The Hospital (Guatemala series)

I had recently returned from my mission trip to Tactic, Guatemala (Impact Ministries) with a team from Harvest Bible Chapel in Davenport. It was an amazing experience that will be hard to truly describe and it has and will continue to take me a while to process.  I did want to record a few of the experiences and share where I was truly challenged, convicted, and moved.  I wrote about four topics that I will post within the next week or so, in order for you to have a glimpse of what God showed me and how I was compelled.

PART 4

The Hospital

He heals the brokenhearted

and binds up their wounds.

He determines the number of the stars;

he gives to all of them their names.

Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;

his understanding is beyond measure.

Psalm 147:3-4

Feelings of apprehension were hard to ignore as we entered the Guatemalan public hospital. We were not sure what we would face, or how we would cope with what lie in those hospital beds. We came equipped with stuffed animals “stuffies" and offered prayers for those little ones in need. 

Crowded together is small bays were numbers of beds, each holding a precious child, placed next to a plastic lawn chair allowing parents or caretakers to sit beside them.  Some families had been there for weeks, exhausted not only from lack of sleep but wondering when and if their child will be able to return home. 

Each bed we approached held a small child, one who God loved dearly, but they lie in wait.  They waited to be attended to, they waited for surgery, they waited for relief, they waited for healing. Each child reminded me of my own and it broke my heart.  It was so difficult to hold back tears as I saw each one through the eyes of Christ. These are His children. It was hard not to have a feeling of defeat or sadness.  But we know the ultimate healer.  

We prayed through translators for each one, many smiled, some cried.  All were moved, not by us, but by the power of the Holy Spirit. We then place a small stuffed animal in the hands of these little patients, to bring some physical comfort and joy.  We may never know what happens to all those children, but we can trust in the Almighty who loves them more than we will ever know and cares for each one with grace and love. May we also pray fervently for their future, may they all become warriors for Christ.

The Blessings of Hospitality (Guatemala series)

I had recently returned from my mission trip to Tactic, Guatemala (Impact Ministries) with a team from Harvest Bible Chapel in Davenport. It was an amazing experience that will be hard to truly describe and it has and will continue to take me a while to process.  I did want to record a few of the experiences and share where I was challenged, convicted, and moved.  I wrote about four topics that I will post within the next week or so, in order for you to have a glimpse of what God showed me and how I was compelled.

PART 3

The Blessings of Hospitality

Hebrews 13:16

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Almost thirty of us crowded through the gate as we entered the humble family’s home.  We were invited to not only dine with these gracious hosts but to be blessed by their company and love.  We were made, with care, copious amounts of delicious Guatemalan foods, and rich hot cocoa.  We were not only served but taught the traditions of how the food was made and had a chance to attempt the art of tortilla making for ourselves.  We laughed as many of us failed miserably in making that perfect tortilla.  Our hosts were sweet, patient and so gracious to us as we all talked, laughed, and ate.  

Though they had more than most in their community, they were certainly in need.  Nevertheless, they offered all they had to make us feel welcomed and blessed.  It made us feel so humbled to be cared for so deeply.  We were able to pray over the family, and they in return gave tremendous words of blessing back to us, even their young daughter offered up beautiful thanks as well.  

We all left their home, full not only from the remarkable food, but from the love they shared, giving what they had.  They were grateful for the community.  We were grateful to be blessed and loved on by their generosity.

I so often am convicted about how many times I fail to open my home to others.  I fail to invite, to serve, and to be a blessing.  I have more than enough to supply, yet my insecurities and inadequacies tend to reign and I worry more about myself than those that need to be blessed.  I worry about the clutter.  I worry that my house isn’t as big or as nice as it should be to make people feel welcome.  I worry my food will be inadequate, bland or not be satisfying.  When it comes down to it, my focus isn’t on others, or what God calls me to do, it is on myself.  I recognize now how much time I’ve wasted on the “not good enough” thoughts that I have missed tremendous opportunities to serve and be blessed by blessing others.  I pray that I will be bold to invite more people into my messy world, and show that I care, and love them, and not be consumed with the insufficiencies of what I have. It is not about the material things I have to offer, it is about the experience of caring and loving on others.

1 Peter 4:8-10

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.

The Sinkhole (Guatemala series)

I had recently returned from my mission trip to Tactic, Guatemala (Impact Ministries) with a team from Harvest Bible Chapel in Davenport. It was an amazing experience that will be hard to truly describe and it has and will continue to take me a while to process.  I did want to record a few of the experiences and share where I was truly challenged, convicted, and moved.  I wrote about four topics that I will post within the next week or so, in order for you to have a glimpse of what God showed me and how I was compelled.

PART 2

The Sinkhole

John 1:5 

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

We were taken to a large cave at the end of steep climb. They called it a sinkhole, and it held a lot of history and spiritual darkness. From the top it looked daunting and proved treacherous as we descended down the narrow and muddy trail reaching into its depths.  It was dim and damp, with the aroma of burnt earth and charred debris.  There were scatterings of fire pits, with candle wax residuals that were once burning.  The feeling of heaviness was palpable but paled in comparison to the lies and deception that the people who journeyed down here were faced. 

They were huddled around the fire, performing a ceremony that called out to the darkness for help.

Many hired witch doctors, with money they didn’t have, selling off what they barely owned to have these men and women perform rituals of blessings, curses, and to help those in need.  This is the only solution these people know.  This is the only way they know.  Their fear compels them, and history repeats itself.

But we know better.  We know the Light in the darkness.  We know who has come to save.  We know the grace and forgiveness that is offered to us without performing rituals or hiring someone to interceded for us.  Those who call on the name of Jesus are gifted with the Intercessor, and He is free. The Holy Spirit indwells, Jesus our Savior died and rose again so that we may have life, and life abundantly.

No matter where we stood in that sinkhole, the light shown in from above.  And we know in scripture that His light will prevail.  Light will find the darkness.  We can never outrun it. We can never hide from it.  Our Lord God is the Victor, and ever knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord.  So, let's proclaim it now, interrupting the dark traditions, disrupting a broken heritage of evil. Let our light shine in the dark places…and never be fearful, but equipped with the power and might of the great name of Jesus Christ, with surrender in our hearts and worship on our lips.

Matthew 5: 14-16

You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.


*Special thanks to Dennis Wandera for some of these photos

The Joy of Worship (Guatemala series)

I had recently returned from a mission trip to Tactic, Guatemala (Impact Ministries) with a team from Harvest Bible Chapel in Davenport. It was an amazing experience that will be hard to truly describe and it has and will continue to take me a while to process.  I did want to record a few of the experiences and share where I was truly challenged, convicted, and moved.  I wrote about four topics that I will post within the next week or so, in order for you to have a glimpse of what God showed me and how I was compelled.

PART 1 of 4

The Joy of Worship

Psalm 100 

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

    Serve the Lord with gladness!

    Come into his presence with singing!

Though we didn’t understand all the words that were being lifted up in that small Guatemalan school, we knew God was being glorified.  Passion filled the room and even the youngest of worshippers were lifting their hands in praise and shouting out their own words of adoration.  They knew who their Maker was, they were giving Him all they had.  Some had little of monetary value. All had Christ which made them rich.

I often underestimate a child’s ability to know their Savior, to choose to worship. Those that sing, do so not to mimic or follow the crowd, but because they genuinely crave it.  They feel the effects of connecting with their Heavenly Father.  It brings joy. It brings peace. It brings hope.  It brings me to my knees with conviction.  I am a worship leader and I am humbled by the purity of their hearts as they worship without care of how they look, how they sound, or how they are perceived.  My heart is full as I watch and fervently pray for that same passion not only for my children, but for myself.  God will always be worshiped, and it is my joy to be one of His worshippers.

Psalm 86:9-10

All the nations you have made 

shall come and worship 

before you, O Lord,

    and shall glorify your name.

For you are great 

and do wondrous things;

    you alone are God.

*Photo's taken by Kim Lake