I hope this makes sense....

Hello friends and family! I am very close to being back in the States! I am just waiting in the Guatemalan airport! Let me give a re-cap of my last couple of weeks here in Guate! I spent a lot of time with my family, traveled to Puerto Barrios (the coast) to drop off produce),went with my family to sell cream and cheese, celebrated the 4th of July with gringos, kept cool by going swimming in rivers, and ate a lot of churrascos. Ministering to those houses I talked about didn't really work out. We visited one day and left some craft materials, but that was about it. It kinda seemed like these weeks in Zacapa were more like vacation since we were hanging out so much. And just to be honest, I was accepting that because I am a teacher-- I do love summer break! I was fine with this but, towards the end of last week I was realizing I did have a ministry right in front of me. I love my Guatemalan sister. I use to pray for a sister every morning in the car with my mom when I was in elementary school , and think this was God's humorous way of answering that request. I think if I had brothers or sisters, I would feel the way for them I do for her. Reasons? We are soooooooooooooo different and quite frankly sometimes she got on my nerves... I consider this a sign of a real family relationship because of a little saying my mom and I sometimes use. "I may not like you, but I always love you." The point is I feel really close to her because she feels like what a sibling would feel like to me. I learned a lot more about her this trip. She confided in me with secrets of her life that even some of her family members don't know. Just to make a long story short, the girl has had a rough life. There are things in her life that constantly make her upset and sad. These things that occurred to her sometimes her actions to me... Haha. Not only did I learn allooooooot more about her, but we talked a lot about her church and very openly. Their church scares me. In order to be a member you have to commit to not wearing certain types of clothes and other random things like that. It's not that I think they are wrong for not wearing pants---I just question the motive behind it. If they really only do these things because they feel convicted by God, that's awesome! It's also a challenge to me to make sure I am always seeking Gods righteousness and not my own. But if they do things because it's a rule to be a member or a church.....that's wrong. To me that doesn't demonstrate someone being changed by God and His Spieit, but rather by man and his laws. Anyway one night these two topics collided. Elizabeth was really down about something, and after some rabbit trail I just felt led to ask her some blunt questions. I told her that I know she goes to church alot and does the things a member should, but I asked if she ever met with God on her own? Did she pray outside of church? Did she ever crack open her Bible outside of church? She answered honestly and said no. On the outside she does lookS like a "Christian" and she even knows the right stuff to say. But seeing how she is constantly sad or upset and even with the way she deals with it, I just had to question. It's not that I think life's problems melt away when we crack our Bibles open every day. It's just being a Christian is not about a list of dos and donts. I believe I am a sinner an that I deserve hell, literally. God however set his Son to take my punishment. Because of Christ's love shown on the cross, I now have a relationship with God. You see, before I wasn't able to because of my sin. But now when He looks at me He sees a daughter, because He sees that Jesus took my place on the cross. And now I walk by faith. I don't walk by works because they will fail. I can do nothing of eternal significance without God. Therefore now, I walk in the Spirit. That just means Im surrendered to God, knowing I can't do this life on my own. I desire that relationship with Him, Because I know He will help me. I'm alive because of Him! That's why I want to know Him more and read His work and listen and talk to Him. Sorry for the rabbit trail... But my question then to Elizabeth was how did she expect to walk in the Spirit )or in a way pleasing to God) if she didn't spend time with Him? Right then she was living life the way her church told her to? Rules don't change Someone's heart. Only God can do that. She was putting so much weight on what other people thought instead of God. My challenge to her and myself is to seek God first. There's a hope and joy that comes when we draw near to Him. Hope in Christ doesn't make all the bad things in life go away, but it does make them look them easier to endure. Joy in Christ doesn't take away the tears, it just helps us remember that one day we wil be with God and there will be no tears. My sister started beginning her days differently. My last couple of days she spent time with God. It didn't take awaynthe bad things that have happened in her life, it didn't suddenly eliminate all her problems, but it did her outlook on the day. She is really starting to begin a relationship with God. Please pray that she would walk in Christ and seek Him instead of other peoples opinions. I love that girl, and can't wait to see how God is going to use her. Well... If that didn't make sense, just ask me to explain it in person. I'm running on about 2 hours of sleep. If you want to hear a funny story, ask me about my final 24 hours in Guate. I'm excited to catch up with everyone and hear what God has been doing in your lives! See ya soooooon! "But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works." Psalm 73:28

My Treasure

Sorry it's been a while! Let me do a quick re-cap! Last week I was in Huehuetenango. Devin and I pretty much just hung out with a pastor's family while there. This pastor (se llama Efrain) is the same gentlemen that helped us travel when the group was here. He also drove us to Totonicapan. Por eso, it was very nice to spend time with him and his family. They were very hospitable and fun to hang out with. Pero, I have to say I watched way too much Dora with their grandson. Highlights of the week: Devin learned to ride a moto, I rode with him, we went to an awesome waterpark, and we made efrain's family an all-American meal---meatloaf, green beans, and mashed potatoes!!!! O yeah-- and brownies for dessert. Que rico!!!! This past Monday we "moved" again! First Efrain took us to the airpOrt to pick up our friend Kandace! (she came to Guatemala two years ago with me:) We then ate at Applebee's for lunch!!!!!! Gloria a Dios!!!!! It was soooo good!!! After that we were dropped off at a bus station and headed east towards the heat! We arrived in Zacapa that night. We are all three living in 3 separate pueblos. Our families came and picked us up and took us home! My whole Guatemalan family was waiting for me! It at times has been unreal to believe that I am back hear with them all. This week we have just been spending time with our families, catching up with old friends, and trying to stay cool. There is a ministry in a pueblo over (this is where I first came two years ago). They have built houses for families to come live in when something happens to their home. Its like a temporary shelter for them? Anyway, we met a couple of th kids that live here Tuesday. Our plan is to next week go visit the houses and families, and do kinda the same thing we did in Toto. Maybe just visit and pray with them. We are also looking into having a Vbs there one afternoon for the kids in his area. Heart to heart moment. So like I said earlier, it at times is very hard for me to believe that God has allowed me to return here and visit a place and people I love. I've been telling people that I feel I'm in a dream!!!! Just to be honest, there was a time when I thought if I could just go back to Guatemala..Even if I could just know when I would go back. After I graduated, after 5 years, or would it be never??. If I could just get some answers I would be happy and content. Maybe this why God had me wait two whole years upon returning. You see, two years have passed and my question and prayers about Guatemala have been answered. The only problem is I now have more uestions. When or will I be able to come back? Will I be able to teach at the school I visited here in Guatemala? Will I live here? How long? And there are more concerning my future of course. So my point and something I feel God has taught me: we need to seek Him and not just answers from Him. Pray to communicate with the Almighty God not just in hopes that your wish list will be granted. Spend time in Gods Words to understand His heart more, not just in hopes He will grant your prayer requests faster. Another thing God has been reminding me over and over and over---His plans are sometimes different, but always better. It doesn't mean we won't have struggles or sadness, but there is always joy that can be found in Gods presence. Entonces, Primero Dios. Seek after God, as He is the best thing this world has to offer. He is the only thing that wil truly satisfy. I'll close with this quote I love: "To fall in love with God is the greatest of all romances, to seek Him is the greatest adventure, and to find Him is the greatest human achievement." I'm content not because I am in Guatemala (because that's only for 20 more days) but because I possess the greatest treasure that can never be destroyed and that's a relationship with Jesus. My prayer is that everyone who reads this can say they have the same greatest treausure I have. Va pue!

Toto, you will be greatly missed!!!

Well my time in Toto is wrapping up! I can't believe how fast our time here has gone! Well I bet you're wondering what I've been up to. I'll start with last Wednesday Last Wednesday: I went to Quetzaltenango for the day! It's the second biggest city in Guatemala and gorgeous. We got to see where our friends Rafael and Esdras go to college. We also visited Inter-American School. It's a Christian school that teaches on English and most of the students are Guatemalan. We were able to talk with the director of the school, and it was exciting to hear the mission of the school. It's kinda like a BCA, minus it's in a different county and the students' first language is Spanish.:). But anyhooooos it was an exciting visit and I really liked it :) I'll leave it at that for now. The rest of the day we just hung out--- pizza, movie, and some much needed shopping for better shoes in all this rain! Last Thursday: One night at dinner with the family I'm livin with, we were discussing foods that we eat in the States for holidays. I mentioned that pies are pretty popular for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I then started listing the different fillings--- and of course I mentioned chocolate. Well they had never heard of chocolate pie so I told the I would make them one..... So Thursday that's what Devin, Rafael, and myself did. And yes it took all day. Haha. After help and consultation from both my mom and Devin's mom--- we were cooking!! We had some difficulties with getting the right temp on the oven, because here they use Celsis. Also we had to take into consideration the difference in altitude! ( we're higher up!!!). But at the end of the day we ended up with 3 pretty good pies if I do say so myself. Last Friday: Pool :) It was warm enough in the morning. Last Saturday: We visited the same family in Tierra Blanca. The mom was working so we just hung out with the kiddos. That afternoon we made more pies to be sold at church. Word got out about this chocolate pie made my Americans. :) That night we attended the " youth night" at church. It was good and fun! Sunday: Church in Tierra Blanca. We had Leftover crafts from when Devin's church was here so we were able to do that with the kids. We made sunglasses and had a Bible lesson. We are in the darkness, until Jesus enters into our life. With Him, we find our way because He is the way, truth, and life. Lunch with the fam... And then church with them! After church, I think we got coffee? Probably something hit :) Monday: We took that family from Tierra Blanca out for lunch! We were also able to buy them shoes. It was really fun to hang out with Lucia, the mom,and all the kiddos-- Sonrie, Vilma, Brian, and Luis. Tuesday: We went to Tierra Blanca to hang out with that same family because Luis had a soccer game. At one point we were sitting in a dugout with the family and suddenly all these kids start gathering around Devin and I. They got closer and closer and were just staring. We eventually struck up conversation, buy t was really funny...That afternoon/ night we went to a natural hot springs with our friends Joel, Esdras, and Rafael. It was very relaxing. Wednesday: Hiked to see waterfall with friends! That afternoon we went shopping for things to fill bags and pass out on house. Visits. That night our friend Rafael had us over for dinner. It was defintely an amazzzzzzzing meal. We had baked chicken ( with BBQ sauce!!!!), really good rice, steamed vegetables, and strawberry crepes. And to make it even better..... Coke to drink :) Thursday: that's today!!!! This morning we went to Tierra Blanca again to watch a soccer game and hang out with that same family. This afternoon we went with a pastor to pass out those bags of food and other items to needy famDilies in a local little town. We visited, prayed, and tried to encourage the families. Tomorrow we will spend time with the family in Tierra Blanca. We also have a couple more bags to pass out to families as we visit and pray with them. Saturday we will be traveling to Huehuetenango. I'm sad to already be leaving because I really love the people here, but I'm open to what God would have us do in Huehuetenango, and what else he has to teach me. Prayer Requests: Saying goodbye to the family in Tierra Blanca: Pray that they would see Gods love in us and seek that for themselves as well. We are nothin apart from Christ, so the kindness and generosity they might have seen in us is a reflection of Christ. House visits tomorrow: once again, that the people would see more tha just good deeds on our part-- but that they would see we are moved and. Changed by Christs love and for this we want to share and help others in Christs name. Church in Tierra Blanca: honestly the church is composed of like 20 kids and maybe 5 adults. My prayer is that these kids would. Grow in Christ and Begin a relationship with Him a an early age. Also that they would continue to mature in Christ and be examples in their community. I want that church to be a healthy body of believers-- not because numbers are important but becaus God uses the church. This is why we have invested time into that one family. We want them to seek God and encourage others to along the way. Traveling to Huehuetenango and getting settled there. Thanks for checking up on me and for your prayers!

Cebada and Lluvia

Buenas tardes! I'm in Totonicapan now, where the cebada is always boiling and the rain is always pouring in the afternoon. I'm living with a Guatemalan family now and I already love them! There's a grandma, grandpa, daughter, her husband, three kids, grandma's sister, and her niece. They all live in the same "compound" but they each have a place they call their home--- but it's all connected. They all eat and cook in the same place. They sell food for their living. ( Therefore the food has been excellent!!!!) My room is on the second floor. I kinda feel like a princess in a tower! Typical day: I wake up and have to walk down the steps of my tower that are outside to go the bathroom. I then go to the huge kitchen to greet my family which is always a struggle if you know me. It takes me a while to start talking. But nonetheless Grandma has been boiling water for me to use for my shower. I transport the water to the bathroom and return to the kitchen for another loa. They have a shower here, but hot water doesn't come out of it. So instead, I use a really small bucket to get the water from the big bucket which I then use to bath myself with-- I ll leave it at that. I then climb back up my tower and get dressed. I climb back down for breakfast. So far I've had cereal, oatmeal, hot milk and banana, and of course beans and eggs. After breakfast, Devin and Esdras ( that's who Devin is staying with) come pick me up from my house. Rafael is another Guatemalan who has been accompanying us. ( So Mom, it's like I have 3 bodyguards not just one!) Saturday we just got acquainted with Toto and ran some errands. Sunday, Devin, Esdras, and I went to a church in Tierra Blanca. We held a Vacation Bible School there last week. Anyway, upon getting there we learned the normal teacher the kids had-- so we stepped in and threw together some games and a short lesson from Gods Word. On Monday we had a birthday party for a little boy in the same town. This is a family that Devin had spent a lot of time with on his past visits. The dad of the family died a few years ago and the family is very poor. The mom has 5 kids. She doesn't attend church but allows her kids too. After lunch, cake, and a piñata we took those kids plus about 15 more to a park to play. While at the park we could tell it was getting to rain so we started making our way back to the house..... But we didn't make it! We made it about halfway, so we stopped at a local tie da to avoid getting wetter. If only I had a picture of this. Five adult s about 20 kids all leaning up against a building under the overhang of a roof trying to avoid the rain. Today we went to visit houses that we visited last week when the whole group was here. We followed up with them and wanted to be an encouragemtnt to them. So far with with these house visits I feel more encouraged from these people that I want to encourage. So thats what happens in the morning until lunch. Lunch here is normally at 2. The food here is amazzzzzing. It's actually not that different than ours. Today for lunch we had soup with noodles, chicken, and vegetables. It was like a creamy chicken noodle soup. After lunch you can't really do much.because its raining. Ive just been hangin out with the family here and naps are pretty tempting :) At night-- church when there is a service and Dinner is at like 8. Lunch is there. It meal here, so dinner is smaller or just leftovers. Prayer requests: Health ( so far so good!!! But I hope that continues) The kids of Tierra Blanca (this is where we went to church on Sunday and where the party was with all the kids; we will be spending more time with these kids this week and next) Lucia (this is the Mom of the little boy we had the birthday party for; pray for God to open more conversations with her about Christ and boldness for me) Family with mom and daughter who just had a baby and is 15 ( pray that the young girl would know that Gods love is unconditional and that He stil has a plan for her life if she would put God first) Our house visits ( that God would use me to encourage and speak truth) That in all I do, it's for God glory; that he would continue to humble me. Thank you for the prayers! Oh by the way--- hows the heat in nc??? ( I ask sarcastically as Im cuddled up with three blankets. :)

Prayer

Hellllooooo!!! Well, where to start. Saturday was a long day!!! I met up with the group and we had a lot of traveling to do! After the plane ride we had a 6 hour drive to Huehuetenango. Once we quickly got settled in at our hotel, we had a youth discussion with a local church. This is a church that Devin's church has a lot of relationships with. We pretty much just talked about the Christian life with the youth. We discussed the importance of always seeking God and growing in a relationship with Him. The Guatemalans asked us other specific questions too. On Sunday, we held a VBS at the same church. The kids were so sweet and it was awesome to share with them that God loved them through simple crafts, games, and Bible stories. The smiles on these kids faces are to die for. That afternoon attended the same church for worship. I played the guitar while our group sang. Devin preached in Spanish, and it went really well!!! That night we played soccer and it was sooooooo legit!!!! Amanda McConnell if you read this, it was like playing with the internationals times ten!!! Monday, we went to buy supplies for vbs and ministry bags that we were going to pass out. We then drove to totonicapan.That night we just chilled and got the bags ready to pass out to the families. That night we went and hung out with some of the youth as they were playing basketball. Today, we began our day by going to the local market here in Toto. We then went to pass out those ministry bags we had packed the day before. We prayed with the families and tried to encourage them. We told them that the gifts were a small reminder of God's gift to us. With Christ, we have all we need. This is something I believe, but wonder if could if circumstances in my life were different. Would I really want to seek God when I was very, very poor and maybe a couple of other factors? I hope I would just like the lady we prayed with today. She is taking care of her brother who has been taking care of her brother. He has been blind since birth and they have no family other than each other right now. About a month ago they were told he wouldn't live more than a month. They even went ahead and got a coffin. Glory to God the man is alive today and the coffin is just sitting in there living room. When the pastor we were with prayed for them, the man and woman an kept shouting out to God. And when I say shout I mean shout. They were literally calling out to God. The man kept saying alleluia and the woman kept crying out to God how much we need Him. Why don't I call out to God lIke this? I have sooooo many things to be thankful for and have had so many answered prayers--- why do I not shout out alleluia? These people really encouraged me to have. Bios like faith and to call out to my Heavenly Father. We need Him and that's why I need to seek Him for all things. Apart from God there is nothing. This afternoon we held a VBS which was lots of fun!!! It made me think of my fifth graders a lot!!! Some of the girls always called me "sena" which is what they call their teachers here. It made me smile :) Maybe I'll. E a real "sena" one day here ?????? :) Tonight we went to a prayer meeting at a local church here in toto. My small group girls we need to take a trip down here to learn how to pray from them. It was very similar to the lady mentioned before--they literally cried out to God. You could tell by their prayers they truly wanted God in every aspect of their life. They prayed for the events at the church , people they knew were unsaved, the sick, and even us. The urgency in their voice was striking to me. It showed me how much they leaned on God. And they didn't just do prayer requests for 5 minutes--- this was a real prayer time. There was praise to God, confession of sin, prayer for unsaved, prayer for events that were happening that they wanted God to glorified through. It was truly amazing and challenging to me. Dios les bendiga!!! PS small group ladies: I have an update on Gabrielle, but I'm tired of typing on my iPhone!!!!! I'll tell ya next time.

Email me!

Almost there!!! Thanks for all the prayers and support so far. Feel free to email me while I'm there! It will be the best way to communicate with me 😄 A Nikki.Mashburn@Bcacrusaders.org Praise God for all He has done, is doing, and will do in all our lives. Hasta pronto!

6 days and counting!

Wow, I can't believe May 26th is almost here already!!!!

My flight leaves this Saturday morning at 6:00 AM!!! Lots to do before, but I was reminded of God's promises last night at church.

"Without Christ you will work even when you are resting; with Christ you will find rest even when you are workin."

Hebrews 4 explains the rest that God's people can enter, when we trust that God is God and we are not. 

Psalm 127: 1-2 also reminds me that work done without God is done in vain.  Only "God can build the house."  I must rest in the fact that the God of the Universe is in control in every area of my life.


Specefic prayer requests this week would be:

1.  Finishing my first year of teaching well!  Fifth Grade Celebration (graduation & program) is Thursday.  Pray that God would continue to give me strength and endurance this week as I enjoy my students before they become middle schoolers!


2.  Packing/Getting everything together before I leave.  God has already shown me last week how He is present even in the details of our life.  He is My Provider, and I pray that He would continue to help me prepare my material things for this trip as well as my heart.

3. Traveling :) 

Here is an itenerary of my first week there with Devin's church, Emmanuel Baptist.  Thank you for your prayers!

Guatemala Mission Trip 2012 May 26 – June 2

Itinerary: (subject to Guatemala Time )

May 26, Saturday:  Departure Day

             9:25 - Depart Houston UA Flight 1500

          11:18 - Arrive Guatemala City - travel to Huehuetenango
          Lunch – Pollo Campero
          Dinner - Hotel San Francisco
          Evening – Panel Discussion with area teens

May 27, Sunday: Huehuetenango
          Breakfast - Hotel San Francisco
          Morning – VBS Huehuetenango/Women’s Conference
          Lunch – Hotel San Francisco                     
          Afternoon – Worship Service
          Dinner – Hotel San Francisco
          Evening – Soccer (optional) - Team Meeting – Prepare for travel to Totonicapan

May 28, Monday: Huehuetenango & Totonicapan
           Breakfast – Hotel San Francisco
           Morning – Travel to Totonicapan
           Lunch – Hotel Totonicapan
           Afternoon – Door to Door Ministry         
           Dinner - Hotel Totonicapan
           Evening – Soccer - Team Meeting - Prepare Ministry Packages and VBS
                         
May 29, Tuesday: Totonicapan
          Breakfast – Hotel Totonicapan
          Morning – local market shopping, purchase supplies for VBS and Door to Door Ministry
          Lunch – Hotel Totonicapan
          Afternoon – VBS Cojxac, visit Pedro’s house to investigate construction for next year
          Dinner – Hotel Totonicapan
          Evening – Prayer Worship with Totonicapan Church

May 30, Wednesday: Totonicapan
          Breakfast – Hotel Totonicapan
          Morning – Door to Door Ministry
          Lunch – Hotel Totonicapan
          Afternoon – VBS Tierra Blanca
         Dinner – Hotel Totonicapan
          Evening – Panel Discussion with area Teens and Concert
           Team Meeting – Prepare for travel to Antigua

May 31, Thursday: Totonicapan & Antigua
          Breakfast – Hotel Totonicapan with Pastors
          Morning – Travel to Antigua
          Lunch – Panajachel
          Afternoon – Relax at Hotel Porta
          Dinner – Hotel Porta
            Evening – Team Meeting and Devotional

June 1, Friday: Antigua
          Breakfast – Hotel Porta
        All Day – Antigua, Lunch on your own
          Dinner – Hotel Porta
          Evening – Team Meeting, prepare for trip home

Eleven days

Hello wonderful people!

I will try my very best to use this blog to update when I am in Guatemala.  It is only 11 days away and  I am obviously REALLY EXCITED! 

Lots of things need to be done before I go and to finish my first year of teaching, but I know it will get done.  And how can I forget Jesus' promise in Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all who labor and are havey laden, and I will give you rest."  Though I have felt very tired & busy these past few weeks, I know God is with me.  He has never let me down or not provided for me--why would He start now? Like I talked about in my  letter, even though I know I am and feel weak---My God is strong, and will be the strength I need to get through anything (whether it be a crazy day as a fifth grade teacher or a tourist in Guatemala!)

One passage that has really been my prayer lately "stems" from John 15.  Go check it out!  But the key points that stick out to me are phrases like abide in me & apart from Him we can do nothing.  Whether on a mission trip or classroom, I can not do things for Christ without abiding in Him.  This is such a simple principle to state, but sometimes harder to live by when life becomes hectic.  We get caught up in the "what am I doing for Christ?"  instead of "who am I becoming in Christ?"  Eventually this mindset of doing, doing, doing for Christ wears us out!  That's why we have to abide in Christ to be our strength---and everything else we need! Let's get back to the basics and make sure that we are absorbing God's word and spending time with Him.

Guatemala Round 2

Dear family and friends,

            I just wanted to take some time to share with you more of what I will be doing this summer.  I fully believe in the power of prayer, and I want prayer saturating what God has planned, so far, for my summer.  I hope that by explaining some of the details further I can share with you what God has laid on my heart, and by that you can understand part  of God’s heart for the country of Guatemala.

Why?

  Hopefully by now, you do know that I am going to Guatemala this summer J    The official dates for my trip are May 26-July 19. Before I get into the “what’s” and “when’s” let me dive into the “whys.”  I was able to go to Guatemala two summers ago with a program through Liberty.  It was incredible, looking back, on how God orchestrated my life to allow me to go.  I learned so much while there (including lots of Spanish!) It was my first “mission trip” and definitely the longest period of time I had been away from home.  God taught me through the Guatemalans the importance of putting God first in all circumstances (“Primero Dios”).  Many of them also showed me how I need to be more selfless, as they were so generous and giving towards many.  God also burdened my heart for the town I was able to live in during the second month.  It’s funny, because the town though thousands of miles away from America, was very much like America, spiritually speaking!  I saw a lot of people going to church and “being Christian” because that’s what their family did.  It was more about rituals, tradition, and the act of doing.  This is not the Gospel. 

There is nothing we can do to earn God’s favor.  We must accept that He sent His son to die for us, and that when God looks at us He sees Jesus in our place.  Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  We live in response of this gift, as we offer our lives as a living sacrifice to God.  Paul says in Romans 12:1, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Also, like America, there are people who just don’t know.  They may be around church and near it, but the Gospel is not in their hearts.  And there are other people in Guatemala who have simply not heard. 

To simplify all the above, I’m going because God has called me.  Just as I am supposed to do here in Raleigh/Durham, I am going to go and share what Jesus has done for me in Guatemala (and I’m going to attempt to do that in Spanish :D).  What Jesus has done for me is accessible for all people from here to Guatemala to Timbuktu.   I know there are needs here in NC and America, and I absolutely acknowledge that.  The truth of the matter is that I can’t meet all the needs by myself.  God works through the church, His body.  We, as the church, are to be ambassadors wherever we go.  But God said to make disciples of all the nations.  I don’t think I am better than anyone because I am going overseas, nor do I see it as a way to earn “extra Christian points.”

I just know that God has put Guatemala on my heart.  He has since the day I left in 2010.  He had to grow and mature me a more in faith, but now He has told me it is time to go back. But like God has been teaching me, it’s not about me—it’s about proclaiming His name.  This is my God-given desire and I hope it is yours too, wherever your location may be.

When and What?

 I will be flying out of RDU early Saturday morning, May 26^th, to Texas to meet up with a group going from Devin’s church in Oklahoma, Emmanuel Baptist Church. Together with them I will fly to Guatemala!  This church has gone for many years, and as a result has established many relationships with the people there.  Our first stop is Huehuetenango. We will be there Saturday and Sunday.  We will prepare for the week, worship at the church, and then hold a youth activity that Sunday night there. On Monday, we will travel to a town called Totonicapán. Here we will be putting on a VBS, hanging out with the youth, and visiting people in their homes to pray with them.  The team will be here until June 3^rd before going back to Oklahoma.

After the team leaves Devin and I will continue staying in Totonicapán.  I will then be living with a family, mother Lena and her daughter Mimi.  I will be here until June 15^th.  Here, we will be going door-to-door visiting and praying with the people in this area.  We will also be delivering food, passing out blankets, or trying to fill any needs we see.  During this time our main focus is to build relationships and communicate the love of Christ by helping provide for their physical needs.

On June 16^th, we will “move” to Huehuetenango.  We will be spending time with a church called, Fuente de Salvación.  I will be living with the pastor’s son’s family during this week, while we are forming relationships with the youth in the church.

The last part of the trip, which at  times I still cannot believe, I will be traveling back to the same area I was two summers ago! I will be living with the same family I did before, the Chacon family.  This family consists of mother Maria, daughter Elizabeth, and son Oscar. The mother leads the local church in the town of Llano Largo (near Zacapa if you want to see it on the map).  This is largely due to the lack of male leadership.  The church is very small, but upon attending it is very clear they have big faith.  The small numbers are not a distraction for them, as they are more focused on praising their Savior during church.  Elizabeth has told me that recently they have had more young people come to the church.  Compared to many places I went to in Guatemala, Llano Largo is a “wealthier” town, but it is still spiritually poor.

As touched on earlier, Guatemala is a place of tradition, and for many people that goes with their religion.  If their entire family has not gone to church they will not either.  Pray for the hearts of people in this town to be softened so that they can see past traditions.  Pray that they will see the Gospel for what it is and the saving power it has.

  I beg for your prayers.  God has really been preparing me for this trip, or maybe for something even greater.  Regardless, God is moving and active here in the States and in Guatemala.  He is challenging me to speak more boldly and to be more open about what He has done, is doing, and promises to do.  I am being pushed to do that here in the States and I think it is preparing me to do this in Guatemala.  Please pray that God would continue to empty me of selfish desires so that He can use His power through me. Second Corinthians 12:9 says “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

  God promises to use our weakness for His glory and I believe that is what God is doing in me right now.  In order to see the true power of God, we must yield to him our every desire, passion, and want.  Please pray for the many people I encounter on this trip.  Pray that I would humble myself to learn from them, as well as be used by God to encourage, disciple, or share the Gospel with them.

Thank you for taking the time to read this small booklet… I mean letter J

                                                                                          Love in Christ,

                                                                                                            Nikki