As the team sat in the small room listening to Hermano Jesus
speak with each family member and ask if they would like Jesus as their Lord
and Savior, it was Dulce Maria, the 10 year old, that brought the group to
tears. She she gazed her soft brown eyes
into this seasoned pastor, before she was able to get a word out, the tears
started to flow and then her head dropped into her hands and she began to
sob. This 10 year old then looked up and
said, “si” (yes)….yes I want Jesus…..followed quickly by….yes I NEED Jesus……
As I sat there with this team of youth from Michigan I
realized that this was a moment that would be etched in my memory for a long
time. Not so much for the great
friendships that developed with the team, but more for the specialness of the
moment. This was the book of Acts in
modern day life. We sat in this house
with Daniel and Gloria and their kids.
This family in the village of Tonajuyu had shown their hearts all week,
and it was time us to return the favor.
Our hearts were with Jesus and not for Jesus…..trust me, there is a
difference.
As my
family prepares to move back to the states in eleven days, we are starting to
pack and to process. As much of a
confirmation as it was for our family to come to Guatemala, so is it a
confirmation to move back to the states.
Yet, questions remain in my heart and mind:
*Lord what deposits have you placed in my life and that of
my family while we lived in Guatemala for a year?
*What are our next steps?
*Why call us here to serve and live…..what are you preparing
for us?
*How is this experience going to impact not only my family
but our surroundings?
·
and many more……
I realize that some of these questions will not be answered
immediately. I fall back on a quote that
came to me when we began the journey of moving to Guatemala:
Understanding can wait, but obedience cannot…….This is a
part of a quote from Rick Warren.
I also remember a quote shared by a friend names Josh. When Josh went with his wife to India, he
stated…I am not called to India….I am called to Christ. Same goes with myself. I am not called to Guatemala…..although
Guatemala has been and will be a part of my calling, along with youth,
missions, mentoring, discipleship, etc.
I am called to Christ.
We are truly soaking up all of the experiences here in
Guatemala and realize that they are indeed preparations for many more
experiences in the USA. When Vicki
travels to remote villages for medical clinics and sees people dealing with
health issues that can be easily solved, except that these people lack the
resources to achieve health….
When I travel to remote villages with the Hermano Jesus and
Pablo to train and encourage the pastors from the Timothy Leadership I find
myself amazed at how God not only is bringing me to places where the Coconut
and Banana Trees Grow, but to a place where I am real. I have little (little Spanish, little in
common, little help?) but I have plenty (plenty of heart, plenty of passion,
and plenty of desire).
Thank you to all of you who have prayed with us this past
year and shared in our journey. We know
full well that our journey is far from done.
We are soaking up this week and the next and preparing for this massive
transition back. We (Vicki and I) have
planned a few days re-entry time with the kids.
We feel it will be ever so important to walk with them as they process
this journey as well. Why? Because we
ARE the Schrock Tribe!
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| Rachel sharing on house dedication |
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| part of the OCCS group praying with a family to accept Christ |
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| this view never gets old |
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| a "flipside" photo |
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| praying for the family of this house |
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| Team Lifestream doing what matters most: praying |
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| Day of Dedication |
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| a picture of discipleship...can you see it? |
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| Emilee and her gift of woven pine needles |
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| Dan and his niece Meghan |
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| beautiful |
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| surrounding a house in prayer for 47 minutes! |
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| Is that Caleb Baartman? I have to do a double take ALL week!!!! |
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| great day with a great daughter! |
