It is incredible to me that we have been home three months now, and even more incredible that we actually made that leap of faith to go to Guatemala. It's crazy to think that we booked the trip in January and got on a plane across the Atlantic Ocean just two months afterwards. For a person who runs from spontaneity I think I did pretty well! But it just shows how peaceful you feel when God is in control. When you are yielded to Him nothing is too big or too scary.
On the first week of October I bought a new journal, with the words 'Let's go on an adventure' on the front. Back then I was really struggling with the job I was in, and just finding every day a challenge. At that time going to Guatemala was still a dream, and whilst I was facing an adventure, it wasn't the type I would have chosen. Sill, five months later I really did go on an amazing adventure, spending five weeks in Central America with my husband and one amazing family, falling in love with precious children and coming face to face with the challenges this area of the world faces. I wrote all of those months down in the same journal, and I have loved reading back on it as I write this blog.
When I was a teenager I often dreamed about going on a mission trip over summer or in a gap year. I was often really drawn to South America, even trying to learn a little Portuguese in the hopes that one day I would go to Brazil! My older brothers went to Albania every summer to work with street kids, and whilst I felt so drawn to mission work I never seemed to get the same opportunity. Now I feel so blessed to have been able to serve in Africa and Central America, and I'm still only 24! I thank God for the opportunities He has given me, and for giving me the desires of my heart, desires He placed in my heart when He designed me.
A verse I love is Psalm 90v1, 'Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations'. It's a verse I often pray for my marriage, that throughout all our generations together, wherever we find ourselves, that God alone would be out dwelling place. On the morning of our flight as I woke up at 5am and prayed, it was the verse that came into my heart. It was such a sweet reminder that while we left the comfort and safety of home, our true home was in Jesus, even when we were flying over an ocean!
Whilst away I was definitely challenged to find my security in God and trust in His protection alone. Often when we were stood outside school in plain view I would feel a little nervous, and I definitely felt nervous the first time we visited Santiago at night. I don't know if I mentioned in the previous post, we had to be out of Santiago by a certain time at night, as by then the gangs came out onto the streets and it just wasn't safe. As we left prayer meetings, often very close to that time, I was definitely feeling tense! I noticed pretty quickly that I felt safe if I was stood right next to Geo, (one of the teachers at school and a good friend of the family), or Luke and Juancho, but if it was just me and Sophie outside I would be quite nervous. It was such a challenge to me to remember that God is my protection, that I am safe because He is with me, not just because I was stood next to the guy who grew up with the gang members and is pretty stacked!
'God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble' Psalm 46v1
One thing I know is that my faith grew massively while I was away. It would be hard for it not to, just being with the Humphries every day, who trust God for everything and continually step out in faith, was amazing for me.
Looking back on my life I seem to deal better with the big stuff. I have faith for big answers to prayers and in big situations, but I don't deal well with a few dozen small worries when they happen all at once! My mind can get caught in a web of mind numbing thoughts all shooting around at the same time. It's exhausting!
For me that is a bigger challenge, and the first week I was in Guatemala I had a lot of thoughts going on at once, as well as being in a new place. (Girl struggles with change, if you didn't know by now!) That can so easily wear me down and make me vulnerable to attack. But you know, I don't thing God measures our faith on how big the obstacle is. He knows that things that look small to others are major to us. Faith grows as we trust God with the small stuff. Seeing his faithfulness with little we dare to ask for more. As long as you are praying and then trusting when you feel worried, you will see answers, because he is faithful and just to hear us. Every prayer thrown up to heaven is heard and answered by Jesus. Does that not fill your heart with so much hope!
'And If we know that He hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of Him' 1 John 5v15
So, SO much more happened while we were away and I learnt so much more than this, but in the interest of this post not being too long, I do want to share a little about what was left for us when we got home. Looking back on previous posts I think I might have actually already shared this, but it's too good not to mention again!
We booked the flights to Guatemala really without telling anyone, so when I then had a meeting at work to discuss how I was getting on I point blank told them that we had just booked flights to Guatemala for five weeks and I needed to hand my notice in! It was a pretty amazing feeling, but let me tell you what was more amazing. A few days later they called me back into the office to offer me a part time job when I got back. A part time job on reception and admin. My aching nurses neck rejoiced! God had answered my prayers in an unimaginable way. It was too good an option to turn down. Instead of coming back from five weeks away to no job, I came home to my old job, but with less hours and less surgery time!
It still blows me away. Today is my day off and I have gone for a run (training for Total Warrior in a couple of weeks), hoovered out my car and written this blog post. I would never have had the time or energy to do these things if I was still working full time. I am so enjoying being able to go home more and see my family, spending time with my mummy friends and their babies and just being able to care for my home and husband better. It is such a gift and I know I am blessed, but I also prayed so hard for this, for two years! In no way does that somehow make me deserving of God's gifts, but it is an encouragement to anyone who wishes they were in my position. Pray and pray and pray! He will answer!
I am overwhelmed with thankfulness for this amazing adventure. Thankyou Jesus for the next one. Thankyou for being who You are, so faithful, so kind and so just. The world may try and tarnish Your name, but may I speak forever of how beautiful it is. Amen.
Ps, two of my favourite photo's of the last few months. From my new home in Cumbria with Roy to a place that will always feel like home, my Grandad's house tucked under the shadow of the Yorkshire Three Peaks. I'm one blessed woman. And He is one good God.
