen when we gathered in a circle at night.

Praying happened everywhere. There were silent prayers and there were out loud prayers. We would pray for each other and you were grateful for the ones who knew when those prayers were needed. We would pray for those we were serving and they would pray for us. And oh how the beautiful Guatemalan children would pray. It was a beautiful thing.

My dear friend Alene Snodgrass said when she first went to Guatemala she thought she was bringing God there with her. Once she arrived she realized she wasn't bringing God; He was already there.

God was surely present. I was jealous of how present He was. I was jealous of how rich the faith of the Guatemalan people appeared to be. They depended on God to meet their every need and they were grateful for how He provided even though their possessions failed in comparison to what we have. I find myself with a desire for less stuff and more of Him.

I'm struggling with where I go from here.This life changing experience should change my life.

My church had an evening worship service this past Sunday. We stood with "arms high and hearts abandoned worshiping the One who gave it all God." (The Stand, by Hillsong United) We prayed for each other. We prayed for our church. We prayed for our community. My heart was full again for the first time since returning home from Guatemala. I was missing God but I realized He had never left my side.

If I'm not seeking Him though then it's harder to know He is really there.

God is everything I need. He is everything we need. So I'm taking some advice from Jeff Goins and stopping to savor this moment of being between the greatest experience of my life and waiting to see where God will lead me next. (Read about Jeff's challenge here.)

For now, I believe the change God is asking of me is to slow down.

"Learn to enjoy life more. Relax, remembering that I am God with you. I crafted you with enormous capacity to know Me and enjoy My Presence.

The God I saw in Guatemala is the same God here with me. I only need to allow Him to be a greater part of my life. 

The more you focus on My Presence with you, the more fully you can enjoy life. Glorify Me through your pleasure in Me. Thus you proclaim My Presence to the watching world." ~ Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young

So what happens next? My priority will be to devote my mornings to time in His word. I will turn that worship music on and offer my heart completely to Him.

And I will slow down and savor every experience God gives me. As Jeff Goins writes in Day 1 of his Slow Down Challenge:, "Life is not a race. It's a walk around the block, a casual stroll through the park, a deep abiding in where you are right now."

To help me slow down I will also finish reading Jeff's new book, The In-Between: Embracing the Tension Between Now and theNext Big Thing. I'm inspired by the words he has shared.

If there are gaps between posts I hope it's because God has me savoring a moment. I’m headed to California to visit my son and his wife who I haven't seen in over six months. I plan to savor every single moment with them. When I return my focus will be on savoring the moments I have with my husband before he deploys.

My time with God and with my family must come before my writing. I will write only as He leads.

Until next time, since praying is on my heart how can I be praying for you?

Snapshot Love—Guatemala

On Saturday's several of us join together and share our week through photos. My friend Shannon is guilty of getting me started with this weekly post! (Thank you, Shannon.) Capturing the moments of my week has quickly become a joy. I've discovered my weeks are filled with many small and ordinary moments but they are moments I hold close to my heart.

Then comes a week were it was anything but small and ordinary. Others told me this mission trip would change me. I'm still trying to put words to how much it changed me.

God set a fire down in my soul.

"No Place I'd rather be
No Place I'd rather be
No place I'd rather be
Here in your Love,
Here in your love.

Set a Fire Down in my Soul
That I can't contain that I can't control
I want more of you God
I want more of you God."

Set a Fire, by United Pursuit Band

GUATEMALA

Note: The comments in italics are taken directly from my journal.

Friday, July 26th

 We met at Living Hope Church at 4:30 a.m. ready to begin our adventure.

A total of 28 people traveled for this Mission trip (two came from California).

Off we go...

We arrive in Guatemala (after a layover in Houston).

Off they went with our bags.

Our bags left long before we did. 

We waited and waited at the airport for our vans to arrive. 

Guatemala moves at a much slower pace.

"Making our way through Guatemala City and San Lucas overwhelmed me. How can one not be brought to tears? I was brought to tears. When we finally arrived at the mission house all I wanted was to hear my husband's voice. Eleven days without electronic devices would be harder than I thought."

Our home away from home.

Saturday, July 27th 

(Our first full day in Guatemala)

First stop was a Rehab Center (New Life and Peace Ministries) in Parramos.

"I sat alone in the 2nd row of the van as we made our way to the Rehab Center and silently cried praying for God to give me the strength to step out of my comfort zone. How could I speak to and impact these men?"

We began our time with a church service.

"Mike delivered a testimony that spoke to everyone in the room.

Juan translated and the two became one."

I hugged just about every one of these men. Please pray for the continued journey of recovery.

A beautiful morning was spent together.

Our next stop was Rehobath Children's Home.

"As soon as we all unloaded from our vans the children were running to us for hugs.

They didn't wait for us to come to them; they came to us."



We provided a delicious spaghetti lunch.

"Our hearts are being changed. This place God, it has won my heart.

I will leave with a piece of my heart left behind."

Sunday, July 28th

I have no pictures from this day. 

We attended a three hour church service in the morning. Oh my!
It blew me away though.

"Here are people who have so little but their faith in God is so strong. Their faith is stronger than ours it seems. They rely on God to provide; we have plenty and don't turn to God to meet our basic needs. I'm almost jealous of their faith and dependence on Him."

The afternoon was spent preparing for the following day.

Monday, July 29th

A birthday party at La Puerta

This beautiful lady, Sonya, touched us all with her many stories. Her faith in God moved us to tears.

 The children of La Puerta

It's the stories behind these photos that bring you to tears.
But then you see how God's love gives them hope for a better future.

"How do you describe such a day? You wouldn't know from looking at them the pain they have already endured and still endure outside the gate of the school. Watching them bow their heads in prayer was simply beautiful!

These children with such a heart for God...I want the same heart for God."

A few of my favorites from our time at La Puerta

The children of La Puerta won our hearts COMPLETELY!

After the birthday party was over we spent the afternoon helping out Sonya around the daycare.

We cleaned bathrooms, walls, toys and much more. Work also began outside to repair a leaking roof.

I must say we are quite the team.

"God's presence was surely felt at La Puerta."

Tuesday, July 30th

A visit to Getsemani school

And my birthday!

My request had been to spend the entire day with the younger children but God had other plans for me.

"What I feared most ended up being what I enjoyed most."

I was surprisingly blessed by my time spent with the high school students.
The best part was when a class of students sang happy birthday to me in English.

I was ALL smiles!

I have no pictures from the time with the high school students so I stole this from one of my team members.

A beautiful evening in Antigua

Thank you God, for these ladies. It was a blessing to be with them.

Dinner at The Fork in the Hill.

I was one blessed birthday girl with a rather red nose. hehe

"It was a birthday that will never be forgotten."

Wednesday, July 31

Our day was spent preparing for a Women's Retreat on Saturday.

This was also our first opportunity to walk around the town of San Lucas.

(The mission home was in San Lucas.)

We enjoyed an afternoon of freedom!

"It was nice to see the town of San Lucas from a different perspective and not only from driving through it. The poverty didn't impact me as it had the first few days. I now saw the uniqueness of this town. No matter what their conditions the people here appeared to be happy."

Thursday, August 1

We departed for Panimache (a village on a mountain) early in the morning.

A scenic stop on our way up the mountain.
God bless our drivers who got us up and down this mountain safely!

Panimache

"I was in no way prepared for what I would see and experience here."

 The children of Panimache

"I had to wipe the smell of their unclean bodies from my mind as I couldn't let it keep me from loving them."

Our time at Panimache was spent doing Vacation Bible School activities with the children.

We played with them, helped them make salvation bracelets, sang songs together and simply loved them.

 "Will I remember all the tears shed for these children?

Will I remember how God touched my heart over and over again?

Why God? Why do children need to live like this?

At the same time I know You are there with them and I know we were blessing them with Your love as we touched them. They are all precious in Your sight."

Friday, August 2

The day was spent with One Hope Ministries (John and Judy Prim).

Mission:

Breaking the cycle of poverty by equipping girls with 

a good education and a well-founded hope in Christ.  

 We began with a prayer walk around potential new property for this ministry.

Then it was time to meet the girls.

In addition to spending time with the girls we did some work around the house.

Our evening ended with pizza and time of worship.

I truly loved those five girls.

"What beautiful, beautiful girls. When you spend time with them the look in their eyes reflects love not heartache. They show gratitude not regrets."

Saturday, August 3rd

Women's Retreat at Mission House

I lack pictures from this day but time was spent with these ladies in God's word, prayer and worship. They were separated in to four groups. Each group had the opportunity to make something special to take home with them, have their toenails painted, address health concerns and grab a bite to eat.

Several dedicated their life to Christ on this day and some renewed their commitment.
Is there anything more beautiful?

Sunday, August 4th

Our last full day in Guatemala was spent in Antigua.

First we went to church with John and Judy Prim and their lovely girls.

Then we had a wonderful breakfast together before SHOPPING!

Shopping in Antigua is rather exhausting. "Special price for you."

I regretfully have no pictures from the Antigua market area so these will have to do.

Monday, August 5th

Time to go home

I miss this fabulous group already.

We were surely the body of Christ during our eleven days in Guatemala.

There is much more I could share with you from this trip (I completely skipped over our devotional time spent together every evening...a separate post eventually.) but friends I'm truly struggling with believing any words I leave you with come close to describing the full impact this trip had on me. To say it changed me is an understatement. Instead of being filled with words I'm filled with tears. They keep on flowing.

I have tears for what has been left behind...a place I so desperately want to return to.

I have tears for what lies ahead...months without my husband as he prepares to deploy.

I have tears for more and more of God.

He has overwhelmed me with His grace.

 I have lots and lots of tears but...

"It is well with my soul."

My First Mission Trip

As I prepare for my mission trip to Guatemala, I'm excited to have my friend Alene Snodgrass here at my place to share with us about her first mission trip. I so wish I was joining her when she returns to Guatemala in October.

Meet Alene...

Alene is a Christian speaker who loves to tell the story, whether it is from behind a camera lens, writing at a computer screen, or speaking into the lives of others. With a heart for this generation, Alene serves in the inner city. Her new book, Graffiti: scribbles from different sides of the street is co-authored with a homeless man. 

Connect with Alene through:
twitter @alenesnodgrass, facebook, or her blog Positively Alene.

****

For years I longed to go on a mission trip. I wanted to travel to Africa, Haiti, or Guatemala. When an opportunity finally presented itself  to go on a trip to Guatemala, I couldn't believe it!

I just knew God was going to meet me there.

Arriving in Guatemala it was evident I had packed too much. I attributed my large suitcase to the fact that "I was carrying coloring book and games to the children", but the truth was I packed all those things I didn't think I could live without.

- four pairs of shoes

- a make-up case

- a case for toiletries

- books to read in my quite time

- and a couple of changes of clothes for each day because you never know.

After laughing at myself for five hours upon arrival, I settled in to a culture that was stripped-down and simple. I wasn't sure what to think.

I first wondered how I would survive. I shared a 8x8 foot room with two other girls and our door was latched with a simple padlock. I won't even go in to the fact that there was an inch gaping whole between the door and frame where we could see other guests walking by. What would our mother's think?

As our laughing subsided in the wee hours of the night, it was time to brush teeth and crawl in bed. The restrooms were outside and down the walk way. We'd already been there once and we were greeted by a spider. I can do a lot of things, but not spiders!

So we got creative. There was a beautiful garden just outside our door. We opted to brush and spit there. It surely was a sight!

Drifting off to sleep with a smile on my face, I wondered what the next day would bring. I didn't know anything about Guatemala, so I was eager to see it in the day light.

God didn't meet me, I met Him.

Waking up the next morning, it was simple. No make-up, simple clothes, walking shoes, and a stop by the garden to brush our teeth. The smell of Guatemala and the beautiful colors I'll never forget. I was eager to meet God and serve His people.

Walking into the village, I was taken back. There were people everywhere. Busy people. They were coming and going. They walked by those who were lame and needing help. There were children taking care of children everywhere. While it was true I was in a different country, I soon realized they are no different from us here.

Nobody wanted to stop and talk. Nobody looked you in the eyes or smiled. I wondered where God was.

As we made our way to the Guatemala City dump community there were people everywhere living off trash. They were busy digging through trash to try to make money to support their family.

I wanted to throw my hands up in defeat. Why would God call me here to serve His people when it was obvious it would take all the resources in the world to replace this poverty?

That's when I felt God in the pit of my soul whispering, "I didn't call you here to meet me or to replace this poverty. I live here. I called you here so you could see me."

God let me know real quick that I wasn't taking Him there, He was already there and I was going to have the opportunity to partner up with Him.

If you're headed out on your first mission trip, go prepared to join in on what God is already doing. He's living there already in each person you'll encounter.

After a week in Guatemala, I cried to leave my Guatemalan friends, my 8x8 room, and the flower bed that I had come to love spitting on. My heart to this day still longs for the stripped-down and simple.

Are you leaving on a mission trip?

Are you going with preconceived ideas?

Are you hoping to meet God there or will you just join Him there?

A softened heart towards Guatemala

Memories of places I've been with my family have delighted me this past week thanks to Kristen @ Chasing Blue Skies and her most recent "out of the blue" prompt.

This week Kristen asks: Tell me about a place that surprised you by how much you liked it. Write about how you didn't expect to love it and why you now do. Maybe you live there now or hope to in the future. Maybe you vacationed there and hope to visit again. Either way, you were surprised at how the Lord softened your heart towards this location and how He's used it to bless you.

I could easily tell you about our family trip to St. Joseph, Michigan several years ago that far exceeded any expectations I had. It was a glorious four days together. Many pictures from this getaway hang in our hallway and always make me smile. My favorite memories are of our evenings relaxing on the shore of Lake Michigan with a fire, music and many laughs. One evening we were even blessed with fireworks!

But what about the time I was able to take my husband and two boys to the place where a significant portion of my childhood was spent? "Rocky Mountain High Colorado..." This state is simply breathtaking. From the moment we climbed into our Tahoe to begin our sixteen hour journey, to the moment we rolled back up the driveway, I felt as though we were in heaven. Colorado is one of God's masterpieces indeed.

I could fill up this post, and many more, on how wonderful these trips were. I pray we have the opportunity to return to both places again as a family.

As I was trying to decide which place to share with you, as both equally hold a special place in my heart, God kept bringing my mind to a place I've yet to visit and for some reason this is the place I most want to write about—Guatemala!

While I haven't been to Guatemala yet, my heart sure feels like this is where God has always meant for me to go. My new passport in its pretty pink cover is ready to take me on this adventure.

The mission team from my church met for the first time this week. My heart skipped a beat as one of the leaders asked me to help open our time together in prayer. God was already taking me out of my comfort zone and we are months away from leaving. Any lingering doubt on whether or not I heard God correctly when I said yes to being a part of this team, vanished in that moment.

Our time together was spent looking at pictures from previous trips made by mission teams, discussing fundraising opportunities and reviewing our preliminary itinerary. My heart feels as though it's already half way to Guatemala. I was most excited to hear how we will bring a big birthday party to a daycare we will visit. I've got goose bumps thinking about those precious children. May God allow us to bless them in a way they have never been blessed.

As our evening ended another woman asked me if I was afraid. At first her question confused me. Then, I quickly understood. She has fears on how God would use her in Guatemala. Oh, yes, me too!

How am I overcoming these fears? With prayers—lots and lots of prayers.

God, please let me be the hands and feet of your son Jesus in Guatemala. Whatever fears I may have of how you could use someone like me, I'm handing them over to you. With complete surrender, I'm yours and ready to follow your lead.

I'm blown away by how God has already softened my heart toward this place and I know without a doubt that He will use our mission team to bless the Guatemalan people. I also have a feeling He will use this trip to bless each of us.

Would you please pray for me and the rest of our mission team?

Preparing for Guatemala

Step One: Review trip details and begin praying about whether God is stirring your heart to pursue this trip.

Check!
God has been stirring my heart for quite some time now to pursue a mission trip. When my church announced a mission trip to Guatemala this summer I immediately turned to my husband and said, I know God wants me to go on this trip.

Step Two: Attend a Volunteer and Safety Training Class.

Check!

Step Three: Complete the Trip Application Form.

Check!

Ok...honestly I'm still working on some of the questions, but this will be completed soon.

Step Four: Make sure you have an up-to-date passport.

I'm a step closer to a check mark.

My passport application has been completed and submitted. Excitement was building in my heart as I stood in line at the post office. Why the excitement? I felt as though I was declaring, This life is not about me. It's about serving others. This will also be my first passport and I'm hoping God has plans for this passport of mine beyond the trip to Guatemala.

Jeff Goins shares in his book, Wrecked, "We live in a world of pain, but few of us have actually engaged it. We are only passing through the pain, without allowing it to leave its mark on us."

Since reading Jeff's book, I have heard God's whispers to allow the pain of this world to leave its mark on me. To allow it to change me.

One question that has me lost in thought on the trip application is why I want to go on this mission trip. The easy response would be to say I want to make a difference in the world. And, I really do. But what is the real reason? It's about learning to step out of my comfort zone and completely rely on God.

I've shared how we are to surrender our life to God. Friends, He will bless us when we realize how much we need Him (Matthew 5:3). There is much I'm still holding on to. The reason I know I need to make this trip is because God is saying, "Here I will teach you what it looks like to leave it all behind and trust in Me. When you do, you will witness how I will use you as a tool to share My love in a place where it is so desperately needed."

My desire is for God to use me to do something miraculous in Guatemala. Oh how I will be praying for this. And I'd love for you to pray along with me. Please pray for all the participants as we prepare for this trip. Pray for our safety. Pray that we are each able to touch the lives of the Guatemalan people.

May each of us be the hands and feet of Jesus.

"Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!" Psalm 96:3