After almost taking a flight to Chicago, we are now at LAX where we will connect to our final flight to Guatemala.
The past few months have been filled with much prep for our science curriculum, incredibly successful fundraisers (I learned Iâm not the best barista, but I really enjoy the job), many walks together, and much prayer.
While our trip is just beginning, I realize my time with team is drawing to a close. It has been a privilege to live life with David, Sam, Minju, June, and Celina. We have been praying for one another since April â weâve seen each other through challenges, new seasons, and Godâs loving hand in our lives. I am excited to serve alongside this team, and I will look back at this season fondly.
Katrina, who has coordinated countless Short Term Missions Trips in CobĂĄn this year, has been a total MVP in this prep. From planning each day to praying for us, itâs through her that we have this opportunity to go witness GOGodâs work in CobĂĄn. Itâs not easy to facilitate back-to-back STMs! Keep her and her ministry in prayer!
This coming week we have diligently prepared for Science Camp - Science lessons, science crafts, and games all tied to the Gospel and living out faith. Iâm excited to meet all the kids! But thatâs just half the day, in the mornings we will be visiting families to pray for them. What is in store as we visit each family makes me a little nervous â thereâs not much I can do to prepare but to pray for them before I meet them.
Our team also has been given the opportunity to lead morning prayer worship with other churches on Thursday morning, as well as help lead worship during La Graciaâs prayer night on Friday. Though my Spanish is terrible (I took four years of French LOL), practicing Spanish worship songs takes me back to college. A cherished memory from my trip to CobĂĄn in 2021: Playing guitar at 2am at night outside of AMI International School. I had no idea that my singing in Spanish kept my college pastor awake that night haha.
That trip in 2021 is the absolute highlight of my college experience, God had never felt more alive. It was a bright light in my pandemic-era spiritual stagnancy. I look at all God has done since then and see that He has never left.
This is not related to missions, but I also want to honor my friend Emmanuel. He passed away in June, in a time where I prayed and believed he would get better. His testimony for Christ and his legacy lives on, through Renewal church where he as blessed me with amazing food recs, and his family who has witnessed Christâs undeniable transformation in his life.
Please pray:
- For spiritual protection! This past week has been incredibly eventful for our team. Our last minute flight change is a minor hiccup compared to what had happened to a fellow team member. I am thankful for Godâs sovereignty and his goodness covering over us. Please pray for Godâs protection!
- Please pray for the kids and families that we will meet. To see the never-ending, saving love of Jesus grow deeper into the hearts of those in Caserio Xalcata. What a privilege it would be to witness Holy Spirit transformation in the lives of those in CobĂĄn!
- PRIASE!!! A logistical hurdle: our science materials (and all of my clothes) almost didnât make it to our flight. We had already notified Katrina that the luggage wouldnât make it, but by Godâs grace (a flight delay) our luggageâs unexpectedly MADE IT!!!
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