Walking by Faith

I'm presently sitting on the floor of my home for the summer, a small house owned by missionary residents of Puerto Barrios, Guatemala. I have no idea how to write about anything that has occurred these past 13 days. Honestly, I'm in awe that it's only been 13 days; it seems like my life began in Guatemala. Everything prior to that seems like a dream.

I can't exactly say that these days have been the best of my life, or even close. In fact, they have been quite challenging. This city is spiritually a very dark place and needs a lot of prayer. My spirit is heavy within me and ministries are exhausting. Even praying over people is difficult. I'm not sure that I'll ever be able to adequately explain what is occurring here, but (hopefully in the near future) I will try. Though I do want yall to know that I'm certainly still enjoying myself here (newfound meaning to "the joy of the Lord is my strength"). The Lord is refining my faith through the fire. The process may be somewhat painful, but I know what remains will be beautiful and everlasting.

Here are some of the ministries we have done so far:

• played with kids at an orphanage
• built relationships with villagers in the mountains (and I learned how to make some awesome corn tortillas!)
• prayed over vendors in the open air market
• presented programs for kids in a village, at a school, and at a children's hospital
• spent time with the elderly at an infirmary
• reached out to our neighbors through doing household chores and just spending time with them

I know there's more than that, but I can't remember all of it right now. And even if I could, I'm not particularly fond of keeping things confined to lists. It makes each memory much less personal or endearing. Yet time is a constraint that I can't combat, and so the list is the most effective form of sharing at the moment.

Hopefully, I'll be able to update this blog in more detail on our next free day. In the meantime, please remember me, my team, and the Guatemalans in your prayers. We need them more than words can convey.

With all love,
Meg

PS: Here are some pictures from ministry this past week :)

This is Faviola. She's a 3 year old from a village in the mountains. I had been drinking from a coconut before our children's program, and she came up to me and said "Quiero coco!" Who can resist a face like that? It was so entertaining to watch; the coconut was about the size of her body. We became fast friends from this little bonding experience. Keep her and her family in your prayers!

This picture is from the elementary school we visited yesterday. This little girl refused to leave my side almost the entire time we were there. I gotta say I was pretty flattered by her kindhearted and easily amused devotion. Please keep the school, its students, and its teachers in your prayers.

"So then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?" Galatians 3:5

Praise God for the gift of faith! And I pray that your's will be deepened day by day.