As many people know, I had the opportunity to go to Guatemala last week with Operation Security Blanket. You've seen the hundreds of pictures floating around on blogs and Facebook, but to me, pictures and even words fall short when it comes to how this trip impacted my life.
(We had a couple of "group meetings" on the trip to share how we felt, what we had seen, etc. But I never could find the words...and public speaking, even with people I know has never been my forte....so here is my answer...)
1.)I have seen the slideshows at Missions Conferences, I watch TV, I do fairly well at keeping up with the news...I knew I was blessed. BUT I had NO IDEA how blessed I am! I have not one, but two loving and Godly parents in my life. (Not to mention the slew of other relatives that have helped along the way). I live in a mansion compared to these people! (Yet complain about having to clean the bathroom or sweep the floor) I have never ONCE worked as hard as the people of Solola work in a day...just to survive. I have HOT water anytime I turn on the faucet...CLEAN hot water. I can drive to Walmart (not a smelly, crowded market) get anything and everything I need, drive home (not walk for miles, on steep rocky roads with cars carelessly speeding by...while carrying my purchases on my HEAD!!!!) I am not bent over for hours a day weaving or gardening.
I could go on and on and on about all the luxuries in life that we enjoy...but that's not what "got me." These people are (for the most part) content! They greet you with a smile (while carrying 75lbs of onions on their head walking up a cliff!) They are PROUD of their shacks and market. They don't NEED the internet, or hot water for that matter. They are content....content. Am I ever content? Yes, I know I have more than one person could ever need, but I can always find something to complain about or a "need" that hasn't been met....embarassing.
2.) We had the chance to help out with a church activity/ worship service....
AMAZING! We complain about whether or not the songs are too old, too "new,"
fast, slow, long, short, loud, soft,....etc, etc, etc!!!! Not them....they sing at the top of their lungs! (No matter the song...on key or off) They truly worship....the song was between them and God. It didn't matter what the pace, pitch, speed, age of the song was... I couldn't understand a single word, but I knew it was from their hearts. The poor kids sitting next to me probably thought I was "LOCO" (crazy)....I blubbered and cried the whole time. I need to learn how to worship like that!
3.) The babies....where do I begin??? The little boy in the picture is Walter...I want him SO BAD!!!! I can't get over it! I fell in love with him...and ALL THE OTHERS last week! We need to pray continiously for these precious children! Adoption in Guatemala is basically at a stand still right now. Larry and Claire and all the workers give the children a great place to live (better than the majority of kids in the area, for sure), but it is still not the "ideal way" to grow up! They need Christian families!
Everything from nap time to eating was a joy to help in! And who knows...maybe someday Jeff and I will get to go back and get a "Walter" of our own!
**I left out SO very much, but I loved every second of the trip and I'll never be the same!
5 comments:
Thats how I felt when I came home from Guatemala. We are so blessed. I think that would be so awesome if you and Jeff did adopt from Guatemala. I think you should for sure :)
Well said...
Thanks for the reminder. It has been a long time since I have been over seas on a mission trip and I needed that. I know there are so many things in the US that can and should be addressed as far as the US being a "mission field" but man, it hits you in a soft spot when you go to another country and see the needs there. Glad you had such a great experience, Walter is just precious!
I loved reading your words Shannon. The hardest part after returning home from a missions trip, is remembering these life changing things a few months down the road. On the last day of my first summer in Nepal, the missionary had us write a letter to ourselves. 6 months later, I received it in the mail. The memories flooded back and so did all of the things I wanted to remember from that trip.
Shannon,You have expressed so beautifully thoughts from your trip. Thanks for sharing. I found it very powerful and thought provoking if not convicting. Pastor Eddie
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