This new song by Matthew West sums it for us. SO…
Before you continue on reading….go ahead and click on the
above link and watch/listen to Day One
by Matthew West.
We are down to less than 8 weeks left here in
Guatemala. We have had a lot of
questions cycle through our heads in this journey that our family has embarked
on.
Besides questions, we have taken note of various truths as
well.
*We were called to come to Guatemala (for an actual season!)
*We always said that we would remain in youth ministry at
our home church until we were called away (even though we never really gave much
thought of what THAT would feel and look like when it was time to move on).
*We are truly called back to the States. If there is any sort of running, it is into the arms of our LORD. That same path that led us here to Guatemala
is the same path that leads us back.
*Moving our family to a third world country that we have
visited before was a leap of faith, BUT heading back to the States, yet not
fully knowing what the “next step” looks like….now THAT is the leap of faith
that this past year has been preparing us for.
*What is next?
As we proceed to finish well here in Guate, we continue to
work on:
**The
on site clinic organization and implementation
**Profiles
for each pastor/church that is under the discipleship care
**Hosting
various people that come to stay, visit, work, serve
**Update
the painting (switching from flat that needs to be re-painted each
year, to semi-brilliant that can now be wiped down
Yet, the most important part is that we are doing what we
can to live into the mercies of the Lord each day. Each day is a gift. We let the kids experience life in a third
world country. This means when we hear
the words “I have it so tough” or “ I miss my friends” or “I have nothing to
do”, we can easily share with them the world around us and then words seem to
change to “God really does love everyone” or “how come they do not have……and
how can I help” or “yeah…..pretty amazing”.
We let imaginations go wild.
Like letting all of the kids make forts in the big room with chairs and
blankets and then let them “sleep” downstairs, if you could midnight to 4:30 in
the morning sleeping?
Each new day brings us closer to the next phase, whatever
that will look like besides being in the States. Each new day brings us His mercies and new
ways of learning more of His heart. Each
day, can be and really is….Day One.
How are you living your day today?
~Justin
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| Cooling off on a hot day |
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| capturing a rare moment....calm togetherness! |
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| Lesli and Emilee |
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| first meal out on the deck with the "new" table...straight from a pallet |
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| normal day |
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| Happy Birthday Emilee |
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| There are 6 kids in this photo...can you spot them? |
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| Forts and kids and big spaces go well together... |
