We began the morning singing 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman.
“Bless the Lord, oh my soul.
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name”
So I wanted to begin by listing 10,000 reasons why my heart is in Buena Vista, Guatemala.
1. Fried plantains
2. Buena Vista Sports Academy
3. Climbing steep roads
4. Fascinating culture
5. Humble hearts
6. Taking cold showers
7. Prayer walks
8. Gracious hosts
9. Meeting new people
10. God is here
I could sit here and type 10,000 reasons why my heart is in this forgotten village of Guatemala. But in reality, there are more than 10,000 reasons. Being in Guatemala is seeing a little of God’s heart. Each day, God has broken and rebroken my heart, so that I may see more of Him. Although there are many stories to tell I would like to share Guadelupe’s story.
Today I met Guadelupe. Guadelupe is a beautiful 11 year old girl who had an open fracture in her arm 2 years ago. She was playing soccer at school, when a girl landed on her arm. Her teachers left her at the footsteps of a hospital. As a minor, the hospital refused to do any surgery on her. Her teachers left her. What? As soon as I heard that, my heart stopped. Although she eventually received medical help, I still wondered: How could someone leave an injured little girl? Would her life be different if she got to help sooner? Although the injury was 2 years ago, she hasn’t been able to go back to school. She struggles with daily tasks. On top of this physical injury there is also an emotional injury. The family life in Guatemala can be really hard. There is alcohol, abuse, and hunger just to name a few. Her home life is tough. It broke my heart. No child should go through any type of pain, physically or emotionally. Sometimes I struggle with what God’s plan is, but I know He has one. As we prayed healing over Guadelupe, I teared up (really I cried). I prayed for His spirit to enter her home. I prayed for Him to hold her and comfort her. I prayed for Him to use her in mighty ways. I prayed for Him to heal her. When we finished praying over Guadelupe, she held my hand and she hugged me. Here I am red-eyed and her eyes shown bright. Guadelupe knew God was with her. She knew that God was in her.
If you are still wondering why Guatemala?
11. Guadelupe
I don’t have all the answers, but it is stories like Guadelupe’s that humbles me and reminds me that God is good all the time. All the time God is good.
– Maya Wallace
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