(The STEP team and youth from El Camino left-right: Josue, me, Paola, Kara, Erin, Vivi, Meli (top row), Ashley, Pablo, and Guillermo(bottom row))At the end of May I had the opportunity go home for almost 3 weeks for my sisters high school graduation. I was looking forward to going home and seeing my family and friends for the first time in almost 9 months. The first week or so it was hard to transition back into living in Arizona, and I definitely went through some culture shock and wished I was back in Guatemala. The last week I was home things started to get comfortable again. I loved how I could just pick up the phone and call one of my friends to hang out, I missed being able to do that in Guatemala. Driving was so much easier, the food was familiar, everyone spoke a familiar language, it felt comfortable again.
When it was time for me to come back to Guatemala, I started to question my call. Life was so much easier back in Arizona. Why did I want to come back to Guatemala? Where at times I felt lonely, sometimes it was hard to communicate, and things were not familiar. It was probably harder saying goodbye to my family and friends this time than when I left last September.
When I got back to Guatemala I started reading Joshua. The first chapter starts out by describing the command and the calling of Joshua. When I read verse 9 of chapter 1 something about it spoke to me. I had heard the verse many times, but with my struggle of being back in Guatemala, God used this verse to remind me. Joshua 1:9 says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." I then went back to Deuteronomy 31 where Moses tells Joshua of his calling. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Did you catch the word "before?" Reading those two verses encouraged me and reminded me that God has called me to be in Guatemala right now. He has gone before me, and He will never leave me.
Throughout these past few months I had the opportunity to help lead and coordinate the STEP program. The STEP team was here in Guatemala for two months (this is the same program I was a part of in 2001). It was an amazing time. One of our trips was to this village called Campur. Youth from my church here in Guatemala (El Camino) joined us on this trip. Watching the youth from El Camino serve, gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes. Seeing Pablo step up and lead programs, seeing Josue lead worship through his gift of playing the guitar, and seeing the other youth love on kids, and just being willing to serve wherever, reminded me that this is why I am here.
It's not about me. It's not about me leading a program, or being in front of a group, but it's about the opportunity to come along side the youth and encourage them. Seeing the youth from El Camino serve people from their own country, really impacted me. God used them and our trip to Campur to remind me why He has called me to be in Guatemala right now.
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