LIFT is spending its last day in Guatemala waking with an abundant breakfast buffet of classic Guatemalan food then processing and sharing for two hours to debrief the whole mission experience over the past two weeks. Before departing for the airport in Guatemala City, the students will have a few hours to shop, explore, and revisit their favorite places they have discovered in the beautiful historic city of Antigua.
Everyone is enjoying the much needed rest at the hotel. A hot shower, swimming, and having down time are welcome after a non-stop two weeks of serving with the SI missionaries and experiencing the busyness of this culture leading up to Semana Santa and Easter, especially around the cultural hub of Antigua. Every place we have gone has been crowded with people and detours to divert heavy traffic around parades and closed streets for "alfombras" (beautifully colored carpets made of sawdust, sand, or plants).
To top it all off, we finished our time here this past weekend climbing the high and mighty Volcan Acatenango. The students were blown away (emotionally and physically, but not literally - don't worry Mom and Dad) by the hard challenge of hiking for 5 hours with full packs at 40% less oxygen availability. Words do not describe what one experiences when seeing the power of a mountain a mile away from our scenic campsite above the clouds, violently exploding lava, molten rocks, and plumes of ash hundreds of feet in the air. Perspective on the power of our Creator is taken to new levels.
The students are tired with sore legs but very, very full of an experience and time they will never forget. The Holy Spirit has been and IS moving in the hearts of students. Thank you Students International missionaries for modeling what it means to serve Jesus and live in his kingdom and for taking the time to pour into every single person on the LIFT team. So many valuable lessons have been lived out.
Thank you to all the supporters and family members who have faithfully stood with us through this time through interceding to the father for us. You are such a valuable part of our team. Please pray for our travels back and our time over Easter break to continue to process what God has been teaching us. And please if you get a chance to be with any of the students, ask them about their time and how they are growing as a result of it and how they intend to move forward with living on mission for God.
Kate and I are so privileged to serve the Lord in the work he has called us in walking with each of these young disciples of Christ. They are good trees bearing good fruit because they have built their foundations on the rock of Jesus. There is nothing better in this life than seeing Jesus transform lives when they yield to his relentless, steadfast love.
He is Risen! . . . And he is rising in the hearts of many!
His kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven,
Tim
Hallelujah, Amen!
ReplyDeleteWhat a good trip! That hike sounds remarkable. I trust God works in and through us in ways we'll never know, and it is like that hike is a moment that God uses to give a glimpse of the richness of life in Christ. As the students arrive back I have joy in seeing their faces again and I look forward to hearing the stories. And Tim is right, even more I look forward to hearing about God's good work in their lives.